Estimated Inventory of Plutonium and Uranium Radionuclides for Vegetation in Aged Fallout Areas

摘要

Data are presented on the contamination of vegetation by exp 239 Pu, exp 240 Pu, and other radionuclides in aged fallout areas on the Nevada Test Site (NTS) and the Tonopah Test Range (TTR). Comparisons of soil and vegetation inventory estimates indicate that the standing vegetation contributes an insignificant portion of the total amount of exp 239-240 Pu present in these aged fallout areas. The amounts of Pu available for vegetation-transport to animals grazing on-site would appear to be relatively small in comparison to the total amounts deposited upon soil. Findings indicate that most of the contaminant found on vegetation probably is attributable to resuspendable materials. (ERA citation 02:003843)