Enhanced Polonium Concentrations in Aerosols from the Gulf Oil Producing Region and the Role of Microorganisms.

This study provides the first data set of Po and Pb activity concentrations in the organic and inorganic components of several particle size classes of aerosols collected at two sampling stations in Kuwait. The Po concentrations in the aerosols (Bq/g) were similar in all of the particle size classes, but as most (91%) of the aerosol load was made of fine fraction particles of PM , most of the Po activity was carried by this aerosol fraction. At the two sampling stations, the Po/Pb activity concentration ratios in the aerosols were similar, stable around the year, and averaged 1.