干旱区生态环境知识资源中心

This study reports a comprehensive cross-sectional analysis of major and trace element abundances and Pu-240/Pu-239 ratios within vertically oriented Trinitite thin sections. The upper glassy layer (similar to 2 mm thick) represents fused desert sand combined with devolatilized fallout from the debris cloud. The vertical distribution of Pu-240/Pu-239 ratios indicates that residual fuel was incorporated deeper (up to similar to 10 mm depth) into Trinitite than previously reported. This requires thorough mixing and disturbance of the upper cm of the blast site prior to or during the initial melting of the desert sand resulting from the nuclear explosion.