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Fission track mapping of uranium in black spruce (Picea Mariana) twigs

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Abstract

Fission track analysis (FTA) has been used to investigate the biological uptake of uranium. Examination of fission track maps of black spruce twigs (from areas of uranium mineralization and mill tailings) shows uranium to be concentrated in the inner bark while decreasing in the outer bark of the twigs. Track clusters in the bark, too large to be uraniferous airborne particulate matter, are identified as being associated with resin canals in the twigs. The results of this work help clarify the mechanisms by which uranium is incorporated in black spruce twigs. The observation of decreasing uranium content with the increasing age of black spruce twigs by an earlier worker, can now be explained by the relative reduction in volume of the uranium enriched inner bark with age.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Northern Forestry Research Centre, Canadian Forest Service, Edmonton, Alberta, (Canada)

    M. J. Apps

  2. SLOWPOKE Reactor Facility, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, (Canada)

    M. J. M. Duke

  3. Department of Animal Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, (Canada)

    B. V. Turner

Authors
  1. M. J. Apps
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  2. M. J. M. Duke
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  3. B. V. Turner
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Apps, M.J., Duke, M.J.M. & Turner, B.V. Fission track mapping of uranium in black spruce (Picea Mariana) twigs. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, Articles 110, 245–252 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02055027

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02055027

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