46. 



DR. C. V. THEIS: There were samples taken in wells going 

 down below the water table in this area and they haven't shown any- 

 radioactive contamination. I believe I am right. 



QUESTION: How far below the water table? 



DR. THEIS: Not deep enough, as far as I am concerned. 

 These waste materials at Hanford are not shown to be of any higher 

 specific gravity than water. So you have more opportunity near the 

 water table. And I might add to what Mr. Piper said that they have 

 taken soil samples below these cribs, and one of my difficulties has 

 been that they have gotten too much activity in a small zone . 



DR. S. LASKY: I would like to know, once strontium and ce- 

 sium have been removed, how long it takes for the remaining stuff 

 to get within tolerable limits. 



DR. J. A. LIEBERMAN: Tens of years, I think, would be the 

 order of magnitude. 



DR. HAWKINS: Is there any concern of possibly wanting to get 

 at these materials once they are put in the ground? Is anybody con- 

 cerned over that? 



DR. LIEBERMAN: I think the only basis on which one could 

 answer at this time is that strontium and cesium can be extracted 

 readily. They are sources of radio energy which may have value in 

 the future. But the problem is not whether we can get the stuff back 

 but what can we do with it now that we have it. 



MR. RALPH HUNTER: I wonder if the acid material going down 

 into the crib might be precipitating in the alkaline soil some strontium 

 carbonate or some of the other carbonates or phosphates which are 

 holding fission products. Has that been aswered? 



MR. PIPER: I don't know that it has been answered. 



DR. HUBBERT: Mr. Chairman, the question just asked is one 

 that several of us have been discussing between sessions. Mr. Culler 

 this afternoon mentioned that all of these wastes could be put into a 

 liquid form by the various methods of extraction. When the possibility 

 is considered of taking the liquid waste and putting it underground, the 

 question arises of whether or not a reaction between the material in- 

 jected and the minerals in the ground might immediately block all the 



