Determination of plutonium in bottom sediments in some Egyptian lakes

Environmental studies on plutonium are mostly directed to the alpha emitting isotope 238Pu and 239+240Pu. However, the largest contribution to the radioactivity of plutonium is due to the beta emitting isotope 241Pu. Applying a very sensitive and selective radiochemical separation procedure, the plutonium isotopes were separated from sediment samples of three Egyptian lakes (Qarun, Bardawill and Edku Lakes). The specific activity of 238Pu and 239+240Pu were measured using alpha spectrometry based on surface barrier detectors. The specific activity of 241Pu was then measured using liquid scintillation spectrometry. All measured plutonium activities are in the range of the global contamination with plutonium caused by fallout of atmospheric nuclear weapon tests and burning of satellites (SNAP-9A) in the atmosphere. (orig.)