MONTHLY STATUS AND PROGRESS REPORT Division of Biology and Medicine MONTH OF SEPTEMBER, 1953 This ¢ his clo ) 27. = wihe ARB: 3a or™ eo! a lo en Uncu ievest . Research Activities a, . m2 REcBdctine d . Biological Monitoring of Columbia River Salmon, ee, “7s ear Bs msi 25) is ea mtolvces F “| ch bited Mae 1 rBrermils iital yg r2co 2Onm e me aes (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 Wil be Studied for possible latent effects when they return as adult fish. Uptake of Fission Products in Plants. (UNCLASSIFIED) I additi on 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 DEPARTMENT OF CHERGY CECLASSIFICATION REVIEW~ SIRGLE REVIEW AUTHORIZED BY: DETERMINATION [CIRCLEAVEMBER(S)] - Aoesgells Vif Bey TL. CLASSIFICATION RETAINEO OT OAL? REVIEWER NAME: DATE: . : > ~ Vor:dt Ze UG 4 : : 2 CLASSIFICATION CHANGED TO: 3. CONTAINS NO DOE CLASSIFIED INFO OORDINATE WITH: LASSIFICATION CANCELLED CLASSIFIED INFQ BRACKETED Ta ee QOE ARCHIVES