tw
@
Define the need and develop guidelines for any long-term
radioecological surveillance on Enewetak and Bikini.
@
Produce an ecological systems mode! of radionuclide
transport, recycling, and fate for the long-lived
radionuclides In these coral istand environments.
@
Evaluate the resuspension pathway as a potential source of
exposure to the transuranics.
@
Provide a data base to support a continuing evaluation
capability for estimating dose to man so that DBER and DSSC
can use our predictive approach.
15,
RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER PROGRAMS:
|
.
TECHNICAL PROGRESS IN FY 1978:
Bikini Atol)
Bikini and Eneu islands Dose Assessments. The dose assessment
for Bikint andEneu Islands, completed during FY 1977, revealed that
the predicted doses for living patterns involving Bikini Island
exceeded Federal Guidelines and that predicted doses for Eneu Island
were very near Federal Guidance.
Eneu
Island Test Gardens.
Test gardens of subsistence crops have
been established onEneu Island so the potential doses to a population
living on Eneu can be better defined and directly evaluated before any
major relocation is permitted. Banana, papaya, squash, watermelon,
pandanus, sweet potato, and breadfruit root stock were planted in
August 1977.
In addition, three full-grown breadfruit trees were
transplanted from Bikini to Eneu Island. We expect to have data on the
transplanted breadfruit 5 y before data are available from the root
stock plantings.
Bikini Istand Breadfruit Trees. We have been able to take
advantage of the breadfruit trees that grow on Bikini Island to
determine the uptake of 137Cs and to develop concentration factors for
use in predictive models. The mean concentration factors (pCi/g fruit
per pCi/g soil) observed for 187 for the four breadfruit trees analyzed
(three of which were then transplanted to Eneu tsland) was 6.4 pCi/g + 20%.
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The data developed in this program are the basis for assessments
of resettlement plans at both atolls. These assessments are described
in 189 Nos. LLL/ASEV-80-5 and -22. The expertise developed in past
resuspension program studies will.now be applied to the Marshall Island
assessment. Also, data obtained in two other divisional programs,
"Biogeochemical Cycling of the Transuranics and Other Radionuclides in
the Marshal!'’ and "Personal Plutonium Resuspension Studies,'' will
contribute to the progress of the project.
16.
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