This is a reference made to a memorandum about the cooperation between the Hanford Site and the US Geological Survey. The US Geological Survey was at the site to work with Hanford on geological problems the site was having. They worked together to locate the water supply wells of the site which would be coordinated with the drilling program. They also worked together on the possible contamination to the 300 and 3000 area wells. (MB)

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This document details activities at the Hanford Works during the month of July 1948. (JL)

This memorandum is an outline of hydrologic investigations that seem desirable at the Hanford Directed Operations of the Atomic Energy Commission. In its present form, the outline is tentative and is intended as a basis for further considerations in the Commission, the Geological Survey, and other agencies concerned. In scope, it seeks to cover (1) advisory functions to the Atomic Energy Commission and its prime contractor with respect to an evaluation of the continuing hazards due to process wastes, also with respect to water-supply problems of the expanding operations at Hanford; also (2) civilian-protection aspects of possible emergencies, especially in the region adjacent to the Hanford reservation.

The method used for the preparation of uranium metal in a fused state was reduction of uranium chloride with calcium in a refractory-lined bomb. The reaction was started by externally heating the bomb with a gas flame. The metal was obtained in a solid chunk which was covered with a layer of fused calcium chloride. The metal obtained by this process had a density of 17.6 which on remelting in a vacuum induction furnace rose to 18.8. The melting temperature of the metal was estimated to be no greater than 1400 C. The metal was malleable, and had a silvery surface when freshly cut which rapidly tarnished, becoming black in the course of a few days.

The isolation of curium, element number 96, in relatively pure form has been accomplished. A method, involving a solvent extraction process, is given for the purification of americium from lanthanum and other ions. The discovery of a higher oxidation state of americium led to a method of separating americium from curium. Separation of the two elements was also accomplished by use of ion exchange resins. The details of the isolation of curium are given; the results of the spectrographic analysis, specific activity measurement, and calorimetric determination of half life showed the curium to be relatively pure. The absorption of light of various wave-lengths by an aqueous solution of Cm(III) is described, and some physical effects of the radiation from the curium are noted.

This document is a de-classified August 1948 General Chemistry progress report from Monsanto Chemical`s Mound facility. General chemical properties of Postum compounds are discussed, and experimental data on these properties are presented.

Neutron shielding is done to protect workers from excessive radiation and to keep a low neutron background for research in neutron counting. To meet health standards the total neutron flux allowable is 150 n/cm/sec per eight hours, or 50 n/cm/sec per twenty-four hours. Literature values for the absorption coefficients of paraffin and water are considered, and some experimental data is presented which approximately confirm them. A description of barriers at Mound Laboratory is given. Plans for future work on slowing-down of fast nautrons and capture of slow neutrons are included.

Validity of the colorimetric determination of nickel in solutions containing 1.5 N nitric acid and 0.3 c. postum (Polonium 210) per ml. was confirmed.

This report talks about the aircraft configuration