2.2.4
Coral, Lagoon-Bottom Silt, and Algae
The extent of contamination in the atoll waters adjacent to the
islands was evaluated from samples of coral, lagoon-bottom silt, and
algae.
Numerous edible marine species exist in this area and their
food chain is dependent primarily onthe algae and coral.
beta activities in coral and algae are given in Table 2.6.
TABLE
The gross
2.6
Gross Beta Activity in Coral and Algae
{
Island
Beta Activity (§/min/g)
Coral
.
Algae
Type (4)
Likiep
NDA)
Utirik
NDA
Rongelap
290
Eniaetok
790
Labaredj
860
Kabelle
00
3
320
Activity
G
120
.
3,400
Ui
sc
34,000
400
G
16,800
H
4,160
1,300
Gejeno
1,140
3,200
240
°10
‘
Bikar
G
(a)
Gs green; H > Halimeda; SC = Sea Cucumber.
(b}
No detectable activity.
.
3,000
;
Algae appear to concentrate activity to a much greater degree
than coral. Much of the coral activity may even be due to algae which is
lodged in small pores where it cannot be removed. The sea cucumber
and green types of algae are much more efficient at concentrating activity than is the highly calcareous Halimeda type.
rome
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