GROUND WATER SAFETY
Abstract
Evaluations, predictions, and recommendations for ground-water safety were made for the 5 kiloton Salmon Event, Project Dribble. Pre-shot consideration indicated that the nuclear explosion would be fully contained within the salt mass of Tatum Dome, enabling the conclusion that radiocontamination of aquifers intersecting or overlying Tatum Dome would not occur. In the unlikely event that contaminants were introduced into aquifers it was estimated that contaminant movement within the aquifers would be limited to a maximum lateral distance of about 700 meters from the point of insertion before reduction to acceptable concentrations by radioactive decay. Recommendations were included to examine several lines of shot and post-shot evidence to evaluate the possibility of ground-water contamination as a result of the detonation. The shot and post-shot data indicate that the Salmon underground nuclear event was essentially contained within the salt matrix of Tatum Dome and no explosion radioactivity has been detected in the aquifers. Recommendations are made for future sampling and monitoring of all aquifers previously considered to assure continuing ground-water safety.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1965
- Accession Number
- AD0626151