Posted by lagdivr on March 21, 2005 at 12:55:24:
In Reply to: A Few Links and Tips posted by Walt on March 21, 2005 at 11:31:57:
... from the University of Redlands researchers you wouldnt dive it;
Figure 1. Salton Sea Bottom Sediment Sampling Sites
Previous studies on the Salton Sea bottom sediments have identified a variety of inorganic and organic chemicals including organochlorine pesticide residues of banned DDT [1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis (p-chlorophenyl)-ethane] and its derivatives, DDD [1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis (p-chlorophenyl)-ethane], and DDE [1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis (p-chlorophenyl) ethylene]. Many of these same chemicals, plus some additional ones, have been identified in the riverbeds feeding into the Sea, including DDT, DDD, DDE, dichloromethane, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), pesticides, selenium, and boron...
... The aeroballistic marine target area was reportedly used for testing inert atomic weapons. Approximately 3,750 test units were dropped into the Sea. These units were usually stainless steel casings filled with... lead/acid batteries [until the 1950s] or nickel/cadmium batteries, minor amounts of aluminum, copper, brass, and rubber), as well as concrete, lead and/or stainless steel ballast. Most units weighed between 5,000 and 40,000 pounds... The test units reportedly broke apart upon impact, scattering debris across the Sea floor. Approximately 10,000 pounds of material was recovered from one area investigated, but the majority of the debris still lies buried in the sediment of the Sea. A MK-6 "fly-around" radioactive test unit that contained 120 pounds of uranium was also reportedly lost in the Sea.