Abstract: Extensive tidal studies in island wells and the lagoon at

Enewetak Atoll have shown that island ground water dynamics are
controlled by a layered aquifer system. The surface aquifer of
unconsolidated Holocene material extends to a depth of approximately 15
m, and has a hydraulic conductivity K = 60 m/day. From 15 to 60 m
(approximate lagoon depth) the reef structure consists of successive
layers of altered Pleistocene materials, with bulk permeability
substantially higher than that of the surface aquifer. Because of wave
set-up over the windward reef and the limited pass area for outflow at

the south end of the atoll,

lagoon tides rise in phase with the ocean

tides but fall later than the ocean water level. This results in a net
lagoon-to-ocean head which can act as the driving force for outflow

through the permeable Pleistocene aquifer.
fresh water,

This model suggests that

nutrients or radioactive contaminants

found in island

ground water or reef interstitial water may be discharged primarily

into the ocean rather than the lagoon. Atoll island fresh water

resources are controlled by recharge, seawater dilution due to vertical
tidal mixing between the surface and deeper aquifers, and by loss due
to entrainment by the outflowing water in the deeper aquifers.
Estimated tagoon-ot-ocean transit times through the deep aquifer are on
the order of a few years, which corresponds well to the freshwater
residence time. estimates based on inventory and recharge. Islands in
close proximity to reef channels have more fresh ground water than
others, which is consistent with a locally reduced hydraulic gradient
and slower flow through the Pleistocene aquifers.;

Major Descriptors: *ENIWETOK -- HYDROLOGY; *GROUND WATER -- ENVIRONMENTAL
TRANSPORT
Descriptors: AQUIFERS; FLUID FLOW; SEAWATER; TIDE
Broader Terms: HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS; ISLANDS; MARSHALL ISLANDS; MASS TRANSFER
+7 MICRONESIA; OCEANIA; OXYGEN COMPOUNDS; WATER

Subject Categories: 580100*
-- Geology & Hydrology -INIS Subject Categories: B31*
-- Land

10/5/796
00768442

(Item 496 from file: 103)
ERA-06-024347; BRA-06-024347; EDB-81-076703

Author(s):

Spies,

(-1989)

Title: Dynamics of radionuclide exchange in the calcareous algae Halimeda
at Enewetak Atoll

Affiliation:
Source:

Univ.

Limnol.

R.B.;

Marsh,

Oceanogr.

Publication Date: Jan 1981
Contract Number

K.V.;

of California,

(DOE):

Kercher,

Livermore

(United States)

p 74-85

v 26:1.

ERA

Coden:

LIOCA

W-7405-ENG-48

Document Type: Journal Article; Numerical data
Language: English
Journal Announcement: EDB8107
Subfile:

J.R.

(Energy

Research

Abstracts);

TIC

(Technical

Information

radionuclides was measured. Data for /sup 60/Co, /sup 137/Cs, and /sup
102m/Rh were fit to loss curves by using one term for exponential loss;
data for /sup 155/Eu, /sup 239+240/Pu, and /sup 241/Am required two

terms.

For each radionuclide,

compartment size and transfer functions

were determined for the appropriate one- and two-compartment models. Of
26 possible two-compartment models,

only seven gave solutions with our

data. Nearly identical loss rates were obtained for /sup 155/Eu,

/sup

239+240/Pu}, and /sup 241/Am in the fast-exchanging compartments for all
seven models. The uptake rates for these nuclides were also similar
when uptake rates were normalized to local sediment concentrations. The
fast-exchanging compartment probably corresponds to the mucilage
surface layer of the coenocytic filaments. The identity of the

900396]

Center).
Country of Origin: United States
Abstract: Measurements of /sup 239+240/Pu in the detrital inclusions and in
acid-soluble and acid-insoluble fractions of Halimeda macrophysa showed
a 10-fold higher concentration in the acid-insoluble coenocytic
filaments than in the acid-soluble fraction. In a depuration experiment
with Halimeda incrassata at Enewetak Atoll the loss rate of six

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