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Plutonium redistribution by biological activity in Irish Sea sediments

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Abstract

As part of a programme investigating the fate of transuranium nuclides discharged to coastal waters we have studied the effects of benthic animals on plutonium redistribution in Irish Sea sediments. From analyses of burrow linings of the large echiuroid Maxmulleria lankesteri, which penetrates to depths exceeding 40cm, we now show that this animal may have a significant effect on the removal of plutonium to deeper layers in the sea bed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Directorate of Fisheries Research, Fisheries Laboratory, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR33 0HT, UK

    P. J. Kershaw, D. J. Swift, R. J. Pentreath & M. B. Lovett

Authors
  1. P. J. Kershaw
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  2. D. J. Swift
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  3. R. J. Pentreath
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  4. M. B. Lovett
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Kershaw, P., Swift, D., Pentreath, R. et al. Plutonium redistribution by biological activity in Irish Sea sediments. Nature 306, 774–775 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1038/306774a0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/306774a0

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