Determination of plutonium isotopes (238,239,240Pu) and strontium (90Sr) in seafood using alpha spectrometry and liquid scintillation spectrometry

• Published in: Journal of environmental radioactivity Vol. 177; pp. 151 - 157
• Main Authors: Shin, Choonshik, Choi, Hoon, Kwon, Hye-Min, Jo, Hye-Jin, Kim, Hye-Jeong, Yoon, Hae-Jung, Kim, Dong-Sul, Kang, Gil-Jin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.10.2017
• Subjects: Alpha spectrometer; Food Contamination, Radioactive - analysis; Liquid scintillation counter; Plutonium; Plutonium - analysis; Radiation Monitoring; Republic of Korea; Seafood; Seafood - analysis; Strontium; Strontium Radioisotopes - analysis; Water Pollutants, Radioactive - analysis; Strontium; Seafood; Alpha spectrometer; Plutonium; Liquid scintillation counter
• ISSN: 0265-931X; 1879-1700
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2017.06.025

The present study was carried out to survey the levels of plutonium isotopes (238,239,240Pu) and strontium (90Sr) in domestic seafood in Korea. In current, regulatory authorities have analyzed radionuclides, such as 134Cs, 137Cs and 131I, in domestic and imported food. However, people are concerned about contamination of other radionuclides, such as plutonium and strontium, in food. Furthermore, people who live in Korea have much concern about safety of seafood. Accordingly, in this study, we have investigated the activity concentrations of plutonium and strontium in seafood. For the analysis of plutonium isotopes and strontium, a rapid and reliable method developed from previous study was used. Applicability of the test method was verified by examining recovery, minimum detectable activity (MDA), analytical time, etc. Total 40 seafood samples were analyzed in 2014–2015. As a result, plutonium isotopes (238,239,240Pu) and strontium (90Sr) were not detected or below detection limits in seafood. The detection limits of plutonium isotopes and strontium-90 were 0.01 and 1 Bq/kg, respectively. •The activity concentrations of plutonium isotopes and strontium were investigated.•Total 40 seafood samples were collected and analyzed in 2014–2015.•As a result, plutonium and strontium were not detected or below detection limits in seafood.•The detection limits of plutonium isotopes and strontium-90 were 0.01 and 1 Bq/kg, respectively.