An account of the major pulses of tritium and their effects in the atmosphere

Abstract

Bomb tritium produced since 1954 during bomb tests was by and large injected into the stratosphere. The exact amounts are not known but various estimates agree reasonably well. The fate of the bomb produced tritium is discussed in some detail and it appears that ocean surfaces are very effective for withdrawing atmospheric tritium. Available data on rainfall concentrations are also reviewed as well as various models put forth to explain the transport of tritium in nature.