Publications
Children of Israel: US Military Imperialism and Marshallese Migration in the Poetry of Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner
Bikini Atoll, once chosen by the US government for nuclear testing under the guise of advancing global peace, remains uninhabitable due to severe environmental damage caused by these tests. Despite initial assurances that the displacement of Marshallese islanders would be temporary, the atoll's contamination persists, threatening future generations. This study highlights the ongoing health and socio-political impacts on Marshallese communities, including radiation-related illnesses, dietary dependence on imported Western foods, and climate-induced displacement risks. Through an analysis of Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner’s protest poetry, the research reveals how contemporary Pacific Islanders leverage global platforms to raise awareness and seek redress for these interconnected issues.
Lingering radioactivity at the Bikini and Enewetak Atolls
Decades after nuclear testing, Bikini and Enewetak Atolls remain significant sources of plutonium (Pu) and cesium-137 (Cs) to the North Pacific, though at rates far lower than initial fallout. Research reveals that Pu levels in lagoon seawater and sediments are orders of magnitude higher than global averages, with the Runit Dome—an underground nuclear waste repository—contributing roughly half of the Pu detected in Enewetak’s lagoon water column. Submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) plays a minor role in transporting these radionuclides, suggesting that seafloor sediments are the primary long-term repository and source. While Cs levels are elevated in brackish groundwater, its presence in lagoon waters is only slightly higher than in the broader North Pacific. The study employed radium isotopes to estimate SGD for the first time in this context, providing critical insights into radionuclide fluxes.
Space
A critical gap in understanding the health effects of gradual, low-dose radiation exposure has been addressed through the Million Person Study (MPS), the largest study of its kind. This study, involving over 360,000 U.S. Department of Energy workers and other exposed individuals, provides substantial statistical power to quantify risks associated with prolonged, low-dose radiation exposure. Unlike terrestrial-based organizations that rely on dose limits, NASA employs an individual risk-based system for astronauts, allowing a 3% risk of exposure-induced death (REID) from cancer. The MPS aims to reduce uncertainty in risk estimates, enabling longer space missions by narrowing the 95% confidence interval. Additionally, it offers insights into gender differences in radiation response and evaluates non-cancer outcomes such as neurological disorders and cardiovascular disease.
Poetics and politics: Bikini Atoll and World Heritage Listing
Bikini Atoll Nuclear Test Site, Republic of the Marshall Islands, was inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List in 2010 as a globally significant cultural symbol and icon of the 20th century. This designation reflects its dual nature: a landscape ravaged by nuclear testing (1946–1958) and a remote, exotic paradise. The study examines how the atoll's name, appropriated for the bikini swimsuit, became intertwined with its history of destruction, while also serving as a subversive space co-opted by both global and local actors for heritage recognition. The research employs 'Social Poetics' to explore tensions between official cultural narratives and lived experiences, highlighting Bikini's role in political advocacy for displaced Marshallese communities.
Fallout Deposition in the Marshall Islands from Bikini and Enewetak Nuclear Weapons Tests
Only 20 out of the 66 nuclear tests conducted at Bikini and Enewetak Atolls (1946-1958) resulted in substantial radioactive fallout deposition on inhabited Marshall Islands, according to a comprehensive analysis. Researchers estimated deposition densities for 63 radionuclides from these tests using historical data, contemporary soil samples, and meteorological analyses. The findings align with measurements of cesium-137 (137Cs) deposition, validating the approach. This study provides the most detailed estimates of fallout composition, fractionation, and transit times, enabling accurate dose assessments for external and internal radiation exposure.
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