the
two samples
and end of
taken at the beginning
quantities of fresh water that recharge the groundwater reservoirs
the continuous pumping
experiment exceed the USPHS limit of
around the perimeter.
1Q pCif/litre.
possible that exploration of the area
The USPHS recommends
It is quite
between FWR 4 and FWR 1 and the area
that
when the concentration of 10
pCi/l is exceeded, a water
supply shall be approved by
south of FWR 4 along the runway perimeter both to the east and west will
the
certifying authority if surveillance of total intake of
radioactivity from all sources
uncover quantities of usable groundwater.
indicates that such intakes
are within the limits recom-
in a northerly direction from
FWR 1,
the water tends
brackish
mended by the Federal Radiation
to be more
(see FWR 2? data in Table 4).
The only hope of uncovering drink-
Council for control action. 10
Therefore before this water is recom-
able groundwater
mended as usable,
area would be to chance upon a
a complete dose
assessment of all pathways must first
be completed.
perched tens.
Also, because the conBIKINI
centrations in the water may either
increase
or
decrease with
must be remembered
of
time,
Let
Jevels are critical
to
if
the
Wotae
the water
RADIONUCLIDES
905.
nd 239,240), in the
>
groundwater from the newly estab-
total dose,
the radionuclides in
lished
wells
on Bikini were
before any realistic Long-term dose
Pu
The concen-
concentrations
groundwater at
site
depend on the soil burdens,
respective levels at
the rates
leaching and groundwater recharge,
the groundwater residence time,
and
other physical,
chemi-
cal
biological,
and
(HFH 7) were higher
well
90
(FPWR 4),
Sr
HFH
in
in
7
the
is
than the
the old Eneu
the concentration of
soluble
lower
the
the old Bikini well
trations in the groundwater will
of
much
higher than those at Eneu.
Inter7
estingly, although the
Cs and
239,240
Lhe groundwater must be understood
prediction can be made.
ISLAND:
The average concentrations of
QO
94
.
that regardless
the total assessment,
the dynamics of
in the northern
than
fraction
the
from
level
at
FWR 4 on Eneu by a factor of 3.
factors.
The freshness of the water at
IWR 4 apparently relates
graphy of the area.
to
Except
the pgeo-
Water
for UFH 7,
the
concentrations
Oc, groundat
The runway pro-
Bikini
locations
bably acts as a large catchment sys-~-
Public
Health
tem for rainfall,
limit of 10 pCi/litre.
draining large
~1 5-
the
exceeded
Service
other
the
U.S.
recommended