241Pu in the environment: insight into the understudied isotope of plutonium

• Published in: Journal of radioanalytical and nuclear chemistry Vol. 317; no. 2; pp. 757 - 778
• Main Authors: Thakur, P., Ward, A. L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 2018; Springer Nature B.V; Springer
• Subjects: Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Decay; Diagnostic Radiology; Hadrons; Heavy Ions; Inorganic Chemistry; Nuclear Chemistry; Nuclear Physics; Nuclear Science & Technology; Physical Chemistry; Plutonium; Radioactivity; Np; Environmental samples; Marine samples; Am; Pu
• ISSN: 0236-5731; 1588-2780
• DOI: 10.1007/s10967-018-5946-6

Studies of plutonium in the environment have focused on the α-emitting isotopes 238 Pu, 239 Pu and 240 Pu, often overlooking the β-emitting isotope 241 Pu  because of its relatively short half-life (14.4 years). Here, we summarize sources of  241 Pu and discuss its distribution and behavior in the environment. In the short term, 241 Pu, the largest contributor to the total plutonium radioactivity whereas in the long term its decay products, 241 Am and 237 Np, are the major contributors as some 46% of current total 241 Am is attributable to 241 Pu decay. In this context, understanding the fate and transport of 241 Pu is crucial to assessing long-term radiological dose.