Comparison of the geochemical behavior of plutonium, thorium, and uranium in selected North American lakes

The distribution of fallout 239240Pu between dissolved and suspended particulate phases has been determined in two groups of North American lakes. The lakes of the first group represent a variety of watershed conditions, ranging from an acidic bog (pH 4.8) to a highly saline lake (pH 8.7). Those of the second group have a common granitic environment and a limited pH range, but the chemical parameters of several have been significantly modified during the course of whole-lake fertilization and acidification experiments. Concurrent measurements of naturally occurring 232Th and 238U have permitted comparisons to be made between the geochemical behavior of Pu(IV) and Pu(VI) and that of their natural analogs, Th(IV) and U