98. 



•where the test could be monitored effectively. Areas 

 suggested were: an isolated mesa on the Colorado 

 Plateau; the edge of a fanglomerate , where gravels in- 

 terfinger with clays; and an area underlain by loess. 

 During the discussion, it was apparent that the feasibil- 

 ity of these sites was predicated on the assumption that 

 clay minerals would adsorb the radioactive ions. Yard- 

 stick for the discussion was: A cubic mile of semi- 

 consolidated material contains about 10 iU tons. If the 

 material has 1 percent montmorillonite , it would adsorb 

 1,000 gallons a day for 1 , 000 years . 



a. The Colorado Plateau was deemed a poor place for 

 carrying on the experiment, because too little is 

 known about the movement of ground water in the 

 aquifers there. The material might find its way to 

 surface springs too quickly. 



b. The fanglomerate at the edge of a desert mountain 

 range would be a suitable test site, if preliminary 

 laboratory tests are favorable. 



c. A loess -covered area would be good if it is sufficiently 

 isolated, and if the preliminary tests are favorable. 



(2) Recommendations for tests and requirements. 



a. "Cool" the waste for a period of several years. 



b. Conduct specific retention studies on loess and other 

 materials . 



c. Conduct research on tracers to determine rates of 

 ground water movement through unsaturated materials 

 and movement of cations in the water. Helium was 

 suggested as a tracer. 



d. Laboratory studies on cation movement as related to 

 heat effect. 



(3) Conclusions. This method of disposal is worth investi- 

 gating, but cannot be recommended at the present time. 

 Extensive research will be needed, with no guarantee of 

 success . 



