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Title: Distributions of transuranium nuclides in sediments and biota of the North Atlantic Ocean

Conference ·
OSTI ID:7267109

The effects of the interaction of marine sediments with their biotic population on the penetration, redistribution, sediment association and biotic availability of delivered transuranium nuclides are discussed as a function of both sedimentation regimes and in-fauna populations. Data on the penetration and redistribution patterns of fallout transuranium nuclides in the shallow sediments of Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts, are discussed in terms of the known parameters of sedimentation and in sediment biological activity. In this (and most common) type of sedimentation regime, translocation of bioturbationally downmixed transuranium nuclides back toward (and probable loss from) the sediment surface is demonstrated. Various biological and biochemical mechanisms are advanced that may act on these nuclides within sediments. The increased availability to marine biota of sediment transuranium nuclides by these remobilization processes is indicated by data showing accumulations of these nuclides in marine invertebrates and fish. Data are included on the distribution of /sup 239/Pu, /sup 240/Pu, /sup 241/Am, /sup 137/Cs, and /sup 55/Fe in the samples. (CH)

Research Organization:
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Mass. (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
E(11-1)3563
OSTI ID:
7267109
Report Number(s):
COO-3563-34; COO-2379-7; CONF-751105-21; TRN: 08-019605
Resource Relation:
Conference: IAEA international symposium on transuranium nuclides in the environment, San Francisco, CA, USA, 17 Nov 1975
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English