Cadmium-113m as a biogeochemical tracer for cadmium in Lake Michigan

Thesis/Dissertation · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:5566859

Dunn, D L

The Lake Michigan watershed has been sampled for {sup 113m}Cd. This long-lived metastable isotope of cadmium allowed independent evaluation of cadmium distribution in this dynamic ecosystem. {sup 113m}Cd analysis was not hampered by contamination or loss. These are problems which have plagued stable cadmium measurements. Sensitivity and specificity were necessary concerns. {sup 113m}Cd has been preconcentrated from large samples in order to obtain sufficient activity for quantification. Specificity for the gross beta activity measured was secured in a rigorous ion exchange decontamination. Confirmation of the suspected {sup 113m}Cd beta source was checked by reverse tracer analysis and modified Feather analysis range-energy relationships. The {sup 113m}Cd activities confirm the expected semiconservative behavior for cadmium. This behavior manifests itself in a long residence time for cadmium in Lake Michigan. The inefficiency of outflow removal, the low sedimentation rate and the unquantified sediment resuspension and release of cadmium are factors contributing to this residence time. Steady state concentration of cadmium in Lake Michigan will increase if present input rates persist.

• Research Organization: Clemson Univ., SC (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5566859
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Thesis (Ph. D.)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CADMIUM
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
LAKE MICHIGAN
WATER POLLUTION
CADMIUM 113
ION EXCHANGE
ISOMERIC NUCLEI
MONITORING
TRACER TECHNIQUES
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
CADMIUM ISOTOPES
ELEMENTS
EVEN-ODD NUCLEI
GREAT LAKES
INTERMEDIATE MASS NUCLEI
ISOMERIC TRANSITION ISOTOPES
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
ISOTOPES
LAKES
METALS
NUCLEI
POLLUTION
RADIOISOTOPES
STABLE ISOTOPES
SURFACE WATERS
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
520200* - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)
520101 - Environment
Aquatic- Basic Studies- Radiometric Techniques- (-1989)