In
part on
general
grounds,
results at Enewetak Atoll, a U.S.
(1972-1980)
successful
and
(13),
doubts
have
agriculture at
part owing
government operation
been
Bikini
in
expressed
after topsoil
about
to
in
the
removal
the
variable
the Marshalls
possibility of
(Appendices
A,
8B,
E),
We note,
however,
that the Majuro causeway built of lagoon
sediment has spontaneously revegetated itself.
sandbars and typhoon-eroded
islands
Scrub revegetation of new
is commonplace.
At Enewetak where in
certain areas the land had been cleared and in some locations
difficulties might stem from the compaction of the soil
paved,
the
by previous heavy-
duty usage and by the heavy clean-up earth moving machinery employed.
any case, we recommend that a pilot trial
deal
with the effects on
be executed on Bikini
productivity of soil
In
that will
compaction and. exposure to
wind.
4.3.2
spoil
are
Disposal
the
lagoon,
an
of Spoil.
Four locations for the disposal
unoccupied
island,
construction, and the oceanward side of Bikini.
international,
regulate
disposal.
With
the
site
of
of
causeway
Various laws, national and
respect
to
ocean
dumping,
the
situation is so complex and uncertain that the option is precluded. (29N).
(a)
would cost a total
The lagoon-disposal
of $36 million.
alternative
for
To immobilize the spoil
Bikini
Island
by bagging it
before disposal would increase the cost by about $12 million.
The best location in the lagoon would be the Bravo
crater (73 m deep; volume, 16 million m?),
minimal
because
tte
crater
is
"dead",
The ecological consequences are
and
the
more
or
less
‘monthly
replacement of lagoon water tends to prevent the accumulation of turbidity
and dissolved contaminants (Appendices A, E).
view, such dumping would be a simple operation.
9000032
34
From an engineering point of