ABSTRACT
The Marine Survey Unit had as its major objectives (1)
the measurement of the residual radiation of Eniwetok Atoll as
found in the living organisms as a result of previous weapons
tests in this area,
the Mike shot,
and
(2)
a resurvey of the area,
following
to determine the change in amounts, kinds, and
distribution of radioactive materials.
The field data were collected by’ a party of seven specialists who spent the time from October 20 to November 11,
collecting plankton,
algae,
invertebrate organisms.
rats, birds,
fishes,
1952,
plants and
The material collected was frozen for
storage and shipment back to the Applied Fisheries Laboratory
where it was identified,
dissected, weighed,
ashed,
and the
amount of radiation measured as disintegrations per minute per
gram of wet sample.
The pre-test survey showed measurable amounts of residual
radiation on and in the living organisms collected from the
stations along the eastern and northern portion of the atoll.
Following the Mike shot the radiation level increased manyfold,
especially along the northern and western portions of the atoll.
It was found that some of the organisms collected and
studied had been exposed to sufficient external and/or internal
radiation to eventually damage or destroy them.
Subsequent studies should determine the biological half
life of the materials contaminating the area,
position with the currents,
their shift in
and the results of the contamination
from radioactive materials upon the Living forms of the atoll.
awit wok
.