Radionuclide applications in laboratory studies of environmental surface reactions.
The advantages of using radionuclides for laboratory studies of environmental processes include the wide range of element concentrations that can be studied, the capability to simultaneously study several isotopes in a single experiment, the direct applicability to the behaviour of radioactive waste or fallout, and the ability to study the mechanisms, reversibility and kinetics of environmental reactions under controlled conditions. These attributes are demonstrated using specific examples drawn from case studies in Australia, including radionuclide fallout onto tropical soils, the association of trace metals with harbour sediments and the behaviour of uranium in natural and contaminated systems.
Payne
T E
TE
Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, PMB 1, Menai, NSW 2234, Australia. tep@ansto.gov.au
Hatje
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V
Itakura
T
T
McOrist
G D
GD
Russell
R
R
D000327:Adsorption; D001315:Australia; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011847:Radioactive Fallout / Q000032:analysis*; D011868:Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012990:Soil Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis; D014329:Tropical Climate
D011847:Radioactive Fallout; D011868:Radioisotopes; D012990:Soil Pollutants, Radioactive