Soil Sample Analysis

["Denis J. Rinkacs, Jr." <dr4i@MAIL1.andrew.cmu.edu>]

Good Morning, Afternoon, or Evening,

I am reveiwing a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment Workplan 
and have the following questions concerning an uranium ore pit 
containing approximately 1930 pounds of carnotite and 1960 pounds 
of urananite in an untouched (i.e. not processed) form:

1. How  could one pinpoint the pit's location knowing only compass 
direction and approximate feet from a reference point?  Note: ore 
buried in 1961 or 1962.  Ore was buried under approximately 4 to 5 
feet of soil.

2. If two samples (one of the ore and one of the soil beneath 
the ore)were to be taken once the pit was found....why would one 
sample for vanadium?

3. If elevated levels, in either of the two samples, for gross 
beta and gross alpha are obtained...why would one perform 
additional samples for tritium and carbon-14?

Thanks in advance for any and all help.

denny

----------------------
Denis J. Rinkacs, Jr.
Radiation Safety Officer
Carnegie Mellon University
412-268-3221
412-268-6769 Fax
dr4i@MAIL1.andrew.cmu.edu