Operation Roller Coaster, Project Officers Report — Project 5.2/5.3b: Radiobiological, Radiochemical, and Physiochemical Analyses (U)

Archive description

Data on the plutonium and uranium content of biological and physical samples, collected and isolated from non-nuclear detonations of plutonium-bearing weapons under various storage situations, are presented. A precision tracer (Pu-236) procedure was developed for the rapid analysis of the plutonium, which was non-uniformly distributed in these samples. A fluorimetric procedure was developed for the rapid analysis of uranium. Measurement of the plutonium content was accomplished by equilibration of tracer with sample plutonium, radiochemical purification, tracer yielding, and alpha pulse-height analysis. This method ensured a high degree of accuracy, high sensitivity, and freedom from interference from other alpha emitters. Over 4,000 radiobiological, radiochemical, and fluorimetric analysis are tabulated. The analyses were performed at Tracerlab's western division in three isolated laboratories plus separated counting facilities. Accurate laboratory analysis of all samples was achieved with no personnel contamination or cross-contamination of samples. Procedures for radiochemical analyses, handling of special problems, techniques of Alpha Pulse Height Analysis, quality control measures, and additional data based on radiochemical analysis and radiometric measurements are presented.