Radiological Survey of Plants, Animals, and Soil at Five Atolls in the Marshall Islands September-October 1976

, “pfq’) \ N%~ -269-36 : I , i 410326

IW4DIOLOGICALSUR~JEY0!= IPLAPJTS, ANIPJ7ALS,AND SOIL AT’ FW’EATOLLS IN THE FVIARS;+ALL ISLANDS

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 1976

JANUARY 1979

BEST COPY AVAILABLE “

UNIVERSITY OF VWASH!PJGTON COLLEGE OF FISHERIES LABORATORY OF R.M31ATIODJ ECOLOGY SEATTLE, VVASHlf’~j GTOPJ !38105 ,

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_) NVO-269-36 HEALTH AND SAFETY

RADIOLOGICAL SURVEY OF PLANTS, ANIMALS, AND SOIL AT FIVE ATOLLS IN THE MARSHALL ISLANDS SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 1976

By Victor A. Nelson

JANUARY 1979

UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON COLLEGE OF FISHERIES LABORATORY OF RADIATION ECOLOGY SEATTLE, WASHINGTON 98105

PREPARED FOR THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY NEVADA OPERATIONS OFFICE UNDER CONTRACT NO. EY-76-S-08-0269 ABSTRACT

The Division of OperationalSafety’s portion of the Pacific Radio- ecology Program began in 1974 and it is a continuing program to determine the kinds and amounts of radionuclides distributed in the foods, plants, animals, and soils of the Central Pacific, especially the Marshall Islands.

As part of this program, Wotje, Ailuk, Utirik, Rongelap, and Bikini atolls were visited in 1976 and samples collected. Results of the radio- metric analyses of the samples are presented.

Results of these analyses indicate that 90Sr and ‘37CS are

predominant in the terrestrial environment and, in addition, 241Am and

239’240pu are also important in the soil from Rongelap and Bikini atolls.

Naturally occurring ‘°K i’sthe predominant radionuclide in marine organisms, while 60C0 is significant in thetridacnid clams. Amounts of

radioactivity vary with distance from the Bikini test site and in relation

to the fal’out pattern from the March 1954 Bravo test. Thus, samples from

Bikini Ate’1 had the greatest amounts of radioactivity while the northern

islands of Rongelap had slightly lower amounts. The southern islands of

Rongelap Atoll and Utirik Atoll had intermediate amounts of radioactivity while Ailuk and Wotje atolls had the least radioactivity of the atolls

visited.

. PAGE NO. i I

ABSTRACT ...... ● ...... i

INTRODUCTION . . . . ● . ● ✎ ...... ● . .1

SAMPLING PROGRAM . . ✎ . ✎ ✎ ...... ● . . . . . ✎ . .1

ANAYLTICAL METHODS . ✎ . ✎ ✎ . . . . . ● ✎ . . . . . ✎ . .8

. Gamma-ray Spectrometry. ✎ . . . . . ✎ ✎ . . . . . ✎ . .8

Strontium-90 and Plutonium Analyses ✎ ✎ . . . . . ✎ . .9

Error Limits...... ● . ✎ ✎ . . . . . ✎ . .9

Limits of Detection ...... ✎ . ✎ ✎ ● . . . . ✎ . .9

✃

RESULTS...... ✎ . ✎ ✎ ✎ . . . . ✎ . 10 i

Ailuk and Wotje Atolls. . . . . ✎ . ✎ ✎ ✎ . . . . ✎ . 10 Utirik Atoll...... ✎ ● ✎ ✎ ✎ . . . . ✎ . 13 I Rongelap Atoll. ; ...... ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ . . . . ✎ . 13

Bikini Atoll...... ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ . . . . ✎ . 14

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS . . . . ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ . . . . ✎ . 14

Comparison Between Atolls . . . ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ . . . . ✎ . 14 I

Differences Due to Sample lype. ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ . . . . ✎ . 15

SUMMARY...... ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ . . . . ✎ . 15

REFERENCES . . . . . ● ● . . .*. ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ● . . . ✎ . 16

APPENDIX TABLES. . . ● ✎ . . . . . ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ . . . ✎ . 17

DISTRIBUTION LISTS . ✎ ✎ . . . . . ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ✎ ● ● . ✎ .36 FIGURES

. FIGURE

1. FIVE ATOLLS IN THE NORTHERN MARSHALL ISLANDS WHERE SAMPLES WERE COLLECTED SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 1976 . . 2 . 2. SAMPLING SITES ON BIKINI ISLAND, BIKINI ATOLL,

0CTOBER1976...... - . . . . ● ● . . .3

3. SAMPLING SITES ON WORMEJ AND WOTJE ISLANDS, WOTZE ATOLL AND ON AILUK AND BIGEN ISLANDS, AILUK ATOLL, SEPTEMBER 1976...... 4 . TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONTINUED) FIGURES

PAGE NO. FIGURE 4. SAMPLING SITES ON UTIRIK AND AON ISLANDS, UTIRIK ATOLL AND ON RAEN ISLAND, RONGELAP ATOLL, SEPTEMBER1976...... 5

5. SAMPLING SITES ON ENIAETOK, RONGELAP, AND KABELLE ISLANDS, RONGELAP ATOLL, SEPTEMBER 1976...... 6

TABLES

TABLE , 1. NUMBER OF SAMPLES PROCESSED AND ANALYZED THAT WERE COLLECTED DURING THE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 1976 FIELD TRIP TO THE MARSHALL ISLANDS...... 7

2. COMMON NAMES.AND WET WEIGHT TO DRY WEIGHT RATIOS OF SOME MICRONESIA ORGANISMS ...... 11

APPENDIX TABLES

1. SOME RADIONUCLIDES IN FISH COLLECTED AT RONGELAP, /AILUK, AND WOTJE ATOLLS IN SEPTEMBER 1976 ...... 17

2. PREDOMINANT RADIONUCLIDES IN PLANTS COLLECTED AT k/OTJEATOLL IN SEPTEMBER 1976 ...... 18

3. PREDOMINANT RADIONUCLIDES IN PLANTS COLLECTED ON AILUK ATOLL IN SEPTEMBER 1976 ...... 19

4. PREDOMINANT RADIONUCLIDES IN SOIL COLLECTED ON WORMEJ ISLAND, WOTJE ATOLL, SEPTEMBER 1976...... 20

5. SOME RADIONUCLIDES IN SOIL COLLECTED ON WOTIJE ISLAND, WOTJE ATOLL, SEPTEMBER 1976 ...... 21

I 6. SOME RADIONUCLIDES IN SOIL COLLECTED ON AILUK . ISLAND, AILUK ATOLL, SEPTEMBER 1976 ...... 22

7. SOME RADIONUCLIDES IN SOIL COLLECTED ON BIGEN ISLAND, AILUK ATOLL, SEPTEhlBER1976 ...... 23

8. PREDOMINANT RADIONUCLIDES IN PLANTS COLLECTED ON UTIRIK ATOLL IN SEPTEMBER 1976...... 24

iii ,

TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONTINUED)

APPENDIX TABLES P . TABLE PAGE NO.

9. SOME RADIONUCLIDES IN SOIL COLLECTED ON UTIRIK ISLAND, UTIRIK ATOLL, SEPTEMBER 1976...... 25

10. SOME RADIONUCLIDES IN SOIL COLLECTED AT UTIRIK

ATOLL, SEPTEMBER 1976 ...... W.*** ● 26

11. PREDOMINANT RADIONUCLIDES IN TRIDACNA CLAMS FROM KABELLE ISLAND, RONGELAP ATOLL, SEPTEMBER 1976. . . . 27

12. PREDOMINANT RADIONUCLIDES IN PLANTS COLLECTED AT RONGELAP ATOLL IN SEPTEMBER 1976...... 28

13. PREDOMINANT RADIONUCLIDES IN COCONUT CRABS COLLECTED AT RONGELAP ATOLL IN SEPTEMBER 1976 ...... 29 \ 14. SOME RADIONUCLIDES IN SOIL COLLE~TED ON RONGELAP ISLAND, RONGELAP ATOLL, IN SEPTEMBER 1976 ...... 30

15. PREDOMINANT RADIONUCLIDES IN SOIL COLLECTED ON ENIAETOK ISLAND, RONGELAP ATOLL, SEPTEMBER 1976 . . . 31

16. PREDOMINANT RADIONUCLIDES IN SOIL COLLECTED ON KABELLE ISLAND, RONGELAP ATOLL IN SEPTEMBER 1976. , . 32

17. PREDOMINANT RADIONUCLIDES IN SOIL COLLECTED ON NAEN ISLAND, RONGELAP ATOLL IN SEPTEMBER 1976 . . . . 33

iv INTRODUCTION

As stated in a previous progress report (Ne’son, 1977), .

“The Division of Operational Safety or DOS now Safety Standards and Compliance) portion of the Laboratory of Ra~iation EcoloqY (LRE) Pacific Radioecology Program (formerly Johnston Atoll Program) began on 1 July 1974 and is continuing. The purpose of this program is to determine the kinds and amounts of radionuclides distributed in the foods, plants, animals, and soil of the Central Pacific, especially the Marshall Islands, and to furnish these data to SSS/ERCIAand other appropriate agencies (Lawrence Livermore Laboratory, Nevada Operations Office ERDA) so that they may make an assessment of the dose of ionizing radiation received by the people living throughout the Central Pacific.”

Herewe report the results of the analyses of sa;ples collected on a field trip conducted in September-October 1976.

‘SAMPLING PROGRAM

Atolls visited in the Marshall Islands are shown in Figure 1. This trip was a joint survey with personnel from Brookhaven National Laboratory.

Representative biological and soil samples were collected with emphasis on food items comnon to the diet of the Marshallese people (i.e., fish, coconut, pandanus, breadfruit, coconut crabs, etc.) although nonedible portions of these items were also collected and analyzed. Soils were collected to provide data for estimating future distribution and quantities of radionuclides in the environment and biota. Sampling sites are shown in Figures 2 through 5.

The number of samples, after division into tissues or soil fractions, is shown in Table 1. Slightly less than half the samples were biota-plants, fish, clams, and coconut crabs - and the rest were soils - surface (0-2.5cm) and prof”le

(O-1OO+cm).

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7 In addition to the samples our Laboratory collected, personnel from Brook- haven National Laboratory collected samples, made TLD measurements and took radiation survey readings with sodium iodide (NaI) scintillation detectors and a pressurized ion chamber. The results of the Brookhaven analyses and measurements may be combined with the LRE results in a series of joint reports to the open literature.

ANALYTICAL METHODS

Gamma-Ray Spectrometry

All of the samples were analyzed by gamma-ray spectrometry, either with a 3 x 3 inch sodium iodide (thallium-drifted) crystal and 200-channel, pulse- height analyzers or with a germanium (lithium-drifted) diode detector and

4096-channel, pulse-height analyzer. Soil samples were analyzed on the

Ge(Li) system, and the biological samples were analyzed on both systems.

All samples were oven-dried, ground and a portion compressed in polyvinyl ‘3< chloride (PVC) pipe 2 inches in diameter and either 2 or 1 inch deep that was used as a sample holder for radionuclide measurement. Fifty grams of tissue or 68 grams of soil could be compressed into the 2 x 1 inch container. The densities of the biological and soil samples were 1.0 arid1.35, respectively.

These samples were then analyzed for gamma-emitting radionuclides.

The gamma-emitting radionuclides in samples counted on the NaI crystal were determined by a method of least squares. The radionuclides values in samples counted on the Ge(Li) detector were calculated manually or with a computer by adding the counts in an energy range of five channels under a peak in the spectrum, subtracting the appropriate background counts, and applying correction factors to convert counts to picocuries (pCi). A set Of previously reported reference spectra for the different geometries and radionuclides was Lised. All values were corrected for decay to the date of .f. collection. ,,3

..- Strontium-90 and Plutonium Analyses

To measure ‘OSr content, ‘OY was chemically separated from gOSr, collected i t on a filter paper and counted with a low-level beta counting system. Plutonium was extracted by ion exchange, electroplated on platinum discs> and analyzed by alpha spectrometry with systems using surface barrier alpha detectors and pulse-height analyzers. Chemical yield was determined by use of 242Pu as a tracer.

Error Limits i For a single sample, the erro~ given for all radionuclides listed are two-sigma, propagated, counting errors. The error term for more than one sample is one standard deviation and disregards counting error.

Limits of Oetection

Many factors influence the limit of detection, including the type of detector and analyzer, the presence of other radionuclides, the duration of I the counting period, the size and density of the sample, and the geometry relationship of the sample and detector. Hence, the limits of detection varied considerably for various radionuclides and types of samples, but can be I sunnnarizedby stating that the detection limits were approximately as follows: t By gamna detection 40 K 2.1 pCi/g or less 2YqJ 0.41 “ 11 60C0, l’%b, 137cs, 15’Eu, 24’Am 0.12 pCi/g or less By beta detection 9osr 0.2 pCi/g or less By alpha detection 239,240f-Ju 0.02 pCi/g or less

9 I t 3 t RESULTS

Data are presented for the results of the analyses of the samples collected by LRE in the Marshall Islands in 1976. Appendix Tables 1 through 18 give the data for single samples. The data are first presented atoll by atoll and then summarized by comparisons between atolls for selected sample types. All data are given as picocuries per gram of dry weight, except where expressly noted. Table 2 gives the mean wet weight to dry weight ratios for the biological samples.

# Ailuk and Wotje Atolls

Samples from Bigen and Ailuk Islands at Ailuk Atoll and from ~otje and

Wormej Islands at Wotje Atoll were collected during the September-October

1976 field trip. Results of the analyses of these samples of fish, plants and soil for gamna-emitting radionuclides, ‘OSr and 23g~2’’0Puare given in o

Appendix Tables 1 (fish), 2 and 3 (plants) and 4 through 7 (soil).

In the fish, naturally occurring “°Kwas the most abundant radionuclide.

Except for a small amount of 137CS in one fish sample, no fallout radionuclides were measured in any of the other fish samples. In plants “OK was also the predominant radionuclide; however 137CS was above the limits of detection in all plant samples and 90Sr was measurable in about one-third of the samples analyzed. Of the plants sampled, pandanus fruit had the most 137CS while unprocessed arrowroot tubers had the most 90Sr. Processing the arrowroot tubers for food removes most of the ‘OSr.

Cesium-137 was the predominant radionuclide in the soil samples from Wotje

and Ailukatolls, but the amount measured was less than 1 pCi/g in all samples except four from Bigen Island, the northern most sampling location on these two

/’ J !.

. . i I

Table 2 . Common names and wet weight to dry weight ratios of ---someMf&onesian organiSmS. i Mean Wet/Dry Number Deviation Tissue Ratio ~~lgs<-:-- of Samples FISti

2 Eviscerated Whole 3.41 2 Viscera 3.11 1 Entire 3.64 fo.oo 2 Eviscerated Whole 3.52 tO.23 2 Viscera 4.00 fo.lo 2 Entire 3.89 3.55 1 Eviscerated Nhole Viscera 6.38 1 4 1 Entire 3.39 1 Liver 4.08

, INVERTEBRATES 3.98 to.13 T17=idacna 3 Muscle fo.09 lb 3 Mantle 6.97 4.51 tO.52 m 3 Kidney 5.37 * 0.13 W 3 Viscera 4.52 t 0.14 (!immnutCrab 6 Muscle 1.83 ~ 0.26 10 6 Hepatopancreas 1.34 f 0.03 Ill 6 Exoskeleton

PLANTS 7.92 ~ 4.63 6 Edible 5.31 t 1.52 5 Inedible I 4.38 % 0.52 16 Leaves 6.97 & 2.09 9 Edible 4.57 f 1.44 10 Inedible 3.67 * 0.72 17 Leaves t 3.21 4 Edible 11.O 9.46 t 1.42 4 Inedible 6.25 k 1.03 3 Seeds 1.76 + 0.47 6 Meat 2.46 * 0.38 19 Leaves

11 Table 2. (Continued) Mean Number Wet/Dry Species of Samples Tissue Ratio Deviation

PLANTS

Banana 2 Edible 3.87 k 0.81 II Squash 1 22.8 18 Yam 1 4.24 . 11 Taro Root 1 1.40 It Arrow Root 1 2.76

i- ‘. J

12 I atolls. Concentrations of 137CS in these four samples ranged from 1.1 to

1.6 pCi/g. Strontium-90 and 23g’zqOPu were measurable in the samples analyzed.

Concentrations were less than a picocurie in all samples but one, the surface soil from site #3 on Bigen Island. Soil at this site contained 3.8 pCi of

239*2qOpu per gram. Americium-241 was detected in only a few of the soil samples.

Utirik Atoll

The two predominant radionuclides in plant samples from Utirik Atoll were

40K and 137CS (Appendix Table 8). Of the 19 samples analyzed, the edible portion of the three Pandanus fruit samples contained the greatest amounts of

137CS (average 14 pCi/g). Values of 90Sr in the plants ranged up to 2.1 pCi/g.

Plutonium-239,240 values were below the limits of detection in the five plant samples analyzed.

Soil samples from Utirik Atoll contained 137CS, ‘OSr, and 239’2q0Pu in most of the samples analyzed for these radionuclides (Appendix T&bles 9 and 10).

Americium-241 and 60Co were also detected in many of the surface soil samples.

Cesium-137 values ranged UF to 5.3 pCi/g and averaged about 3 pCi/g in the nine surface soil samples. Soil samples from 5-10 cm below the surface contained less than 0.5 pCi of 137CS per gram. In the surface samples analyzed, ‘OSr values ranged from 0.5 to 3.2 pCi/g while 23g’2q0Pu values ranged from 0.08 to

1.3 pCi/g. Americium-241 and 60Co values were less than a pCi/g.

Rongelap Atoll

Most samples of marine organisms from Rongelap contained 40K and 60Co with

40K the predominant radionuclide (Appendix Tables 1 and 11). Cobalt-60 was present in less than pCi/g amounts, except in the Tridacna clam kidney which contained from 7.6 to 16 pCi/g. Samples of terrestrial organisms also contained

13 .. . 137cs and 90Sr with 1S7CS the predom” nant radionuclide in the plants (Appendix 3 Table 12) and 90Sr in the coconut crabs (Appendix Table 13). Most plant samples

contained 10 to 100 pCi of 137CS per gram of dry tissue, however, coconut milk

samples contained up to 355 pCi/g. The exoskeleton of..thecoconut crabs con-

tained 50 to 340 pCi of 90Sr per gram. The other tissues contained 1 to 20

pCi/g.

The results of the analyses of the soil samples are given in Appendix

Tables 14 through 17. Cesium-137 and ‘OSr are the predominant radionuclides,

although ‘°Co, ‘55Eu, z41Am, and 239’240Pu were also detected in most of

the samples analyzed for these specific radionuclides. Antimony-125 was

also present in the soils from Naen Island. Radionuclide values were lowest

on Rongelap and Eniaetok Islands and highest on Naen. Cesium-137 and 90Sr

values in surface soils from Naen averaged several hundred pCi/g and ranged

up to 980 and 523 pCi/g for 137CS and 90Sr, respectively. Cesium-137 values

in soil from Rongelap Island were less than a hundred pCi/g. Plutonium-239,240 and 241Am values in Rongelap and Eniaetok Island soils were commonly 1 to 5 pCi/g, while in Naen soils values for these radionuclides ranged to 65 pCi/g.

Bikini Atoll

Plants were the only sample type collected at Bikini Atoll. Results of the analyses of these samples are in Appendix Table 18. Cesium-137 and 90Sr are the predominant radionuclides. The greatest 137CS and 90Sr values are in the leaves of the pandanus. Leaves from a pandanus plant near pit #9 (see

Figure 2) contained 2350 pCi of 137CS per gram, while leaves from a plant near House #5 contained 483 pCi of ‘OSr per gram. Plutonium-239,240 values were usually less than the limits of detection.

. ‘J..

14 DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

Comparison Between Atolls

Moving in a northerly direction, radioactivity values were least in the samples from llotjeAtoll, increased slightly at Ailuk Atoll and increased sig- nificantly at Utirik. From Utirik, radioactivity values increased to the west.

Thus, Rongelap Atoll had higher values than Utirik and Bikini had the highest values of any atoll sampled during this survey. This pattern has been noted previously (Nelson, 1977) and is a result of the fallout distribution from the

1 March, 1954 Bravo test on Bikini Atoll. The south to north increase in radioactivity is also apparent at Rongelap Atoll where the southern islands have radioactivity levels about a factor of ten lower than the northern islands.

Differences Due to Sample Type

As noted previously (Nelson, 1977) ‘OSr and 137CS are the predominant radionuclides in biological and soil samples from the terrestrial environment.

In addition, z~lAm and Zsg’zuopu are important in soils from Rongelap Atoll and Bikini Atoll (Nelson, 1977) because of the quantity of these radionuclides and because they are alpha-emitters, which have a higher potential health hazard than most of the gamma-emitters. Pandanus leaves continue to be the best indicator species for 137CS because they concentrate 137CS and are abundant and available through the year. These leaves may also be used as an indicator fOr 90Sr, if coconut crabs are not available. The exoskeleton of these crabs contains more 90Sr than any other biological sample measured; however, these crabs are often absent or scarce on the more populated islands.

In the marine environment, kOK is the predominant radionuclide. Cobalt-60 was the only fallout radionuclide present in a significant number of the marine samples and the values for this radionuclide were usually less than a pCi.

15 a

The kidney of the Tridacna had the greatest amounts of GoCo of the marine samples analyzed.

SUMMARY

The DOE’s portion of LRE’s Pacific Radioecology Program began on 1 July

1974. The purpose of this program is to determine the types and amounts of radionuclides in biological and environmental samples from the Central Pacific, especially the Marshall Islands. A field trip was conducted for this program in September-October 1976. About 340 samples were collected and about 340 y-spectrum, 130 strontium-90 and 75 plutonium-239,240 analyses were performed.

Results of the analyses indicate that 9oSr and 137CS are predominant in the terrestrial environment and, in addition, 241Am and ZS9’ZL.OPUare also important in the soil from Ronge”ap Atoll. Potassium-40 is the predom nant radionuclide in the marine organ sins,while 60Co is important in the k dney of the Tridacna clams. 2,, Amounts of radioactivity between atolls and and between islands w thin

Rongelap Atoll vary with distance from the test site at Bikini Atoll and in relation to the fallout pattern from the March 1954 Bravo test. Plants from

Bikini Island had the highest amounts of radioactivity, primarily 137CS, while plants from Naen Island at Rongelap Atoll had slightly lower amounts. The southern islands of Rongelap Atoll and Utirik Atoll had intermediate amounts of radioactivity, while Ailuk and Wotje Atolls had the lowest amounts of radioactivity of the atolls visited during this field trip.

REFERENCES CITED

Nelson, V. A. 1977. Radiological survey of plants, animals, and soil at

Christmas Island and Seven Atolls in the Marshall Islands. U.S. ERDA

Report NVO-269-32. College of Fisheries, University of Washington,

Seattle.

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21 APPENDIX TABLE6

Some Radionuclides in Soil Collected on Ailuk Island, Ailuk Atoll, September 1976

Radionuclide Concentration in pCi/g, drya Collection Soil Location Depth (cm) 137(-S 238U - Other

Site #1 O-2.5 0.48t0.09 1.2 tO.84 ‘OSr 0.77f0.22 It 2.5-5 0.28~0.08 0.62i0.34 II 5-1o 0.23~0.08 1.4 fO.36 b 11 10-15 o.15fo.07 ns 11 15-25 o.07fo.03 ns II 25-35 o.05fo.04 ns II 35-50 ns ns II 50-75 ns ns 81 75-1oo rls o.44fo.’24

Site #2 0-2.5 0.73*0.12 0.66t0.39 It 2.5-5 0.32~0.08 ns 88 5-1o o.16to.05 0.52t0.32 Site #3 0-2.5 ns ns ‘3 U 2.5-5 0.07*0.04 0.95~0.28 lt- 5-1o 0.18f0.07 ns

Site #4 0-2.5 0.98t0.12 0.65f0.29 11 2.5-5 0.12f0.05 o.43fo.31 11 5-1o ns ns

Site #5 0-2.5 0.61f0.11 0.68~0.33 fit 2.5-5 0.22f0.06 ns 11 5-10 o.lofo.04 0.62*0.31

Site #6 0-2.5 0.22f0.07 - o.68fo.38 ‘OSr 0.27~0.14 . 11 2.’5-5 o.19fo.07 0.81t0.32 I II 5-1o ns ns .

a. The error values for all radionuclides are two-sigma, propagated, counting errors for a single sample.

b. ns = not significant; the net sample count is less than the two-sigma, propagated counting error. , :. J

22 *

APPENDIX TABLE 7 Some Radionuclides in Soil Collected on Bigen Island Ailuk Atoll, September 1976

Radionuclide Concentration in pCi/g, drya Collection Soil 137& 238 Location Depth (cm) u Other b 239s2412pu 0.og8t0.018 Site #1 O-2.5 1..2fo.15 ns gosr 0.56 to.16 II 2.5-5 o.7ofo.11 ns II 5-1o o.53fo.11 0.920.33 II 10-15 0.35~0.08 ns 14 15-25 0.18*0.06 ns II 25-35 ns ns

Site #2 O-2.5 o.91fo.13 0.5&0.36 It 2.5-5 o.41~o.09 n% u 5-1o 0.21t0.07 ns 239,240pu 3.8 fO.6 Site #3 O-2.5 1.1 ~o.13 ns gosr ().27tO.12 It 2.5-5 ,o.77fo.11 ns II 5-1o 0.38~0.09 ns 239~24cIpu 00056f0.008

Site #4 O-2.5 0.84~0.12 ns gosr 0.41 *0.14 It 2.5-5 1.6 ~0.17 ns 11 5-1o 1.2 fo.13 0.983.74

a. The error values for all radionuclides are two-sigma, propaga~ed, counting errors for a single sample.

b. ns = not significant; the net sample count is less than the two-sigma, propagated counting error.

(

23 ,

omN N- o @ o-l . >0- Ln f--m F o 0- . . . . . (- 0.. >OG 2-000 o“ o“ ~ 00 .1 +1+1.. +I+l+lrafu+lma+l fu .m+l+l fmNol- N CC:ccmcocm -r~v vmu7- . v mm . . . . ;0”0 I-ON 0 G 0.

. UF UJ emhcom - r=r=m m N -F -- *C’JO-F.-OW- I-a. mti ...... ” ““” aooomoooooo 0000 NONO +I+i+l+lc+l~:g ::+I+I+;+I+I+(+{ ‘t -IOU)* CN.bU)~N ...... -NO- r-c9F)coF.~c.l=rm mew--

. . . . -...0 ...... - - :% - - - N- - 0 -- - ~ - - Y +1 +1 +1 +1 c +I:IJI +1 .+1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 *-* UImmmm N c) n VI %-

a 2+ .* .@ . u1% .- ==== Q- ‘k . 07-0 . w- a) WIN =3 u— 0 “m cc a (/?0 cc . n ~- J .

24 APPENDIX TABLE 9 Some Radionuclides in Soil Collected on Utirik Island, Utirik Atoll, September 1976

Radionuclide Concentration in pCi/g~ drya Collection Soil 60c0 13 7(-s 241Am Location Depth (cm) Other

Site #1 O-2.5 o.16io.08 3.6 fO.26 0.26f0.12 b II 2.5-5 ns 0.83k0.10 0.2110.15 It 5-1o o.08to.06 0.32f0.07 ns 239,240pu 1.3 to.z 0.64t0.14 Site #2 0-2.5 o.18to.06 3.9 tO.26 ‘OSr 2.9 tO.5 11 2.5-5 ns 0.35t0.02 ns II 5-10 ns o.14to.03 ns

Site #3 0-2.5 o.09fo.05 4.0 fo.~5 J 0.67t0.14 II 2.5-5 ns 0.83f0.10 ns II 5-1o ns 0.41~0.08 ns ‘“Sr 3.2 fOo4 Site #4 0-2.5 0.10f0,08 5.3 *().31 0.18f0.13 11 2.5-5 o.14io.lo 1.9 to.17 0.25f0.19 II 5-1o ns O.47*O.1O ns ‘OSr 0.50 tO.14 Village 0-2.5 ns ns 239 241Jpu (1.075t0.018

— a. The error values for all raclic)nuclides are two-sigma, propagated, counting errors for a single sample. b. ns = not significant; the net sample count is less than the two-sigma, propagated counting error.

25 .. - APPENDIX TABLE lO Some Radionuclides in Soil Collected at Utirik Atoll September 1976

Radionuclide Concentration in pCi/g, drya Collection Soil - 137CS 2381J Z41Am Island Location Depth (cm) Other

b Eerukku Center of Isle litter o.97to.18 1.5 *1.4 ns 238*21+IJpu ().SzfO.1() “ tl II o.17fo.11 O-2.5 2.3 fO.21 ns ‘OSr 0.89f0.16 II II 2.5-5 3.3 fo,zl ns o.43fo.19 11 It 5-1o 1.9 to.12 0.47f0.24 o.17fo.07 #t 01 10-15 0.82f0.07 ns ns 11 II 15-25 ns ns ns u 11 25-35 ns ns ns II 11 35-50 ns ns ns 239 240pu (3.75k0.34 Aon Site #l O-2.5 3.2 tO.21 ns ns ‘OSr 1.0 fO.2 It It 2.5-5 1.5 tO.16 ns o.15to.09 II II 5-10- o.59io.07 o.99to.24 ns tl 0.38*0.06 ns ns 10-15 / > II Site #2 O-2.5 1.4 fo.15 ns 0.28t0.20 ‘OSr 1.1 4).2 ‘ II :1 2.5-5 0.36t0.09 ns 0.21f0.19 11 II 5-1o o.35fo.09 0.92*0.36 ns II II 10-15 o.18to.07 ns “ns 88 II 15-25 o.07to.04 o.74io.30 ns

11 Site #3 O-2.5 1.6 fO.17 ns 0.27t0.11 It 18 2.5-5 O.52*O.1O 1.3 ?0.78 ns II II 5-1o ns ns ns

a. The error values for all radionuclides are two-sigma, propagated, counting errors for - I a single sample.

. b. ns = not significant; the net sample count is less than the two-sigma, propagated counting error.

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. 9

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