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University of Washington, Laboratory of Radiation Ecology records, 1944-1984

Overview of the Collection

Creator
University of Washington. Laboratory of Radiation Ecology
Title
University of Washington, Laboratory of Radiation Ecology records
Dates
1944-1984 (inclusive)
Quantity
27 cubic feet (27 boxes)
Collection Number
Summary
Records documenting the administration and research projects of the Applied Fisheries Laboratory, the Laboratory of Radiation Biology, and the Laboratory of Radiation Ecology at the University of Washington.
Repository
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

The records are open to all users; however, access to records that are exempt from public disclosure is restricted. Contact the Special Collections division of the University of Washington Libraries for details.

Request at UW

Languages
English
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was partially provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
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Historical Note

The Applied Fisheries Laboratory was created at the University of Washington in 1943. Dr. Lauren R. Donaldson was the first director. In 1946 the laboratory came under the administration of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission. The laboratory was charged with the responsibility to develop methods for evaluating the hazards of radiation in and around water used as a cooling agent for atomic energy plants. Its main efforts were directed toward evaluating the effect of the Hanford Nuclear Site on the Columbia River. In 1946 the laboratory began studies of the biological effect of the weapons tested at the Eniwetok Test Site at Bikini and Eniwetok Atolls, and focused on these studies for over twelve years. After a 1954 accident when a weapon detonated at Bikini Atoll and contaminated a Japanese fishing vessel and the Rongelap atoll in the Eastern Marshall Islands, the laboratory studied the contamination of fish in the surrounding waters and on native foods at Rongelap. These studies expanded to include detailed investigations of the ecology of Rongelap. In 1957 the contract with the Atomic Energy Commission was expanded to develop a cooperative laboratory with the state of Washington Department of Game at Fern Lake in Kitsap County.

In 1958 the name of the Applied Fisheries Laboratory changed to Laboratory of Radiation Biology, and in 1966 that name changed to Laboratory of Radiation Ecology. It continued as a division of the Fisheries Research Institute until approximately 1987.

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Content Description

This record group documents the administration and research projects of the Applied Fisheries Laboratory, later known as the Laboratory of Radiation Biology and then the Laboratory of Radiation Ecology, at the University of Washington. Records include documentation of studies of the Bikini and Eniwetok Atolls, the Marshall Islands, the Columbia River, and Fern Lake, among many other locations. Included are correspondence, reports, writings, subject files, logs, photographs and slides, trip files, convention and conference files, and ephemera.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

These are public records; use is unrestricted when access is granted.

Preferred Citation

University of Washington, Laboratory of Radiation Ecology records. Special Collections Division, University of Washington Libraries, Seattle, Washington.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

Arranged in two accessions:

  • Accession No. 90-060, University of Washington, Laboratory of Radiation Ecology records, 1948-1984
  • Accession No. 00-065, University of Washington, Laboratory of Radiation Ecology records, 1944-1970

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Detailed Description of the Collection

 

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Aquatic radioecology
  • Aquatic radioecology--Columbia River
  • Biological laboratories--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Environmental laboratories--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Environmental monitoring--Marshall Islands
  • Fishes--Effect of radioactive pollution on
  • Freshwater radioecology
  • Heavy metals--Physiological effect
  • Marine animals--Effect of radioactive pollution on
  • Marine radioecology
  • Radioactive pollution of the sea
  • Radioactive pollution of water
  • Radioactive pollution--Alaska--Amchitka Island
  • Radioactive pollution--Alaska--North Slope
  • Radioactive pollution--Marshall Islands
  • Radioactive substances in rivers, lakes, etc
  • Radioactivity--Physiological effect
  • Radioactivity--Toxicology
  • Radiobiology
  • Radioecology
  • Radioisotopes--Physiological effect--Pacific Ocean
  • Rivers--New York (State)--Environmental conditions
  • Scientific surveys--Marshall Islands
  • Underground nuclear explosions--Environmental aspects--Alaska--Amchitka Island
  • University Archives/Faculty Papers (University of Washington)
  • Water--Pollution--Alaska--Prudhoe Bay

Personal Names

  • Donaldson, Lauren R
  • Hines, Neal O
  • Schell, W. R. (William R.), 1932-
  • Seymour, Allyn Henry, 1913-

Corporate Names

  • Project Chariot
  • U.S. Atomic Energy Commission
  • University of Washington. Applied Fisheries Laboratory--Archives
  • University of Washington. College of Fisheries
  • University of Washington. Graduate School
  • University of Washington. Laboratory of Radiation Biology--Archives
  • University of Washington. Laboratory of Radiation Ecology--Archives

Geographical Names

  • Amchitka Island (Alaska)--Environmental conditions
  • Bikini Atoll (Marshall Islands)--Environmental conditions
  • Columbia River--Environmental conditions
  • Enewetak Atoll (Marshall Islands)--Environmental conditions
  • Koeneman, Lake (Wash.)--Environmental conditions
  • Marshall Islands--Environmental conditions
  • Pacific Ocean--Environmental conditions
  • Prudhoe Bay (Alaska)--Environmental conditions
  • Puget Sound (Wash.)--Environmental conditions
  • Rongelap Atoll (Marshall Islands)--Environmental conditions

Form or Genre Terms

  • Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
  • Contracts
  • Photographs
  • Slides
  • conferences
  • correspondence
  • ephemera
  • financial records
  • logs (records)
  • minutes
  • notes
  • proposals
  • reports
  • research (document genres)
  • writings

Titles within the Collection

  • Proving ground

Other Creators

  • Corporate Names

    • University of Washington. Applied Fisheries Laboratory (creator)
    • University of Washington. Laboratory of Radiation Biology (creator)
    • University of Washington. University Archives
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