-k07-

program. Since the Liktanur is out of operation, we had scheduled a
trip to Enewetak in late January 1978 using island support. However,
a local storm damaged many aspects of site operations forcing us to
reschedule this trip to March 1978,
In FY 1975 we initiated detailed radiological studies of the

hydrology and groundwater geochemistry at Enewetak and Bikini. These
first detailed investigations of their kind at the atolls, have given
us new insights into the transport mechanisms and cycling rates of
radionuclides between the terrestrial and aquatic environments. The
circulation and redistribution processes of plutonium and other
radionuclides are investigated by interpretive analysis of radiochemical

and physical data from the lagoon environment.

Plutonium levels in the

environment and organisms are being compared to distribution in species

and environments that receive plutonium from other sources,

including

world-wide fallout, reactors, reprocessing facilities, and Thule.
Biological samples are carefully analyzed to determine the radionuclide

distributions in body tissues and to calculate the relevant concentration

factors.
15.

RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER PROGRAMS:
The Enewetak and Bikini groundwater programs are carried out in

close cooperation with R. Buddemeier (University of Hawaii); Buddemeier

is conducting a program to investigate the cycling of the major elements
and nutrients in the groundwater. Data generated from his studies have
been helpful in our interpretation of the radionuclide cycling in the
island groundwater,
There is also a close relationship between the groundwater and
marine studies and the LLL agricultural experiments (Marshall Island
Radioecology, 189 No, LLL/ASEV-80-63) and assessment program. The loss
of the R.V. Liktanur forced us to modify our field efforts for this
next year. Presently we are exploring ways to coordinate our program
and the agricultural project to fulfill program requirements at the
atolls with minimum ship-time support. The advantage in dollar savings
is obvious; and it requires now only to work out problems related to
logistics.
Our programs provide significant data in support of the
rehabilitation efforts at the atolls. We have provided data and
assessments relevant to cleanup operations at Enewetak and will continue
to do so whenever our data are needed. Last year, we fulfilled DOE-DNA
requests for information related to the disposal of the remains from
the multistory structure on Enjebi, the impact of soil disposal! on
Northern Runit and the marine environment, the radioactive hazards
created by removing underwater cables from Enewetak, the establishment
of a meaningful sampling program for the proposed multi-atol! survey,
and the review of plans for plutonium cleanup at Enewetak Atoll.

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