Four samples of lagoon-bottom silt from the northeast corner of
Rongelap Atoll gave beta activity values ranging from 8,000 to 12,000
B-/min/g.
Activity was uniformly distributed to a depth of 6 to 7 in.
Lagoon depths were 40, 55, 60, and 120 ft.
The data in Table 2.6 indicate a considerable reservoir of activity available for contaminating marine food species. Data presented in
Chapter 4 confirm that this activity contaminates the food supply.
2.2.5
Water
Water samples were collected from cisterns, wells, tree boles,
barrels, exposed soil profiles, and ocean and lagoon sides of the islands.
The ocean and lagoon water samples were collected within 10 ft of the
water line to evaluate the movement of activity from the islands into the
Surrounding waters, Exposed profiles and well water samples were
selected to describe any movement of activity into the fresh water lens
and the remainder of the samples were collected to evaluate the hazard
from drinking the water.
1
ee
Gross beta activities of the above samples are presented in
Table 2.7. The scarcity of potable water is demonstrated by the few
islands from which cistern water was obtainable.
*
TABLE
2.7
Summary of Gross Beta Activity in Water
Beta Activity ($°/min/liter)
Sources of Water
Ocean
Istand
Cistern
wee
San
Likiep
npA@)
NDA
12
Utirik
30
NDA
290
Rongelap
80
330
6,300
Busch
36
NDA
Labaredj
460
7,700
260
Kabelle
2,300
60
Lomuilal
380
170
Bikar
Eniwetak
37
100
28
170
Eniaetok
(a}
56
Top
Bottom
Well
Barrel
Tree Bole
Exposedoon
NDA
1,390 |
16,000
28
430
44,000
14,000
23,000
8,100
15, 000
No detectable activity
-1ll.-
20