Plutonium distribution and oxidation states in a reactor leaching ponds system.
Concentrations of 239,240Pu and 238Pu in water, net plankton (algal material), suspended particulates and sediment, as well as Pu oxidation states in filtered water, were determined in a test reactor leaching ponds system in southeastern Idaho. The highest Pu concentration in the ponds system was found in net plankton, and concentrations varied significantly between sampling dates. Plutonium Concentration Ratios (CR) for plankton ranged from 3 X 10(4) to 4 X 10(5). The lowest Pu concentration was found in filtered water, primarily because of the absence of complexing agents. The majority of Pu in filtered water was in true solution (60-87%) or present in colloidal particles smaller than 0.22 micron. Plutonium association with sediment was inversely related to particle size. The "environmental" distribution coefficients (Kd) for Pu ranged from 1.6 X 10(4) to 1.2 X 10(5) reflecting the importance of sediments as the main reservoir for Pu in the ponds system. No significant differences were noted between CR or Kd values for 239,240Pu and 238Pu. The reduced Pu oxidation states (III and IV) fractions ranged from 57% to 71% of the total dissolved Pu in water. This is in contrast with oxidation states distribution from other large aquatic systems (Great Lakes and the Irish Sea) where Pu is predominately in oxidized (V and VI) forms.
Ibrahim
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Department of Radiology and Radiation Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80523.
Culp
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D000818:Animals; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000032:analysis*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D009688:Nuclear Reactors; D010100:Oxygen / Q000032:analysis; D010933:Plankton / Q000032:analysis; D011005:Plutonium / Q000032:analysis*; D012990:Soil Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis; D014867:Water / Q000032:analysis*; D014873:Water Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D014875:Water Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis*
D012990:Soil Pollutants, Radioactive; D014873:Water Pollutants; D014875:Water Pollutants, Radioactive; D014867:Water; D011005:Plutonium; D010100:Oxygen