Nuclear war and soil microflora

Stewart Blumenfeld

ResearchPublished 1966

An examination of the possibility that large-scale nuclear war might result in long-term derangement of the microbial flora of the soil, with subsequent adverse effects on food production in the postwar period. Two nuclear bombardment phenomena that could affect the soil microflora are considered: ignition of extensive fires in forests and crops, and acute and chronic irradiation of the soil by fallout. Experimental data and field observations in agriculture, forestry, soil microbiology, and radiation biology are examined. Tentative conclusions are presented.

Document Details

  • Copyright: RAND Corporation
  • Availability: Web Only
  • Year: 1966
  • Pages: 48
  • Document Number: RM-4827-TAB

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Blumenfeld, Stewart, Nuclear war and soil microflora. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 1966. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_memoranda/RM4827.html.
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