DEVELOPMENT AND TEST OF SOD-REMOVAL PROCEDURE FOR LAWNS CONTAMINATED BY SIMULATED FALLOUT

摘要

A sod-cutting machine was evaluated for its usefulness in the radiological reclamation of small lawn areas - some of which were confined by sidewalks, trees and buildings. Fallout conditions were simulated by contaminating lawn test areas with radio-traced sand. Nominal particle size ranges of 44-88 μ, 88-177 μ, 177-350 μ and 350-700 μ were used. This fallout stimulant was dispersed at nominal concentrations of 25, 50 and 100 g/ft2, respectively.nReclamation effectiveness of sod cutting was dependent upon machine factors (blade depth), soil characteristics (moisture content) and fallout stimulant properties (mass loading). The least effective sod removal results were obtained in confined lawns with high moisture content and heavy rock concentrations. The best sod cutting and removal effectiveness results were obtained on more accessible lawns having less moisture content and only a light concentration of rocks. Stimulant particle size was found to have little, if any, effect upon reclamation performance either with respect to effort required or removal effectiveness achieved.