Assessing depleted uranium (DU) contamination of soil, plants and earthworms at UK weapons testing sites

Oliver, I.W., Graham, M.C., MacKenzie, A.B., Ellam, R.M. and Farmer, J.G. (2007) Assessing depleted uranium (DU) contamination of soil, plants and earthworms at UK weapons testing sites. Journal of Environmental Monitoring, 9, pp. 740-748. (doi: 10.1039/b700719a)

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Publisher's URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/b700719a

Abstract

Depleted uranium (DU) weapons testing programmes have been conducted at two locations within the UK. An investigation was therefore carried out to assess the extent of any environmental contamination arising from these test programmes using both alpha spectrometry and mass spectrometry techniques. Uranium isotopic signatures indicative of DU contamination were observed in soil, plant and earthworm samples collected in the immediate vicinity of test firing points and targets, but contamination was found to be localised to these areas. The paper demonstrates the superiority of the 235U:238U ratio over the 234U:238U ratio for identifying and quantifying DU contamination in environmental samples and also describes the respective circumstances under which alpha spectrometry or mass spectrometry may be the more appropriate analytical tool.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Oliver, Dr Ian and Ellam, Professor Rob and MacKenzie, Professor Angus
Authors: Oliver, I.W., Graham, M.C., MacKenzie, A.B., Ellam, R.M., and Farmer, J.G.
Subjects:Q Science > QD Chemistry
Q Science > QH Natural history
U Military Science > U Military Science (General)
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre
Journal Name:Journal of Environmental Monitoring
Publisher:Royal Society of Chemistry
ISSN:1464-0325
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2007 Royal Society of Chemistry
First Published:First published in Journal of Environmental Monitoring 9:740-748
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

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