Islands.
There have been conflicting reports in the literature concerning
the relationship of potassium to cesium-137 uptake
in plants (Auerbach
and Croasley, 1958; Nishbita, et al., 1958; Uhler, 1959; Nishita et al.,
1959).
Apparently the uptake of cesium-137 by plants is directly as-
sociated with potassium uptake in some cases and not in others.
It was suggested from the results of studies of Coenobita at Eniwetok
Atoll that seasonal differences in precipitation might influence cesium- 137
levels in muscle tissue (Held,
1960}; the data presented here do not support
this suggestion.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Samples of Birgus muscle were collected from Kabelle, Rongelap,
and Eniaetok Islands at Rongelap Atoll during March 1958, August 1958
and March 1959.
Two samples were also collected at Utirik Island,
Utirik Atoll (Fig. 1) in March 1959.
The samples were oven-dried at
98°C and the wet weight to dry weight ratios were determined.
For
potassium analysis, the samples were wet ashed with concentrated HNO3
and H209.
The ash was dissolved in a known volume of IN HNO3 and the
potassium content determined by flame photometry.
Details of the method
used have been reported by Chakravarti and Joyner (1959).
The levels of cesium-137 were determined by gamma
Five to ten-gram samples of dried muscle were
counted.
spectroscopy.
The
counting
0
prewy