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Studies of the vertical distribution of134Cs,137Cs,238Pu,239, 240Pu,241Pu,241Am and210Pb in ombrogenous mires at mid-latitudes

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Abstract

Six peat cores taken from three unmodified blanket and raised bogs in Ireland were sectioned and analyzed for a range of radionuclides including134Cs,137Cs,238Pu,239Pu,241Am, and210Pb.134Cs and137Cs were measured by high resolution gamma-spectrometry, while the transuranium nuclides were determined after chemical separation by alpha-spectrometry.241Pu, present on the electroplated discs together with Pu(α), was measured directly by low-level liquid scintillation counting. Core chronologies were established by measuring the unsupported210Pb component using low energy photon spectrometry (LEPS). From the resulting profiles, relaxation depths and migration rates for the above mentioned radionuclides have been determined and differences in the values of these parameters interpreted.238Pu/239,240Pu and241Pu/239,240Pu ratios have been examined carefully and are discussed in some detail. Finally, the contribution from Chernobyl to the total radiocaesium inventory in each core has been established using the134Cs/137Cs ratio observed in the initial fallout from Chernobyl.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Envirommental Physics, University College, Dublin, (Ireland)

    P. I. Mitchell, A. McGarry & T. P. Ryan

  2. Department of Radiation Health, University of Pittsburgh, (USA)

    W. R. Schell & J. A. Sanchez-Cabeza

  3. Servicio de Fisica de Las Radiaciones, Universidad Autonoma de Barcelona, (Spain)

    A. Vidal-Quadras

Authors
  1. P. I. Mitchell
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  2. W. R. Schell
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  3. A. McGarry
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  4. T. P. Ryan
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  5. J. A. Sanchez-Cabeza
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  6. A. Vidal-Quadras
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Mitchell, P.I., Schell, W.R., McGarry, A. et al. Studies of the vertical distribution of134Cs,137Cs,238Pu,239, 240Pu,241Pu,241Am and210Pb in ombrogenous mires at mid-latitudes. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, Articles 156, 361–387 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02038351

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