FALL-OUT AND AIRBORNE ACTIVITY IN OPERATION WIGWAM, WITH NOTES ON SURFACE EFFECTS,
Abstract
Conclusions: The Wigwam deep underwater nuclear detonation produced sufficient airborne activity to have given radiation doses many times tolerance (i.e., about 30 r) to exposed personnel located approximately 5 miles downwind, but the magnitude of airborne activity closer to surface zero was not measured. There was no visible fall-out cloud transporting the material from the region above surface zero to the downwind point of detection, but analysis of the airborne activity does give evidence of the venting of the bubble material. An order of magnitude estimate indicates an amount of airborne activity of the order of 1 per cent of the total activity. The dosimeter data, which are generally corroborated by the aerial survey data, indicate the existence of a radiation field in the water near surface zero at early times sufficient to give lethal dosages to personnel immobilized either in that water or on lightly shielded ships immobilized there. The fluorescein dye gave a surface zero region marking of operational utility. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1955
- Accession Number
- AD0617135
Entities
People
- Frederic A. French
Organizations
- Naval Radiological Defense Laboratory