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Updated: May 22, 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 in the WIPP environment: its detection, distribution and behavior.

P Thakur¹, S Ballard, R Nelson

¹Carlsbad Environmental Monitoring & Research Center, Carlsbad, New Mexico 88220, USA.

Journal of Environmental Monitoring : JEM

|May 3, 2012

Summary

Plutonium in the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) environment originates from global fallout, not WIPP operations. Seasonal wind patterns influence airborne plutonium concentrations, primarily due to soil resuspension.

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Published on: December 14, 2017

Area of Science:

Environmental Science
Nuclear Chemistry
Geochemistry

Background:

The Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) is a deep underground geologic repository for transuranic waste.
Understanding radionuclide sources near WIPP is crucial for environmental safety.
Previous studies initiated before WIPP operations aimed to identify plutonium sources.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the sources of plutonium in the WIPP environment.
To characterize temporal variations and depth distribution of radionuclides.
To evaluate transport mechanisms affecting radionuclide fate.

Main Methods:

Aerosol and soil samples collected near WIPP.
Alpha spectrometry for plutonium and americium activity.
Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for aluminum and uranium concentrations.

Main Results:

No systematic interannual variations in airborne plutonium concentrations (1998-2010).
Seasonal variations in plutonium particulate concentrations, peaking in spring due to dust resuspension.
Radionuclide activity ratios consistent with global fallout as the primary source.

Conclusions:

Plutonium in the WIPP environment is predominantly from historical weapons fallout.
WIPP operations have not contributed to environmental radionuclide concentrations.
Seasonal wind patterns significantly impact plutonium distribution via soil resuspension.