OPERATION CROSSROADS. EFFECT OF THE BIKINI ATOMIC BOMB TEST ABLE ON SOIL MICROORGANISMS.
Abstract
Without any information as to the treatments the soil samples received at Bikini, it seems from the analyses that the microorganisms were not injured to any appreciable extent. In fact, one might expect more damage to them from the heat encountered during a trip into the tropics, especially if no precautions were taken to keep them cool or away from the lower part of the ship. Having been dry before starting on the journey may have been a factor. Conceivably only the more resistant and the better protected microorganisms were alive in these air dry soils when they left Beltsville. Consequently, the microbes might not be affected by exposure to heat which would injure those in fresh moist soil. The effects of radiation in both cases probably would be the same. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 04, 1946
- Accession Number
- AD0473892
Entities
People
- Marie E. Wenzel
- Nathan R. Smith