Distribution and transport of plutonium in the sediments of the Yangtze River estuary and the adjacent East China Sea. (April 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Rui; Wang, Ruirui; Liu, Zhiyong; Zhang, Fan; Li, Tiegang; Guan, Minglei; Han, Qi
• Is Part Of: Applied geochemistry. Volume 115(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-04
• Subjects: Coastal areas of China -- Yangtze river estuary -- East China sea -- Scavenging process -- Kuroshio current -- PPG Pu; Environmental geochemistry -- Periodicals; Water chemistry -- Periodicals; Geochemistry -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Geochemistry -- Periodicals; 551.9
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apgeochem.2020.104532
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0883-2927

Abstract

Abstract: To further reveal plutonium transport and scavenging processes within the sediments of the East China Sea (ECS), this study analyzed spatial variations of plutonium in surface sediments and explored factors influencing the spatial pattern of Pu in the ECS. From the perspective of the whole ECS, the 239+240 Pu concentrations and 240 Pu/ 239 Pu atom ratios increased with the distance from the river mouth but decreased toward the outer shelf. Additionally, high 240 Pu/ 239 Pu atom ratios could be seen along the flow direction of the Changjiang Diluted Water. The results indicated that under the influence of regional hydrodynamics, the spatial pattern of Pu in the ECS may be consistent with the dispersal of the Yangtze River-derived sediments. The source of Pu from PPG (Pacific Proving Ground) transported by the North Equatorial Current and the Kuroshio Current in the Yangtze River estuary was 41%. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: PPG input related to scavenging process dominated the Pu source in the ECS. The regional hydrodynamic has an impact on the distribution of Pu in the ECS. Pu is useful to trace the long-range transport in Chinese coastal areas.