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Updated: Sep 12, 2025
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Speciation and Bioavailability Measurements of Environmental Plutonium Using Diffusion in Thin Films
Published on: November 9, 2015
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Source, level and migration behavior of plutonium isotopes in cryoconite: A review
Mayu Liu1, Liguo Cao1, Yijia Gao1
1School of Geography and Tourism, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710119, China; Shaanxi Observation and Research Station for Ecology and Environment of Desert-Loess Zone at Yulin, Xi'an 710119, China.
Journal of Hazardous Materials
|August 5, 2025
Summary
Cryoconite on glaciers traps plutonium (Pu), a radioactive contaminant. Melting glaciers could release this Pu, posing environmental risks. This review analyzes global cryoconite data to understand Pu levels, sources, and behavior.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Radiochemistry
- Glaciology
Background:
- Cryoconite, a dark sediment on glacier surfaces, accumulates plutonium (Pu), a radioactive contaminant.
- Rising global temperatures and glacier melt increase the risk of Pu remobilization from cryoconite.
- Understanding Pu isotopes in cryoconite is crucial for assessing environmental risks in a changing cryosphere.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compile and analyze worldwide data on Pu isotopes in cryoconite samples.
- To investigate the levels, sources, accumulation, and migration behavior of Pu in cryoconite.
- To identify factors influencing Pu concentration and distribution in glacial environments.
Main Methods:
- Compilation of data from 221 worldwide cryoconite samples.
- Analysis of 203 samples for 239+240Pu activity concentrations.
- Analysis of 161 samples for 240Pu/239Pu atom ratios to determine Pu sources.
Main Results:
- 240Pu/239Pu atom ratios indicate global fallout and weapons-grade sources, with higher weapons-grade Pu contribution in Arctic glaciers (21.7%) compared to Alpine glaciers (15.1%).
- 239+240Pu activity concentrations in cryoconite (average 26.05 Bq/kg) are significantly higher (2-3 orders of magnitude) than in soils, lake sediments, and moss, confirming cryoconite as a Pu sink.
- Pu accumulation is strongly correlated with cryoconite's organic matter content (r²=0.72) and precipitation (r²=0.58).
Conclusions:
- Cryoconite effectively sequesters Pu isotopes, but glacier melt poses a risk of contaminant remobilization.
- Physicochemical properties (organic matter) and environmental factors (precipitation, elevation) significantly influence Pu accumulation.
- Further research is needed to trace Pu migration in the cryosphere and fill knowledge gaps regarding Pu isotopes in cryoconite.
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