A trace amount (3.54 TBq) of HT was released to the natural environment under controlled conditions at a site at Chalk River Nuclear Laboratories on June 10, 1987. Scientific investigators from six countries participated in the experiment, which was designed to determine the rate of oxidation of HT to HTO in the natural environment, to identify the dominant mechanism responsible for the oxidation, and to intercompare sampling and analytical techniques used by the different participating laboratories. Results confirm previous laboratory studies in controlled exposure chambers and a field study carried out at Chalk River in August, 1986. The results indicate no rapid oxidation of HT in air. The formation of HTO in soils followed by its reemission accounts for the majority of HTO in air during release of HT and is responsible for the persistence of HTO in air and soil for several weeks. Fusion Technol. (1988).

  • O. EDLUND “A Local Compartment Model for Dispersion of HT and HTO”. Submitted to Fusion Technol. (1988).
  • O. GRIESBACH and J. R. STENCEL “Operational Experience with the DATS Sampler During the Canadian Tritium Modeling Experiment”. Submitted to Fusion Technol. (1988).