Results of three-year systematic measurement of nuclear fall-out

A survey is given of the results of measuring the radioactivity of rain-out from 1. 11. 1956 to 1. 2. 1960 and of fall-out from 1. 11. 1958 to 1. 2. 1960.The temporary cessation of nuclear weapon tests from 1. 11. 1958 became apparent in the second half-year after the cessation (from 1. 5 to 31. 10. 1959) by a decrease in the cumulative activity to 45% of the value for the first half-year (from 1. 11. 1958 to 30. 4. 1959). At the end of 1959 another decrease was apparent.It was shown on the basis of long-term investigation into the activity that the samples of fall-out with greater activity contain relatively very little admixture from earlier nuclear tests so that in the period of a few weeks to months the sets of fission products may be regarded as practically isolated. The exponentn in the relationA=at^–n is most frequently 1.2 for the period of the first four mounths and for older samples is most oftenn=1.5. The energy of the beta and gamma rays from fall-out was estimated on the basis of absorption measurements. It was shown that the quality of the beta radiation varies with the age of the samples.A brief survey is given of the results of determining the Sr 90 content in fall-out and milk, and of the methods of physical evidence of Sr 90 used.

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1. 11. 1956 1. 2. 1960 1. 11. 1958 1. 2. 1960. 1. 11. 1958 , ( 1. 5. 31. 10. 1959) 45% ( 1. 11. 1958 30. 4. 1959). 1959 . . , , . n A=at^–n 4 1,2; n=1,5. - - . , - . Sr⁹⁰ . Sr⁹⁰.

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The author thanks Prof. F. Bhounek, member of the Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences, for valuable advice during this work.