Temporal distribution of Pu and Am in the Marine Environment of Southern Coast of Spain

The distribution of transuranides and 137Cs in selected sediment cores from southern Spanish coast has been studied. The area is of special interest as an accidental release of transuranides (four nuclear bombs fallen down) occurred near the seaside in 1966 (Palomares). The possible transference to the coast by the river (contaminated by one bomb, surface contamination: 12-120 α Bq/m2) or by aerosol produced in the explosion had never been studied. Several sediments cores between Cape of Palos and Cape of Gata and surface sediments were raised. The profiles of transuranides distribution were determined and were dated in order to determine the year of the contributions. An enhanced concentration of transuranides has been observed at southern area of Palomares coast, the causes of this fenomena have been analyzed in this paper. The accuracy of radiochemical analysis was checked by analyzing standard material and duplicated samples. (Author)