THE RADIOLYSIS OF SEAWATER,

The molecular radiolysis products of seawater were determined in order to evaluate whether these products and therefore the residual radiation field that produced them, could have an effect on the chemical and physical species of the radionuclide debris produced in an underwater nuclear explosion. The GH2 was 0.44 plus or minus 0.01 for aerated seawater and 1.03 plus or minus 0.01 for outgassed seawater. Gperoxide was 1.03 plus or minus 0.06 for the initial yield in aerated and outgassed seawater. Speculations on the mechanisms to account for these yields are based on the influence of the major components of seawater that are likely to change the known mechanisms for pure water. Author