Effect of municipal treatment processes on $sup 239$ $sup 240$Pu and $sup 137$Cs

Technical Report · Mon Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1973

OSTI ID:4064223

Alberts, J J; Jehn, P J; Nelson, D M; Marshall, J S; Wahlgren, M A

Studies were conducted to investigate the role of municipal water and waste treatment on $sup 239$Pu, $sup 240$Pu, and $sup 137$Cs in Lake Michigan. Results show that a far greater quantity of $sup 239$Pu, $sup 240$Pu, and $sup 137$Cs are impinged on the metropolitan area of Chicago than is supplied through the drinking water system. The ratio of $sup 137$Cs/$sup 239$ $sup 240$Pu in Lake Michigan water is 86, while that of the material coming out the filtration plant is 95. The increase in ratio indicates the greater efficiency of removal of Pu over that of Cs. Atmospheric ratios of Cs to Pu are approximately 60, while the ratio in the organic fertilizer is 50. It appears that very little Pu is reaching the public through the drinking water source. (HLW)

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab., Ill. (USA)
• NSA Number: NSA-33-023271
• OSTI ID: 4064223
• Report Number(s): ANL--75-3(Pt.3)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

*AIR-- CONTAMINATION
*CESIUM 137-- RADIOECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
*DRINKING WATER-- CONTAMINATION
*PLUTONIUM 239-- RADIOECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
*PLUTONIUM 240-- RADIOECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
*URBAN AREAS-- WASTE PROCESSING
*WATER-- CONTAMINATION
520300* --Environmental Sciences
Aquatic--Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport
FERTILIZERS
ISOTOPE RATIO
LAKE MICHIGAN
N44300* --Environmental & Earth Sciences--Radioactivity Monitoring & Transport