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Title: Radionuclide partitioning across Great Lakes natural interfaces

Journal Article · · Environmental Geology and Water Sciences; (USA)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01705129· OSTI ID:5860047
;  [1]
  1. National Water Research Institute, Burlington, Ontario (Canada)

Several water and surface microlayer samples from Lake St. Clair, the Niagara River, and the North Shore of Lake Ontario collected during 1983-1986 have been assayed for a variety of radionuclides. In addition, the foam accumulating in the pool just below Niagara Falls was also analyzed and found to be the most efficient aqueous phase collector of {sup 137}Cs, {sup 210}Pb, and {sup 226}Ra. The order or radioisotope specific activities from highest to lowest is: Lake Ontario sediment, Niagara River suspended solids, Niagara River foam, surface microlayer water, and subsurface water. Radiological dose rates to the sediments from {sup 137}Cs, {sup 226}Ra, and {sup 228}Th total only about 5 mGy/y. None of the radionuclides in the Lake Ontario region occurs at unusually high activities; the dose rate to the sediments at the mouth of the Niagara River is 2-3 times that due to normal background radiation.

OSTI ID:
5860047
Journal Information:
Environmental Geology and Water Sciences; (USA), Vol. 14:3; ISSN 0177-5146
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English