Tracing anthropogenic nuclear activity with 129I in lake sediment

E. Englund, A. Aldahan, G. Possnert

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This study reports the first data of 129I fallout in Scandinavia, covering the last 80 years. The investigation is based on sediment sections from a lake in central Sweden. In addition to analysis of 129I, a combination of several radionuclides (210Pb, 137Cs and 14C) was used to establish an accurate chronology of the sediment profile. The concentration of 129I exhibits an increasing trend (∼107 to ∼109 atoms/g) during the last 40 years, suggesting a significant atmospheric input from the nuclear reprocessing facilities in Sellafield (UK) and La Hague (France). A peak corresponding to fallout from the Chernobyl accident (1986) is clearly distinguishable, whereas the impact of fallout from the nuclear weapons' tests since the early 1950s is not distinguished.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)219-229
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Environmental Radioactivity
Volume99
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2008
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Chernobyl
  • Iodine-129
  • Nuclear reprocessing
  • Sediment
  • Tracer

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Waste Management and Disposal
  • Pollution
  • Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

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