Distribution of artificial radionuclides in particle-size soil fractions.

Abstract

Experimental studies were carried out to evaluate the efficiency of fractional separation of radioactively contaminated soils with respect to gamma-emitting ¹³⁷Cs and ²⁴¹Am. The research was conducted using samples from radiation-hazardous objects (craters) located at the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site and resulted from ground and excavation nuclear explosions. The most appropriate parameter reflecting the distribution pattern of artificial radionuclides ¹³⁷Cs and ²⁴¹Am across soil fractions resulting from nuclear blasts is the enrichment factor (Ef). Dry fractional separation can be recommended as a promising method for the decontamination of soils contaminated with cesium.