Accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) in plutonium analysis

The paper summarizes the results of the 240Pu/239Pu atomic ratio studies in atmospheric fallout samples collected in 1986 over Gdynia (Poland) as well as three Baltic fish species collected in 1997 using the accelerator mass spectrometry. A new generation of AMS has been developed during last years and this method is an efficient and good technique to measure long-lived radioisotopes in the environment and provides the most accurate determination of the atomic ratios between 240Pu and 239Pu. The nuclide compositions of plutonium in filter samples correspond to their means of production. AMS measurements of atmospheric fallout collected in April showed sufficient increase of the 240Pu/239Pu atomic ratio from 0.28 from March to 0.47. Also such high increase of 240Pu/239Pu atomic ratio, close to reactor core 240Pu/239Pu atomic ratio, was observed in September and equaled 0.47. (author)