Origin and age of an ongoing radioactive contamination of soils near La hague reprocessing plant based on 239+240Pu/238Pu and 241Am/241Pu current ratios and 90Sr and Ln(III) soil contents

Nuclear reprocessing plants are sources of environmental contamination by gaseous or liquid discharges. Numerous radionuclides concern, with actinides and 90Sr being the most radiotoxic. Environmental radioactivity survey programs mostly use ?-spectrometry to track contaminations because is very cost effective can be carried out on raw samples. On other hand, determination ?- ?-emitting in samples requires rather sophisticated analytical methods, thus dedicated specific goals. However, measuring such as Pu, Am, Sr often provides more information about presence a current prior its origin, based isotopic composition We found that analysis 241Pu, 239+240Pu, 241Am, few selected soil taken near nuclear plant La Hague, France, revealed previous originating from several incidents Hague site involving atmospheric transfer leaks flooded waste pits. The 241Am-241Pu dating method indicated period 1983. elevated levels light non-radioactive lanthanides yttrium confirmed involvement cold fuel. Our results demonstrate how long-lived likely reveal long-term environment spent study indicates there requirement tools than when surveying environments surrounding industrial for power potential accidental release into environment.