Determination of total I and¹²⁹I concentrations in freshwater of Argentina

Abstract

Abstract. Total iodine and129-iodine in rivers and lakes of Argentina were measured by means of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and accelerator mass spectrometry respectively. The obtained isotopic ratios, higher than the natural level, are explained as the delayed signal from nuclear weapon atmospheric tests. Besides, deposition fluences in catchment areas of the lakes are analyzed. Their latitudinal dependence, similar to the dependence of annual precipitation rates, favours wet deposition as the main 129 I fallout mechanism for this region.