Abstract

The results of radiometric and radiochemical analyses of

samples, exclusive of land plants, collected at BikiniAtoll in
1969 are presented and discussed.

Average values for radio-

nuclides in food items in pCi/g wet are:
90sr-.o8,

137¢s-.13; pelagic fish,

60co-.12;

giant clams,

60c9-24;

reef fish, 60¢9-2.6,

60c0-.94; spiny lobster,

curlews,

©0co-.94,

137cs-380;

turnstones, ©[o9-7.7, 137es-56; terns, ©9co-1.1, 137os- 08.
Average concentrations of 90s, in the muscle of coconut crabs
from Bikini and Enyu Islands were 12 pci/g wet and .05 pci/g

wet, respectively.

There are no striking differences between

the 1967 and 1969 average values for edible foods of marine
origin,

including the sea birds.

Predominant radionuclides in

undisturbed soils in 1969 are °°Fe,

1370s and 207pi.
207pi predominate.

©0co,

652n,

90sr,

125gp,

In the crater sediments 55Fe, 60co, 90sr, and
There are quantitative and qualitative dif-

ferences in radionuclide content associated with the feeding

habit of fish and there appears to be an increasing concentration
of some radionuclides with increasing age of fish and clams.

The

radionuclide content of bird species presents a sharp contrast,
both qualitatively and quantitatively,

habit.

associated with feeding

It appears that some 60co and 297B: is being transported

eastward by the bottom current in the lagoon.
viously

Silver-108m, pre-

unreported in fallout, was found in the hepatopancreas

of the spiny lobster.

The present levels of radionuclides and

their distribution at Bikini are not likely to change significantly except for decrease in amounts, due to physical decay.

Department

of Energy

Historian's

Oftice

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