A “Pre-Atomic Era” Sediment Profile and Gamma Analysis from Lake County, Michigan .

William Topping
Principal Investigator, NSF Physics-9986999
solar_crisis@yahoo.com
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In a series of gamma tests undertaken with samples from geographically separated

“sediment profiles” at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) in conjunction with a
National Science Foundation grant (Physics-9986999), anomalies at depth were noted which
specifically included the presence of Cesium 137. The sedimentation and likely factors for
percolation for the “fallout marker” 137Cs were at apparent odds with the discovery of that isotope
at depth in parent or “C” sediments (more specifically, at about the B-C interface) at widely
separated locations in North America. Recent research has indicated that there was a neutron
event in prehistory, and that its “signatures” at depth in sediments have been misinterpreted as
markers from “Atomic-era” fallout (1).

In a methodology constructed to test the hypothesis that “137Cs at depth in C sediments

is not exclusively the result of fallout from atomic testing," an area that has been “capped from
fallout” since the late 1930's was sampled. The location is in Michigan in Lake County, specifically
in Township 18 North, Range 12 West, Section 15, Cherry Valley Township, and more specifically
the NE corner of the NE corner of the NE corner. At this particular location, George Venner of
Midland, Michigan (grandfather of the author) bought 120 acres on 15 June, 1938 from Agnes
Pomorski and had the deed recorded on 25 August, 1938 (2).

At the time, there was a “Depression-era” cabin on the land. Venner added onto the
existing cabin by installing a “cement foundation” to the rear or “west side,” but left the original
cabin intact and made improvements (3). The pre-existing cabin, 12 feet by 18 feet, was
constructed with no foundation but rather was a simple wood-framed structure built on wooden
beams. Venner covered the roof and sides with corrugated steel panels that intruded into the
sands around the small cabin which effectively sealed it from later contamination from fallout in the
post 1945-era. Venner died as the result of a traffic accident on November 2, 1940 (4).
Therefore, the sands underneath this small cabin had been protected and capped from fallout from
“at least” 1940 until 1993 when the land was sold by heirs to the Michigan Department of Natural
Resources and the structures removed with “minimal disturbance” of landforms because of vast
archaeological resources in the area. The sands underneath the small original cabin were
completely unaltered in any way during removal of the structures (5), and the only evidence of
prior disturbance of any sort was deposited fecal matter of animals such as raccoons that had
crawled through a small hole and lived (periodically) under the cabin.

The terrace this location is located at is flat, but to the south there is a rise which raises the
possibility of runoff waters contaminating the site, presumably primarily “after” the structure was
removed. Since percolation is primarily “down,” but considering the possibility of recent runoff
contamination of the sands, a sediment profile was taken from what was the “original” northeast
corner of the “interior” of the cabin which would have been least exposed to recent runoff once the
structure was removed. The sediment profile was undertaken on June 20, 2001, after permission
from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources was obtained (6), and it revealed some minor
disturbance from Depression-era activities probably in clearing the area to construct the original
cabin, but also revealed a completely undisturbed and typical sediment profile of original A, B and
basal C parent sediments common in this geographic area (7). There was no evidence whatsoever
of either rodent or tree disturbance of the sediments and the different sediment horizons were very
clear (visual presentation). Large samples of sediment were taken at intervals of 5 cm to a depth of
~ 15 cm into the basal C horizon which appeared at ~ 60 cm in depth, with the exception of the
first layer of rapid growth humic material on the surface which is attributable to the “fertilizer”
deposited by animals that used the cabin crawlspace as living quarters. In that instance, 10 cm of
the very modern (post-1993) humic material was bagged and tested.
 Some evidence of about 10 cm of "Depression-era" disturbance and small amounts of
charcoal were encountered in the first ~ 10 cm of the actual "sediment" underneath the recent
humic growth. It appeared that whoever built the cabin raked the area and cut some brush, and
burned it. Sands were not reddened from heat. Below this was a very thin "A" horizon that is
typical on the sandy sediments in this area. This layer of actual A was ~ 4 cm thick. Below was a
distinct "B" horizon with typical brownish color/hue, and the consistency of the medium-sized, well-
sorted grains suggested "wind-deposit" over some long period of time. At about 60 cm the B-C
interface appeared where larger grains were well-sorted, some pebbles/gravels occurred, and the
sediments were pale yellow to "whitish" in color/hue.

At Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, the system uses a 115% n-type HPGe
detector in a low-BKG (background) environment. Data are acquired by an ORTEC MAESTRO
software package, in the format of 16384-channel spectra covering an energy range from 20 to
3600 KeV. For the results listed below, a 6" diameter by 6" high re-entrant beaker (Marinelli
Beaker) was used filled with sediment to one of several specific volumes. Some of the samples
completely filled the container. Sample weights ranged from 1400 grams for the smallest volume to
2700 grams for a sample that completely filled the container. All sediments were air-dried before
packing into a counting container. Each sample was counted for about 48 hours to achieve the
desired statistical quality in results.

In addition, a control test that utilized some fine sand, specifically "industrial quartz silica
sand" (Unimin Corporation) placed inside a tube of PVC plastic pipe ~ 120 cm long x ~ 5.5 mm
interior diameter and capped with a PVC cap with small holes drilled in the bottom, was conducted.
This sand was thoroughly moistened and compacted before it was topped with local humus to
provide a source of 137Cs, and also to replicate conditions normally encountered on typical
landforms in the test area. Uranium (uraninite powder) was added, as was a rich 40K source (No
Salt) and a source of thorium (Quick Clip lantern mantles, Model #908M, reduced to ash). Well
water (~ 60 feet deep, which eliminates the possibility of 137Cs from standard supplies) was used
to percolate isotopes downward. In 250 ml quantities over the course of two days, water was
added to the column and the column was turned almost constantly during the procedure to ensure
even percolation. The reported average annual rainfall in Lake County, Michigan, from the years
1961-1990 (Oregon Climate Service webpage, data obtained from NOAA statistics) was 34-36
inches. Runoff from melting snow was not calculated, but quantities of water were added to
simulate ~ 5 years of rainfall. Gamma runs were conducted on 12 intervals of the column, each
composed of 10 cm of the full column (the plastic pipe was sawed at 10 cm intervals and the
respective contents deposited into Ziploc bags).

Attached are the following: 1) the "pre-Atomic era" sediment profile, 2) the table of gamma
results on this profile; 3) a graph illustrating the various isotopic concentrations in the full "pre-
atomic" profile; 4) a graph illustrating the isotopic concentrations in only the original A-C horizons
that had been "capped;" 5) a graph of the "B" horizon only which illustrates the 137Cs anomaly at
depth, with "decimals adjusted" to be able to see the proportions visually so comparison is easier
(for instance, in the "column percolation control test" the first 10 cm interval gamma tested
produced these proportions: U = 417 ppm, Th = 1.5 ppm, 40K = 0.72 "%." and 137Cs = 7.4
"cts/min-Kg;" since there was so much more U [as recorded] than the other isotopes, it is
impossible to "see" the proportions unless decimals are adjusted; in the case of the "percolation
test" the result for U was adjusted from 417 to 0.417 for easier visual comparison, and the
entire series was adjusted accordingly and in each case where this method for visual
comparison was utilized it is so indicated and the "Y-1" axis in each graph is an automatic scale
generated by the software as nothing more than a "convenience scale" to compare amounts,
and that too is so indicated); 6) the table of gamma results for the "percolation control test;" 7) a
graph of the gamma results for the full series in the "percolation control test;" 8) a graph of the
gamma results for intervals 2-12 in the "percolation control test" which is provocative since it
suggests that in terms of "adhesion to and/or movement through fines" (small grains such as
silt/clay), 137Cs is "less mobile" than other isotopes.

To summarize, the evidence obtained from this study suggests that "humus" acts as a very
effective barrier to the downward percolation of any isotopes which leads to the conclusion that
deeply distributed isotopic concentrations must mean "much weathering" has taken place over a
substantial period of time. Also, this study with particular regard to 137Cs suggests that 137Cs
which is a "key indicator" of fallout is not as "mobile" as (and certainly not "more mobile than")
other isotopes in terms of "downward" movement from percolation. For all practical purposes, the
bulk of all isotopes did not move through the humus. The other isotopes were present at depth in
this case (column test), but only in very minor quantities, but still with some evidence of "vertical
deposition" from percolation, and to different degrees. A note of caution is in order in this case.
The well water was "carbonate rich," and this may (or may not) have made a difference in terms of
isotopic/molecular adhesion to H2O "or" adhesion to the "very fine" grains of sand. With that
cautionary note, the results In this control test make it very difficult to explain the "spike" of 137Cs
at depth in the basal B horizon of the "pre-Atomic era profile" as having been caused by recent (~
10 years) percolation from rains/melt.

One of the hypothetical suggestions advanced in terms of the "column control" test was that
"everything percolated out " of the test column. Using a geiger counter (SOSNA-ANRI-01-02,
Russian; 3 runs at one minute each and then averaged) the residual gamma activity on the
wooden planks on the porch where the column rested was 0.87/sec. Under the porch where the
percolated water (with isotopes) had been deposited, the activity was ~ 0.57/sec which
corresponds almost precisely to the "environmental gamma rate" in that exact location which had
been gamma tested (by the author) for months. In other words, there was some very minor deposit
of "radioactive control isotopes" at the control test site, but nothing in sufficient quantity at all to
invalidate the results.

Based on the evidence presented, the rigor of the testing and high quality of the LBNL
gamma results and associated interpretations/analysis by the author, there is an "isotopic anomaly
at depth" in terms of 137Cs (t 1/2 = ~ 30 yrs) in basal B sediments, or at "about" the B-C interface,
that Atomic-era "fallout" cannot explain. The anomaly appears to involve more than 137Cs
(specifically, 238Pu, 239Pu and "depleted 235U"). An investigation into the genesis of "possible
ongoing fissions" at depth is continuing and in short, the hypothesis first presented above is "not
invalidated" by these findings.

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References Cited:

1. Firestone, Richard B. and Topping, William. Terrestrial Evidence for a Nuclear Catastrophe in
Paleoindian Times. Mammoth Trumpet 16 (2): 9-16.

2. Liber 92, page 549, Register of Deeds, Lake County, Michigan.

3. William Topping, personal observations and knowledge.

4. Midland Daily News , November 2, 1940: 1, 3.

5. Topping.

6. Michigan Department of Natural Resources , Cadillac FMU, permit number 5-2001.

7. Boggs, S., Principles of Sedimentology and Stratigraphy (MacMillan, New York,

1987), Easterbrook, D. J., Surface Processes and Landforms (MacMillan, New York, 1993),
Birkeland, P. W., Soils and Geomorphology (Oxford University Press, New York, 1984).
A A B C D E F
3 Cherry Valley Township, Lake County, MI.
4 Measures in Centimeters.
5
6 Intervals Horizon/Depth Sediment horizons Horizon Condition Description
7 0-10 0-10 Recent rapid humic Recent Friable Crumbly humic vegetation/silts
8 1-15 10-15 Depression-era sweep Recent Loose sand Sands/silts with charcoals
9 15-20 15-20 Depression-era sweep Recent Loose sand Sands/silts with charcoals
10 20-25 20-24 undisturbed A pre-1940 Compacted Dark brown humic sands/silts
11 25-30 24-30 undisturbed B prehistory Consolidated Verk dark orangish/brown medium sands
12 30-35 30-35 undisturbed B prehistory Consolidated Verk dark orangish/brown medium sands
13 35-40 35-40 undisturbed B prehistory Consolidated Verk dark orangish/brown medium sands
14 40-45 40-45 undisturbed B prehistory Consolidated Verk dark orangish/brown medium sands
15 45-50 45-50 undisturbed B prehistory Consolidated Verk dark orangish/brown medium sands
16 50-55 50-55 undisturbed B prehistory Consolidated Verk dark orangish/brown medium sands
17 55-60 55-60 undisturbed B prehistory Consolidated Verk dark orangish/brown medium sands
18 60-65 60-65 B-C interface prehistory Consolidated Transitional yellowish/orangish sands
19 65-70 65-70 undisturbed C prehistory Consolidated Pale yellowish large sands
20 70-75 70-75 undisturbed C prehistory Consolidated Pale yellowish large sands
A A B C D E F
1 Pre-Atomic Era profile.
2 Lake County, Michigan.
3 LBNL runs.
4
5 Depth Sediment U Th K 137Cs
6 0-10 1994 + 0.58 1.96 0.785 6.36
7 10-15 1938- 0.62 1.9 0.814 1.08
8 15-20 1938- 0.49 1.31 0.678 0.33
9 20-25 A 0.56 1.58 0.801 0.084
10 25-30 B 0.63 1.84 0.836 0.06
11 30-35 B 0.68 2.13 0.888 0.05
12 35-40 B 0.65 2.04 0.881 0.032
13 40-45 B 0.57 1.97 0.87 0.079
14 45-50 B 0.67 2.08 0.94 0.028
15 50-55 B 0.58 1.93 0.901 0.029
16 55-60 B 0.57 1.9 0.905 0
17 60-65 C 0.47 1.64 0.824 0
18 65-70 C 0.51 1.86 0.844 0
19 70-75 C 0.45 1.6 0.845 0
 Pre-Atomic Profile
results: all intervals

7
6
convenience scale

5
4
3
2
1
0 1994 + 1938- 1938- A B B B B B B B C C C

U Th K 137Cs
 Pre-Atomic Profile
capped A-C only
2.5

2
convenience scale

1.5

0.5

0
A B B B B B B B C C C
U Th K 137Cs
 Pre-Atomic Profile
B horizon only

decimals adjusted for presentation

1

0.8
convenience scale

0.6

0.4

0.2

0
B B B B B B B

U Th K 137Cs
A A B C D E
1 Column of sand; percolation test.
2 LBNL runs.
3
4 Interval U/ppm Th/ppm 40K/% 137Cs/cts
5 1 417 1.5 0.72 7.4
6 2 0.48 0.46 0.037 0.05
7 3 0.41 0.42 0.037 0
8 4 0.45 0.48 0.036 0
9 5 0.5 0.53 0.034 0.03
10 6 0.58 0.5 0.037 0
11 7 0.63 0.52 0.036 0
12 8 0.64 0.46 0.036 0
13 9 0.69 0.46 0.039 0
14 10 0.69 0.53 0.038 0
15 11 0.78 0.54 0.042 0
16 12 0.76 0.44 0.046 0
 Percolation test
all intervals

decimals adjusted for presentation

8
convenience scale

0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

U/ppm Th/ppm 40K/% 137Cs/cts

 Percolation test
intervals 2-12

decimals adjusted for presentation

0.08
convenience scale

0.06

0.04

0.02

0 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

U/ppm Th/ppm 40K/% 137Cs/cts