radionuclide concentration in terres-
the measured environmental soil con-
trial plants.
centrations into the potential dose to
Soil-plant concentration
factors or soil-plant regression equa-
man
tions are commonly used for a quantita-
Where fruit samples are not available,
tive comparison of the capacity of
correlations between the concentrations
different plant species and various
in leaves and fruit of a particular
plant organs
plant species or between concentra-
clides
to accumulate radionu-
from the soil-plant pathway.
tions in leaves of indicator and
through soil-root uptake.
Prediction of radionuclide uptake by
edible plant species enable us to
edible plants is needed to convert
predict plant uptake from soil.
Methods
selected by superimposing a
ENV TRONMENTAL SAMPLING AND
LABORATORY ANALYSIS
rectangular-grid network over an
The objective of the surface-soil
aerial photograph of each island and
survey was to define the distribution
randomly choosing the grid squares
of
be sampled within each specific area
radioactivity within
the soil on
Sikini and Eneu Islands.
was
conducted
that used at
in
a
manner
This survey
of interest.
similar
tions
kKnewetak Atoll.+
toa
The
number of soil samples collected on
Fig.
for
2,
to
The surface-sample laca-
the islands are shown
in
These samples were taken
with a coring
tool
(a steel pipe,
30
each island and within specific
2,in cross-section)
.
em
to a depth of
areas on the island was a Function of
15 cm.
the anticipated radioactivity Levels,
scraped away and a cutting tool (a
the various housing locations under
Flat piece of steel} was inserted
consideration, and the expected living
underneath the cover,
patterns of
sample.
Thus,
the future inhabitants.
Eneu Island,
because of its low
In
The surrounding soil was
addition
to
the
freeing the
surface-soil
and homogeneous activity levels was
sampling program,
sampled less densely than Bikini
associated soil profiles
Island.
Bikini
Island
has elevated
vegetation and
(soil pro-
files taken from the same location as
and more variable aclivities and was
the plant)
divided into four distinct areas, each
suitable plant species were Located
of which could be used for
on Bikini and Eneu Islands (see Fig.
villaye sites.
future
Sampling sites were
3,
were collected wherever
Appendices A and B).
Leaves,