Tritium Distribution in Soil in the Area of “Atomic” Lake near the Semipalatinsk Test Site

Abstract

Data on concentrations and distribution of tritium in soils of the “Atomic” Lake excavation explosion area of Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site (Kazakhstan, East Kazakhstan oblast) are discussed. The concentrations of tritium in surface soil horizons and in soil profiles have been determined in the bulk soil samples and in different particle-size fractions. Tritium concentration in soils reaches 240 000 Bq/kg. A correlation has been found between tritium and europium concentrations in soils. Presumably, tritium formation is controlled by two mechanisms. One of them is the neutron activation process, i.e., nuclear reactions with lithium, boron, and nitrogen isotopes present in the soil; the other mechanism is related to the capture of tritium that was initially in the charge of mineral particles formed upon condensation from the red-hot explosion zone.