Radiobiological Survey of Bikini, Eniwetok and Likiep Atolls - July - August, 1949 (Resurvey of Crossroads and Sandstone Areas)

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RADIOBIOLOGICAL SURVEY OF BIKINI, ENIWETOK, Applied Fisheries Laboratory University of Washington This report is based on work performed under Contract No, W-28-0940eng-33 with the Atomic

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Program of Operations Flora of Engebi, Aomon-Biijiri, and Runit Islands Physiology of Land Plants Land Vertebrates, Eniwetok Plankton and Water Samples

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Specirriens of fish, marine invertebrates, algae, plankton, land plants, land vertebrates, and water samples were collected for radio assay and identification from Bikini, Eniwetok, and the control area of Likiep. Areas adjacent to collection stations were monitored. Some of the procedures differed from those of earlier years in that frozen samples were processed in the Applied Fisheries Laboratory, ashing and plating methods were slightly changed and more carefully regulated, and samples were counted in an internal gas-flow chamber. The unit of measurement used for reporting activity was changed to disintegrations per minute per gram of wet tissue. Sample counts were corrected for geometry and backscatter, but not for self-absorption, which was kept to a minimum by preparing thin plates. The net count of a sample was calculated by deducting the background count plus three standard deviations from the gross count. Chemical separation of radioactive isotopes was not done but decay and absorption curves indicate the presence of Ce 144 and Pr144. Samples of 369 fish were analyzed for radioactivity relative to area collected, species, tissues, and feeding habits. The greatest amount of activity in d/m/g was noted in fish found in areas close to shot centers such as the deep water of the Target Area at Bikini (345) and in the shallow waters around the islands nf Aomon (703), Runit (144), and Engebi (125) at Eniwstok. The greatest concentrations of radioactivity were found in the viscera (1364) and liver (.437) with less in bone (180), skin (lo), and muscle (8) of most fish. The herbivorous species, such as parrot fish (572), contained ;auch more radioactivity per gram than carnivorous feeders including plankton-feeders. The former averaged 382 in target areas while the two latter groups averaged 32. Small amounts of naturally-occurring radioactive isotopes were noted in fish from Likiep and other control areas, the d/m/g ranging from 0 to 7.5. Radiotctivity of invertebrates averaged from practically zero to as high as 1,100 at Bikini Target Area and 1,500 near Aomon-Biijiri. The most radioactive species included asteroid starfish, 5,100; hydroids, 2,100; oysters, 820; and sponges, 580. Soft parts of shellfish were usually, but

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not always, more radioactive than hard parts, Plankton-fpederc were an the average significantly more radioactive than non-plankto-l-feeders with the notable exception of corals IMhichwere low I From the thirty-five species of algae that were identified arl their habitats noted, 129 samples were ashed and counted, Average d/m /g ranged from as Iow as 3 at control areas through 64, for Bikini Target Area, a.nd up to 1700 from near the Shot Islands of Eriwetck> Succulent forms tended to be more radioactive than calcareous forms, Values for 1949 were appraaimately one-half as great as they had been in 1948 at the same localities, Activity of plankton samples from aceas other than the Bikini Target ;l?ea and the Eniwetok Shot Islands averap:ed uo greater than the average of the Likiep plankton samples which was abr,ut 50 d/m/g, Since the Likiep samples were collected after those from Bikini and Eniwetok, speck contamination, in nets or pump might possibly account for the relatively high count of the Likiep sampl.es. Compared to Likiep, the radioactivity of plankton samples from the Bikini Target Area was three times greater and from the Eniwetok Shot Islands, eight times greater, Samples of highest activity were from catches in fine-meshed nets. From comparable active areas, the 1949 counts were about one-half those of 1948. Alpha activity of three-liter water samples was not significantly greater than Santa Monica Bay water and was less than laboratory tap water Areas adjacent to collecting stations were monitored with beta-gamma survey instruments. At Likiep counts of sand averaged 21.per minute and of vegetation 27 per minute. At Bikini the values were one to three times those at Likiep with the exception of drift items from the target fleet that counted up to 100,000 c/m. On the Eniwetok Shot Islands, activity was greater than 100,000 c/m in limited areas. Peaks of activity were found at the bomb site and in the three-hundred-yard area, and from there on decreased rapidly. Seven specimens of birds including three species of terns were dissected and the organs and tissues ashed. The d/m/g of bird tissue, in most cases, was zero, with only one gut sample giving a c0un.t as high as

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Engebi ISlands exhibited wide variation in activity in different tiSSUeS and in different specimens. The highest count was found in bone (1780) and was directly correlated with the background count of the habitat. The total body activity of the four specimens varied from 1 to 120. The amount of radioactive fission products absorbed by the roots, translocated through the plant and deposited internally within the tissues of the coconut palms at Bikini and Eniwetok was not greater than twice that of control plants. High counting “fallout”’ material persisted externally on the dead leaf bases of coconuts. Ca45 created by neutron bombardment of Ca44 in the coral Sands of Runit Island was a component of the total calcium of the plants on that Island and resumably of the plants on Engebi and Aomon, Calcium deficiency in Portulaca oleracea observed at 30 yards from the bomb site on Runit was considered to be sufficient to have caused tissue disintegration and death. The tumorous growths observed on Xpomoe& Tuba on Engebi resembled those produced by an excess of indole-3-acetic acfdon a geranium plant. The activity of the tumors was very low. About one-third of the total number of plant species reported to be on the Eniwetok Shot Islands in 1944or 1946 are not extinct. ln 1949, 30 species were found on Engebl, 12 on Aomon and 19 on Runit. Of these, about one-fourth -- a total of 9 species -- were mutants. The first plants to reappear in the area where it is certain that the bomb destroyed all growing plants, i.e. 3 out and Chloris inflata. to 300 yards from the bomb site, were Portulaca oleracea

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PROGRAM OF OPERATIONS * With the initiation of the atomic energy program on the Columbia River in the State of Washington in 1943, it became evident that problems of radiological contamination might arise. In an effort to provide a fund of tiormation on the effects of radiation upon aquatic organisms, the University of Washington was asked to establish a research area to work on the *problems. A contract between the Office of Research and Development and the University of Washington resulted in the formation of the Applied Fisheries Laboratory. The basic research upon radiation continued under the direction of the ManhattanEngineering District and since 1946, under the Atomic Energy Commission. The testing program of atomic weapons at Bikini Atoll in the summer of 1946initiated another study area, with members of the staff of the Applied Fisheries Laboratory in attendance at the tesrs as the Radiation Biology Unit of the Radiological Safety Section of Operations Crossroads. Studies started at Bikini during the testing program have been continued since that time with ~1 annual field trip each year to the area to gather additional material and data. Summaries of the data collected on the field trips have been presented in reports forwarded to the Atomic Energy Commission. Following the Eniwetok tests in 1948, the work of the Laboratory was extended to include a radio-biological survey of that area. The first Eniretok collections were made the day following the Runit Island shot. Cdkctions and observational data were augmented by the field expedition during-- ‘This report is based on work performed under Contract No. W-28-094-eng-33 rith the Atomic Energy Commission and in cooperation with the United States

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During the summer of 1949 an expedition was again in the field and like the 1948 expedition included a study of the Eniwetok area in addition to a re-check of Bikini Atoll. The emphasis of the studies has changed from year to year as various problems and points of interest developed, but the major effort has been directed toward gathering additional information on the following basic psobThe measurement of the presence or absence of radiation in the The determination of the presence or absence of radiation in the various native fauna1 and floral systems. The selection by the various organisms of radioactive materials, Tissue selection of radioactive materials. The effect upon biotic forms from exposure to or absorption of The role of the native fauna and flora in the translocation and concentration of radioactive materials. Additional objectives of the study that possibly are less specific but are important in the over-all contribution are the development of techniques and procedures for evaluating radiation contamination of biotic systems and the training of specialists to carry on such investigations, The radiobiological resurvey of Bikini-Eniwetok Atoll during the summer ?f 1949 again demonstrated the advantages of cooperative research effort. The Atomic Energy Commission, the United States Navy, the University of Washington, the State College of Washington, and the University of Hawaii contributed personnel, equipment, and facilities to make the study The continued support of the Atomic Energy Commission in providing funds and administrative direction to the research has made it possible to continue. The Washington Office of the Commission, especially the Division of Biology and Medicine, under the direction of Dr. Shields Warren,

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been very helpful in planning and expediting the research. Dr. Wa:*ren’s suggestion to include Likiep Atoll in the study for “control” material and native food habits proved to be a very useful addition. The Hanford Operations Office through the efforts of Mr. W. K. Crane provided local support in a very efficient and understanding manner. The United States Navy arrangements were handled by George B. cireer, Lt. Commander, United States Navy, Commander Gr.-ze-.*,-nade the arrangements for transportation of men and equipment, supervis;d the equipping and outfitting of the laboratory vessela arranged for supplies and numerous other iten of naval support. Commander Greer’s intimate knowledge of the problems of operation in the Pacific Area coupled with his fine spirit of service made him a valuable addition to the research team. The 1949 field trip followed the pattern of the previous one in the enlistment of technical personnel. The nucleus of the field party personnel was drawn from the staff of the Applied Fisheries Laboratory, University cf Washington, to provide trained personnel and to cai*ry out the continuity SCessential in this type of research. Specialists were “borrowed” from other departments and universities to round out the field party., It is to be regretted that the expansion of the work program from its initial, major, aquatic phase to a program of study an both the land mass and adjacent water areas was nat accompanied by a proportionate increase in the number of scientific personnel. In previtius years, a training program with the assignment of a junior scientist to work with each senior member had been productive in providing experience and training for potential wor_ke! So ‘inthe field of radiation biology. With the field party limited to twelve men, it was impossible to maintain the training program because the variety of problems undertaken required experienced personnel.

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MEMBERS OF THE BIKINI-ENIWETOK RADIOBIOLOGICAL RESURVEY Assignment - And Occupation Bonham, Kelshaw marine inverteLowman, Frank G. genetics, land Biddulph, Orlin plant physiology *St. John, Harold plant morphology group leader and and plankton work Prof. of Fisheries and Applied Fisheries Laboratory, University of Washington, Applied Fisheries Laboratory, University of Washington Asst. Prof. of Fisheries and Research Associate, Applied Fisheries Laboratory, University of Washington Applied Fisheries Laboratory, University of Washington Applied Fisheries Laboratory, University of Washington Dept. of Botany, University of Washington Office of Public Information, University of Washington Prof. of Botany, State College of Washington, Prof. of Botany, University of Hawaii, University of Hawaii, Mass. Inst. of Technology, *Dr. St. John joined the field party after the collections at Bikini had been completed. His observations cover only Eniwetok and Likiep.

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Territory of Hawaii Navy, through its various branches, provided transportation ttle to the Pacific Area and return for both personnel and equipment, $ify for outfitting of the laboratory vessel was also assumed by the cial assistance from the Atomic Energy Commission. SIL 1SSl”was assigned to the expedition for a floating laboratory proved to be a very fine work vessel. The equipment and s supplied under the supervision of Commander Greer provided fac’iiities for work and living. Bikini for work within the rsonnel between Kwajalein, and Eniwetok was also provided by the Naval Station, Kwajalein, by 1949 expedition spent the period from July 19 to August 31, 1949, the field or in transit from Seattle to the Pacific Area and rem July 24 to August 5, collections were made at Bikini with the char in the eastern portion of the lagoon except for one trip for ‘in the Target Area and along the southern and western rims. The lowing day. Collections een August 6 and August Following the suggestion of Dr. Shields Warren, a collecting study -made to the Marshall Islands Atoll of Likiep where five days were ecting material for “controls” and gathering information on the iti of the natives in order to make the data collected in the contameas more pointed.

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As in 1948, collections were but in addition control material was made at both Bikini and Eniwetok Atolls also collected at Likiep Atoll, also in the Marshall Islands group, and,about 300 miles east of Bikini. The collection of control material from an environment similar to Bikini and Eniwetok but somewhat removed from those two bomb experiment areas provides data by which a threshold can be established for determining the uptake of radioactive isotopes by biological systems in the bomb areas. The areas sampled were as close as possible to those sampled in 1948 which included six major stations at both Bikini and Eniwetok Atolls and several minor stations. At a major station fish, invertebrates, and algae were collected from the lagoon reef, terrestrial plants were collected from the island, and a land survey for radioactivity of the adjacent area was made. At a minor station, activities were not as complete and included either dredging, fishing with hook and line, fishing with traps, fishing with a dip net by light, collecting plankton, collecting samples off buoys or a combination of more than one of these activities. At Bikini the six major stations were distributed geographically about the atoll as shown in Figure 1 and were located at Boro, Namu, Amen, Bikini, Enyu, and Erik Islands. Plankton and water samples were collected while the LSIL 1091 was at anchor off Bikini Island and inthe-Target Area; dredging, which provided both invertebrate and algae samples, was carried on off the Bikini-Amen reef and in the Target Area; algae and invertebrate samples were also collected from the buoys in the Target Area; fish traps were set off the Bikini-Amen reef, in the Target Area and off Bokon Island; …