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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Speciation and Bioavailability Measurements of Environmental Plutonium Using Diffusion in Thin Films

Speciation and Bioavailability Measurements of Environmental Plutonium Using Diffusion in Thin Films

Published on: November 9, 2015

Plutonium isotopes in the Hungarian environment.

Beata Varga¹, Sandor Tarján, Nora Vajda

¹Hungarian Agricultural Authority, Food and Feed Safety Directorate, P.O. Box 1740, H-1465 Budapest 94, Hungary. varga.beata@t-online.hu

Journal of Environmental Radioactivity

|November 7, 2007

Summary

Plutonium isotopes (239+240Pu and 241Pu) in Hungarian soils and mosses were analyzed. Isotope ratios confirm global fallout from atmospheric nuclear weapon tests as the plutonium source.

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Area of Science:

Environmental Science
Radiochemistry
Nuclear Geochemistry

Background:

Plutonium isotopes are significant environmental contaminants.
Understanding plutonium origins is crucial for environmental monitoring.

Purpose of the Study:

To determine the activity concentration and origin of plutonium isotopes (239+240Pu, 238Pu, 241Pu) in Hungarian soils and mosses.
To investigate potential differences in plutonium distribution based on soil type and land use (undisturbed vs. cultivated).

Main Methods:

Analysis of over 50 soil samples and moss samples for plutonium isotope activity concentrations.
Use of liquid scintillation spectrometry for 241Pu determination.
Isotope ratio analysis (238Pu/239+240Pu and 241Pu/239+240Pu) to identify plutonium origin.

Main Results:

Activity concentrations of 239+240Pu ranged from 0.01-0.84 Bq/kg in soil (average 0.10 Bq/kg) and 0.04-3.74 Bq/kg in soil (average 0.82 Bq/kg) for 241Pu.
238Pu was detected in few moss samples.
Plutonium concentrations showed no significant difference between soil types but varied between undisturbed and cultivated areas.
Isotope ratios indicated global fallout as the source of plutonium.

Conclusions:

The plutonium found in Hungarian soils and mosses originates from global fallout, primarily from past atmospheric nuclear weapon tests.
Land use (undisturbed vs. cultivated) influences plutonium distribution.