SLIDE 17
The effect of fractionation on decay rate is
BRAVO fallout characteristics.
very complex and simple observation of overall radioactive decay does not
yield significant information. Even so, the decay rate from widely
distributed samples obtained out to 500 km (300 miles) from the BRAVO
detonation site were similar as were the decay rates from activity on

different size fallout granules collected at the same site (0C68). These facts
alone may not be used to indicate the same fractionation was common to all
In fact, small granules traveled with the cloud for longer
granule sizes.
periods of time and possible adsorbed more longer-lived nuclides than did the

very large granules.

In the forthcoming analysis, the fractionation observed for Bikini Ash

granules was assumed to be similar for granules at Rongelap, Sifo and Utirik
With the possible exception of Utirik Island, this was considered a
Islands.
valid assumption due to the proximity of Rongelap and Sifo islands to the 5th

Lucky Dragon. The granule size distribution was assumed to have the same
shape as Bikini Ash as given by Suito (Su56). Assuming the activity of a
granule was proportional to the 3.5 power of the size of the granule (La65),—
the per cent of total activity versus granule size was estimated. The size at
median activity is given here for each location. Granules of a given size
were spread throughout the stem, the base of the cloud and up to the cloud top
In fact, the entire distribution of granule sizes would
at 40 km (24 miles).
reach the surface at any point in time, not just one size at one time.
The
simple model was assumed here for the purpose of estimating the rate of rise

of exposure rate, the rate of accumulation of activity at the surface, and

accumulated internal exposure during the period of rising exposure rates.
This period was very short relative to the total exposure interval.
The
simple model was in agreement with measurements of rate of rise of exposure

rate for weapons tests made during the Hardtack Series in 1957 (USPHS57) and

with the rate of rise of exposure rate measured for one-half hour at Rongerik

Atoll on March 1, 1954 (S055).

BRAVO FALLOUT CHARACTERISTICS
Location
5th Lucky Dragon
Rongelap Island
Sifo Island

Utirik Island

~

Size At Median Activity
pm

Distance From Ground Zero
km

370
150
370

150
210
150

1§

Specific Gravity
Solubility
Relative Activity
Unit Particle Size

570
2.4

20-50% Iodine in Seawater

(Size/Largest Size)**
0.1-3um

22

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