Cycling of transuranic radionuclides in the Columbia River, it's estuary, and the North Pacific Ocean. Progress report, 1 May 1977--31 January 1978

This report summarizes progress from 1 May 1977 through January 31, 1978, in our initial efforts to investigate the cycling of transuranic radionuclides in the Columbia River. An extensive core library is currently being processed which represents sampling sites between Richland, Washington, and Bonneville Dam. Thirteen large volume water samples were collected at selected coring sites to determine the partitioning of Pu and Am between the dissolved and particulate (0.45u) phases. As stated in our original proposal, we have undertaken the analysis of a large number of intercalibration samples both for water and sediments to ensure that the quality of our measurements are sound. Results are presented to show that our separation and counting techniques are acceptable. These intercomparisons are continuing and will form an integral part of our quality control program