Over 4000 terrestrial and marine samples were collected for radionuclide
analysis
from 76
different
islands.
Soils,
vegetation,
indigenous
and cistern water and groundwater were collected from the islands.
pelagic
species,
clams,
lagoon water,
and
sediments
were
animals,
Reef fish,
obtained
from
the
lagoons.
A
considerable
amount
of
radionuclide
concentration
generated from the analysis of these samples.
Results
of the program will appear in separate reports.
samples
analyze
collected,
the
samples.
quality-control
Education,
locations
environments.
Other reports
program,
and
sampled,
Some
D.
from different phases
the type and quantity
the methods
Jennings
concentration
reports
been
used
to process and
include a description of our analytical
coordinated by
radionuclide
and
has
‘In the first report of this
series we describe the general operation of the survey:
of
data
will
in
contain
of
the
the
the
Oregon College of
marine
and
analytical
terrestrial
results
from
individual atolls while in others the results will be of a general nature from
all atolls.
The final paper will provide an assessment of the total dose from
the major exposure pathways including external gamma,
terrestrial
food chains
including food products and drinking water, marine food chains, and inhalation.
Here
239+ 240,
.
summarize
we
2385,
:
and
.
concentration
the
241
in
cistern
water
the atoll sites visited during the survey.
cistern
water
from
Bikini
and
in
data
groundwater
90.
sampled
at
Some concentrations measured
in
other water
and
3
1 los
for
supplies
sampled
since
during our ongoing program at the Marshall Islands are also reported.
are
calculated
Radionuclide
for
consumption
concentrations
are
of
both
also
cistern
compared
to
water
the
and
1975
Doses
groundwater.
recommended
maximum
permissible levels of the Federal Radiation Council (FRC) part 20, standards
for the protection against radiation; other U.S. Agency standards; and present
fallout levels in rainwater from other Pacific locations and in other domestic
water supplies.
These comparisons
are provided only as
a reference
to other
standards and expected background concentrations.
WATER RESOURCES AND SAMPLING AT THE ATOLLS
Rainwater is
the only source of
agricultural purposes on
Available
rainfall
fresh water
the majority of
records
for
the
the
atolls
entire
4
for drinking, household,
in
Pacific
the
Marshall
were
and
Islands.
summarized
by