The following report provides data collected during an investigation in the Columbia River. The purpose of this investigation was to research the radioactivity present in the bottom-living organisms of the river.

The following report studies the neutron activation cross-sections with the insertion of boron absorbers in the energy region 10 to 20,000 ev and the elements within the range.

Summary: The activity coefficient of Pu(Cl04)4 was measured in perchloric acid solutions. The procedure used was to measure the extraction of the neutral plutonium(IV)-TTA chelate into benzene-TTA solutions at different perchloric acid concentrations. Equations are presented which show the relation of the extraction coefficients, obtained in the above manner, to the activity coefficient of plutonium(IV) per-chlorate. The activity coefficient of Pu(Cl0~)4 is similar to that of a strong acid, e.g., perchloric acid, in that its value increases rapidly when the perchloric acid concentration becomes greater than 2M. The distribution coefficient of TTA between benzene and aqueous perchloric acid solutions was found first to decrease slightly and then to increase two fold as the perchloric acid was varied from 0.01 to 6M. The activity coefficient of the uranous-TTA chelate in benzene was calculated from the results of solubility measurements. The values of the activity coefficient of UK4 are,within experimental error, identical with the values of the activity coefficient of TTA itself.

The following report describes the results from studies based on the toxicity and metabolism of radioactive substances derived from uranium fission. Rats and mice were administered radioactive sodium and reactions and changes were studied.

This is a summarizing and reviewing report in which almost all the experimental data representing Project work done prior to 1949 on the corrosion of pure uranium are brought together and analyzed. New data obtained in this laboratory on corrosion rates in laboratory atmosphere and on the identification of corrosion products by electron diffraction are included. The data for corrosion in each of several different media have been plotted according to logarithm-of-the-rate versus reciprocal-temperature coordinates; and from these plots values for the energies and entropies of activation of the corrosion reactions have been obtained. By theoretical treatment of the role of oxygen as a negative catalyst, it is shown that this element may be expected to "poison" the corrosion rection and then act as a corrosion inhibitor. A practical significance of these data analyses is that they explain why machined uranium parts stored in inert atmospheres (helium or argon) containing only very small amounts of water vapor will corrode relatively rapidly with the formation of loose powdery oxide, whereas similar parts may be kept in dry air almost indefinitely with formation on their surface of only a discoloring, but adhered, oxide coating.

Report detailing the development of an apparatus for injection of animals with dangerous amounts of hard beta and gamma emitters. The development of this apparatus was necessitated by the extended period of time that experimenter's had to hold syringes containing radioactive material.

Quarterly report discussing the progress made with various projects at Argonne National Laboratory during the period from January to March 1948.

The following document describes some studies of the radioactive isotopes of cerium and lanthanum lying on the light or neutron-deficient side of stability.

From introduction: "Since plutonium is manufactured at the Hanford Works, a study of its effect on biological materials is important. To determine the amount of plutonium deposited in a biological sample, it is necessary to have an accurate method for extracting plutonium from these samples. Some of the different methods for plutonium assay are reviewed and given in this paper."

From abstract: "An empirical analysis was made of the quantitative characteristics of the sedimentation process in a large group of Metallurgical Laboratory employees. The data consisted of 20-. 40-, 60, and 80-minute readings on Westergren tubes."

From introduction: "The present investigation of the properties of boron stainless steel is an outgrowth of a project started in 1947. The problem is to replace the present steel used for drop rods in the Hanford piles with a material much less subject to corrosive attack from the humid atmosphere existing at the location of the rods."

Historical: This process is based on experimental work done in Jackson Laboratory, Send Works, Blue Products, and East Area. It supersedes the Tentative Chambers Works Process for the Manufacture of Fluorine Using Carbon Anode Units, dated December 2, 1943.

Abstract: The rate of extraction of PuIV in either direction between benzene-TTA and aqueous HNO3 solutions is shown in the present study to be fast enough so that application of the chelate process to continuous operation should be feasible. This conclusion is based on two primary considerations: 1. The mechanism limiting the rate of extraction appears to be diffusion and not chemical-reaction-limiting. 2. The extraction may be controlled by adjustment of the system conditions to give almost any desired specifications of rate and/or equilibrium. A continuous process involving multiple extraction stages with a controlled pH gradient is proposed for obtaining maximum decontamination and plutonium recovery.

A quarterly report consisting of reports published on Transuranic Elements from the University of California Radiation Laboratory. Each report is a brief one to two page summaries of the article submitted for publication during the months of September-November, 1948.

The following report was made to determine the effective clarity improvement, flow rate characteristics, and operational problems encountered on passing Redox uranium feed solution through sintered, modified Type 304 stainless steel filter elements.

The following report describes how to obtain traces of cadmium using dithizone as a reagent.

From introduction: "Two fluorimeters have been constructed for the determination of small amounts of uranium. There fluorimeters have been constructed after the basic plans for the Model V fluorimeter developed at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry and described in the Journal of Biological Chemistry for March 1948.

From abstract: "The chemical analyses of graphite test bars obtained from National Carbon Company and the analyses performed by the Hanford Works Laboratories Division do not correlate significantly with the test pile results, nor do the chemical analyses obtained from National Carbon Company agree with those done in the Handford Works Laboratories. Chemical results obtained at Hanford on samples taken lengthwise from individual bars correlated significantly with the individual test pile results."

Report describing the results of corrosion tests on 68 types of materials. Generally, most materials were tested with an agitator and vapor and some were tested a 3rd way with alternate immersion.

Abstract: "The compounds UCl3, UBr3, IaCl3, LaBr3, La(OH)3, CeCl3, CeBr3, PrCl3, PrDr3, Pr(OH)3, HdCl3, and Hd(OH)3 are shown to be isomorphous. They have hexagonal structures with two molecules per unit cell. The complete structures are determined and described."

The following report describes procedures taken to utilize the photelometer to procure the most rapid and reliable determinations, but the goal of the tests presented was to create satisfactory dispersions of particles to analyze.

Abstract: "The uranium content of badly contaminated uranium solutions may be determined quickly using visual comparison methods to an accuracy of [...]. This accuracy may be considerably improved by employing the fluorimeter herein described. Interfering ions and their removal using liquid-liquid extractions are considered."

Abstract: "Diameter measurements of 25 slugs taken before and after a prolonged heat treatment showed no evidence of differences that would indicate blistering. The average effects of the treatment was different for the various slugs. Large differences in diameter measurements between slugs. Large differences in diameter between slugs and significant differences between indices and positions were found."

The operation of the Fast Reactor is considered in terms of normal equilibrium conditions and normal shut-down. The proposed loading, control rod adjustment and subsequent "floating" operation are discussed. Safety devices and interlocks are described. Temperature and reactivity changes are examined with respect to various system failures, phase changes, and "flashing" of the reactor. Slow changes due to faulty slug cooling are also considered. The calculations were initially based upon 10 kw operation. Performance tests of the mercury system now indicate that 20-kw operation may be feasible.