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NRDL MARSHALLISLAND RESURVEY -
1956
RESULTS OF ANALYSES PERFORMED AT HASL
During February of 1956 a survey team from the U. &.
Naval Radiological Defense Laboratory collected samples of marine
life, land plants, water and soil, and lagoon andocean water on
or near selected islands in the Marshall group.
Some of the col- ~
lected samples were sent to HASL forfission product analysis.
In some cases portions of specimens were retained at NRDL for inter-
laboratory cross-checking purposes. A comlete listing of samples
received including those selected for analysis is given in Table l.
The marine, water, and urine samples were received in
good condition but many of the vegetation specimens were ina
severe state of decay upon arrival at HASL.
Furthermore, some
samples were received unsealed so that the contents had leaked out
- and were on the outside of their own and other containers. It,
was felt that this could be a source of cross contamination in
addition to the loss of the leaking samples. (2)
For this reason
and because of limited time and manpower, only selected samples
were subjected to analysis.
However, all of the marine and vege-
tation samples received (with the exception of coconut shell) were
wet-ashed using nitric acid, diluted to mown volumes, and stored
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