particularly village islands would be surveyed, and additionally several
smaller islands such that each quadrant of the atoll would be measured if
there were islands in all quadrants.
Because of the distances between atolls and the Targe number of {stands to be
surveyed, the survey was divided into three separate trips with refueling,
resupply, and Totatiomf survey personnel between the trips.
Scientists
would review preliminary data for each day's aerial survey to determine if
additional measurements were needed.
As the survey plan evolved it became clear that it would be a serious mistake
to mount an extensive aerial survey in the Northern Marshalls and not collect
environmental samples for all areas visited.
A requirement to collect soil,
water, and marine and terrestrial foods was added to the plan.
The absence of accurate and up-to-date maps of these islands and atolls hindered
detailed planning.
veloped.
A requirement for an aerial photographic mission was de-
Photographs of each {sland to be surveyed were obtained in July-Sept.
1978 using a Navy EC-121 aircraft.
The radiological survey in the Northern Marshalls was conducted during the
period September 18 through November 10, 1978.
The vessel
Sixty-six islands were surveyed.
used {n the survey was the USNS Wheeling with support from personnel
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