ABS TRACT
The values for strontium-90 and gross beta activity in the fat and
non-fat fractions from the livers of twelve coconut crabs (Birgus latro)
collected at Rongelap Atoil during March 1958 are presented.
Although fat constituted an average of 47 percent by weight on a
wet weight basis (74 percent on a dry weight basis), gross beta activity
of the fat fraction amounted to less than 0.5 percent of the total activity
ona wet weight basis.
Fat content on a wet weight basis had a range of
31 percent to 65 percent.
There is a linear relationship between stron-
_tium-90 activity and gross beta activity.
Since the fat content of coco-
nut crab liver is variable and the fat fraction contains practically no
radioactivity, it is suggested that the radioactivity (and mineral content)
of liver samples be compared on the basis of the non-fat solids.