Clay mineralogy insights and assessment of the natural (228Ra, 226Ra, 210Pb, 40K) and anthropogenic (137Cs) radionuclides dispersion in the estuarine and lagoon systems along the Atlantic coast of Portugal

Sequential Extraction of 239+240Pu and the Vertical Distribution of 239+240Pu, 137Cs, and Heavy Metals in Chang-Bai Mountains’ Grassland Soil

“…In addition, 210 Pb is more readily adsorbed by clay and organic matter, and some researchers suggested that the distribution of 239+240 Pu is influenced by organic matter. However, the distribution of 137 Cs was consistent with that of 210 Pb, also suggesting that the distribution of 137 Cs is impacted by clay . As a result, the present study area has a good record and retention of nuclides such as 239+240 Pu, 137 Cs, and 210 Pb from the atmospheric fallout.…”

“…The highest concentrations of 137 Cs and 239+240 Pu in undisturbed soils were basically observed in the surface layer (0–5 cm); core samples satisfying the characteristic could be selected as a reference site for erosion evaluation . Previous studies have used 137 Cs and 239+240 Pu to monitor soil erosion − because Pu is absorbed by the organic matter and Cs is absorbed by clay. ,− The measurement of 137 Cs was easier than that of 239+240 Pu, and this had led to 137 Cs to be used as a soil erosion tracer in the past decades. Due to the relatively short half-life of 137 Cs, which triggered the sensitivity of the soil erosion monitored by 137 Cs became too low to be measured by gamma spectrometry with time.…”

Novel method of ancient pottery analysis based on radioactive isotope ratios: a pilot study

“…A high K content indicates a high proportion of clay in the semi-finished product [36]. U correlates with aluminosilicates or organic components [17,47], while Th is an index of metal-rich heavy minerals [48].…”

“…208 Tl) correlates with physico-chemical properties of each group of the ceramic samples (porosity, density of the material). Activity concentration of 226 Ra is mostly correlated with contribution of illitic material + kaolinite and organic matter in geological material [36]. The illite/smectite and kaolinite are natural sorbents for Ra and 210 Pb isotopes.…”

“…Radioactive 40 K in range from 473to 1001 Bq/kg was measured on feldspar, mica and clay layers provided from other geological structure erosion eg. granite weathering [36]. The use of many various isotopes from different radioactive series and 40 K allow a more precise assessment of the possible relationships between the ceramic samples and, possibly, their raw material and origin.…”