Mass-spectrometric analysis of plutonium in soils near Sellafield

McCarthy, W.H.; Nicholls, Timothy

doi:10.1016/0265-931x(90)90032-q

Cited by 25 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…The accuracy of isotope measurement is less than 5 × 10 − 4 , and the abundance sensitivity is better than 5 × 10 −8 . McCarthy et al [ 87 ] measured the isotopic ratios of 240/239 Pu and 241/239 Pu in Oxfordshire soil to be 0.184 (RSD < 1%) and 0.0049 (RSD < 5%). The average concentration of 239+240 Pu was 0.257 Bq·kg −1 , close to the average value of radioactive deposition in Britain [ 88 ].…”

Section: Measurement Methods Of 239 Pu 2...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Analytical Methods for the Determination of 90Sr and 239,240Pu in Environmental Samples

Zhong

Yang

et al. 2022

Molecules

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Artificial long-lived radionuclides such as 90Sr and 239,240Pu have been long released into the environment by human nuclear activities, which have a profound impact on the ecological environment. It is of great significance to monitor the concentration of these radionuclides for environmental safety. This paper summarizes and critically discusses the separation and measurement methods for ultra-trace determination of 90Sr, 239Pu, and 240Pu in the environment. After selecting the measurement method, it is necessary to consider the decontamination of the interference from matrix elements and the key elements, and this involves the choice of the separation method. Measurement methods include both radiometric methods and non-radiometric methods. Radiometric methods, including alpha spectroscopy, liquid scintillation spectrometry, etc., are commonly used methods for measuring 239+240Pu and 90Sr. Mass spectrometry, as the representative of non-radiometric measurement methods, has been regarded as the most promising analytical method due to its high absolute sensitivity, low detection limit, and relatively short sample-analysis time. Through the comparison of various measurement methods, the future development trend of radionuclide measurement is prospected in this review. The fully automatic and rapid analysis method is a highlight. The new mass spectrometer with ultra-high sensitivity shows strong analytical capabilities for extremely low concentrations of 90Sr, 239Pu, and 240Pu, and it is expected to develop determination methods with higher sensitivity and lower detection limit.

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Section: Measurement Methods Of 239 Pu 2...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Analytical Methods for the Determination of 90Sr and 239,240Pu in Environmental Samples

Zhong

Yang

et al. 2022

Molecules

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“…The core sample taken (30 cm depth, approximate age range 1950 to present) was divided into 6 sections. The 10e15 cm horizon was used in this study as the maximum discharges from Sellafield (during the 1970s) are reflected in this horizon (Mccarthy and Nicholls, 1990;Sajih and Livens, 2010). While most Pu released from the Sellafield pipeline into the North Sea is readily adsorbed by silt and hence is deposited on the seabed, resuspension of fine particles can lead to deposition of the radioactive material in intertidal regions of local estuaries (Cambray and Eakins, 1982;Morris et al, 2000).…”

Section: Soil and Groundwater Collectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Geochemical association of Pu and Am in selected host-phases of contaminated soils from the UK and their susceptibility to chemical and microbiological leaching

Kimber

Corkhill

Amos

et al. 2015

Journal of Environmental Radioactivity

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Understanding the biogeochemical behaviour and potential mobility of actinides in soils and groundwater is vital for developing remediation and management strategies for radionuclide-contaminated land. Pu is known to have a high Kd in soils and sediments, however remobilization of low concentrations of Pu remains a concern. Here, some of the physicochemical properties of Pu and the co-contaminant, Am, are investigated in contaminated soils from Aldermaston, Berkshire, UK, and the Esk Estuary, Cumbria, UK, to determine their potential mobility. Sequential extraction techniques were used to examine the host-phases of the actinides in these soils and their susceptibility to microbiological leaching was investigated using acidophilic sulphur-oxidising bacteria. Sequential extractions found the majority of (239,240)Pu associated with the highly refractory residual phase in both the Aldermaston (63.8-85.5 %) and Esk Estuary (91.9-94.5%) soils. The (241)Am was distributed across multiple phases including the reducible oxide (26.1-40.0%), organic (45.6-63.6%) and residual fractions (1.9-11.1%). Plutonium proved largely resistant to leaching from microbially-produced sulphuric acid, with a maximum 0.18% leached into solution, although up to 12.5% of the (241)Am was leached under the same conditions. If Pu was present as distinct oxide particles in the soil, then (241)Am, a decay product of Pu, would be expected to be physically retained in the particle. The differences in geochemical association and bioleachability of the two actinides suggest that this is not the case and hence, that significant Pu is not present as distinct particles. These data suggest the majority of Pu in the contaminated soils studied is highly recalcitrant to geochemical changes and is likely to remain immobile over significant time periods, even when challenged with aggressive "bioleaching" bacteria.

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Meta-Analysis of the Radioactive Pollution of the Ocean

Yablokov¹

Strategic Management of Marine Ecosystems

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Mass-spectrometric analysis of plutonium in soils near Sellafield

Cited by 25 publications

References 10 publications

Analytical Methods for the Determination of 90Sr and 239,240Pu in Environmental Samples

Analytical Methods for the Determination of 90Sr and 239,240Pu in Environmental Samples

Geochemical association of Pu and Am in selected host-phases of contaminated soils from the UK and their susceptibility to chemical and microbiological leaching

Meta-Analysis of the Radioactive Pollution of the Ocean

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