Chemistry of Feed Materials. Studies were made of the first step in the reduction of UO/sub 3/ to UO/sub 2/. The rates of reduction of pelleted- hydrated and pelleted-dehydrated UO/sub 3/ to U/sub 3/O/sub 8/ in steam were determined. The rates of reduction of pelleted U/sub 3/O/sub 8/ to UO/sub 2/ in 1-to-1 ammonia-steam were determined. Some preliminary measurements were made on the thermal conductivities of hydrated and dehydrated UO/sub 3/ wafers. Purification of Th(NO/sub 3/)/sub 4/ for spectrographic standards is described. Uranium was extracted from MgF/sub 2/ slag with an aqueous solution of sodium carbonate --bicarbonate using 0/sub 2/ at 30 psi as an oxidant. The conversion of thorium benzoate to ThCl/sub 4/ was carried out with HCl in ether. Dimethyl ether was prepared by the catalytic dehydration of methanol. The processing of UO/sub 3/ containing As contamination is described. Metallurgical Investigations. A process for stripping Af and Ni coatings from flat plates is described. Analytical Chemistry. The spectrographic determination of dysprosium and gadolinium in lanthanum oxide matrix--rare earth concentrate is described. (W.L.H.)

Report discussing the U.S. Geological Survey's investigation of uranium occurrences, which were discovered after submission of a sample containing 0.068 percent uranium, at Clinton, New Jersey. Information produced from sampling, mapping and radioactivity testing is included.

Discussing occurrences of uranium at Clinton in Hunterdon County, New Jersey