The nature of Pu-bearing particles from the Maralinga nuclear testing site, Australia

Megan Cook, Barbara Etschmann*, Rahul Ram, Konstantin Ignatyev, Gediminas Gervinskas, Steven D. Conradson, Susan Cumberland, Vanessa N. L. Wong, Joёl Brugger

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Citations (Scopus)
14 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

The high-energy release of plutonium (Pu) and uranium (U) during the Maralinga nuclear trials (1955–1963) in Australia, designed to simulate high temperature, non-critical nuclear accidents, resulted in wide dispersion µm-sized, radioactive, Pu–U-bearing 'hot' particles that persist in soils. By combining non-destructive, multi-technique synchrotron-based micro-characterization with the first nano-scale imagining of the composition and textures of six Maralinga particles, we find that all particles display intricate physical and chemical make-ups consistent with formation via condensation and cooling of polymetallic melts (immiscible Fe–Al–Pu–U; and Pb ± Pu–U) within the detonation plumes. Plutonium and U are present predominantly in micro- to nano-particulate forms, and most hot particles contain low valence Pu–U–C compounds; these chemically reactive phases are protected by their inclusion in metallic alloys. Plutonium reworking was observed within an oxidised rim in a Pb-rich particle; however overall Pu remained immobile in the studied particles, while small-scale oxidation and mobility of U is widespread. It is notoriously difficult to predict the long-term environmental behaviour of hot particles. Nano-scale characterization of the hot particles suggests that long-term, slow release of Pu from the hot particles may take place via a range of chemical and physical processes, likely contributing to on-going Pu uptake by wildlife at Maralinga.

Original languageEnglish
Article number10698
Number of pages12
JournalScientific Reports
Volume11
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 21 May 2021

Keywords

  • plutonium
  • Pu-bearing particles
  • Maralinga
  • nuclear testing
  • Australia
  • high-energy release

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