time to fly the aerial survey.

This was usually only a few days at eachatoll,

and the scope of the terrestrial and marine efforts was determined accordingly.
Though the Wheeling provided an excellent base for the aerial survey, operating
from a large ship that cruised a considerable distance from shore
scope of the

terrestrial and marine

surveys because of the

reach the atolls and islands in the small boats.
lifting capacity of the helicopters,
be small and

limited the

time required

to

Also because of the limited

the terrestrial support equipment had to

the rate of sample collection and

the ability

to reach certain

islands or areas of islands was reduced.
The second helicopter aboard ship was used when possible to help distribute
equipment

and

marine

and

terrestrial

crews

around

the

atolls.

However,

a

certain amount of downtime was required for each helicopter and it was necessary
to

always

have

one

flying

the

aerial

survey.

Thus,

using

helicopters

for

support of the marine and terrestrial surveys even for limited periods required
careful planning.
in number

It was a considerable effort for the Navy mechanics, reduced

from the normal

condition.

complement,

to

keep

the

helicopters

in

operating

During the second leg of the survey only one was usable and it was

dedicated to the aerial survey.

Thus only the small boats were available

conduct the terrestrial and marine
helicopter

was

available

and

surveys.

because

of

During the

adverse

third

weather

leg

to

the

second

conditions,

became

essential to the terrestrial and marine programs.
We

attempted

to

collect

the

maximum

possible

number

of

terrestrial

and

marine samples from as many islands as possible with the time available.

All

samples

was

were

returned

conducted both at

to

LLNL

for

processing

LLNL and contract

and

the

laboratories.

analytical

The procedures

work

for sample

collection and the number and type of samples collected by island and atoll are
summarized here.

In addition we have listed the total number of analyses by

radionuclide of the samples collected during the survey.
This

report

terrestrial

is

the

and marine

first
surveys.

independently by Ec&G./

of a
The

series

summarizing

aerial

survey

the

data

results

has

been

In other reports of the series we will

from

the

published

address

the

radionuclide concentrations in cistern water and groundwater and the estimated
doses via ingested water;

the

associated

estimated

the radionuclide concentration in marine

doses

from

the

marine

pathway;

the

species and

radionuclide

concentration in soil, plants, and animals at each of the atolls and islands and

the estimated doses via the terrestrial

foodchain;

the analytical methods and

Select target paragraph3