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Plutonium aided reconstruction of caesium atmospheric fallout in European topsoils

TitoloPlutonium aided reconstruction of caesium atmospheric fallout in European topsoils
Tipo di pubblicazioneArticolo su Rivista peer-reviewed
Anno di Pubblicazione2020
AutoriMeusburger, K., Evrard O., Alewell C., Borrelli P., Cinelli Giorgia, Ketterer M., Mabit L., Panagos P., van Oost K., and Ballabio C.
RivistaScientific Reports
Volume10
ISSN20452322
Abstract

Global nuclear weapon testing and the Chernobyl accident have released large amounts of radionuclides into the environment. However, to date, the spatial patterns of these fallout sources remain poorly constrained. Fallout radionuclides (137Cs, 239Pu, 240Pu) were measured in soil samples (n = 160) collected at flat, undisturbed grasslands in Western Europe in the framework of a harmonised European soil survey. We show that both fallout sources left a specific radionuclide imprint in European soils. Accordingly, we used plutonium to quantify contributions of global versus Chernobyl fallout to 137Cs found in European soils. Spatial prediction models allowed for a first assessment of the global versus Chernobyl fallout pattern across national boundaries. Understanding the magnitude of these fallout sources is crucial not only to establish a baseline in case of future radionuclide fallout but also to define a baseline for geomorphological reconstructions of soil redistribution due to soil erosion processes. © 2020, The Author(s).

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cited By 16

URLhttps://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85088097366&doi=10.1038%2fs41598-020-68736-2&partnerID=40&md5=898107db3d6efc5b0ce5156d0abc3b84
DOI10.1038/s41598-020-68736-2
Citation KeyMeusburger2020