Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 12/01/2007 - 14:22
Forums
Human Impacts in Antarctica

Hi Ann!!

Will your team do any monitoring to look at any "residue" from the nulear power plant that was at McMurdo? When was it decommissioned?

Thanks

Kirk

Mon, 12/03/2007 - 01:47

Ann Linsley

 Dear Kirk,
 
The nuclear power plant is no longer here.  The U.S. Army Nuclear Power Program decommissioned the plant in 1972.  We are not testing for radioactivity.  My understanding is that the site has been heavily tested including the removal of rock and sediments in the area where it was located.  Interestingly, the rock in the area has a natural radioactive level to it that does show up when tested, but we are not doing radioactivity testing.
 
You are in for a real awesome experience!!
 
Ann 
 

Ann Linsley