RADIOACTIVITY AND RECOVERY OF THE LAND
PLANTS AT ENIWETOK ATOLL,

Since the summer of 1946,

the

1954-1957

Laboratory of Radiation

Biology of the University of Washington has conducted studies
at the Eniwetok Proving Ground to evaluate the distribution of
radioactivity

in aquatic and

atolls of the

western

terrestrial organisms

Pacific and adjacent

of the

areas.

These

studies were made either shortly after a nuclear device had
been detonated or after intervening periods varying
several to many months.

The results of the investigations

7
conducted in

i946 '

7

1947 1)

, 1948 '7), 1949/3), ana 1952 (4)

indicated the need for a study of the reinvasion
of organisms

from

in an area contaminated by radiation,

or regrowth
as well

as a study of the decline of radioactivity in these organisms
(changes in the amount of radioactivity of samples collected
at various times).
A study of this

nature was

aetonation of an atomic device

the spring of 1954.

undertaken

(Nectar)

Facilities were

following the

at Eniwetok Atoll

in

made available at the

Eniwetok Marine Biological Laboratory on Elmer

(Parry)

Island

by the Division of Biology and Medicine of the United States
Atomic Energy Commission,

and logistic support to carry out

the sampling program was

furnished by Joint Task Force Seven

Gr.

of Operation Castle.

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