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• Y <br />' INTRODUCTION AND METHODS <br />C <br />The purpose of this study was to determine whether radionuclides ar•e migrating <br />from the ore sorter reject and waste rock dump located near the Sch~wartzwalder <br />Mine into Ralston Creek. The rationale in performing the study was to sample <br />soils between the waste rock dump and the creek at different locations and <br />depths for physical, chemical, and radiometric analyses. Elevated levels of <br />radionuclides above normal baseline values and/or any apparent gradient in <br />radionuclide concentration from the waste rock dump toward the creek would <br />suggest the migration of, and possible contamination of, Ralston Creek by <br />these species. <br />Samples were collected on October 8, 1980 in good weather. Figure 1 shows <br />a diagrammatic plot and cross-section of the study area. Two parallel transect <br />lines were established as shown in the figure. Samples locations were chosen <br />at the ends and the middle of each transect line, fora total of six locations. <br />At each location, samples were composited from at least three sites along a <br />line perpendicular to the transect line running through the location and <br />extending 1 meter to either side. Samples were composited in this manner from <br />0 to 2.5 cm deep and again from the same areas from 15 to 20 cm deep: two <br />transects x three locations per transect x two sampling depths for .3 total <br />of twelve samples. <br />Samples were collected by hand using a small spade and sealed in cl~aan <br />polyethylene bags. These were labelled and taken immediately to Ha~en <br />Researh, Inc. for analysis. Hazen analyzed each sample for total and <br />solvable radium (Ra-226) and uranium and for pH, electroconductivity, <br />saturation percentage, and percent sand, silt, and clay. <br />