qe = 2.2.4 Coral, Lagoon-Bottom Silt, and Algae The extent of contamination in the atoll waters adjacent to the islands was evaluated from samples of coral, lagoon-bottom silt, and algae. Numerous edible marine species exist in this area and their food chain is dependent primarily on the algae and coral. beta activities in coral and algae are given in Table 2.6. TABLE The gross : 2.6 Gross Beta Activity in Coral and Algae 1 Islaod Beta Activity (§-/min/g) Coral Algae Type (4) Likiep nDA®) Uuirik NDA Rongelap . 790 ‘cH 3,400 Labaredj 860 Enuae Kabelle G 290 tok Activity 300 320 120 400 sc 34,000 u 16,800 H 4,160 . . 1,300 Gejeno 1,140 . 3,260 . 240 (a) (b) Ge greea; H = Halimeda, SC = Sea Cucumber, No detectable activity. Bikar 210 G . . 3,€00 Algae appear to concentrate activity to a much greater degree than coral. Much of the coral activity may even be due to algae which is lodged in small pores where it cannot be removed. The sea cucumber and green types of algae are much more efficient at concentrating activity than is the highly calcareous Halimeda type. DOE ARCHIVES - -10-