-~

16 -

colloidal dispersion (<0.2u) and was present in the filtrate
fraction of the water samples.

Zr95-Nb95 was also found at

higher levels in the filtrate fraction than on the filter
papers but the ratio was not as high as in the case of wi8s |
In an average of the five samples approximately two per cent
of the wi85 and 30 per cent of the Zr95-Nb9> remained on the
filter papers ,

The distribution of wt85 and zr95-nb95 on the filter
papers and in the filtrates at the time of analysis probably
does not represent the condition at the time of collection.
Some leaching of radioisotopes would have occurred in planktonic organisms which died during the interval between collection and analysis.

A comparison of the distribution of radio-

activity in the above samples with that in aliquots of the
same samples filtered at the date of collection indicates that

this may be the case.

The data are as follows:

Per cent of activity on filter
Water sample
stations

No. 3

Filtered at date
of collection

32

Filtered
January 13, 1959

5

No.

31

13

2

No.

37

17

O.1

No. 38

12

0.2

No. 39

25

5

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