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 -10-