time to fly the aerial survey.
This was usually only a few days at eachatoll,
and the scope of the terrestrial and marine efforts was determined accordingly.
Though the Wheeling provided an excellent base for the aerial survey, operating
from a large ship that cruised a considerable distance from shore
scope of the
terrestrial and marine
surveys because of the
reach the atolls and islands in the small boats.
lifting capacity of the helicopters,
be small and
limited the
time required
to
Also because of the limited
the terrestrial support equipment had to
the rate of sample collection and
the ability
to reach certain
islands or areas of islands was reduced.
The second helicopter aboard ship was used when possible to help distribute
equipment
and
marine
and
terrestrial
crews
around
the
atolls.
However,
a
certain amount of downtime was required for each helicopter and it was necessary
to
always
have
one
flying
the
aerial
survey.
Thus,
using
helicopters
for
support of the marine and terrestrial surveys even for limited periods required
careful planning.
in number
It was a considerable effort for the Navy mechanics, reduced
from the normal
condition.
complement,
to
keep
the
helicopters
in
operating
During the second leg of the survey only one was usable and it was
dedicated to the aerial survey.
Thus only the small boats were available
conduct the terrestrial and marine
helicopter
was
available
and
surveys.
because
of
During the
adverse
third
weather
leg
to
the
second
conditions,
became
essential to the terrestrial and marine programs.
We
attempted
to
collect
the
maximum
possible
number
of
terrestrial
and
marine samples from as many islands as possible with the time available.
All
samples
was
were
returned
conducted both at
to
LLNL
for
processing
LLNL and contract
and
the
laboratories.
analytical
The procedures
work
for sample
collection and the number and type of samples collected by island and atoll are
summarized here.
In addition we have listed the total number of analyses by
radionuclide of the samples collected during the survey.
This
report
terrestrial
is
the
and marine
first
surveys.
independently by Ec&G./
of a
The
series
summarizing
aerial
survey
the
data
results
has
been
In other reports of the series we will
from
the
published
address
the
radionuclide concentrations in cistern water and groundwater and the estimated
doses via ingested water;
the
associated
estimated
the radionuclide concentration in marine
doses
from
the
marine
pathway;
the
species and
radionuclide
concentration in soil, plants, and animals at each of the atolls and islands and
the estimated doses via the terrestrial
foodchain;
the analytical methods and