DRAFT
pm
ABSTRACT
Background radioactivity and ccoanographic conditions in
the Pacific Proving Ground are cf significance; in evaluating
the contaminating effects of REDWING events, in the uncerstandc~
ing of the fallout rroblem at sea and extrapolation to land
fallout patterns.
Thus, as a part of Froject 2.62, a monthe
long study has been made of radioactivity in water, crganisms,
and bottom sediments,
and of currents and physical character or
the water over a 1h0, OOO scare mile ares szround Eikini Atoll.
The waters are slightly rafioactive, with velues of 196 to
150C getma counts per minute per liter (enm/1), whereas the
.
naturel radivactive background, due to potessium-4C, is about
94 epm/i.4
A field of meximua ectivity (600 te 1500 cpm/1)
exists at 800 to 1200 meters depth at Lloc.thiens to the vest cf
Bikini Avoll, within 150 miles of it, and between 103° and
° N,
7
oF ef
4
~
*
Some
aye?
mee on
=
Radioectivity
is
associsted
with perticulate
matter
yp
ers and deep sea faune cartured in a trawl as decp as 2500
meters Gepth are ehout equally radioactive:
tne level of actie
vity in these warine creatures is about 3C to 5C titss as aucn
per unit weight as that in equivalent welisht
of
waters and surface waters in the open s¢a around the Lagoons
ere slightly more radioactive than other aress
(1100 to 2100
epn/1).,
meee
1.
lee
All values of radioactivity given in this report are gens
rays emitted per minute.
cy] DOE
coriedld
LEE RG 7
73
3
S79