Plutonium levels in Kwajalein Lagoon

Abstract

Reported plutonium levels in fish from both Kwajalein and Enewetak lagoons, suggest that Kwajalein Lagoon contains significantly more plutonium in its environment than would be expected from worldwide fallout levels alone, although quantities of plutonium greater than fallout concentrations have not been detected in the lagoon water. If there is no reason to reject the published fish data, then individuals on Kwajalein Atoll who supplement their diet with foods from the local marine environment may have plutonium body burdens similar to the low levels predicted for individuals on similar diets at Enewetak Atoll.