Bikini and Enewetak marshallese: Their atolls and nuclear weapons testing

Abstract

Following the end of World War H, the U.S. Government decided to commence nuclear weapons testing and consequently searched for a suitable test site. Bikini and Enewetak Atolls in the Marshall Islands were selected for various reasons discussed in this manuscript. Sixty‐six nuclear devices of various types were detonated from 1945 through mid‐1958 at these atolls. During this period and for an extended period thereafter, extensive endeavors to rehabilitate these atolls occurred. In addition to physical rehabilitation, scientists were involved in basic investigations on the cycling of radionuclides and the effects of ionizing radiation on the atoll environment. Further, a limited number of observations were made on the cultural impacts of removal and possible return of the Bikini and Enewetak Marshallese to their home atolls. The extensive but obscure literature as well as unfamiliarity by many people of the health aspects of ionizing radiation and fundamentals of radiation ecology encouraged the authors to prepare a manuscript that discloses the complex problems associated with returning the original inhabitants to Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. A primary goal was to make the reader aware of the available and extensive literature resulting from governmental investigations.

Key words:

• Marshall Islands
• Bikini
• Enewetak
• nuclear weapons testing
• cultural impact
• environmental impact
• radiological impact
• rehabilitation
• relocation