ISSN:
1573-2932
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Energy, Environment Protection, Nuclear Power Engineering
Notes:
Abstract The partitioning of 210Pb between dissolved and the suspended sediment phases of the Ottawa River waters has been studied. The results indicate high affinity of the radionuclide for particulates (Kd, 1.9 × 105 mL g−1). Companion studies on the precursor 226Ra give an average (Kd value of 7.8 × 103 mL g−1). Nearly 77% of the total 210Pb (i.e., dissolved plus particulate) and 99% of the total 226Ra are transported through the system in the dissolved form. The suggestion is made that the low availability of particulates in the system promotes the export of 210Pb in the dissolved form. The conventional approach gives a mean residence time of about 2000 yr for the atmospherically-derived 210Pb in the watershed. However, if the flux of this 210Pb falling directly on the river's surface is taken into account, a mean residence time of about 6200 yr is inferred for this radionuclide in the area soils. This aspect of the study is largely applicable to metals with geochemical behavior similar to that of 210Pb for the radionuclide itself has a mean life of only 32.2 yr.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00211839
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