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129I in Swedish rivers: distribution and sources
1Department of Earth Sciences, Uppsala University, SE-752 36 Uppsala, Sweden. aziz.kekli@geo.uu.se
The Science of the Total Environment
|June 12, 2003
Summary
Iodine-129 (129I) contamination is high in southern Swedish rivers, likely from atmospheric fallout. Levels decrease northward, suggesting a southern source and potential future increases if reprocessing continues.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Radiochemistry
- Isotope Hydrology
Background:
- Iodine-129 (129I) is a long-lived radioactive isotope.
- Nuclear activities release 129I into the environment.
- Understanding 129I distribution in freshwater is crucial for assessing contamination.
Purpose of the Study:
- Assess 129I concentration, distribution, and sources in Swedish rivers.
- Determine if contamination levels are linked to specific chemical parameters.
- Evaluate the potential impact of ongoing nuclear reprocessing on Nordic watersheds.
Main Methods:
- Analyzed 129I concentrations in water from 26 Swedish rivers.
- Correlated 129I levels with latitude and other chemical parameters (e.g., Cl concentration).
- Modeled potential sources of 129I contamination.
Main Results:
- Observed high 129I concentrations (up to 1.4 x 10^9 atoms l^-1) in southern Sweden.
- Found a significant decrease in 129I levels with increasing latitude.
- Identified a positive correlation between 129I and Cl concentration.
Conclusions:
- Southern Swedish rivers show high 129I levels, potentially the highest recorded without direct nuclear discharge.
- Atmospheric fallout from nuclear reprocessing facilities (Sellafield, La Hague) is the most probable source.
- Future increases in Nordic watershed 129I concentrations are possible if reprocessing continues.