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Behavior of plutonium isotopes in the marine environment of Enewetak atoll

  • Actinides in Biological and Environmental Systems
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Abstract

There continue to be reports in the literature that suggest a difference in the behavior of239+240Pu and238Pu in some aquatic environments. Plutonium isotopes have been measured in marine samples collected over 3 decades from Enewetak atoll, one of the sites in the Marshall Islands used by the United States between 1946 and 1958 to test nuclear devices. The plutonium isotopes originated from a variety of complex sources and could possibly coexist in this environment as different physical-chemical species. However results indicate little difference in the mobility and biological availability of239+240Pu and238Pu.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Health and Ecological Assessment Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 94551-9900, Livermore, CA, USA

    V. E. Noshkin

  2. P.O. Box 2403, 94550, Livermore, CA, USA

    W. L. Robison (Retired)

  3. 13749 Moonlight Lane, 96003, Redding, CA, USA

    K. M. Wong & R. J. Eagle (Retired)

Authors
  1. V. E. Noshkin
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  2. W. L. Robison
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  3. K. M. Wong
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  4. R. J. Eagle
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Noshkin, V.E., Robison, W.L., Wong, K.M. et al. Behavior of plutonium isotopes in the marine environment of Enewetak atoll. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 234, 243–249 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02389779

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02389779

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