The geographic distribution of radionuclide deposition across the continental US from atmospheric nuclear testing

Abstract

For the first time, calculations for the more than 3000 counties of the US have been completed that estimate the average deposition density (Bq m −2) of more than 40 radionuclides in fallout from atmospheric nuclear weapons tests conducted in the US (1951–1962) and 19 radionuclides from tests conducted elsewhere in the world (1952–1963). The geographic pattern of deposition across the US, as well as the amount of fallout deposited, varied significantly depending on whether the tests were conducted within or outside of the US. Fallout deposited from the Nevada Test Site (NTS) varied geographically as a result of dispersion and dilution in the atmosphere, the wind patterns following each test, and the occurrence of localized rainfall events. In general, states immediately east of the NTS received the highest deposition from tests conducted there. In contrast, the variation in deposition across the country from global fallout was less than for NTS fallout primarily reflecting variations in annual precipitation across larger regions. Hence, in the eastern and mid-western US, where rainfall is above the national average, higher levels of global fallout were deposited than in the more arid southwestern states. This paper presents a summary of the methods used and findings of our studies on fallout from NTS and global fallout, with emphasis on two of the most important radionuclides, 131I and 137Cs.