Abstract
A January 1966 accident dispersed Pu and other nuclear bomb materials in the vicinity of Palomares, a village in southeastern Spain. Radioactive particles were identified in a soil sample collected in 1998 and analytical results obtained from one of the isolated particles are presented here. Isolation of the particle was performed using gamma-ray spectrometry and imaging plates. Scanning electron microscopy with X-ray microanalysis revealed the presence of U and Pu as well as Pb and Fe in the particle of ∼ 10 μm diameter. Radioisotopes of U, Pu, and Am were quantified using radiometric methods, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and secondary ion mass spectrometry. The elevated 235U/238U atom ratio indicates enriched U, and the Pu atom ratios are consistent with weapons-grade material. This work demonstrates that the analysis of individual particles provides information not available through bulk sample analysis.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 15-28 |
Number of pages | 14 |
Journal | Journal of Environmental Radioactivity |
Volume | 90 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2006 |
Keywords
- Hot particle
- Nuclear weapon
- Plutonium
- Radioactive particle
- Uranium
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Environmental Chemistry
- Waste Management and Disposal
- Pollution
- Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis