Technical report with short reports from the (1) Physics Section I; (2) Physics Section II ; and (3) Physics Section III.

Abstract: "An investigation of the mercury salvage program has resulted in the development of an improved high compacity type of distillation apparatus. The still, electrically heated and essentially automatic in its operation, will produce at a rate greater than 75 pounds per hour and develop a product 99.99% pure or better. This still will handle the lowest grade crude of amalgam that can pass through the feed lines and will continue to develop a pure prodcut for comparatively long periods of time. The clean-out operation is amazingly simple and convenient and may be done within one-half hour while the apparatus itself is still hot. Two models of this design are scheduled for installation in a mercury recovery room of the Alpha Analytical Department of Building No. 9207."

Technical report with six sections describing the process: (1) The reaction of HN)3 with HSCN; (2) The distribution of nitric acid between hexone and water; (3) The distribution of HSCN between hexone and water; (4) The solubility of thorium sulfate in various extraction solutions; (5) The distribution of protoactinium and fission elements between hexone and aqueous thiocyanate solutions; and (6) Separation of uranium from thorium by extraction into hexone as UO2(SCH)a.

Technical report discussing that the deuterium concentration of heavy water can be determined by equilibrating the water with deuterium gas in the presence of a catalyst with subsequent analysis of the equilibrated gas on the mas spectrometer. The apparatus for equilibration analyses maybe be considered in three parts: 1) apparatus for introducing the ingredients into the reaction chambers; 2) the reaction chambers; 3) the mass spectrometer for analysis of the equilibrated gas. The isotopic composition of the deuterium gas to be used as the starting material is primarily governed by what gases are available. In general it is best to use gas within about one percent on either side of the final equilibrium composition. No reaction takes place between deuterium gas and water molecules in the absence of a catalyst. Platinum oxide is used as the catalyst.

Abstract. to estimate the oxygen picked up by thorium in casting a rapid method of running the acid insoluble content was developed. the quickest procedure consists of reacting with mixed acids, fuming with perchloric and filtration to separate the "free" thorium from the "combined". The precipitate is ignited and weighed as thorium dioxide.

Report issued by the U.S. Bureau of Mines discussing the iron-ore mining accident experience in the Lake Superior District. Frequency and severity rates of accidents between 1940 and 1943 are presented. This report includes tables.

Report issued by the U.S. Bureau of Mines over magnetic surveys conducted on the Florida peninsula. Measurements, methods, and instrumentation used for the survey are presented. Tables and maps are included in this report.

This report is the second in the series of reports carried by the Geological Survey on rare or uncommon elements and their possible sources. The report discusses xenon, an element belonging in a group of elements known as the inert gases, characterized by its lack of reactivity.

The following report covers the process of field measurement of radioactivity with a limited screening process of activity equivalent to 0.005 percent of uranium in equilibrium with its disintegration products.

The following report describes findings from a reconnaissance mission in Alabama, Georgia, and North Carolina on radioactive trace elements in a variety of rocks.