Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Letter
  • Published:

Chernobyl radionuclides in a Black Sea sediment trap

Abstract

The Chernobyl nuclear power station accident1–3 released large quantities of vaporized radionuclides, and, to a lesser extent, mechanically released small (<1–10 μm) aerosol particles2,4. The total release of radioactivity is estimated to be of the order of 1–2 x 1018 Bq (3–5 x 107 Ci) not allowing for releases of the xenon and krypton gases2. The 137Cs releases of 3.8 xlO16 Bq from Chernobyl can be compared to 1.3 x 1018 Bq 137Cs released due to atmospheric nuclear weapons testing1. Chernobyl-derived radionuclides can be used as transient tracers to study physical and biogeochemical processes. Initial measurements of fallout Chernobyl radionuclides from a time-series sediment trap at 1,071 m during June–September 1986 in the southern Black Sea are presented. The specific activities of 137Cs, 144Ce and 106Ru in the trap samples (0.5–2, 4–12 and 6–13 Bq g−1) are independent of the particle flux while their relative activities reflect their rates of scavenging in the order Ce>Ru>Cs.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Rent or buy this article

Prices vary by article type

from$1.95

to$39.95

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Levi, B. G. Physics Today December, 17–20 (1986).

  2. Summary Report on the Post-Accident Review Meeting on the Chernobyl Accident. Safety Series No. 75-INSAG-I (IAEA, Vienna, 1986).

  3. Hohenemser, C. et al. Environment 28, 6–13, 30–43 (1986).

    Google Scholar 

  4. Devell, L. et al. Nature 321, 192–193 (1986).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Alexandropoulos, N. G. et al. Nature 322, 779 (1986).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Krey, P. W. US Department of Energy Report EML-460 155–213 (US Department of Energy, Environmental Measurements Laboratory, New York, 1986).

  7. Livingston, H. D. et al. US Department of Energy Rep. EML-460, 214–223 (US Department of Energy, Environmental Measurements Laboratory, New York, 1986).

  8. Honjo, S. & Doherty, K. Deep Sea Res. (in the press).

  9. Honjo, S. et al. Particle Flux in the Ocean, Mitteil. Geol. Pal. Inst. Vol. 62 (eds Degens, E. T., Izdar, E. & Honjo, S.) (University of Hamburg, in the press).

  10. Bacon, M. P., Huh, C.-A., Fleer, A. P. & Deuser, W. G. Deep Sea Res. 32, 273–286 (1985).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Fowler, S. W. & Knauer, G. A. Progr. Oceanog. 16, 147–194 (1986).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  12. Zentovitch, V. T. in The Encyclopedia of Oceanography, Encyclopedia of Earth Science Series Vol. 1 (ed. Fairbridge, R. W.) 145–150 (Halsted, New York, 1966).

    Google Scholar 

  13. Livingston, H. D. & Buesseler, K. O. Eos 67, 1070 (1986).

    Google Scholar 

  14. Livingston, H. D., Buesseler, K. O., Izdar, E. & Konuk, T. Proc. Int. Symp. on Radioactivity and Oceanography (Elsevier, in the press).

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Buesseler, K., Livingston, H., Honjo, S. et al. Chernobyl radionuclides in a Black Sea sediment trap. Nature 329, 825–828 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1038/329825a0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/329825a0

This article is cited by

Comments

By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.

Search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing