Authors / CoAuthors
Cook, M. | de Caritat, P. | Kleinschmidt, R. | Brugger, J. | Wong, V.
Abstract
Plutonium (Pu) interactions in the environment are highly complex. Site-specific variables play an integral role in determining the chemical and physical form of Pu, and its migration, bioavailability, and immobility. This paper aims to identify the key variables that can be used to highlight regions of radioecological sensitivity and guide remediation strategies in Australia. Plutonium is present in the Australian environment as a result of global fallout and the British nuclear testing program of 1952 – 1958 in central and west Australia (Maralinga and Monte Bello islands). We report the first systematic measurements of 239+240Pu and 238Pu activity concentrations in distal (≥1,000 km from test sites) catchment outlet sediments from Queensland, Australia. The average 239+240Pu activity concentration was 0.29 mBq.g -1 (n = 73 samples) with a maximum of 4.88 mBq.g -1. 238Pu/239+240Pu isotope ratios identified a large range (0.02 – 0.29 (RSD: 74%)) which is congruent with the heterogeneous nuclear material used for the British nuclear testing programme at Maralinga and Montebello Islands. The use of a modified PCA relying on non-linear distance correlation (dCorr) provided broader insight into the impact of environmental variables on the transport and migration of Pu in this soil system. Primary key environmental indicators of Pu presence were determined to be actinide/lanthanide/heavier transition metals, elevation, electrical conductivity (EC), CaO, SiO2, SO3, landform, geomorphology, land use, and climate explaining 81.7% of the variance of the system. Overall this highlighted that trace level Pu accumulations are associated with the coarse, refractive components of Australian soils, and are more likely regulated by the climate of the region and overall soil type. <b>Citation:</b> Megan Cook, Patrice de Caritat, Ross Kleinschmidt, Joёl Brugger, Vanessa NL. Wong, Future migration: Key environmental indicators of Pu accumulation in terrestrial sediments of Queensland, Australia,<i> Journal of Environmental Radioactivity</i>, Volumes 223–224, 2020, 106398,ISSN 0265-931X, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvrad.2020.106398
Product Type
document
eCat Id
135137
Contact for the resource
Point of contact
Cnr Jerrabomberra Ave and Hindmarsh Dr GPO Box 378
Canberra
ACT
2601
Australia
Point of contact
- Contact instructions
- MEG
Resource provider
Keywords
- theme.ANZRC Fields of Research.rdf
-
- ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCESEnvironmental Impact AssessmentEARTH SCIENCESIsotope GeochemistryENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND MANAGEMENTSOIL SCIENCESSoil Chemistry (excl. Carbon Sequestration Science)
-
- plutonium
-
- sediment
-
- principal component analysis
-
- distance corelation
-
- Published_External
Publication Date
2023-10-26T23:00:03
Creation Date
Security Constraints
Legal Constraints
Status
completed
Purpose
Manuscript for external publication in Journal of Environmental Radioactivity
Maintenance Information
asNeeded
Topic Category
geoscientificInformation
Series Information
Journal of Environmental Radioactivity Volumes 223–224, November 2020 106398
Lineage
Manuscript for external publication in Journal of Environmental Radioactivity
Parent Information
Extents
[-29.50, -10.00, 138.00, 154.00]
Reference System
Spatial Resolution
Service Information
Associations
Source Information