Coconut crabs were sometimes discovered by field team members whilecollecting plant samples. These large land crabs were usually found in areas isolated from local population centers because they are considered a great delicacy and taken for food whenever discovered. Only the muscle and hepatopancreas tissue was removed from the coconut crab. SOIL SAMPLING In most cases, soil profile samples were collected in the root zone of sampled plants so that radionuclide concentrations measured in the plant tissue could be compared to concentrations in the soil. While the total soil volume utilized by the plant roots could not possibly be sampled, profiles taken through the root zone are representative of the radionuclide concentration encountered by the plant's roots. The soil profile increments of 0 to 5, 5 to 10, 10 to 15, 15 to 25, 25 to 40, and 40 to 60 cm are those developed on previous LLNL Marshall! Islands surveys, so they can easily be compared with the bulk of data previously collected from Enewetak and Bikini Atolls. We have found that a 40-cm depth encompasses most of the active root zone of the subsistence crops that we have sampled in the Northern Marshall Islands. Many soil profiles were collected at sites around the islands where no associated plant samples were taken. These profiles were collected in the same manner described above. While the sample profile sites are selected more or less randomly, it is advantageous to choose a relatively undisturbed site with litter and surface soil intact. PROCESSING PROCEDURES FOR TERRESTRIAL SAMPLES SOIL SAMPLES Soil samples were the largest category of all the samples collected. soil-processing contamination. laboratories were carefully surveyed for possible The radioactive Air filter samples and swipe samples were taken around the processing area. This monitoring program continued throughout our entire processing phase. Each soil profile produced six samples, except in cases where it was impossible to get to the deeper depths because of coral bed rock. There were approximately 516 profiles collected and some 3093 soil samples were processed in the soil preparation laboratory between January and October of 1979.