The retrospective analysis of radionuclides in banded coral from the Bikini Atoll

A chronological record of plutonium (Pu) and uranium (U) isotopes in banded corals from Bikini Atoll reveals that the source term of these radionuclides within the lagoon is slowly changing over time. This finding sheds light on the long-term behavior of Pu (239+240 Pu) and U (236 U), which continue to be released into the Pacific Basin from the atoll's sediments, balancing inputs and outputs in a dynamic system. The study employed x-ray imaging and stable isotope analysis to establish coral chronology, followed by chemical separation techniques—including extraction chromatography and anion exchange—to isolate Pu and U for accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). These methods enabled precise measurements of isotopic concentrations and ratios, forming the basis for a model predicting the loss rate of these isotopes from Bikini Lagoon. The work underscores the importance of understanding radionuclide mobility in marine environments to assess ecological and food chain impacts.

Gallardo, A. M. (2019). The retrospective analysis of radionuclides in banded coral from the Bikini Atoll (, Ed.). Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI). https://doi.org/10.2172/1578249