to measure the postshot wind conditions to aid in construction of a fallout
model by Project 34.8. Both objectives were completed satisfactortly.
2.5
PROGRAM 40, RADIOBIOLOGICAL SURVEY
The objectives of Program 40 were to determine the amounts and distribution of radioisotopes in the sea water, soil, and biological material at
the test site, {n the northern Marshalls, eastern Carolines, and other islands
westward to the Palaus,
Pretest surveys were conducted at Enfwetok and Rongelap Atolls to determine the isotope content and the amounts of residual radioactivity from
the previous test programs,
During the operation, soil, plants, and animals were collected from the
islands of Eniwetok and Bikini Atolls and from the reefs and lagoons for
measurement of radioactivity.
Emphasis was placed on samplea of food,
water, plankton, and soil. Selected samples were analyzed for isotopic con~
tent. Observations on the rat population at Janet Island, Eniwetok, were ,
continued to evaluate the soil-plant-rat relationship.
Tungsten-185, an isotope not previously detected at Eniwetok Atoll, was
found on plant leaves (7.9 x 10° d/m/g dry weight) and soil (13 x 10° d/m/in.?
samples from Belle Island, and lower levels were detected at Janet, Vera,
Keith, and Henry. The isotope was also present on samples from Bikini,
Ujelang, and Rongelap Atolls and on plankton collected nearby (Report UWFL~
57, 1959). The levels of the other radioisotopes in the same samples were
also determined.
The U.S. Hydrographic Office, Office of Naval Research, Naval Medical
Research Institute, and the Laboratory of Radiation Biology, University of
Washington, undertook a cooperative program on shot Wahoo aboard the USS
Rehoboth (AGS-50) to measure the amount, kinds, and movement of radio-
active materials.
The methods used inclided survey readings, automatic ,
monitoring gear installed on the ship's water systems, a deep water scintillation probe, and radiochemical] separations on samples of water, plankton,
and fish.
The initial survey showed that the major radioactivity in the water ex-
tended one mile southeast from target zero 80 min post shot (500 mr/hbr)
and about 3 miles west within 2 hr. In this area the radioactivity was mostly above the thermocline (100 m). At 48 hr post detonation, the major part
of the radioactivity at target zero was below the thermocline.
After 34
days the detectable boundaries of the radioactive water mass extended west
from target zero at least 50 miles and to a depth of 300 meters. The
plankton contained principally Np***, Mo®-Tc*™, Te!%-'% and u?, Present
in lesser amounts were Ce'!-pr!!, Ry!3_R_nts) palO_paMd and Zr8-Nb™.
Fish had essentially the same radioisotope content as the plankton.
Shrimp
and squid contained Np?™ and Te!%?-1'™@ but no detectable Mo®-Tc'™ (UWFL“58, 1959).
In order to evaluate the distribution of fallout outside the area of the
EPG, measurements were made and samples collected at the weather stations
on Ponape, Kusaie, Tarawa, Ujelang, Utirtk, Kapingamarangi, and Wotho
Atolls. The highest levels of activity were found in samples from Ujelang,
Utirik, Wotho, and Rongelap Atolls.
The radioactivity at the other sites was
not appreciably above background.
57
que
AFWL/HO
56