engleski

Radioisotopes in ground soil terra rossa samples from the island of Mljet

The research purpose is screening of the current state, determination of target radioisotopes activity (both naturally occurring and long-lived anthropogenic radioisotopes: strontium radioisotope 90Sr, alpha emitters (241Am, 238Pu, 239, 240Pu), gamma emitters like 137Cs) in terra rossa soils sampled in the Mljet National Park (the north- west part of the south Adriatic island of Mljet, the Republic of Croatia). Results show presence of the anthropogenic radioisotopes in the collected soil samples, most probably as a result of nuclear weapons testing in the atmosphere in the 60s (Sahara Desert) and the Chernobyl accident in 1986. Gamma emitters are determinated using a HPGe gamma detector (ORTEC). Plutonium was separated on column filled with Anion Exchange Resin. Americium was preconcentrated from other elements with precipitation on CaC204 and then separated on additional column charged with TRU resin (both resins Eichrom Technologies). The americium and plutonium sources were determined with alpha spectrometer (ORTEC). Strontium was separated on column filled with AnaLig Sr-01 resin (IBC Advanced Technologies) and measured on TRI CARB 3100 TR counter. Correlations between concentrations of the analysed radioisotopes were tested by the statistical analysis method. The results show moderate correlation. The activity ratios of studied anthropogenic radioisotopes can be explained by global fallout. Collected data with the interpretation of the obtained results can be used as a foundation for the estimation of the future impact of radioactive contamination on this protected area.

activity ratios ; fallout ; Mljet ; radioisotopes ; terra rossa soil

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