The studies completed to date, however, lack sufficient scope

and continuity to give the specific information needed to form a
basis for evaluating the impact, direction, and duration of biotic

effects of contamination following atomic bomb bursts.

The inade-

quacy of the biological monitoring program in keepingpace with
the physical radiation measurements during the recent testinghas

been of concern to many biologists.
There is a lack of specificity in our knowledge of the many
aspects of biological contamination following an atomic burst
under water or near water, as would be the case were a bomb detonated in or near one of our fresh or salt-water harbors.

Con-~

tinual evaluation of the size of the area affected, the duration
of effect, etc., for each of the bomb materials used is essential
to an understanding of the problem.
The interest in radiological contamination has broader implications than an investigation of the immediate area about a bomb
burst, for even in air bursts the fallout of radioactive materials

finds its way into our waters, both fresh and marine.

In addition,

the very fact that the sea has been considered the practical dumping ground for radioactive wastes dictates the need for a broad
understanding of the problems such dumping may produce.
Although the Bikini-Eniwetok testing sites have some disadvantages for doing certain types of biological testing, they

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