Plutonium in the marine environment at Thule, NW-Greenland after a nuclear weapons accident

Characterization of uranium and plutonium containing particles originating from the nuclear weapons accident in Thule, Greenland, 1968

“…However, the presence of U in the Thule particles has recently been reported (Eriksson, 2002). Observed activity concentrations of Pu and concentration ratios for Pu-isotopes at Thule support the assumption that the residual fissile material exist as particles of relatively low solubility (Dahlgaard et al, 2001). A clear signal from the accident in the water column has only been identified (30 mBq m ÿ3 , 3-6 (McMahon et al, 2000).…”

“…Sampling was performed onboard the Greenland fisheries research vessel ''Adolf Jensen'' during the August 1997 expedition in Bylot Sound (Dahlgaard et al, 2001). Thule sediments were sampled just below the point of impact using a Gemini corer.…”

“…A clear signal from the accident in the water column has only been identified (30 mBq m ÿ3 , 3-6 (McMahon et al, 2000). times higher than the background level) in near-bottom water samples collected at the point of impact (Dahlgaard et al, 2001). The elevated concentration of Pu has been attributed to resuspension of contaminated sediments.…”

“…Based on 240 Pu/ 239 Pu isotope ratio measurements Dahlgaard et al (2001) found that the Thule debris has at least two different Pu sources. About two-thirds of the debris originated from a source having a 240 Pu/ 239 Pu atom ratio of 0.056, whereas about one-third of the debris featured a lower 240 Pu/ 239 Pu atom ratio of 0.027.…”

“…About two-thirds of the debris originated from a source having a 240 Pu/ 239 Pu atom ratio of 0.056, whereas about one-third of the debris featured a lower 240 Pu/ 239 Pu atom ratio of 0.027. Dahlgaard et al (2001) were not able to determine whether the sources originated from different weapons or from different parts of an individual weapon.…”