The nature of Pu-bearing particles from the Maralinga nuclear testing site, Australia.

ABSTRACT: The high-energy release of plutonium (Pu) and uranium (U) during the Maralinga nuclear trials (1955-1963) in Australia, designed to simulate high temperature, non-critical nuclear accidents, resulted in wide dispersion µm-sized, radioactive, Pu-U-bearing 'hot' particles that persist in soils. By combining non-destructive, multi-technique synchrotron-based micro-characterization with the first nano-scale imagining of the composition and textures of six Maralinga particles, we find that all particles display intricate physical and chemical make-ups consistent with formation via condensation and cooling of polymetallic melts (immiscible Fe-Al-Pu-U; and Pb ± Pu-U) within the detonation plumes. Plutonium and U are present predominantly in micro- to nano-particulate forms, and most hot particles

SUBMITTER: Cook M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8139974 | biostudies-literature | 2021 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature