DRAFT pm ABSTRACT Background radioactivity and ccoanographic conditions in the Pacific Proving Ground are cf significance; in evaluating the contaminating effects of REDWING events, in the uncerstandc~ ing of the fallout rroblem at sea and extrapolation to land fallout patterns. Thus, as a part of Froject 2.62, a monthe long study has been made of radioactivity in water, crganisms, and bottom sediments, and of currents and physical character or the water over a 1h0, OOO scare mile ares szround Eikini Atoll. The waters are slightly rafioactive, with velues of 196 to 150C getma counts per minute per liter (enm/1), whereas the . naturel radivactive background, due to potessium-4C, is about 94 epm/i.4 A field of meximua ectivity (600 te 1500 cpm/1) exists at 800 to 1200 meters depth at Lloc.thiens to the vest cf Bikini Avoll, within 150 miles of it, and between 103° and ° N, 7 oF ef 4 ~ * Some aye? mee on = Radioectivity is associsted with perticulate matter yp ers and deep sea faune cartured in a trawl as decp as 2500 meters Gepth are ehout equally radioactive: tne level of actie vity in these warine creatures is about 3C to 5C titss as aucn per unit weight as that in equivalent welisht of waters and surface waters in the open s¢a around the Lagoons ere slightly more radioactive than other aress (1100 to 2100 epn/1)., meee 1. lee All values of radioactivity given in this report are gens rays emitted per minute. cy] DOE coriedld LEE RG 7 73 3 S79