Atmospheric Aspects of Strontium-90 Fallout

Abstract

A review is given of some of the experimental evidence relating to the nature and atmospheric history of Sr/sup 90/ debris, and several experimental uncertainties and special considerations which affect the interpretation of world- wide fall-out are discussed. Information is included on the following: concentration of Sr/sup 90/ in surface air at several Northern Hemisphere locations, 1952 through 1955; fission-product 6 wt.% Ru-U all - activity and Sr/ sup 90/ in surface air, Washington, D. C., 1951 through 1955cumulative deposition of Sr/sup 90/ in rains and snows, Chicago, Pittsburgh, New York City, and Milford Haven (Wales), 1953 through 1958; concentration of Sr/sup 90/ in soil versus annual rainfall, Mediterranean area, 1955, and South America, 1956; deposition of Sr/sup 90/ in snow from Antarctica, January through February, 1955, Admiral Byrd Bay, February 1955, Greenland, September 1956; age of debris determined from Sr/ sup 89//Sr/sup 90/ ratio in rains in the United States, March through July 1956; cumulative deposition of Sr/sup 90/ and Sr/sup 90/ at Milford Haven, Wales, 1954 through 1957; and the approximate world-wide distribution of Sr/sup 90/ over land areas in mid-1956. (J.H.M.)