Field Detection of Pu

[Bates.Estabrooks@rfets.gov (Bates Estabrooks)]

          RADSAFERs:
          
          Maybe some of you all could offer a suggestion.
          
          Rocky Flats will, in a few weeks, begin excavating a 
          1950s-vintage trench in which drums of depleted uranium chips 
          and turnings (mixed with cutting coolants)  were buried.
          
          As each intact drum (highly unlikely), or its carcass with 
          contents (very likely), is excavated, we would like to know 
          rather promptly whether we have any "surprises" such as Pu or 
          highly-enriched uranium.  We know that large quantities of DU 
          are buried there, but since the facility also worked with Pu 
          and HEU, there is a small chance of these things being found 
          also.
          
          Therefore, can anyone recommend a quick screen using field 
          instruments that we might be able to perform on each backhoe 
          bucket of stuff to indicate whether either of these fissile 
          substances (pu or HEU) are present in significant quantities?
          
          We have a fairly broad range of portables including the SAIC 
          AP-2.
          
          Thanks for your help.
          
          Bates Estabrooks
          bates.estabrooks@rfets.gov
          303-966-3769