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

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Abstract

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.

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Acknowledgments

Funding for this project was provided by a Miami University Committee on Faculty Research (CFR) Grant to Dr. Elisabeth Widom. We would like to acknowledge the Miami University College of Arts & Sciences and the Center for Advanced Microscopy & Imaging for support and access to the electron microscopy facilities, and we give special thanks to Joshua Silverstein and Matt Duley for assistance with the SEM work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology and Environmental Earth Science, Miami University, Oxford, OH, 45056, USA

    Elise R. Conte, Elisabeth Widom & Dave Kuentz

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  1. Elise R. Conte
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  2. Elisabeth Widom
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  3. Dave Kuentz
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Correspondence to Elise R. Conte.

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Conte, E.R., Widom, E. & Kuentz, D. Characterization and transport modeling of uranium particle from Fernald area tree bark. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 307, 1675–1679 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-015-4388-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-015-4388-7

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