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Airborne radioactivity survey of parts of the Atlantic Ocean beach, North and South Carolina

Trace Elements Memorandum 673
Prepared in cooperation with the United States Atomic Energy Commission
By: , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/tem673

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Abstract

The accompanying map shows the results of an airborne radioactivity survey along the Atlantic Ocean beach between Edisto Island, South Carolina and Cape Fear, North Carolina. The survey was made May 20, 1953, as part of a cooperative program with the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission. The survey was made with scintillation detection equipment mounted in a Douglas DC-3 aircraft and consisted of one flight line, at a 500-foot altitude, parallel to the beach. The vertical projection of the flight line coincided approximately with the landward limit of the modern beach. The width of the zone on the ground from which anomalous radiation is measured at the nominal 500 foot flight altitude varies with areal extent and intensity of radioactivity of the source. For strong sources of radioactivity the width of the zone may be as much as 1400 feet. The accompanying maps show the approximate locations of the areas of greater-than-average radioactivity (at left) and the location of the traverse flown (at right). The abnormal radioactivity is apparently caused by radioactive minerals associated with "black sand" deposits which occur locally along the beach in this region. The present technique of airborne radioactivity measurement does not permit distinguishing between activity due to thorium and that due to uranium. An anomaly, therefore, may represent radioactivity due entirely to one or a combination of these elements. It is not possible to determine the extent or radioactive content of the materials responsible for the abnormal radioactivity. The information given in the accompanying map showing the localities of greater-than-average radioactivity therefore, suggests areas in which uranium and thorium deposits are more likely to occur.

Suggested Citation

Meuschke, J.L., Moxham, R., Bortner, T., 1953, Airborne radioactivity survey of parts of the Atlantic Ocean beach, North and South Carolina: U.S. Geological Survey Trace Elements Memorandum 673, Report: 2 p.; 1 Plate: 16.96 x 18.69 inches, https://doi.org/10.3133/tem673.

Study Area

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Airborne radioactivity survey of parts of the Atlantic Ocean beach, North and South Carolina
Series title Trace Elements Memorandum
Series number 673
DOI 10.3133/tem673
Year Published 1953
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Description Report: 2 p.; 1 Plate: 16.96 x 18.69 inches
Country United States
State North Carolina;South Carolina
Other Geospatial Atlantic Ocean Beach
Additional Online Files (Y/N) Y
Additional publication details