TY - JOUR
T1 - Characterization and source term assessments of radioactive particles from Marshall Islands using non-destructive analytical techniques
AU - Jernström, Jussi
AU - Eriksson, Mats
AU - R, Simon
AU - Gabriele, Tamborini
AU - Olivier, Bildstein
AU - Ramon, Carlos-Marquez
AU - S.R., Kehl
AU - Hamilton, Terry
AU - Ranebo, Ylva
AU - Betti, Maria
PY - 2006
Y1 - 2006
N2 - Six plutonium-containing particles stemming from Runit Island soil (Marshall Islands) were characterized by non-destructive analytical and microanalytical methods. Composition and elemental distribution in the particles were studied with synchrotron radiation based micro X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. Scanning electron microscope equipped with energy dispersive X-ray detector and with wavelength dispersive system as well as a secondary ion mass spectrometer were used to examine particle surfaces. Based on the elemental composition the particles were divided into two groups: particles with pure Pu matrix, and particles where the plutonium is included in Si/O-rich matrix being more heterogenously distributed. All of the particles were identified as nuclear fuel fragments of exploded weapon components. As containing plutonium with low 240Pu/239Pu atomic ratio, less than 0.065, which corresponds to weapons-grade plutonium or a detonation with low fission yield, the particles were identified to originate from the safety test and low-yield tests conducted in the history of Runit Island. The Si/O-rich particles contained traces of 137Cs (239 + 240Pu/137Cs activity ratio higher than 2500), which indicated that a minor fission process occurred during the explosion. The average 241Am/239Pu atomic ratio in the six particles was 3.7×10−3 ±0.2×10−3 (February 2006), which indicated that plutonium in the different particles had similar age.
AB - Six plutonium-containing particles stemming from Runit Island soil (Marshall Islands) were characterized by non-destructive analytical and microanalytical methods. Composition and elemental distribution in the particles were studied with synchrotron radiation based micro X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. Scanning electron microscope equipped with energy dispersive X-ray detector and with wavelength dispersive system as well as a secondary ion mass spectrometer were used to examine particle surfaces. Based on the elemental composition the particles were divided into two groups: particles with pure Pu matrix, and particles where the plutonium is included in Si/O-rich matrix being more heterogenously distributed. All of the particles were identified as nuclear fuel fragments of exploded weapon components. As containing plutonium with low 240Pu/239Pu atomic ratio, less than 0.065, which corresponds to weapons-grade plutonium or a detonation with low fission yield, the particles were identified to originate from the safety test and low-yield tests conducted in the history of Runit Island. The Si/O-rich particles contained traces of 137Cs (239 + 240Pu/137Cs activity ratio higher than 2500), which indicated that a minor fission process occurred during the explosion. The average 241Am/239Pu atomic ratio in the six particles was 3.7×10−3 ±0.2×10−3 (February 2006), which indicated that plutonium in the different particles had similar age.
KW - Synchrotron radiation
KW - SIMS
KW - SEM-EDX-WDX
KW - Source term
KW - Marshall Islands
KW - Radioactive environmental particle
U2 - 10.1016/j.sab.2006.09.002
DO - 10.1016/j.sab.2006.09.002
M3 - Article
SN - 0584-8547
VL - 61
SP - 971
EP - 979
JO - Spectrochimica Acta, Part B: Atomic Spectroscopy
JF - Spectrochimica Acta, Part B: Atomic Spectroscopy
ER -