Language: English
Journal Announcement: EDB7712
Subfile:
ERA (Energy Research Abstracts); AIX (non-US Atomindex input).
Country of Origin: United States
Country of Publication: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
Abstract: In 1974 a groundwater program was initiated at Enewetak: Atoll to
study systematically the hydrology and the groundwater geochemistry on
selected islands of the Atoll. The program provides chemical and
radiochemical data for assessment of water quality on those islands
designated for rehabilitation. These and other data are used to
interpret the mechanisms by which radionuclides are cycled in the
soil-groundwater system.

Because of the international concern over

long-term buildup, availability, and transport of plutonium in the
environment, this program emphasizes analysis of the element. The
results of the study show that on all islands sampled, small quantities

of plutonium radionuclides have migrated through the soil columns and

are redistributed throughout the groundwater reservoirs. The observed
Maximum surface concentrations are less than 0.02% of the maximum

recommended concentration for drinking water. Concentrations of /sup
137/Cs are found to correlate with water freshness,

but those of

sup (239,240)Pu show no such relationship. The mechanisms moving
sup (239,240)Pu through the groundwater reservoirs are independent of
the processes controlling the cycling of /sup 137/Cs and fresh water. A
reasonable linear correlation is found between mean surface-water
concentrations and soil burdens.

The quantities

of sup(239,240)Pu

migrating to the groundwater surface layers do not correlate with any
other known differences in the physical, chemical or biological
characteristics of the islands.;

Major Descriptors: *GROUND WATER -- GEOCHEMISTRY; *GROUND WATER -RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION; *PLUTONIUM 239 -- RADIATION MONITORING;
*PLUTONIUM 240 -- RADIATION MONITORING
Descriptors: CESIUM 137; CONTAMINATION; ENIWETOK; SOILS
Broader Terms: ACTINIDE ISOTOPES; ACTINIDE NUCLEI; ALKALI METAL ISOTOPES;
ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES; BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES; BETA-MINUS DECAY
RADIOISOTOPES; CESIUM ISOTOPES; CHEMISTRY; ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT;
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI; EVEN-ODD NUCLEI; HEAVY NUCLEI; HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS;
ISLANDS; ISOTOPES; MARSHALL ISLANDS; MASS TRANSFER; MONITORING; NUCLEI;
ODD-EVEN NUCLEI; OXYGEN COMPOUNDS; PLUTONIUM ISOTOPES; RADIOISOTOPES;
WATER; YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES

Subject Categories:

520301*

-- Environment, Aquatic -- Radioactive

Materials Monitoring & Transport -- Water --

580400
-- Geochemistry -- (-1989)
INIS Subject Categories: B32*
-- Water

(1987)

10/5/965
(Item 665 from file: 103)
00322326
AIX-08-332321; EDB-78-010953
Title: Plutonium and americium in soils of Bikini Atoll
Author(s): Nevissi, A.;
Schell, W.R.;
Nelson, V.A. (Washington Univ.,
Seattle

(USA).

Coll.

of Fisheries;

Washington Univ.,

Seattle

(USA).

Lab. of Radiation Ecology)
Title: Transuranium nuclides in the environment
Conference Title: Symposium on transuranium nuclides in the environment
Conference Location: San Francisco, Calif., USA
Conference Date: 17 - 21

Country of Origin: United States

IOGUOb8

Nov 1975

Publisher:
IAEA, Vienna
Publication Date: 1976
p 691-700
Document Type: Analytic of a Book; Conference literature
Language: English
Journal Announcement: EDB7712
Subfile:
AIX (non-US Atomindex input).
Country of Publication: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
Abstract: A study has been made to determine the concentrations of

plutonium and americium in surface soils and in soil profiles on Bikini
Atoll. The soils consist of calcareous materials and a thin layer of
organic matter, which has produced a shallow, organically rich horizon

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