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Summary of data concerning radiological contamination at well PM-2, Nevada Test Site, Nye County, Nevada
Analysis of water collected during August and September 1993 from well PM-2, on Pahute Mesa at\x11the Nevada Test Site, indicated tritium concentrations of\x1121,000 Bq/L at 610 m below land surface. The Schooner event (U-20u) was detonated in 1968 approximately 270 meterssoutheast of well PM-2 at a working depth of 108.2 meters. The crater created by the Schooner event was about 129.8 meters in radius and\x1163.4 meters in depth. Geologic and hydrologic properties of the stratigraphic units are summarized from historical data. The soil around the well and water in the well were analyzed for radionuclides and water in the well was also analyzed for inorganic constituents and organic (volatile and semivolatile) substances. Close agreement between tritium analyses of water from well PM-2, at different times and at the same depths, confirms the elevated levels of tritium. The highest tritium values in the borehole were at 610 meters below land surface-above the shallowest perforations at 765 meters below land surface. These values were only slightly higher than values found at greater depth in the well.
Suggested Citation
Russell, G., Locke, G., 1997, Summary of data concerning radiological contamination at well PM-2, Nevada Test Site, Nye County, Nevada: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 96-599, iv, 84 p. :ill., maps ;28 cm., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr96599.
ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)
Publication type
Report
Publication Subtype
USGS Numbered Series
Title
Summary of data concerning radiological contamination at well PM-2, Nevada Test Site, Nye County, Nevada
Series title
Open-File Report
Series number
96-599
DOI
10.3133/ofr96599
Year Published
1997
Language
ENGLISH
Publisher
U.S. Geological Survey ;
Branch of Information Services [distributor],