Results of Gamma-Ray Exposure Rate Measurements
vertical coordinate is a measure of

The geographical variability of
the gamma~ray exposure rates for

the gamma exposure rate.

Bikini and Eneu Islands is shown in

elevated irregularly shaped areas

Figs. 4 and 5.

appear as "peaks" while the lesser

The contribution due

Thus,

to cosmic radiation has been sub-

values near the shores appear as

tracted.

relatively low flat areas.

On Bikini Island the

individual measurements from which

the

Note

especially the low flat area

the contour levels were derived are

situated on the ocean side near the

listed in the Appendix.

center of the island

Note the

complex patterns displayed throughout
the island.

(Fig. 6a).

The gamma exposure rates

measured on Eneu Island (Fig. 5) show

This complexity may be

due, in part, to the inhomogeneity

that the island is characterized by

in the original fallout pattern

low (less than 10 yR/h) and more or

produced by the Bravo event,

less uniformly distributed gamma

but it

certainly reflects the extensive

radiation levels over the entire

earth moving activities performed

island.

over the entire island as part of

These total gamma-ray exposure

the agricultural rehabilitation

rates are the basis for the external

program.

dose estimation.

The exposure rates near

However,

to deter-

the shores are typically of the

mine the annual dose and dose

order of 10 to 20 yR/h, while the

commitment,

elevated interior values vary over a

to determine the fractional contri-

wide range of roughly 30 to 100 uR/h.

bution made by the predominant

The interior portions of the island

gamma-emitting radionuclides distri-

may be visualized as having a general

buted in the soil.

background of about 30 to 40 UR/h with

experience at Enewetak Atoll and

numerous irregularly shaped areas

the data of Bennett and Beck?

exhibiting elevated levels superim-

obtained during the 1967 Bikini

posed in a random fashion over

Survey, we expected that

general background.

this

it was also necessary

Based on our

the

primary contribution to the gamma

This may also be

visualized by viewing the three

exposure rates would be due

dimensional computer generated

13766 and 600, activities in the

graphical displays of

soil.

the exposure

rates (Figs. 6a, b and c).

The

poser
Cae

erent

cr
soe
Rees

an7

a

‘Trace quantities of other

gamma emitters such as

-7-8~

to

1254,

,

Select target paragraph3