A record of fallout 239Pu and 240Pu at World Heritage Bathurst Harbour, Tasmania, Australia. (October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Harrison, Jennifer J.; Saunders, Krystyna M.; Child, David P.; Hotchkis, Michael A.C.
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental radioactivity. Volume 237(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-10
• Subjects: 239Pu -- 240Pu -- Plutonium -- AMS -- 210Pb -- Sedimentation -- Fallout radionuclide; Radioactivity -- Periodicals; Radiation, Background -- Periodicals; Radioecology -- Periodicals; Radioactive pollution -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollutants -- Periodicals; Radioactive Pollutants -- Periodicals; Radioactivity -- Periodicals; Radioécologie -- Périodiques; Pollution radioactive -- Périodiques; Fond de rayonnement -- Périodiques; 539.752
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2021.106679
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0265-931X

Abstract

Abstract: This study presents the first measurements of anthropogenic plutonium ( 239 Pu and 240 Pu) concentrations and atom ratios ( 240 Pu/ 239 Pu) for Tasmania, in sediment collected from Bathurst Harbour, in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, Australia. The weighted mean 240 Pu/ 239 Pu atom ratio measured at this site was 0.172 ± 0.007 which is consistent with published data from mainland Australia and global and Southern Hemisphere averages. The 240 Pu/ 239 Pu atom ratios ranged between 0.11 and 0.21 with the earliest recorded 240 Pu/ 239 Pu atom ratios being the lowest, suggesting an influence of low atom ratio fallout from nuclear testing in Australia. Post-moratorium fallout 240 Pu/ 239 Pu atom ratios were consistent with other records. Lead-210 ( 210 Pb) sediment chronologies indicate sediment accumulation rates have increased since the early part of the 19th century at this location. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Presents the first measurements of fallout plutonium concentrations and 240 Pu/ 239 Pu atom ratios in Tasmania, Australia. Uses an estuarine sediment record from a World Heritage Area to reconstruct fallout from global nuclear weapons testing. Early 240 Pu/ 239 Pu atom ratios indicate contribution of fallout from British testing in Australia.