Some recent advances in environmental analysis at A.E.R.E. Harwell

In this paper are reviewed three techniques recently developed at A.E.R.E., Harwell, for the analysis of radionuclides in environmental samples. The first consists of a method for the sequential determination of lead-210 and polonium-210 in water, vegetation and other matrices, which was developed to study the transfer of these naturally occurring nuclides within the catchment area of a lake. The second is a method for the measurement of alpha emitting plutonium in soil at concentrations which have resulted from the deposition of fallout from nuclear weapons testing. Finally a technique for the sequential determination of uranium-234 and thorium-230 in waters and carbonate minerals, such as coral, is described which can be used for tracing and dating purposes. (author)