Speciation of radionuclides - analytical challenges within environmental impact and risk assessments.
The mobility, biological uptake and accumulation of radionuclides are essentially dependent on the physico-chemical form of the nuclides. As a major fraction of refractory radionuclides released during historical nuclear events is associated with particles, a key analytical challenge within environmental impact and risk assessments is to characterise radioactive particles with respect to properties influencing particle weathering, remobilisation and the subsequent ecosystem transfer of associated radionuclides. Preanalysis techniques are needed to fractionate, identify and localize individual particles in contaminated samples. To obtain information on particle characteristics such as particle size distributions, structures, elemental and radionuclide particle composition as well as oxidation state of matrix elements, solid-state speciation techniques are needed. Electron microscopy as well as X-ray microscopic techniques utilising synchrotron X-ray radiation have proved most useful in providing such information. The present paper summarises the present status on advanced techniques and presents historical sources that have contributed to radioactive particle contamination.
Salbu
Brit
B
Isotope Laboratory, Department of Environment and Plant Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 1432 Aas, Norway.
D047852:Chernobyl Nuclear Accident; D004058:Diffusion; D017753:Ecosystem; D004777:Environment; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D007477:Ions; D007856:Lead Radioisotopes; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009689:Nuclear Warfare; D018788:Radioactive Hazard Release; D011868:Radioisotopes; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors
D007477:Ions; D007856:Lead Radioisotopes; D011868:Radioisotopes