ABSTRACT
An intensive radiological survey of the islands of
Bikini Atoll was conducted in April-May 1967 for the
purpose of determining the levels and components of the
external gamma radiation fields in this former weapons
testing area.
Fourteen islands and the two island complexes
of the atoll were surveyed with instrumentation which included a field gamma spectrometer system, a high pressure
lonization chamber, scintillation and G.M. survey meters,
and thermoluminescent dosimeters.
A large number of soil
samples were taken for laboratory NaI({T1)
spectral analysis.
and Ge(Li) gamma
Total exposure rates were found to vary
considerably from site to site and island to island.
Levels
measured over soil ranged from less than 10 ur/hr to over
500 ur/hr.
Major contributors to the radiation fields
usually included **’cs, ““co, **®sb, and *°?™Rh with a large
number of other isotopes present.
The large amount and
consistency of the data indicate that a reliable and comprehensive picture has been obtained of the external gamma
radiation environment of the atoll.