Contamination of the earth's surface by plutonium and uranium fallout

Essien, I. O.

doi:10.1007/bf02040375

Cited by 11 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…the determination of the natural abundance of Pu nuclides in ores (uranium ores for 239-24opy lanthanide ores for ^-"Pu) [13,[17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24]. The first studies and analyses were based on the co-precipitation of plutonium traces with LaFj or NdFj [17,18].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Alpha Spectrometric Determination of Trace Level of ^239-240Pu and ²³⁸Pu Uranium Compounds and Solutions

1999

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Plutonium / Uranium / Anion-exchange chromatography / Extraction chromatography / Alpha spectrometry / ElectrodepositionSummary An accurate and reliable analytical method has been developed for the measurement of low-level of plutonium nuclides (^''Pu, 239 -24oj>y^ in uranium Compounds and solutions by alpha spectrometry, with emphasis on the purification of plutonium nuclides from uranium isotopes and their a emitting decay radionuclides. The method mainly consists of Chromatographie separations. TWo steps of purification are necessary, the first one using a REILLEX™ HPQ (anion-exchange macroporous resin) Chromatographie column and the second one consisting in extraction chromatography with trioctylamine (TOA). ^"Pu was used as isotopic tracer: plutonium recovery yields for the entire process were found dose to 90% and the minimum detectable Pu activity was about lOmBq/sample for a counting time of 5 hours using a grid Chamber, after the implementation of a Separation with a good decontamination factor (higher than 10^) of plutonium vs. uranium. For a lower detection limit, it is necessary to increase the counting time.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Alpha Spectrometric Determination of Trace Level of ^239-240Pu and ²³⁸Pu Uranium Compounds and Solutions

1999

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Neptunium: Radionuclides

Runde¹,

Goff²

2005

Encyclopedia of Inorganic Chemistry

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Following the element uranium, neptunium is the fourth element in the actinide series. Although primordial neptunium isotopes formed during the creation of the solar system billions of years ago have long since decayed away, neptunium continues to be formed by the nuclear reactions in naturally occurring uranium deposits. Currently, trace amounts of neptunium isotopes can be isolated from uranium ore minerals. Most of present‐day inventory of neptunium originates from human activities, such as nuclear weapons testing, nuclear accidents, or irradiation of uranium fuel for producing nuclear energy. All neptunium isotopes are highly radioactive and pose extreme health hazards to humans when ingested or inhaled. Neptunium exhibits five oxidation states (III–VII) in solution and solid state, but only the IV and V oxidation states are relevant under most environmental conditions. In the +IV state, neptunium is insoluble and forms stable complexes with ligands abundant in natural environments (such as hydroxide, carbonate, or humic substances), and can adsorb onto mobile colloidal matter. In contrast, neptunium(V) forms a soluble dioxo‐cation in solution (NpO $_{2}^{+}$ ), which exhibits an increased solubility, weaker complex formation, and higher stability in the aqueous phases of aquatic systems. Thus, neptunium(V) is mostly characterized as the dominant solution species, while Np(IV) is found to be adsorbed on sediments, minerals, and colloidal particles. There is no large‐scale use of neptunium in industrial applications.

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Plutonium: Radionuclides

Neu¹,

Goff²,

Runde³

2005

Encyclopedia of Inorganic Chemistry

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Plutonium is the most debated actinide element because of its dual use in devastating nuclear weapons and beneficial generation of nuclear energy. Plutonium metal exists in several allotropic phases and plutonium in solution exhibits a rich and complex chemistry. The ability to exist in up to four oxidation states makes plutonium unique among all elements. Pu(III) and Pu(VI) form only under reducing or oxidizing conditions, respectively; whereas Pu(IV) and Pu(V) have broad stability ranges within the geochemical bounds of environmental systems. When Pu(IV) is above trace concentration and particulate matter is present, then solids or suspended colloids are the predominant chemical forms. In contrast, Pu(V), as PuO $_{2}^{+}$ , has relatively higher solubility as an aquo species or a monomeric complex of natural ligands (hydroxide, chloride, sulfate, etc.). Stronger complexing, polydentate ligands, such as carbonate and organics, tend to increase plutonium solubility by forming very stable Pu(IV) complexes. Minerals, high molecular weight organic matter, and bacteria can either increase or decrease the solubility of plutonium, depending upon their chemical properties, mechanisms of interaction, and the geochemical conditions of the surrounding environment. Plutonium generally has very low solubility, low mobility, and few health consequences from environmental forms, and therefore poses little risk to living systems under nearly all conditions. This article provides a brief overview of the chemistry and behavior of plutonium in aqueous solutions and in the environment.

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Contamination of the earth's surface by plutonium and uranium fallout

Cited by 11 publications

References 11 publications

Alpha Spectrometric Determination of Trace Level of ^239-240Pu and ²³⁸Pu Uranium Compounds and Solutions

Alpha Spectrometric Determination of Trace Level of ^239-240Pu and ²³⁸Pu Uranium Compounds and Solutions

Neptunium: Radionuclides

Plutonium: Radionuclides

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Contamination of the earth's surface by plutonium and uranium fallout

Cited by 11 publications

References 11 publications

Alpha Spectrometric Determination of Trace Level of 239-240Pu and 238Pu Uranium Compounds and Solutions

Alpha Spectrometric Determination of Trace Level of 239-240Pu and 238Pu Uranium Compounds and Solutions

Neptunium: Radionuclides

Plutonium: Radionuclides

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Alpha Spectrometric Determination of Trace Level of ^239-240Pu and ²³⁸Pu Uranium Compounds and Solutions

Alpha Spectrometric Determination of Trace Level of ^239-240Pu and ²³⁸Pu Uranium Compounds and Solutions