Analytical Science and Technology (분석과학)

The Korean Society of Analytical Sciences (한국분석과학회)
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A Study on the Measurement of Activity Concentrations of Pu and Am and Their Isotopic Ratios in the Radioactively Contaminated Soil

방사능으로 오염된 토양에 대한 Pu 및 Am 방사능 농도 및 동위원소비 측정에 대한 연구

  • Lee, Myung Ho (Nuclear Chemistry Research Division, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute) ;
  • Song, Byoung Chul (Nuclear Chemistry Research Division, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute) ;
  • Park, Young Jai (Nuclear Chemistry Research Division, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute) ;
  • Kim, Won Ho (Nuclear Chemistry Research Division, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute)
  • 이명호 (한국 원자력 연구소 원자력 화학연구부) ;
  • 송병철 (한국 원자력 연구소 원자력 화학연구부) ;
  • 박영재 (한국 원자력 연구소 원자력 화학연구부) ;
  • 김원호 (한국 원자력 연구소 원자력 화학연구부)
  • Received : 2004.10.21
  • Accepted : 2004.11.16
  • Published : 2004.12.25
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Abstract

Soil samples collected from around the BOMARC Missile Site were measured for their activity concentrations and isotopic ratios of Pu and Am isotopes with particle sizes. The activity concentrations of Pu and Am in the BOMARC soil were remarkably higher than the fallout levels, and the activities decreased nearly exponentially with an increasing particle size of the soil due to a decreasing surface area. The activity ratios of Pu-238 / Pu-239, 240, Pu-241 / Pu-239, 240 and Am-241 / Pu-239, 240 observed in the BOMARC soil were much lower than those attributed to the nuclear reprocess plants and the Chernobyl fallout. Also, the atomic ratio of Pu-240 / Pu-239 in the BOMARC soil was remarkably lower than the fallout value influenced by the nuclear weapons testing and the Chernobyl accident. The atomic ratio of Pu-240 / Pu-239 was so close to the value of the weapons grade Pu released from the crash of a B52 plane in the Thule of the Greenland, such that the Pu isotopes detected in the BOMARC soil could have originated from the weapons grade plutonium.

BOMARC 미사일 발사대 주변에서 채취한 토양에 대하여 입자크기에 따른 Pu 및 Am 방사능 분석 및 동위원소를 측정하였다. BOMARC 토양에서의 Pu와 Am 방사능 농도는 핵실험에 의해 생성된 방사능 낙진 준위보다 매우 높았으며, 입자크기가 증가함에 따라 감소하는 경향을 보여주었다. BOMARC 토양에서 측정한 Pu-238 / Pu-239, 240, Pu-241 / Pu-239, 240 및 Am-241 / Pu-239, 240 방사능비는 핵실험에 의해 생성된 방사능 낙진에 대한 방사능 농도비 보다 약간 낮은값을 나타내었다. ICP-MS로 측정한 Pu-240 / Pu-239 질량비는 북반구 대기권 핵실험 및 체르노빌 원전사고에 의한 질량비보다 매우 낮은 값을 나타내었고, Greenland Thule 지역에서 핵무기를 탑재한 B52 비행기 사고로 방출된 핵무기에 대한 질량비와 비슷한 값을 나타내었다. BOMARC 토양에서 측정된 Pu 및 Am 동위원소들의 방사능비 및 질량비로부터 BOMARC 토양에 오염된 Pu는 핵무기용 Pu로부터 생성되었다고 판단된다.

Keywords

References

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