-3- 



to determine these quantities. The operational objective is to dispose of 

 the materials as efficiently and conveniently as possible so as to eliminate 

 the nuisance and possible hazard associated with large waste accumulations. 

 Table 1 summarizes the currently available information on radioactive 

 wastes dumped in the Atlantic Ocean by the U. S. Navy. The information 

 supplied appears to be detailed, but the only nximbers which can be authen- 

 ticated are the total numbers of drums dumped annually. All of the other 

 numbers are judgmental estimates. The categorized numbers of drums are 

 probably close to actuality whereas the estimated curie content could be 

 off as much as a factor of 10. 



Packaging AEG Wastes for Sea Disposal ; The great bulk of AEG wastes 

 deposited in the sea is contained in 55 gallon drums. Several different 

 methods of utilizing these driwis for waste packaging are used, depending 

 on the radioactivity of the wastej some of the most common are illustrated 

 in plate 1. Second hand drums, reconditioned in some cases, are used 

 throughout. Many of the drums are without tops. 



All packages are weighted with concrete or other materials so that 

 the average package density is sufficiently greater than sea water to assure 

 sinking. Minimum AEG packaging requirements are as stipulated in the appended 

 memo from the New York, AEG Operations Office. 



AEG Atlantic Ocean Waste Dvimpings ; The wastes were categorized as in 

 Table 1 becaiise these groupings lump together wastes which are more or less 

 of a kind and also uniform in concentration and amount of radioactivity. 

 A brief description of the measure of radioactivity ±ri these categories of 

 packages follows. 



