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The nature of Pu-bearing particles from the Maralinga nuclear testing site, Australia
DOI:
10.1038/s41598-021-89757-5
Authors:
Megan
Cook
(Monash University)
,
Barbara
Etschmann
(Monash University)
,
Rahul
Ram
(Monash University)
,
Konstantin
Ignatyev
(Diamond Light Source)
,
Gediminas
Gervinskas
(Monash University)
,
Steven D.
Conradson
(Washington State University; Josef Stefan Institute)
,
Susan
Cumberland
(The University of Strathclyde)
,
Vanessa N. L.
Wong
(Monash University)
,
Joel
Brugger
(Monash University)
Co-authored by industrial partner:
No
Type:
Journal Paper
Journal:
Scientific Reports
, VOL 11
State:
Published (Approved)
Published:
May 2021
Diamond Proposal Number(s):
20533
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 contain low valence Pu–U–C compounds; these chemically reactive phases are protected by their inclusion in metallic alloys. Plutonium reworking was observed within an oxidised rim in a Pb-rich particle; however overall Pu remained immobile in the studied particles, while small-scale oxidation and mobility of U is widespread. It is notoriously difficult to predict the long-term environmental behaviour of hot particles. Nano-scale characterization of the hot particles suggests that long-term, slow release of Pu from the hot particles may take place via a range of chemical and physical processes, likely contributing to on-going Pu uptake by wildlife at Maralinga.
Journal Keywords: Geochemistry; Materials science; Mineralogy
Subject Areas:
Environment,
Earth Science,
Chemistry
Instruments:
I18-Microfocus Spectroscopy
Other Facilities: Australian Synchrotron
Added On:
24/05/2021 13:36
Documents:
s41598-021-89757-5.pdf
Discipline Tags:
Desertification & Pollution
Earth Sciences & Environment
Radioactive Materials
Mineralogy
Materials Science
Nuclear Waste
Geochemistry
Technical Tags:
Diffraction
Imaging
Spectroscopy
X-ray Fluorescence (XRF)
X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS)
Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS)
Microfocus XAS
X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structure (XANES)