Table 35.

(Continued)

Island

Well

Enidrik
Enidrik

DDS1
ODS1

11-07-78
04-20-79

3.9
18

Nam
Nam

CTS1
CTS]

11-12-78
04-25-79

14
2

Nam

NOTE:

Date

Salinity
ppt

CTS]

02-28-81

137¢5

90s,

239+240p,y

pci/-

pCi/L

fFCI/L

-5.3

-—
--

140
130

94

26
--

---

140

250
16

--

29

Dash indicates no data available.

In general, the radionuclide concentrations in the groundwater

lens

reflect the average radionuclide concentrations in the soil above it.

Eneu

Island has a tremendous freshwater lens, the quality and volume of which is

exceptional (Peterson and Underwood, 1987). On Eneu Island, the !3/cs, 90sr,
and 239+240py concentrations in the ground water are low and in all cases

below the EPA guidance of 8 pCi/L for 90sr, 91 pCi/L for !37Cs, and 15 pCi/L

for transuranic radionuclides for drinking water (based on 2 L/d intake and a

4 mrem/y limit) (40 CFR 141.15).

On the other hand, the 9Sr concentration

for Bikini Island generally exceeds the EPA guideline.

However,

in most

cases, Bikini Island ground water is so saline that it is nonpotable.

The

salinities in the ground water on Bikini and Eneu Islands have increased since
1975; this observation will be dealt with in more detail in the Discussion
section of this report.
The radionuclide concentrations are very low in the collected rainwater

(cistern water), which is the major source of fresh water for the island
residents. All the measured concentrations from 1975 to 1984 are well below
Current EPA guidelines for drinking water.
In

1978,

when

the

people

radionuclide concentrations in

were

relocated

cistern

from

Bikini

water increased

as

Atoll,

a

the

result

of

vegetation that grew around the cisterns at heights well above the top of the

cisterns.

Consequently, considerable vegetation containing !37Cs started

falling in openings in the top of the cisterns and accumulating in the bottom.

57

Select target paragraph3