Erosional behavior of Cesium-137.
TL;DR: In this article, the movement of 137Cs by runoff, erosion, and infiltration on a silt-loam soil in Tennessee is reported, a summary of a 2-yr study is given, and a model for the nuclide erosional loss is suggested.
Abstract: Movement of 137Cs by runoff, erosion, and infiltration on a silt-loam soil in Tennessee is reported. A summary of a 2-yr study is given, and a model for the nuclide erosional loss is suggested. It was found that, although an empirical parabolic equation adequately describes the radionuclide
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TL;DR: Analysis of ion exchange, gel filtration chromatography, and gas chromatographymass spectrometry analyses have demonstrated that ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), an extremely strong complexing agent commonly used in decontamination operations at nuclear facilities, is causing the low-level migration of cobalt-60 from intermediate-level liquid waste disposal pits and trenches in the Oak Ridge National Laboratory burial grounds.
Abstract: Ion exchange, gel filtration chromatography, and gas chromatographymass spectrometry analyses have demonstrated that ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), an extremely strong complexing agent commonly used in decontamination operations at nuclear facilities, is causing the low-level migration of cobalt-60 from intermediate-level liquid waste disposal pits and trenches in the Oak Ridge National Laboratory burial grounds. Because it forms extremely strong complexes with rare earths and actinides, EDTA or similar chelates may also be contributing to the mobilization of these radionuclides from various terrestrial radioactive waste burial sites around the country.
276 citations
30 Jun 1978
TL;DR: Ion exchange, gel filtration chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses have demonstrated that ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), an extremely strong complexing agent commonly used in decontamination operations at nuclear facilities, is causing the low-level migration of cobalt-60 from intermediate-level liquid waste disposal pits and trenches in the Oak Ridge National Laboratory burial grounds.
Abstract: Ion exchange, gel filtration chromatography, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses have demonstrated that ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), an extremely strong complexing agent commonly used in decontamination operations at nuclear facilities, is causing the low-level migration of cobalt-60 from intermediate-level liquid waste disposal pits and trenches in the Oak Ridge National Laboratory burial grounds. Because it forms extremely strong complexes with rare earths and actinides, EDTA or similar chelates may also be contributing to the mobilization of these radionuclides from various terrestrial radioactive waste burial sites around the country.
261 citations
TL;DR: The use of 137C measurements to provide information on rates of soil loss and deposition averaged over the past 30 years would appear to offer considerable potential for providing information on patterns and rates of erosion and deposition within individual fields and their overall sediment budgets.
Abstract: SUMMARY
Recent awareness of the potential hazard of soil erosion on arable land in the UK has highlighted the lack of reliable data concerning actual rates of soil loss. This lack of information reflects both a low level of interest, and the lack of a simple and generally applicable method of documenting long-term rates of soil loss. Existing methods involving the use of hazard classification procedures and direct measurement techniques, including erosion plots and field surveys, all possess significant limitations. The use of 137Cs measurements to provide information on rates of soil loss and deposition averaged over the past 30 years would appear to offer considerable potential. The results of applying this approach to three arable fields on contrasting soil types in Britain are reported. These results confirm the viability of the technique and its potential for providing information on patterns and rates of erosion and deposition within individual fields and their overall sediment budgets. Limitations include the restricted size of the areas that can be investigated and the need to take account of additional inputs of 137Cs derived from the Chernobyl accident.
248 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors used evidence for the long-term (35 years) pattern of soil redistribution within two agricultural fields in the UK to identify the relative importance of tillage and overland flow erosion.
Abstract: This study uses evidence for the long-term (35 years) pattern of soil redistribution within two agricultural fields in the UK to identify the relative importance of tillage and overland flow erosion. Spatially distributed long-term total soil redistribution data for the fields (Dalicott Farm and Rufford Forest Farm) were obtained using the caesium-137 (137Cs) technique. These data were compared with predicted patterns of soil redistribution. Recent studies have demonstrated that the redistribution of soil by tillage may be described as a diffusive process. A two-component model was, therefore, developed which accounts for soil redistribution by both overland flow and diffusive processes. Comparison of the predicted patterns of overland flow erosion alone with the observed (137Cs-derived) data indicated a poor agreement (r2 = 0.17 and 0.11). In contrast, a good agreement exists between the predicted pattern of diffusive redistribution and the observed data (r2 = 0.43 and 0.41). These results give a clear indication that diffusive processes are dominant in soil redistribution within these fields. Possible diffusive processes include splash erosion, soil creep and tillage. However, the magnitude of the diffusion coefficients for the optimum predicted pattern (c. 350–400 kg m−1 a−1) demonstrates that tillage is the only process capable of explaining the very significant soil redistribution which is indicated by the 137Cs data. Consideration is given to the implications of these results for both soil erosion prediction and landscape interpretation.
194 citations
TL;DR: A review of established tracing approaches identified five distinct groups of tracing approaches: fallout radionuclides, rare earth elements, soil magnetism and magnetic substances, other tracers, and sediment fingerprinting techniques as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Introduction Interest in the use of sediment tracers as a tool to complement traditional water erosion or deposition measurements has increased due to the additional information they provide, such as sediment source identification, tracking of sediment movement across the landscape at various temporal and spatial scales, and estimation of soil erosion rates. For these reasons, the utility and robustness of sediment tracing approaches using a wide range of substances and soil properties have been evaluated in numerous studies. Conclusions A review of established tracing approaches identified five distinct groups of tracing approaches: fallout radionuclides, rare earth elements, soil magnetism and magnetic substances, other tracers, and sediment fingerprinting techniques. This paper describes the basic theory of each tracing approach in assessing soil erosion and sediment redistribution, describing their methodology and main applications, and summarizing the commonalities and differences between the approaches. It also identifies research gaps and future trends.
141 citations