MONTHLY STATUS AND PROGRESS REPORT
Division of Biology and Medicine

MONTH OF SEPTEMBER, 1953

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Research Activities

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Biological Monitoring of Columbia River Salmon,

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(UNCLASQIFIED)

Biological monitoring is being continued at HanfordWorks, Waghington
of the effects on aquatic organisms of reactor effiuents disciflarged
in the Colwubia River. Data have been obtained on the dilutiqn level
of reactor effluents tolerated by salmon and on the effects off the
effluents on growth and mortality by conducting experiments uding

various area effluents--mixtures of all industrial water discilarged
in the Columbia River from a Reactor Area. The effluents arefall
mildly radioactive, have high temperatures, and contain chromgtes and
chlorine which are toxic to aquatic organisms. Strength of tile effluent
dilution with river water was determined by percentages from grevious
experience. The five per cent level was chosen for evaluatiog of any
latent effects since only slight effects were observable at tilis level.
Silver salmon eggs and young were subjected to a series @f dilutions of reactor effluent for eleven months. No adverse effefts were

observed at concentrations of 3.5 per cent or less, but sligh} effects
occurred at the 5 per cent level.

At a 10 per cent level appfeciable

mortality occurred throughout the test, and growth was poor dgring the
last four months, Radiation received by the fish is estimateg at not

over 6 roentgens equivalent physical for the entire period, aid adverse

effects are attributed to unfavorable temperatures and chemi

toxicity.

Fish from a control lot and from the lot subjected to the 5 per cent
concentration were marked before liberation to the ocean and

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Studied for possible latent effects when they return as adult
fish.

Uptake of Fission Products in Plants.

(UNCLASSIFIED)

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additi

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to data previously reported on the soil movements
of radioact4ve strontium, yttrium, cesium, and iodine, and their
biological effects on
plants, Studies have also been extended
to determine the maxi] m uptake
of these fission products. At Hanford
the bariey plant was uged in
determinations of the maximum uptake
of Strontium, yttrium,
cdsium, and
iodine. Investigations indicate that
barley can accumilate a concentration
of stron

tium about 1. times that in the soil
and a doncentration of iodine about 3.8 times that
in the soil. Only Slight Jamounts

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