Standardization of the method for the determination of ²⁴¹Pu in environmental samples at Tarapur

²⁴¹Pu, a low energy beta-emitter having maximum β energy of 20.8 keV and a half-life of 14.33 y, is released in trace quantities from back end nuclear facilities to the aquatic environment. Its decay product ²⁴¹Am, and its daughter ²³⁷Np with relatively longer half-life of 432.6 y and 2.14 x 106 years, respectively are alpha emitters having potential to give dose to members of public. The study is important in view of the expansion of BARC facilities at Tarapur. Further the ratio (²⁴¹Pu/²³⁹Pu) generated from this study has immense help in understanding the transport and environmental behavior of Pu isotopes at Tarapur