Radioactivity of the Thermal Waters, Gases, and Deposits of Yellowstone National Park

BULLETIN OF THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA VOL. 4 9, PP. 5 2 5 - 5 3 8 , 4 FIGS. APRIL 1, 1 93 8

RADIOACTIVITY OF THE THERMAL WATERS, GASES, AND DEPOSITS OF YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

BY HERMAN SCHLUNDT * AND GERALD F. BRECKENRIDGE

CONTENTS Page Introduction...... 525 Scope of the investigation...... 526 Apparatus...... 526 Methods of procedure...... 528 Examination of gases...... 528 In the field laboratory...... 528 In the field...... 529 Examination of water samples...... 530 Examination of solids...... 531 Radioactivity...... 531 Gases...... ; ...... 531 Waters...... 532 Solids...... 535 At Thermopolis, Wyoming...... 535 Summary and conclusions...... 537 Works to which reference is made...... 538

ILLUSTRATIONS Figure Page 1. Wulf quartz fiber electroscope...... 527 2. Apparatus for collecting gas samples...... 528 3. Arrangement of apparatus for field measurements...... 530 4. Arrangement of apparatus for measurement of radium content of water samples. 531

INTRODUCTION The radioactive properties of the waters of Yellowstone National Park were first studied in 1906 by Schlundt and Moore (1909). With cali brated field instruments they made a rather complete study of the radio activity of the waters of the Park. In the summer of 1936, Schlundt and Breckenridge again determined the radioactive properties of these waters, with modern standard instru ments. They were assisted in this work by two graduate students of the University of Missouri, Bradley Offutt and Ross Heinrich.

* Dr. Schlundt died December 30, 1937.

(525)

Downloaded from http://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/gsa/gsabulletin/article-pdf/49/4/525/3415520/BUL49_4-0525.pdf by guest on 02 October 2021 526 SCHLUNDT AND BBECK.ENRIDGE— RADIOACTIVITY IN YELLOWSTONE

The^ Geological Society of America defrayed the greater portion of the expense connected with the field tests of this investigation by means of a grant from the Penrose Bequest. The University of Missouri loaned most of the scientific apparatus used in the field tests, and the determina tion of radium present in spring deposits and rock samples was made in the chemical laboratories of the University of Missouri.

SCOPE OF THE INVESTIGATION The field tests extended over a period of almost two months, during which time the principal basins of thermal activity were visited. The spring waters examined include the different types found in the Park. Many springs evolve gases, and the radioactivity of several gases from representative springs was determined. The pH of the spring waters was also determined. Due to a broken glass electrode and the time required to replace it, the pH determination for the springs studied is not com plete. Where the temperature of the springs is recorded, this measure ment was made with a “maximum” thermometer.

APPARATUS The determinations of radioactivity were all made by the electrical method. A Wulf quartz fiber electroscope (Fig. 1) fitted with an ioniza tion chamber of 1175 cc. capacity served for the field measurements of both water and gas samples. The circulation method was used for the standardization of the electroscope. The stock solution used for the standardization is known as the University of Missouri Standard and was prepared by H. H. Barker (1923, p. 54). One cc. of this stock solu tion contains 7.136 x 10“10 grams of radium element, and 20 cc. of this solution was diluted to one liter in bottles of about 1050-cc. capacity. The samples were dè-emànated, and the bottles were sealed and kept sealed for a known period of time. Results of the determination of the-calibration constant are shown in Table 1. The calibration constant is expressed in grams of radium neces sary to produce a net drift in the electroscope leaf of one division per second. T a b le 1.—Standardizing record oj electroscope

R a d iu m p e r d i v i s i o n p e r Number Place and Date second (grams x 10 ~9) 1. Yellowstone P a rk , July 9, 1936...... ,...... 18.5 2. Yellowstone Park, July 20, 1936...... 17.4 3. Yellowstone Park, July 22, 1936...... 21.4 4. Yellowstone Park, August 8, 1932...... 17.0 5. Columbia, Missouri, June 11, 1936...... 14.7, Due to the difference in atmospheric pressure between Columbia, Missouri, and the Yellowstone National Park, the value of the calibra-

Downloaded from http://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/gsa/gsabulletin/article-pdf/49/4/525/3415520/BUL49_4-0525.pdf by guest on 02 October 2021 APPARATUS 5 2 7

I * £ ' 1 <------T t ------>i i l

tion constant obtained in the Park should be higher than that obtained in Columbia. According to Lester (1917, p. 225-232) the value of the calibration constant should be about 12 percent higher in the Park than in Columbia. By adding 12 percent to the value obtained in

Downloaded from http://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/gsa/gsabulletin/article-pdf/49/4/525/3415520/BUL49_4-0525.pdf by guest on 02 October 2021 528 SCHLUNDT AND BRECKENRIDGE-RADIOACTIVITY IN YELLOWSTONE

Columbia, a value of 16.7 x 10-9 is obtained. The values obtained in Yellowstone Park during the summer of 1936 are probably too high. The standard solutions were de-emanated and sealed June 30, 1936. During the trip to the Park the seals of the bottles were broken and the solutions were again de-emanated and resealed. A small portion of the solutions

-- -,

FIGURE 2.-Apparatus for collecting gas samples

was lost, and this would account for a high calibration constant. For calculations of all results in this report, the value of 17 x 10-9 was taken as the constant of the electroscope.

METHODS OF PROCEDURE

EXAMINATION OF GASES In the Fieid Laboratory.-For the majority of gas samples, the gas to be examined was collected in a storage jar and the radium activity later determined in the field laboratory. The method of collecting and storing the gas samples is illustrated in Figure 2. The gas was first collected in the container (A), an open can of about one liter capacity, to which was soldered a small metal tube. (A glass container was sometimes used.) The container was connected to the hand bellows (B) by means of rubber tubing, and the hand bellows, in turn, was connected to the storage jar (C), a glass jar of about two liters capacity. The method of collecting the gas was as follows: the storage jar (C) was filled with water and then connected with the rest of the system. The gas container (A) was then lowered into the spring at a point where the concentration of gas bubbles was large, and all the air in the container was replaced by water. Gas bubbles from the spring were then allowed to displace the water in the container, and when the container was about two-thirds full, the gas was pumped into the storage jar by means of the hand bellows. The

Downloaded from http://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/gsa/gsabulletin/article-pdf/49/4/525/3415520/BUL49_4-0525.pdf by guest on 02 October 2021 METHODS OP PROCEDURE 529

displaced water was removed at (E ). This process was repeated until the storage jar was filled with the gas to be examined. The jar was then made air-tight, by closing the screw clamps (E) and (D). In some springs the majority of the gas bubbles escape in the central part of the spring, and in these a pole was attached to the container (¿4) in order to reach the gas. The gas samples were measured in the field laboratory about five or six hours after they had been collected. Before introducing the gas into the electroscope, the natural drift of the electroscope leaf was deter mined. By an aspiration method, the gas to be examined was introduced into the ionization chamber at the lower stop-cock, the upper stock-cock being open to the atmosphere. Before entering the ionization chamber, the gas was dried by passing first through a solution of concentrated sulfuric acid, and then a calcium chloride drying tube. All the gas, about two liters, was allowed to enter the ionization chamber and allowed to stand for three hours, and the net drift of the electroscope leaf was then determined. From the net drift and the electroscope constant the radium content was calculated. In order to determine the volume of gas actually retained in the ioniza tion chamber, the following experiment was performed: A known volume (100 cc.) of gas from a radioactive spring was introduced into the ioniza tion chamber after the chamber had been partially evacuated. The net drift of the electroscope leaf in divisions per second was determined. The ionization chamber was then “filled” with the same gas, according to the method already described. The net drift of the electroscope leaf for this sample was then determined. According to this experiment, it was found that the ionization chamber was approximately 75 per cent filled with the gas to be examined. As the volume of the ionization chamber is 1.175 liters, the actual volume of gas introduced was calcu lated to be 75 per cent of the volume of the chamber, or about 0.88 liter. In order to compare these values with those obtained by other investi gators, the volume was corrected to normal temperature and pressure. This corrected value is 0.62 liter. In calculating the final value for the radium content of the gas samples, a correction was made for the decay of radon between the time of col lection and the time of measurement. As this time amounted to about six hours, the decay of radon amounted to about 4 per cent. In the Field.—The method for collecting gas and measuring its radon content in the field is illustrated in Figure 3. The gas was collected in bottle (A), and introduced into the electroscope (E) by means of the hand bellows (B), the gas first passing through the bottle (C) containing sulfuric acid, and the calcium chloride tube (D). A total volume of

Downloaded from http://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/gsa/gsabulletin/article-pdf/49/4/525/3415520/BUL49_4-0525.pdf by guest on 02 October 2021 530 SCHLUNDT AND BRECKENRIDGE-RADIOACTIVITY IN YELLOWSTONE

about two liters of gas was passed through the electroscope. The net drift of the electroscope was observed for a period of fifteen minutes. The net drift for maximum activity could then be calculated.

EXAMINATION OF WATER SAMPLES The samples of water were collected in one-liter glass-stoppered bottles and the measurement of the radium content determined later in the field

FmuRE 3.-Arrangement of apparatus for field measurements

laboratory. The samples were usually measured within two or three hours after they had been collected. In some instances, where the samples were collected at a far distance from the field laboratory, seven or eight hours elapsed between the time of collection and that of meas urement. The pH of the water was measured by means of a portable Coleman apparatus. Both the pH and the radium determinations were made at a temperature of approximately 25° C. The radium determinations were made by the circulation method. The arrangement of the apparatus used in these experiments is shown in Figure 4. Stop-cock (A) of the ionization chamber was connected in series with a rubber hand bellows (B), the water container (C), a small wash bottle (D) containing sulfuric acid, a drying tube (E) containing calcium chloride, and stop-cock (F) of the ionization chamber. By operating the hand bellows, air was bubbled through the water sample and circulated through the system steadily for five minutes. Readings of the drift of the electroscope leaf were then taken and repeated several times during a period of fifteen minutes. From the net drift observed the net drift at maximum activity could be calculated. In some in stances, the system was allowed to stand for three hours and the net drift

Downloaded from http://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/gsa/gsabulletin/article-pdf/49/4/525/3415520/BUL49_4-0525.pdf by guest on 02 October 2021 METHODS OF PROCEDURE 531

at maximum activity observed. From the net drift at maximum activity and the electroscope constant the radium content was calculated.

EXAMINATION OF SOLIDS For the determination of the radium content of spring deposits and rock samples, the ordinary emanation method was used. The samples

F iq u b e 4 .—Arrangement oj apparatus for measurement of radium content of water samples

were taken into solution by means of hydrochloric acid, or by fusion with a mixture of sodium and potassium carbonates, or by a combination of these two methods. After the solutions were de-emanated and sealed in flasks, they were allowed to stand for a period of several weeks, and the emanation was then determined by means of a standardized electroscope. This part of the work was done by Paul Erbe in the chemical laboratory of the University of Missouri.

RADIOACTIVITY

GASES The results of the radioactive determinations of the gases studied are shown in Table 2. Column 1 gives the name of the source, Column 2 the location, and Column 3 the radioactive content of the gas, expressed in grams of radium x 10-9 per liter of gas corrected to normal temperature and pressure.

Downloaded from http://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/gsa/gsabulletin/article-pdf/49/4/525/3415520/BUL49_4-0525.pdf by guest on 02 October 2021 532 SCHLUNDT AND BRECKENRIDGE----RADIOACTIVITY IN YELLOWSTONE

T able 2.—Radioactivity oj Oases in Yellowstone Park

R adxtjm E m a n a t i o n S o u r c e L o c a t io n R a d iu m p e r l i t e r ( g r a m s x 1 0 “ *) M ammoth H ot Springs A spring...... Jupiter Terrace...... 0 .1 3 Amphitheater Springs A spring...... 10 miles south of Mammoth...... 4 4 .8 N orris Geyser Basin Allen’s Mud Pots...... East side of road, near Porcelain Basin...... 3 8 .8 Orpiment...... Tantalus Creek...... 11.6 A p ool...... 0.4 mile south of Frying P an ...... 8 8 .2 A p ool...... North part of 100 Spring Plain...... 3 8 .7 Clearwater Springs A large pool...... 108.0 Sylvan Spring Area A large pool...... Sylvan Springs area...... 3 .0 A p ool...... Area M mile southeast of Sylvan Springs area...... 7 .6 M onument Geyser B asin A small pool...... Near large yellow pool...... 5 .7 Terrace Springs Middle Spring...... 6 .7 Lower Geyser Basin Firehole Lake, West side.. Firehole Geyser B asin...... 89 .0 A small spring...... Northwest of Clepsydra Geyser (Bottle partially full of gas)...... 18.6 A p ool...... East side of old road, Firehole Geyser Basin. 5 .9 U pper Geyser Basin A small pool...... Northeast side of Biscuit Basin...... 166.0 A small pool...... Near Gem Pool...... 251.0 Shoshone Geyser B asin A small pool...... N ear Terrace Spring...... 230.0 W est Thumb op Y ellowstone Lake Lake Shore Spring...... Near roadside, 1.3 miles north of West Thumb Ranger Station ...... 4 3 .4 Y ellowstone R iver Localities A large pool...... Near road, M ud Volcano area...... 9 .8 M ud P o t...... Violet Springs area...... 201.0 WATERS The results of the radioactive determinations of the waters studied are shown in Table 3. Column 1 gives the name of the source, Column 2 the location, Column 3 the temperature of the spring, Column 4 the pH, and Column 5 the radioactive content of the water, expressed in grams of radium x 10"11 per liter of water.

Downloaded from http://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/gsa/gsabulletin/article-pdf/49/4/525/3415520/BUL49_4-0525.pdf by guest on 02 October 2021 RADIOACTIVITY 533

T a b le 3.—Radioactivity of waters in Yellowstone Park

T e m p e r - R a d iu m ATURE PER LITER S o u r c e L o c a t io n o p p H o f w a t e r Spring (grams °C x 10 “u) M ammoth H ot Springs A spring...... Jupiter Terrace...... 73 6.75 None N ew Terrace Spring...... M ain Terrace...... 71 5.5 None H ot R iver...... 1 mile north of Mammoth...... 54 6 .6 172 Hot River (new outlet)... 1 mile north of Mammoth...... 51 6 .6 161 A pollinaris Springs 10 miles south of Mammoth... 5.2 166 A mphitheater Springs and E nvirons Small spring near Amphi theater Springs...... 11 miles south of M am m oth. . . . 84 1.95 39.7 Amphitheater Spring...... 11 miles south of M am m oth. . . . 1.9 15.7 Small spring near Amphi theater Springs...... 11 miles south of M am m oth. . . . 2 .15 39.7 Spring in area 34 mile east of Amphitheater Spring. 11 miles south of M am m oth___ 1.55 None N orris Geyser Basin Iris Spring...... Porcelain Basin...... 2.15 11.5 Congress P ool...... Porcelain Basin ...... 1.55 29.8 Frying P a n ...... 2.2 miles north of Norris Junc tion ...... 85 2.05 41.1 A small pool...... 0.4 mile south of Frying Pan, north side road...... 80 6.15 107 Constant Geyser...... Porcelain Basin ...... 89 2.88 54.4 Emerald Spring...... East side road, near Porcelain B asin...... 4.1 264 Arsenic Spring...... Porcelain Basin...... 80 2 .93 30.0 Allen’s Mud Pots...... East side road, near Porcelain B asin...... 78 1.7 47.9 Orpiment (?)...... Tantalus Creek ...... 4.18 57.0 A p ool...... North part of 100 Spring Plain. 3.38 373 A green pool...... North part of 100 Spring Plain. None A yellow pool...... North part of 100 Spring Plain. 59 None A p ool...... North part of 100 Spring Plain. 105 C l e a r w a t e r S pr in g s South pool...... 93 235 Large pool at foot of forest. 91 62.5 Largest p ool...... 83 3 .7 Iron Springs N ear Gibbon F alls...... 562 Sylvan Springs Area Evening Primrose...... Sylvan Springs area...... 6.36 34.8 Largest pool...... Sylvan Springs area...... ¿0 1.47 27.5 A small pool, north area.. Sylvan Springs area...... 62.0 A pool in southeast area.. }4, mile southeast of Sylvan Springs...... 72 5 .47 233 A pool in northwest area.. mile southeast of Sylvan Springs...... 82 6.33 69.1 B eryl Spring About 5 miles south of Norris Junction...... 6.97 118 Monument Geyser Basin A large pool...... Central part of area...... 82 89.7 A small yellow pool...... Central part of area...... 80 148

Downloaded from http://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/gsa/gsabulletin/article-pdf/49/4/525/3415520/BUL49_4-0525.pdf by guest on 02 October 2021 534 SCHLUNDT AND BRECKENRIDGE— RADIOACTIVITY IN YELLOWSTONE

T e m p e r - R a d iu m ATUBE P E R LITER S o u r c e L o c a t io n OF p H O F WATER S pk in o (GRAMS ° C X 1 0 “ » ) Terrace Springs Middle Spring...... Terrace Springs...... 60 11.5 Small spring below Middle Spring...... Terrace Springs...... 49.5 .. None • L ower Geyser Basin Caliente P ool...... Firehole Geyser Basin...... 94 ■7.7 113 Pool near Goose Lake...... Firehole Geyser Basin...... 7.22 41.0 Bead Spring...... Firehole Geyser B asin...... 8.07 29.0 Steady Geyser...... Firehole Geyser Basin...... 93 7.23 17.0 Firehole Lake...... Firehole Geyser B a sin ...... 92 6.84 44.5 A p ool...... Near Clepsydra Geyser...... 94 8.1 1226 Great Fountain Geyser...... 94 8.3 162 A pool on east side of road.. Firehole Geyser Basin ...... 60 7.62 275 E xcelsior Geyser B asin Excelsior Geyser crater... .Excelsior Geyser Basin...... 9 0.5 None Opal pool...... Excelsior Geyser B asin...... 54 7.6 23.8 U pper Geyser B asin Mustard Spring...... Biscuit Basin...... 70 7.32 418 A small pool...... In far northeast comer of Biscuit B asin...... 87 7.95 4624 Jewell Geyser...... Biscuit Basin...... 82.5 8.04 142 Gem pool...... 87 8.34 24.3 A small spring...... Near Gem Pool...... 55 --- 528 A spring...... Near Spouter Geyser Black Sand B asin...... 6.17 3959 Cauliflower Pool...... Biscuit Basin...... 83 7.2 84.0 Punchbowl Spring...... Black Sand B asin...... 7.16 83.4 Economic Geyser...... 7.71 863 Spasmodic G eyser...... 8.70 225 Butterfly Spring...... 8.46 201 Teakettle Spring...... 94 7.20 2247 Lioness Geyser...... 94 182 Chinaman Spring...... 94 7.‘Ôé 56.2 Blue Star Spring...... 84 8.49 445 Solitary Geyser...... 8.48 17.0 Artemesia Geyser...... 8.37 78.5 Morning Glory P ool...... 67 17.0 Shoshone Geyser B asin Shoshone Geyser...... ' 94 101 A deep pool...... Near shelter cabin...... 92 22.5 A p ool...... Terrace Spring...... 87 23.8 W est T humb of Y ellowstone Lake A spring...... Paint pot area...... 756 Fishing Cone...... W est T hum b...... 204 Lake Shore Spring...... Near roadside, 1.3 miles north of West Thumb Ranger Station. 156 A spring...... ¡....Near the last, 200 feet from road, 1.3 miles north of West Thumb Ranger Station...... 40.7 Y ellowstone River Localities Dragon’s Mouth...... Mud Volcano area...... 7.21 108 A pool near road...... Mud Volcano area...... 5.48 41.6 A spring...... Foot of Lower Falls, Yellow stone Canyon ...... 68 A small pool...... M ud pot area, Violet Springs. . 2Ï33 93.9 A large pool...... North end of Violet Springs area ...... 1.99 45.0 A spring...... Near Devil’s Ink Pot, Wash burn Springs area...... 814

Downloaded from http://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/gsa/gsabulletin/article-pdf/49/4/525/3415520/BUL49_4-0525.pdf by guest on 02 October 2021 RADIOACTIVITY 535

SOLIDS The results of the radioactive determinations of the solids collected are shown in Table 4. Column 1 gives the source, Column 2 the locality, Column 3 the weight of sample taken for analysis, and Column 4 the amount of radium expressed in grams of radium x 10~12 per gram of solid. In addition to the solid specimens collected during the summer of 1936, Table 4 includes several samples collected by Herman Schlundt in 1932 and analyzed by him in 1933. In Table 4, the latter samples are indi cated by an asterisk.

T a b le 4.—Radioactivity of spring deposits and rock samples

W e i g h t R a d iu m

S o u r c e L o c a l it y S a m p l e GRAM i n ( g r a m s QBAMS X 10 M amm oth H o t S pr in g s Spring deposit...... 25 7.0 Recent terrace deposit...... 75 23.0 Old deposit, exposed terrace__ ...... Main Terrace...... 100 0.3 Excavation in old travertine. ..____Near Main Terrace...... 75 6.9 Travertine deposit*...... 100 12.3 Hymen Terrace*...... :. 100 16.0 Iron-bearing deposit*...... 100 1.7 Travertine deposit*...... : Mammoth Hot Springs...... 100 3.7 Liberty Cone— porous deposit*. 100 7.8 Liberty Cone— compact deposit* 100 2.1 Terrace Mountain*...... Basin...... 200 None Deposit, outlet Hot River...... 25 12.3 Excavation in old travertine m Quarry...... N o rth of G ard in er, M o n ta n a ... 50 0 .6 N o r r is G e y s e r B a s in Allen’s Mud Pots*...... East side of road near Porcelain Basin...... 30 0.3 C le a r w a t e r S pr in g s Deposit near small pool.....:. .... Clearwater Springs...... 10 24.1 M o n u m e n t G e y s e k B a s in .... Monument Geyser Basin...... 25 0.3 Rhyolite deposit...... ____Monument Geyser Basin...... 25 15.0 Lower Geyser Basin Algae deposit...... 15 45.0 20 1.2 Surprise Pool deposit...... Lower Geyser Basin...... 25 0 .6 Black Warrior, spring deposit...... Firehole Geyser Basin...... 10 44.3 Old Terrace above Firehole L ake...... 25 0.7 Old Terrace near Firehole Lake 25 0.4 Recent deposit, Firehole Lake.. 100 305 Shoshone Geyser Basin Travertine deposit of deep pool ...... Near shelter cabin...... 25 0.8

AT THERMOPOLIS, WYOMING During the summer of 1936, the writers also visited Thermopolis, Wyoming, to measure the radioactivity of the hot springs there. In gen

Downloaded from http://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/gsa/gsabulletin/article-pdf/49/4/525/3415520/BUL49_4-0525.pdf by guest on 02 October 2021 536 SCHLUNDT AND BKECKENRIDGE— RADIOACTIVITY IN YELLOWSTONE

eral, the activity of the gases, waters, and rock samples was small. Even Big Spring and the recent deposits around Big Spring showed little activity. Table 5 gives the results of the radioactivity of gases at Thermopolis, Table 6, the results of the radioactivity of waters at Thermopolis, and Table 7, the radioactivity of spring deposits and rock samples at Thermopolis.

T a b le 5.—Radioactivity of gases at Thermopolis, Wyoming

R a d iu m e m a n a t i o n S o u r c e L o c a t io n R a d iu m p e r l i t e r ( g r a m s x 1 0 -9 ) Big Spring...... 3.2 Black Sulfur Spring...... Near Big Spring...... Trace

T a b le 6.—Radioactivity of waters at Thermopolis, Wyoming

R a d iu m T e m p e r P E R LITER S o u r c e L o c a t io n a t u r e pH OP W ATER D e g r e e s (OKA MB C. x 1 0 - i i ) 6 1 .5 6 .2 19 White Sulfur Spring...... 6 .1 5 16 Dome in Park...... Trace Artesian Well...... 1.5 miles north of Thermopolis. 54. Ò Trace

T able 7 - -Radioactivity of spring deposits and rock samples, Thermopolis, Wyoming

W e i g h t R a d iu m o p p e r S o u r c e L o c a l it y S a m p l e o r a m i n ( g r a m s g r a m s x 1 0 ~12) Travertine, White Sulfur Springs. . . % mile north of Big Spring___ 25 5.4 Travertine on surface...... Big Spring Terrace...... 75 21 Travertine, 50 feet below surface. . . Big Spring, in sink north of spring...... 50 0.45 Chugwater, on east side of Traver tine Hill...... East of Big Horn Spring...... 25 Trace Travertine on twigs...... Big Spring...... 25 14 Travertine, 100 feet above spring.. .Big Spring...... 50 1.7 Travertine, 600 feet above spring.. .Big Spring...... 25 3.5 Travertine, in hill across Big Horn River...... West of Big Spring...... 50 0.7

It would be of interest to compare the radioactive content of the waters of Yellowstone Park with that of waters from other parts of the world. From the numerous quantitative data, a few values have been selected and arranged in Table 7. Column 1 gives the source of the water, Column 2 the temperature, and Column 3 the value of the radioactive content, expressed in grams x 10~9 per liter of water. The data in Table 7, other than those for Yellowstone Park, have been taken from the International Critical Tables.

Downloaded from http://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/gsa/gsabulletin/article-pdf/49/4/525/3415520/BUL49_4-0525.pdf by guest on 02 October 2021 RADIOACTIVITY 537

T able 7.—Radioactivity of waters from different parts of the world

R a d io a c t i v e c o n t e n t , S o u r c e T e m p e r a t u r e p e r l i t e r o p W a t e r ° C ( g r a m s o p r a d i u m x i 0 “ *) A pool in Biscuit Basin, Yellowstone P ark...... 87 46.2 A pool near Clepsydra Geyser, Yellowstone Park. 94 12.3 H ot River, Yellowstone Park...... 54 1.7 Imperial Spring, Hot Springs, Arkansas...... 61 9.03 Upper Hot Springs, Banff, Alberta, Canada.... 46 0.22 Johanriesbad, near Vienna, Austria...... 30 6.8 Grabenbacker Quelle, Gastein, Austria...... 36 55.5 Tounelet, Spa, Belgium...... 2.58 Bordue (Grand Source), Luchon, France...... 43 134.8 Marquelle, Baden-Baden, Schwartzwald region, Germany...... 59 9.8 Old Roman Spring, Lacco Ameno, Ischia, Italy. 57 152.5 Hot Spring, Kaira District, Bombay, India. . .. 67 33.0 to 62.1 Kami-no-yu, Misasa, Japan ...... 71 51.69 Wakazaki-no-yu No. 1, Wakura, Japan...... 93 2.52 Louise, A. Hammam Bou Hadjar, Algeria...... 44 22.4

Table 7 shows that with a few exceptions the quantity of radium emanation in springs from various sources throughout the world is of the same order of magnitude as that found in Yellowstone Park.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS In all, the radium content was determined for 77 water samples, 20 gas samples, and 16 samples of spring deposits and rocks. In addition, a number of residues analyzed by Herman Schlundt in 1933 are included. The results of radium measurements of several gases, waters, and residues from Thermopolis, Wyoming, are also included in this report. In general, the values obtained in 1936 agree with those obtained by 'Schlundt and Moore in 1906. Due to the shifting position of the springs, it was very difficult in 1936 to obtain samples from sources identical with those of 1906. However, in those instances, where it is reasonable to .assume approximately the same position for the spring, the values of 1936 agree fairly well with those of 1906. For example, the 1936 value of Hot River showed a radium content of 172 x 10“11 grams per liter, •compared with the 161 x 10“11 grams per liter value of 1906. For .Apollinaris Spring the 1936 value of 166 x 10-11 compares favorably with the 1906 value of 121 x 10'11. For Middle Spring at Terrace Springs the 1936 value of 11.5 x 10-11 compares favorably with the 1906 value of ■9.2 x 10-11. Considered as a whole, the springs and geysers of the Upper Geyser Basin, the most active in the Park, show more radioactivity than those -of other locations in Yellowstone Park. The highest values were ob tained here, but the variation from point to point is very erratic. No correlation could be found between the radioactivity and the surface

Downloaded from http://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/gsa/gsabulletin/article-pdf/49/4/525/3415520/BUL49_4-0525.pdf by guest on 02 October 2021 538 SCHLUNDT AND BRECKENRIDGE----RADIOACTIVITY IN YELLOWSTONE

temperature of the spring. Neither could any relation be found between radioactivity and the acidity of the waters. In other Park localities, also, is found the same lack of relationship between radioactivity and temperature or acidity. These conclusions are in accord with those of Schlundt and Moore (1909, p. 30). Although the amount of radioactivity in the spring waters of the Park is low, the amount is strikingly large for a long period of time. For example, the radioactive content of Hot River amounts to only 172 x 10'11 grams of radium equivalent per liter of water. However, by using the value of Allen and Day (1935) for the total discharge of Hot River, it can be shown that 33.9 grams of radium equivalent are discharged by Hot River during one year. Of course, most of the radioactivity of the water is due to radon and not to radium. The amount of radium dis charged by Hot River in one year was calculated to be about 90 milli grams. WORKS TO WHICH REFERENCE IS MADE Allen, E. T., and Day, Arthur L. (1935) Hot springs of the Yellowstone National Park, Carnegie Inst. Washington. Barker, H. R. (1923) Extraction of radium from carnotite ores, Univ. Mo., Bull., vol. 24, no. 26, p. 54-55. Lester, O. C. (1917) On the calibration and the constants of emanation electro scopes, Am. Jour. Sci., 4th ser., vol. 44, p. 225-236. Schlundt, Herman, and Moore, R. B. (1909) Radioactivity of the thermal waters of Yellowstone National Park, U. S. Geol. Survey, Bull. 395, 35 pages.

U n iv e r s it y o f M is s o u r i, C o l u m b ia , Mo. M a n u s c r ip t received b y t h e S ecretary op t h e S o c ie t y , J u l y 16, 1937. P r e s e n t e d before t h e G eological S o c ie t y , D ecem ber 3 0 , 1937. P r o je c t G r a n t 145-35.

Downloaded from http://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/gsa/gsabulletin/article-pdf/49/4/525/3415520/BUL49_4-0525.pdf by guest on 02 October 2021