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Susanna Salminen, J. Paatero, T. Jaakkola, Jukka Lehto

Americium and curium deposition in Finland from the Chernobyl accident

²⁴¹Am and ²⁴⁴Cm were analysed from peat samples collected in Finland immediately after the Chernobyl accident. The separation method included co-precipitation, anion exchange and extraction chromatography. Activities of ²⁴¹Am and ²⁴⁴Cm were measured by alpha spectrometry. The activity of Chernobyl-derived ²⁴¹Am varied between 0.0115 and 9.32 Bq/m² and that of ²⁴⁴Cm from <0.002 to 1.97 Bq/m² (reference date 1.5.1986). The origin of ²⁴¹Am in Finland is predominantly from atmospheric nuclear tests. However, the geographical distribution of Chernobyl-americium is uneven and depending on a location even 100% of ²⁴¹Am in peat originated from the Chernobyl accident. The deposition pattern of Chernobyl-derived ²⁴¹Am and ²⁴⁴Cm resembles that of other refractory nuclides, such as ⁹⁵Zr, ¹⁴¹Ce and ^239,240Pu.

Radiochimica Acta, Oldenbourg Wissenschaftsverlag

Print ISSN: 0033-8230
Volume: 93, 12/2005
Pages: 771 - 779

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