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Concentration of uranium series nuclides in soil particles in relation to their size

Journal Article · · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

Soil was separated according to particle size, and the concentrations of the uranium series nuclides /sup 238/U, /sup 230/Th, /sup 226/Ra, and /sup 210/Pb in each size-separated fraction were determined by ..gamma.. ray spectrometry with Ge(Li) detectors. The activity ratios of /sup 230/Th, /sup 226/Ra, and /sup 210/Pb to /sup 238/U were larger than unity in all fractions. The activity ratio of /sup 230/Th to /sup 238/U was unexpectedly high, reaching 3--5. In the particle size range below 0.1 mm the concentrations of these uranium series nuclides were found to increase with decrease in particle size. Such a trend was also found for the elements Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu. The elements K and Ca, however, were found to have a direct correlation with particle size. (AIP)

Research Organization:
Radiation Center of Osaka Prefecture, Sakai, Osaka, Japan
OSTI ID:
7337494
Journal Information:
J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 82:2; ISSN JGREA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English