Nuclear and Radiochemistry

Radionuclide speciation

Information on source terms such as radionuclide speciation, mobility,and biological uptake is needed to estimate the long-term environmental impact of radioactive contamination of ecosystems. Radioactive particles make up the majority of refractory radionuclides emitted by nuclear sources including nuclear weapons testing and reactor accidents, but radionuclides can also be found as colloids or low molecular mass species in nuclear plant effluents. Colloids and particles are less mobile (lower apparent K(d)) and bioavailable (higher apparent BCF) than low molecular mass species.