Gamma spectrometry of 234Th (238U) in environmental samples.

Environmental samples from a wide-range of aquatic and soil deposits, mainly of Scandinavian origin, were analysed for 234Th (238U) using low-level gamma-spectrometry. The diversity of the samples, in terms of composition and ages, allowed a detailed evaluation of the analytical problems associated with gamma-ray spectrometry with focus on the reliability of the 234Th peaks for absolute determination of the 234Th activities. The X-ray contributions in the 93 keV peak were compared with the corresponding self-absorption corrected activities of the 63 keV peak.

Determination of alpha-emitting Pu isotopes in environmental samples.

This paper presents an improved radiochemical procedure for the determination of alpha-emitting Pu isotopes in environmental samples (soils, sediments, vegetation) by alpha-particle spectrometry. Quantitative Pu recovery yields were obtained (average 60%), 0.1 mBq being the average minimum detectable activity by the complete technique.

Plutonium and americium inventories in atmospheric fallout and sediment cores from Blelham Tarn, Cumbria (UK).

The objective of this paper is to report on the results of a study of 238Pu, 239 + 240Pu and 241Am inventories onto Blelham Tarn in Cumbria (UK). The atmospheric fallout inventory was obtained by analysing soil cores and the results are in good agreement with the literature: 101 Bq m(-2) for 239 + 240Pu; 4.5 Bq m(-2) for 238Pu and 37 Bq m(-2) for 241Am.