activities to zero sample weight. Absorption curves on all samples
showed negligible amounts of K*® betas as compared to the gross contamination.
2.2
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
2.2.1
Major Foods
The gross beta activities found in the major food items are
summarized in Table 2.1. The data are presented on the basis of wet
weight of sample. The prevalence of soft beta emission in many of the
food samples necessitates rather large corrections for self-absorption
but no Significant errors are introduced through the correction procedure.
TABLE 2.1
.
Summary of Gross Beta Activity in Major Plant Foods
Source
Average Activity (jic/g x 196? or pic /er x 108}
Coconut
Atoll
Island
Alrowroot
Breadfruit
Likiep
Utirik
Rongelap
Rongelap
Rongelap
Rongelap
Rongelap
Likiep
Utirik
Rongelap
Busch
Eniaetok
Labared]j
Kabelle
4,0
16
15
68
80
36
40
9.1
3.4
Rongelap
Lukuen
18
16
Rongelap
Gejen
130
72
25
Ron gelap
Bikar
Ron gerik
Lomuilal
Bikar
Eniwetak
180
19
5.9
7.8
30
5.9
9.4
(a)
*pandanus
3.7
5.0
28
13
34
130
Papaya
Meat
Milk
3.6
9.0
27
2.9
2.3
9.8
8.0
12
13
16
3.0
2.6
9.6
11
12
13
12
Wet weight
A number of coconut samples were collected because of their
importance as a food source. Three stages of growth are represented:
young green coconuts, the milk of which is drunk; copra stage nuts
prized for food; and sprouting coconuts which yield highly palatable
meat, In general, the activity appears to be higher in the more mature
pack!