y

115

radionuclides have been fractionated (by dissolution, leaching, diffusion, etc.)
can thus only be made: (1) within samples (such as sediment cores) having had
only one source term, (2) by comparison with previously determined radionuclide
concentrations at specified locations, (3) by the comparison of sediment-water
relationships, or (4) by comparison of these data with data collected in the

future.

With respect to (1) above, the notably more constant concentration

of 6c, in the 12-40 cm region of the sediment core collected at Station B-2
may be a Signature of a rapid early time fractionation of the
rapidly settling particles deposited.

60

“Co between the

In the upper regions of the station B-20

sediment core, and in data presented by Nelson and Noshkin (1973) from Eniwetok
Atoll, 2078; (relative to other radionuclides) is enriched in surface sediments,
and 6c, and 1376. either decrease or are more constant in concentration with
depth than are other radionuclides measured.

In addition, in the core col-

lected at Station B-21, 69¢5 is also relatively depleted in surface sediments.
These distributions may result from slow diffusion of the 60¢, and 137 Cs, or by
other chemically mediated losses and subsequent aqueous phase transport of the
radionuclides away from particles suspended in transport.

Further, the deple-

tion of W370 (relative to 23942405, ) from the sediments away from the regions
of high radionuclide concentrations in the northwest quadrant may also be an
example of the chemical solubility of the Cs.

Such an explanation for the

anomalous distribution of 13766 may be preferred to explanations based on its

volatile precursors (137 ye, VW37 yy.

This follows because, in theory, !?"cs

would be expected to enrich in smaller sized, later time fallout, which would
appear to mean that its areal distribution would be less, instead of more,

restricted to smal] geographical areas.
With respect to the historical literature, only a few radionuclide concentrations measured in this work can be compared with those reported

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