Cesium-137 in the Goiania waterways during and after the radiological accident

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1991 · Health Physics; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1097/00004032-199101000-00016· OSTI ID:6326176

Godoy, J M; Guimaraes, J R; Pereira, J C; do Rio, M A ^[1]

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1. Instituto de Radioprotecao e Dosimetria/CNEN, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)

The main contamination areas in Goiania were exposed soil surfaces, and with the first rainfalls, {sup 137}Cs quickly reached the Meia-Ponte River, the main local waterway. Regular measurements of bottom sediment, surface water, and fish were begun 3 wk after the accident. In the first survey, {sup 137}Cs was detectable in sediments up to 12 km downstream from the accident area. Maximum {sup 137}Cs concentrations found in sediments of the Meia-Ponte River were 1.3 kBq kg-1 dry weight and 200 Bq kg-1 fresh weight for fish. Cesium-137 was always less than 10 Bq L-1 in surface waters plus suspended particulates, even in the most contaminated creeks. Because it was the beginning of the rainy season, downstream sediment transport was enhanced. This resulted in a decrease of {sup 137}Cs concentrations in sediments of the urban area by a factor of approximately 20, 5 wk after the accident. The main sedimentation area for suspended sediments in this portion of the river is the Rochedo Reservoir, which is 80 km downstream from the accident area. In a survey performed 10 mo after the accident, 137Cs concentrations in the reservoir were up to 14 Bq kg-1 for fish, 1 Bq kg-1 for aquatic plants, and 100 Bq kg-1 dry weight for bottom sediments.

• OSTI ID: 6326176
• Journal Information: Health Physics; (USA), Journal Name: Health Physics; (USA) Vol. 60:1; ISSN 0017-9078; ISSN HLTPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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