EML's Retrospective Stratospheric Databases RANDAB and TRACDAB Robert Leifer*{1} and Nita Chan Environmental Measurements Laboratory United States Department of Energy 201 Varick St., New York, NY 10014 Abstract In recent years there has been a request by the atmospheric modeling community for a complete computer database of all the stratospheric and upper tropospheric radioactivity measurements. Up to the present time there did not exist a usable database encompassing the vast number of measurements of radionuclides made between the years 1957-1993 in the troposphere and lower stratosphere. Almost 50% of the data is published in reports that are not readily available to the scientific community nor in a form that can easily be used. These data are useful for development and verification of large-scale transport models and climate models. These data can be used for understanding tropospheric and stratospheric transport processes and help in modeling the future atmospheric impact of a projected new fleet of stratospheric flying aircraft. To this end EML has completed phase 1 of the stratospheric radionuclide database (RANDAB) program. The RANDAB program represents the worlds largest collection of stratospheric and upper tropospheric radionuclide data ever compiled for computer analysis. These data represent measurements obtained from Projects ASHCAN, STARDUST, AIRSTREAM and the High Altitude Sampling Program (HASP) for the years 1957 through 1983. More than 20,000 filters were collected during this period and analyzed for up to 40 different radionuclides. All the available data associated with each filter are included in the database. Because of the lack of filter identification numbers, a separate database of plutonium isotopic ratio data for the years 1959 thru 1970 was formed. This database contains more than 500 samples. In addition to the radionuclide database, EML's stratospheric database of trace gases, collected during Project AIRSTREAM has been completed and is presently available through EML. This database contains information on more than 1000 samples. Each sample was analyzed for one or more of the following gases CCl3F, CCl2F2, CCl4, N2O, SF6, CO2, CH4, CH3CCl3, and COS. Introduction 1. Stratospheric & Upper Tropospheric Data DOE's Environmental Measurements Laboratory (EML) has computerized the world's largest collection of stratospheric and upper tropospheric radionuclide data ever compiled. These unique databases contain valuable information regarding the fate of radioactive material introduced into the atmosphere when atmospheric testing of nuclear weapons was actively pursued. They also contain data on naturally occurring radioactivity. These data will be useful for testing global climate and atmospheric chemistry models. The development of EML's Databases is being carried out in 3 phases. Phase 1 has been completed and this report provides information on the individual files associated with RANDAB. A brief description of phases 1, 2 & 3 are also presented. Phase 1) EML's Retrospective Stratospheric Databases RANDAB and TRACDAB RANDAB incorporates the results of measurements made from 1957 to 1983 under Projects ASHCAN, STARDUST and AIRSTREAM. More than 20,000 filters were collected during this period and analyzed for up to 40 different radionuclides. All of the available data characterizing each filter is also included in RANDAB. Included in RANDAB are gas samples characterizing the tritium, radon and 14CO2 concentration in stratospheric air. Only a limited amount of data are available for radon because of analytical and sampling problems. The tritium data have been graciously provided by Dr. Allen Mason of Los Alamos Laboratory and Dr. H. G. Oslund of the Tritium Laboratory, University of Miami. Phase 2) EML's Archive Filter Library The second phase of this program is to enhance RANDAB by creating an inventory of its archived filter samples. In Projects AIRSTREAM and ASHCAN usually one-third of each filter was stored for future use. This database will be very useful for locating filters for analysis of very long-lived radionuclides or future research programs. Phase 3) EML's Surface Sampling Programs and Associated Sampler Library In the third phase, EML will generate a database from its surface sampling programs. This includes data from: surface radioactivity measurements, 1954-1993; strontium-90 deposition measurements, 1954-1993; soil sample collection, 1953-1990; diet and bone sampling, 1969-1982; and sediment sampling, 1979-1991. 2. EML's Stratospheric Database of Trace Gases (TRACDAB) EML's stratospheric database of trace gases (TRACDAB), collected during Project AIRSTREAM, has been completed and is available from EML. Contained in this database is information on more than 1000 samples. Each sample was analyzed for one or more of the following gases: CCl3F, CCl2F2, CCl4, N2O, SF6, CO2, CH4, CH3CCl3, and COS. 3. EML's Stratospheric Database of Radionuclide Data (RANDAB) Phase 1 of the program focussed on entering all the data from Projects ASHCAN, AIRSTREAM and STARDUST into a computer database called radionuclide database (RANDAB). RANDAB incorporates the results of measurements made from 1957 to 1983 under Projects ASHCAN, STARDUST and AIRSTREAM. More than 20,000 filters were collected during this period and analyzed for up to 40 different radionuclides. All of the available data associated with each filter are also included in RANDAB. Prior to 1967, ASHCAN and STARDUST data had to be retrieved from publications (See Reference section for a list of publications used), while post 1966 data were available on EML's computer system. To obtain the final database we used a spreadsheet program (Excel) and a database management program (FoxPro) to consolidate and format the database. The final database can be found in Ashstar.dbf (FoxPro format). A further description of the database and associated files can be found in section 4 and Appendix A. Appendix B identifies the ASCII formatted files. 4. Summary: Trace Gas and Radionuclide Databases a) RANDAB For anyone working with the databases we have provided a number of different formats to work with. Due to its size, the complete database, Ashstar.dbf, has been included using our original program, FoxPro (Microsoft, PC version), which handles a large file more efficiently than a spreadsheet such as Excel. We have converted the database (Ashstar.dbf) to ASCII format (Ashstar.txt) for those not wishing to use FoxPro. To reduce the size but still remain in the FoxPro format the Ashstar.dbf was separated into two files, a header file (Randab_h.dbf) and data file (Randab_c.dbf). Quality assurance files (`filename.xls') associated with RANDAB are in Microsoft Excel format. We have converted these files to ASCII format for those not wishing to use Excel formatted files. b) Plutonium Database Between the years 1959 and 1970 plutonium isotopic ratio data were published in HASL-273 (April 1973) with no identifying filter numbers. Because of the lack of filter numbers this set of data is not included in RANDAB, but has been incorporated into a separate Excel file called either "PU59to70.xls (and placed in the Foxidata subdirectory) or PU59to70.txt (DATAASCI subdirectory). A complete description of every file associated with RANDAB can be found in the TEXTWP subdirectories of the DOCUMENT directory, the file name is AppendA.wpd. This file contains the file format descriptions. Every data file has associated with it a readme section (see Table 1 of AppendA.wpd for identification). For example if you worked with Ashstar.dbf, the file format can be found in AppendA.WPD (section 1) or AppendA.TXT. c) TRACDAB The file description for the trace gas database (TRACDAB) can be found only in the TRACEGAS subdirectory of the DOCUMENT directory. Included in the DOCUMENT subdirectory is a read me file called gasread.txt describing the format of the data files. A technical report (Leifer 1992) was written containing the complete set of data and a description of the trace gas sampling program. In summary all the files can be found in their original format (FoxPro, Excel. WordPerfect) in the FOXIDATA subdirectory or TEXTWP subdirectory. The ASCII converted files can be found in the DATAASCI or TEXTASCI subdirectories. Acknowledgment Over the decades of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, hundreds of people have been involved in the collection, analysis and interpretation of filters collected in the stratosphere for radionuclides. It is impossible to name all the people involved. Their involvement in the stratospheric programs has produced an extensive set of data which has been used to increase our understanding of the atmosphere and its circulation. These programs have been supported under the auspices of the Atomic Energy Commission, Defense Atomic Support Agency, Energy Research Development Agency and the Department of Energy. The development of this database was supported under the auspices of the Office of Health and Environmental Research, Department of Energy. References The following reports were used to extract information from Project ASHCAN, STARDUST and AIRSTREAM samples. These data are included in Ashstar.dbf, Randab_h.dbf, Randab_c.dbf, Habqa.xls, Radqa.xls, Starqa.xls, Rn222.xls, Stargas.xls, Tritium.xls and Nonfit.xls. Project Ashcan/ Habs (High altitude balloon sampling) For Ashstar.dbf, Randab_h.dbf, Randab_c.dbf, and Habqa.xls: 1. 'High Altitude Sampling Program (Project Ashcan) ' USAEC Report HASL-115, p. 70, October (1961) 2. Ibid, HASL-127, p. 151, July (1962) 3. Salter, L. P. 'High Altitude Balloon sampling Program' USAEC Report HASL-140, p. 166, October (1963) 4. Ibid, HASL-149, p. 54, October (1964) 5. Ibid, HASL-155, p. 211, January (1965) 6. Ibid, HASL-158, p. 214, April (1965) 7. Ibid, HASL-161, p. 216, July (1965) 8. Krey, P. W. 'High Altitude Balloon Sampling Program' USAEC Report HASL-171, p. 223, April (1966) 9. Ibid, HASL-172, p. II-21, July (1966) 10. Ibid, HASL-173, p.II-21, October (1966) 11. Ibid, HASL-174, p. II-3, January (1967) 12. Ibid, HASL-182, p.II-6, July (1967) 13. Ibid, HASL-184, p. II-26, January (1968) 14. Ibid, HASL-197, p.II-169, July (1968) 15. Ibid, HASL-204, p. II-127, January (1969) 16. Ibid, HASL-207, p.II-162, April (1969) 17. Ibid, HASL-217, p. II-147, January (1970) 18. Ibid, HASL-227, p.II-16, July (1970) 19. Ibid, HASL-239, p. II-75, January (1971) 20. Ibid, HASL-243, p.II-75, July (1971) 21. Ibid, HASL-249, p.II-120, April (1972) 22. Ibid, HASL-259, p.II-161, October (1972) 23. Ibid, HASL-274, p.II-95, July (1973) 24. Ibid, HASL-284, p.II-103, July (1974) 25. Ibid, HASL-294, p.II-47, July (1975) 26. Leifer, R., and L. E. Toonkel 'High Altitude Balloon Sampling Program' USERDA Report HASL-306, p. II-9, July (1976) 27. Leifer, R., and L. E. Toonkel 'High Altitude Balloon Sampling Program' USDOE Report EML-334, p. II-68, January (1978) 28. Leifer, R., L. E. Toonkel and R. Larsen 'High Altitude Balloon Sampling Program' USDOE Report EML-349, p. II-144, January (1979) 29. Ibid, EML-370, p. II-4, January (1980) 30. Ibid, EML-390, p. II-204, May (1981) 31. Leifer, R. and L. E. Toonkel 'High Altitude Balloon Sampling Program' USDOE Report EML-405, p. II-278, May (1982) 32. Leifer, R., E. R. Juzdan and R. Larsen 'High Altitude Balloon Sampling Program' USDOE Report EML-434, p. 158, November (1984) 33. Leifer, R. and Z. R. Juzdan 'High Altitude Sampling Program' USDOE Report EML-458, p. 55, December (1986) Project Airstream For Ashstar.dbf, Randab_h.dbf, Randab_c.dbf, and Radqa.xls: 1. Krey, P. W. 'Project Airstream' USAEC Report HASL-183, October (1967) 2. Ibid, USAEC Report HASL-184, January (1968) 3. Ibid, USAEC Report HASL-193, April (1968) 4. Ibid, USAEC Report HASL-197, July (1968) 5. Ibid, USAEC Report HASL-204, January (1969) 6. Ibid, USAEC Report HASL-207, April (1969) 7. Ibid, USAEC Report HASL-210, July (1969) 8. Ibid, USAEC Report HASL-217, January (1970) 9. Ibid, USAEC Report HASL-224, April (1970) 10. Ibid, USAEC Report HASL-239, January (1971) 11. Ibid, USAEC Report HASL-242, April (1971) 12. Ibid, USAEC Report HASL-243, July (1971) 13. Ibid, USAEC Report HASL-245, October (1971) 14. Ibid, USAEC Report HASL-249, April (1972) 15. Ibid, USAEC Report HASL-259, October (1972) 16. Ibid, USAEC Report HASL-268, January (1973) 17. Ibid, USAEC Report HASL-273, April (1973) 18. Ibid, USAEC Report HASL-274, July (1973) 19. Ibid, USAEC Report HASL-276, October (1973) 20. Ibid, USAEC Report HASL-278, January (1974) 21. Ibid, USAEC Report HASL-281, April (1974) 22. Ibid, USAEC Report HASL-284, July (1974) 23. Ibid, USAEC Report HASL-288, January (1975) 24. Ibid, USAEC Report HASL-291, April (1975) 25. Ibid, USAEC Report HASL-294, July (1975) 26. Ibid, USAEC Report HASL-297, October (1975) 27. Leifer, R., L. Toonkel and M. Schonberg 'Project Airstream' USERDA Report HASL-302, April (1976) 28. Ibid, USERDA Report HASL-308, October (1976) 29. Ibid, USERDA Report HASL-318, April (1977) 30. Ibid, USERDA Report HASL-321, July (1977) 31. Ibid, USDOE Report EML-334, January (1978) 32. Ibid, USDOE Report EML-342, July (1978) 33. Ibid, USDOE Report EML-349, January (1979) 34. Ibid, USDOE Report EML-353, April (1979) 35. Ibid, USDOE Report EML-363, October (1979) 36. Ibid, USDOE Report EML-371, April (1980) 37. Ibid, USDOE Report EML-390, May (1981) 38. Ibid, USDOE Report EML-395, November (1981) 39. Ibid, USDOE Report EML-405, May (1982) 40. Leifer, R. and R. Larsen 'Project Airstream' USDOE Report EML-412, November (1982) 41. Leifer, R., Z. R. Juzdan and R. Larsen 'High Altitude Balloon Sampling Program' USDOE Report EML-434, p. 158, November (1984) 42. Leifer, R. and Z. R. Juzdan 'High Altitude Sampling Program' USDOE Report EML-458, p. 55, December (1986) Project Stardust For Ashstar.dbf, Randab_h.dbf, Randab_c.dbf, and Starqa.xls: 1. 'Project Stardust' USAEC Report HASL-153, January (1965) 2. Feely, H. W., P. E. Biscaye, B. Davidson and H. Seite 'Eleventh Progress Report on Project Stardust DASA Report Number 1821, Table 9 & 10, July (1966) 3. 'Project Stardust' USAEC Report HASL-168, March (1966) 4. Ibid, HASL-169, March (1966) 5. Ibid, HASL-173, p. III-2, October (1966) 6. Ibid, HASL-174, p. III-2, January (1967) 7. Ibid, HASL-176, July (1966) 8. Ibid, HASL-181, p. III-2, April (1967) 9. Ibid, HASL-182, p. III-2, July (1967) 10. Ibid, HASL-183, p. III-6, October (1967) 11. Ibid, HASL-184, p. III-2, January (1968) For Rn222.xls: 1. Harley, N. H. and Harley, J. H. Stratospheric Radon Sampling HASL Technical Memorandum 65-14 2. Krey, P. W. Project Airstream USAEC Report HASL-183, October (1967) 3. Ibid, USAEC Report HASL-184, January (1968) 4. Ibid, USAEC Report HASL-193, April (1968) 5. Ibid, USAEC Report HASL-197, October (1969) 6. Ibid, USAEC Report HASL-204, April (1971) 7. Ibid, USAEC Report HASL-207, April (1969) For Stargas.xls: 1. F. T. Hagemann, James Gray, Jr. , and Lester Machta `Carbon - 14 Measurements in The Atmosphere - 1953 to 1964' USAEC Report HASL-159, April (1965) 2. Ibid, USAEC Report HASL-166, January (1966) 3. Ibid, USAEC Report HASL-174, p. III-42 to III-70, January (1967) 4. Ibid, USAEC Report HASL-214, p. III-44 to III-80, October (1969) 5. Ibid, USAEC Report HASL-242, p. III-63 to III-75, April (1971) For Tritium.xls: 1. Allen S. Mason "Stratospheric Tritium Data, October 1980 to November 1981" Environmental Measurements Laboratory report EML-405 (1982). 2. Allen S. Mason and H. G. Ostlund "Stratospheric Tritium Sampling, October 1979 to August 1980" LosAlamos Progress Report LA-9874-PR (1983). 3. Allen S. Mason "Stratospheric Tritium Sampling, April 1982 to March 1983" LosAlamos Progress Report LA-9988-PR (1984). 4. Allen S. Mason and H. G. Ostlund "Stratospheric Tritium Sampling, Final Report" LosAlamos Progress Report LA-10546-PR (1985). For TRACDAB: Robert Leifer "Project Airstream: Trace Gas Final Report" USDOE Report EML-549, December (1992) For Plutonium data 1959 to 1970: "Global Atmospheric Plutonium-239 and Plutonium Isotopic Ratios for 1959-1970" HASL-273, pp. III-2 to III-28, April 1, 1973 FOOTNOTES******************************** {1}* All questions, problems, and suggestions associated with RANDAB & TRACDAB can be forwarded to Robert Leifer at the above address or by e-mail to rleifer@eml.doe.gov.