.
After
freeze-drying,
the
sample
dry
weights
were
determined.
The
dried
vegetation material was ground to a homogeneous texture in Waring blenders and pressed
into aluminum cans until a uniform density was achieved. Samples insufficient in volume
to fill a can were packaged into vials, which had a volume of 42 cm?. Sample weights
were recorded for calculation of specific radionuclide concentrations.
The cans were
first sent for gamma spectrometry analysis and then to a contract laboratory for analysis
requiring radiochemical separations.
Coconut and Pandanus juices were processed by slightly different procedure. . The
coconut juice was poured from the coconut; the Pandanus juice was squeezed from the
Pandanus keys at 50,000 psi. The juices were measured, transferred to |-L beakers, and
formaldehyde added to prevent bacterial degredation.
The beakers were placed in
mechanical convection ovens at 40°C and the liquid evaporated
to a
volume of
approximately 200 mL. The juice was then poured into an aluminum can. To ensure that
all material was removed from the sides and bottom of the beaker, the beaker was acid
rinsed during transfer.
Formaldehyde was again added to prevent bacterial action in the
can. The canwas sealed and weighed.
Blind duplicates and standards were included with each set of samples sent for
analysis.
ANIMAL SAMPLES
The animal samples were processed in the same manner as were the vegetation
samples, the only difference being that formaldehyde was pipetted into the aluminum can
after the sample had been pressed.
The animals were the smallest category of samples collected and processed. There
were 153 samples processed between September and December of 1979. Blind duplicates
and standards were included with each set of samples sent for analysis.
LIMITATIONS OF THE ASSESSMENT
The purpose of the terrestrial and marine program was to collect sufficient samples
to estimate the doses via pathways other than the external gamma exposure. The number
of terrestrial and marine samples collected at each atoll was determined by the time on
station for the aerial portion of the survey and by the weather conditions. Although the
sampling of soil and vegetation for each of the atolls was not as detailed as at Enewetak