ABSTRACT
An investigation of the radioactive contamination of the water and
marine organisms in and near the Eniwetok Test Site was
conducted
during May 1958, shortly before and immediately following an underwater nuclear detonation.
At
the
end
of three and one-half days the
boundaries of the radioactive water mass extended beyond the survey
area, 50 miles to the west of Eniwetok Atoll, and to a depth of at least
300 meters.
The plankton
contained high
Tc99M, Tel32-7132 and U237_
levels
of Np239, Mo29-
Aliso present in lower amounts were
Cel4l-pyl4l Ryl03_Ry_103) pyal40_7,4140 Zr95_Np?5, and Ce!44Pri44,
Ryl06-RH106 and Rul95-RH105
were
detected
once in
each
of two samples.
Whole fish samples contained essentially the same radioisotopes
as the plankton.
and Te132-1132
Shrimp and squid contained high levels of Np239
but no detectable
Mo29- Tc99™,