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.
from
The results of the investigations
conductea in 19467) 1947 (2) , 1948"), 1949), ana 195 2 (4)
indicated the need for a study of the reinvasion
of organisms 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
undertaken
following the
detonation of an atomic device (Nectar) at Eniwetok Atoll in
the spring of 1954.
Facilities were
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
of Operation Castle.