Technical Bulletin No. 0154: Radioactive Tracer Techniques in Stream Improvement

The attached Technical Bulletin was first distributed in 1962. It concerned itself with one of the difficult problems facing engineers in the waste disposal field, namely the study of dispersal and passage of wastes through large bodies of water, such as lakes and tidal estuaries. At that time radioactive tracers appeared to be a means whereby such problems could be attacked more easily, and more satisfactory results achieved than by previous techniques. A field experimental study by Dr. W. C. Rutledge and Mr. W. A. Cawley, Central Research Laboratories of The Mead Corporation, indicated that such tracers could be used with very satisfactory results. Details of this study, together with a number of the general considerations involved in tracer application, were covered in the attached Technical Bulletin which was presented at the National Council's 1962 Annual Meeting of Members. The development of very rapid and accurate methods for counting radiation was largely responsible for the success of this method of the study of dispersion and time of passage in surface waters.