that the concentrations of 239+240py, 24lam, and 60Co were consistently higher
in the edible tissues of invertebrates than in the flesh of fish collected at
comparable atoll
locations.
Highest levels of 60co were associated with the
kidneys of each species of clams.
Concentrations of 297Bi, 137cs, and 90Sr in
the edible mucsle and mantle tissue were very low and, in most cases, were
undetectable in the samples analyzed.
"
SUMMARY
Over 1550 fish
representing
species from all
trophic
levels
collected from regions of Bikini lagoon between 1977 and 1984.
were
Concentrations
of gamma-emitting radionuclides accumulated in the different tissues
organs of these fish were determined.
and
A number of samples were selected for
the radiochemical analysis of 995r, !13mc¢q, 238,239,240py, 24iam, 210po,
210ph, and 210Bi. Activities of these radionuclides were measured in the
tissues using appropriate alpha-spectrometer systems or low-background beta
detectors.
All
the radionuclide concentration data are tabulated in the
Appendix.
.
Over the 8-year period, a reasonable amount of data was developed to
define adequately the range in concentrations of the different radionuclides
in edible muscle tissue and other organs of fish from the lagoon at Bikini
Atoll.
Unless there is some unforeseen impact on the lagoon that would
significantly
alter
the
environmental
concentrations
of
the
different
radionuclides, there is little reason to expect that concentrations of the
different radionuclides
in
fish
in future years will
exceed the upper
concentration limits determined over the last 8-year period. . The present mea’
levels of radionuclides in edible muscle tissue of fish can be used with a
reasonable degree of confidence
to
predict
the
magnitude
of
future
radiological doses to individuals from the marine fish-food pathway at Bikin’
Atoll.
J0005 1b
22