ABSTRACT
Radiobiological analysis of the reef fishes of Rongelap and
Ailinginae Atolls indicated that a recontamination of the area occurred in 1956.
Gross levels of beta activity in muscle
ranged from 0.016 to 0.038 uc/kg wet weight.
tissue
The levels of
radioactivity in bone and muscle tissues of fish collected during
1957 were about the same as the levels for similar tissues collected in 1955.
Gamma spectra analysis and ion-exchange methods
revealed the presence of Zn®5) Co°7, C058, Co60, Mn54, and Fe°5.
Radiostrontium was found only in small amounts (about . 0014 uc/kg
wet weight) in the bone of fish from Kabelle Island, Rongelap Atoll.
Approximately 40 per cent of the total radioactivity in the reef fishes
was due to Zn§5 28 per cent to cobalt, 26 per cent to Fe° >, and 6
per cent to other radionuclides.
DOE ARCHIVES
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