Characterization and transport modeling of uranium particle from Fernald area tree bark

Non-natural uranium (U) isotopic compositions have been reported in tree bark from southwest Ohio. Atmospheric releases of U from the nearby former Fernald Feed Materials Processing Center are thought to be the source (GSA Abstr progr 45:78612, 2013). This study employed scanning electron microscopy equipped with backscatter detection and energy dispersive absorption X-ray spectrometry to identify and chemically characterize a 14 μm U-rich particle found in tree bark growing within 1 km of the FFMPC. Simple atmospheric dispersion calculations demonstrate that a ∼5 μm diameter U-rich particle can be transported up to 38 km by wind. (author)