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Mean residence time of plutonium in the troposphere

Journal Article · · Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/es00096a015· OSTI ID:5640199
Plutonium is injected into the stratosphere by large atmospheric thermonuclear explosions. When aerosols bearing plutonium reenter the troposphere, they are removed by such processes as rainfall and sedimentation. In this work, the mean tropospheric residence time of stratospherically injected plutonium is calculated. A mean residence time of 71 days was obtained for the Northern Hemisphere. Calculated residence times showed little variation by geographic location or for different years.
Research Organization:
Savannah River Lab., Aiken, SC
DOE Contract Number:
AC09-76SR00001
OSTI ID:
5640199
Journal Information:
Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States) Vol. 16:2; ISSN ESTHA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English