the

two samples

and end of

taken at the beginning

quantities of fresh water that recharge the groundwater reservoirs

the continuous pumping

experiment exceed the USPHS limit of

around the perimeter.

1Q pCif/litre.

possible that exploration of the area

The USPHS recommends

It is quite

between FWR 4 and FWR 1 and the area

that

when the concentration of 10
pCi/l is exceeded, a water
supply shall be approved by

south of FWR 4 along the runway perimeter both to the east and west will

the

certifying authority if surveillance of total intake of
radioactivity from all sources

uncover quantities of usable groundwater.

indicates that such intakes
are within the limits recom-

in a northerly direction from

FWR 1,

the water tends

brackish

mended by the Federal Radiation

to be more

(see FWR 2? data in Table 4).

The only hope of uncovering drink-

Council for control action. 10

Therefore before this water is recom-

able groundwater

mended as usable,

area would be to chance upon a

a complete dose

assessment of all pathways must first

be completed.

perched tens.

Also, because the conBIKINI

centrations in the water may either
increase

or

decrease with

must be remembered
of

time,

Let

Jevels are critical

to

if

the

Wotae

the water

RADIONUCLIDES

905.

nd 239,240), in the

>

groundwater from the newly estab-

total dose,

the radionuclides in

lished

wells

on Bikini were

before any realistic Long-term dose

Pu

The concen-

concentrations

groundwater at
site

depend on the soil burdens,

respective levels at

the rates

leaching and groundwater recharge,

the groundwater residence time,

and

other physical,

chemi-

cal

biological,

and

(HFH 7) were higher

well

90

(FPWR 4),

Sr

HFH

in

in
7

the

is

than the

the old Eneu

the concentration of

soluble

lower

the

the old Bikini well

trations in the groundwater will

of

much

higher than those at Eneu.
Inter7
estingly, although the
Cs and
239,240

Lhe groundwater must be understood

prediction can be made.

ISLAND:

The average concentrations of
QO
94

.

that regardless

the total assessment,

the dynamics of

in the northern

than

fraction
the

from

level

at

FWR 4 on Eneu by a factor of 3.

factors.

The freshness of the water at
IWR 4 apparently relates

graphy of the area.

to

Except

the pgeo-

Water

for UFH 7,

the

concentrations

Oc, groundat

The runway pro-

Bikini

locations

bably acts as a large catchment sys-~-

Public

Health

tem for rainfall,

limit of 10 pCi/litre.

draining large

~1 5-

the

exceeded

Service

other

the

U.S.

recommended

Select target paragraph3