Abstract
Plutonium isotopic composition including 238Pu, 239Pu, 240Pu, and 241Pu and the Pu contamination level are determined in soils around St. Petersburg using an advanced procedure involving radiochemical separation stage followed by the α-ray spectrometric and mass spectrometric determination. The Pu specific activity in surface horizons (0-25 cm) ranges from 0.2 to 0.44 Bq kg-1. The mean 238Pu/239,240Pu activity ratio is found to be 0.033±0.007. The Pu contamination level of the surface horizon (0-25 cm) is 62±5 Bq m-2. The 238Pu/239Pu, 240Pu/239Pu, and 241Pu/239Pu isotopic ratios are (2.0±0.5)×10-4, 0.172±0.004, and 0.003±0.002, respectively. These ratios are close to the values typical of plutonium from the global radioactive fallout due to nuclear weapons tests in the atmosphere. The effect of the Chernobyl accident and regional potential contamination sources, including the Leningrad NPP, on the Pu isotopic composition and contamination level in the soil is insignificant.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
