Abstract
THE search for 242mAm (t1/2=152 yr) in environmental samples has involved detection of its daughter 242Cm (t1/2=163 d) (refs 1–3). These samples were contaminated by transuranium nuclides either from a nuclear fuel reprocessing plant or from a thermonuclear test fallout. A logical consequence was then to analyse global fallout-contaminated samples for 242Cm and 244Cm to establish the present distribution and global contamination of our environment by these transuranium elements. We have chosen the lichen Cladonia alpestris, which is an excellent bioindicator for atmospheric fallout and we present the results here. The samples have been stored in the laboratory for 5–16 yr. Thus, 242mAm and 242Cm were in sequelar radioactive equilibrium. The 242Cm present in the aged samples therefore represents the 242mAm present in the fallout. The results indicate a 242mAm/239+240Pu activity ratio of about 0.003% in global fallout.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Beasley, T. M. Annual Rep. 1976, 86–89 (Monaco Lab., IAEA, Vienna, 1976).
Dutton, J. W. R. & Lovett, M. B. Nature 267, 37–38 (1977).
Bowen, V. T. & Livingston, H. D. Nature 256, 482 (1975).
Thomas, C. W. & Perkins, R. W. Rept. BNWL–1881, UC–48 for contract AT(45–1)–1830 (US Atomic Energy Commission, Washington, 1974).
Pigford, T. H. & Ang, K. P. Hlth Phys. 29, 451–468 (1975).
Svensson, G. K. & Lidén, K. Hlth Phys. 11, 1393–1400 (1965).
Holm, E. & Persson, R. B. R. Hlth Phys. 29, 43–51 (1975).
Holm, E. & Persson, R. B. R. in Proc. IVth int. congr. IRPA 3, 845–848 (1977).
Ballestra, S., Holm, E. & Fukai, R. Annual Rep, 1976, 133–136, (Monaco Lab., IAEA, Vienna, 1976).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
HOLM, E., PERSSON, B. Global fallout of curium. Nature 273, 289–290 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1038/273289a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/273289a0
- Springer Nature Limited
This article is cited by
-
Analyzing alpha emitting isotopes of Pu, Am and Cm from NPP water samples: an intercomparison of Nordic radiochemical laboratories
Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry (2021)
-
Measurements of plutonium, 237Np, and 137Cs in the BCR 482 lichen reference material
Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry (2016)
-
Fallout of transuranium elements following the Chernobyl accident
Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry Articles (1992)
-
243,244Cm in Columbia River sediments
Nature (1980)
-
Biophysical aspects of Am-241 and Pu-241 in the environment
Radiation and Environmental Biophysics (1978)