Contributions of Rocky Flats releases to the total plutonium in regional soils

Journal Article · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1997 · Health Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1097/00004032-199701000-00005· OSTI ID:433045

Ibrahim, S A; Webb, S B; Whicker, F W ^[1]

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1. Colorado State Univ., Fort Collins, CO (United States)

Total {sup 239,240}Pu and the {sup 240}Pu:{sup 239}Pu atom ratio were measured in soil samples from around the Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site (RFETS) during 1992-1994. Mass isotopic data provided a sensitive technique to resolve low levels of RFETS {sup 239,240}Pu superimposed on plutonium from global fallout. Concentrations of {sup 239,240}Pu within this sample set ranged from 1.1 Bq kg{sup -1} offsite to 57 Bq kg{sup - 1} onsite, and the {sup 240}Pu:{sup 239}Pu atom ratio increased from 0.055 onsite to 0.123 at approximately 19 km east of the RFETS boundary. The relationship between {sup 240}Pu:{sup 239}Pu atom ratios and distance indicated that a measurable RFETS contribution may have extended to {le} 19 km offsite in the easterly direction. Although the RFETS contribution to total plutonium at the offsite locations ranged from 24-90%, the overall inventory was relatively small. Total inventory estimates, for one transect, based on {sup 239,240}Pu and from {sup 240}Pu:{sup 239}Pu atom ratio measurements were not significantly different. 19 refs., 4 figs., 2 tabs.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 433045
• Journal Information: Health Physics, Journal Name: Health Physics Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 72; ISSN HLTPAO; ISSN 0017-9078
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ALPHA SPECTRA
CONTAMINATION
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
PLUTONIUM 239
PLUTONIUM 240
RADIOACTIVE EFFLUENTS
RADIOECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ROCKY FLATS PLANT
SOILS