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PubMed2006

Vertical migration of 134Cs bearing soil particles in arid soils: implications for plutonium redistribution.

Vertical migration of plutonium in soils at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) and the Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site (RFETS) was evaluated based on observed 134Cs migration in soil column experiments. After applying 134Cs-labeled soil particles to the surfaces of large, undisturbed soil cores collected from each site, resulting soil columns were subjected to experimental cycles of irrigation plus drying (treatment columns) or to cycles of irrigation only (control columns). Mean losses of 134Cs inventory from soil surfaces were 3.1 +/- 0.6% cycle(-1) and 0.7 +/- 0.6% cycle(-1) respectively for RFETS treatment and control columns. WIPP columns had mean respective losses of 1.3 +/- 1.2% cycle(-1) and 0.5 +/- 0.2% cycle(-1). Bulk transport of labeled soil particles through soil cracks was an important process in RFETS soils, accounting for 64-86% of total 134Cs migration. Colloidal transport processes governed migration in WIPP soils.

Cesium Radioisotopes↗
PubMed2004

Solid-solution partitioning of plutonium in surface waters at the Atomic Weapons Establishment Aldermaston (UK).

The Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) at Aldermaston (Berkshire, UK) has provided and maintained the warheads for the UK's nuclear deterrent for more than 50 years. Whilst the site is radiologically safe, in a few locations the soil contains specific activities of plutonium (Pu) above background arising from a legacy of historic operations. Run-off water (a mixture of rainwater and groundwater) from part of the site is routed into a water management system, and after analysis and radiological assessment, released into local streams. Water and sediment samples have been collected from a number of closely spaced locations within this system to assess the solid-solution partitioning of Pu. Survey work was complemented by batch type desorption experiments to assess redissolution from 'contaminated' sediment into 'uncontaminated' water. The survey data indicate that specific activities of both dissolved and particle bound 239 + 240Pu varied by roughly two orders of magnitude, ranging from approximately 0.7 microBq kg(-1) up to approximately 44 microBq kg(-1), and approximately 1.2 Bq kg(-1) up to approximately 400 Bq kg(-1), respectively, consistent with water originating from different parts of the site. Apparent Kd values varied by an order of magnitude (from 0.7-16 x 10(6)) with an average value of 4 x 10(6). Results from the desorption experiments indicated the extent of redissolution was very small and the derived Kd's corroborated values obtained from the survey work. Kd's given here are compared with other literature values, and are the greatest reported to date. Results are also provided describing the variation in water quality parameters in shallow groundwater samples. Alkalinity values ranged from 120 to 388 mg l(-1) CaCO3 with an average value of 195 mg l(-1) CaCO3. Corresponding values for pH were 6.6-8.3 with an average of 7.5. Over half of the samples were estimated to be supersaturated with respect to calcite. It is suggested that the state of calcite saturation may be responsible for the high Pu Kd. As a consequence of the high particle reactivity, migration of Pu contamination, both within and away from the AWE Aldermaston site, is likely to be very restricted.

Adsorption↗
PubMed2002

Modelling the physico-chemical speciation of plutonium in the eastern Irish Sea: a further development.

A numerical full three-dimensional model previously developed to simulate the physicochemical speciation of plutonium in the eastern Irish Sea has been improved. The model solves simultaneously the hydrodynamic equations, the suspended matter equation and the equations that give the time evolution of Pu concentrations in water, suspended matter and bottom sediments. It is considered that Pu may exist in each phase in two different oxidation states. Redox reactions are also considered. In the earlier version of the model, a one-step kinetic model was used to describe the transfers of radionuclides between the dissolved and solid phases. Although with this kind of model the contamination of the sediments can be properly simulated, it is clearly not able to describe the re-dissolution of radionuclides from a contaminated sediment once the external source to the sea is reduced. Thus, the model has been improved by substituting the one-step model with a two-step kinetic model consisting of two consecutive reversible reactions. Now it is possible to simulate both the sediment contamination and the re-dissolution processes.

Chemical Phenomena↗
PubMed2001

Siderophore mediated plutonium accumulation by Microbacterium flavescens (JG-9).

Uptake of plutonium and uranium mediated by the siderophore desferrioxamine-B (DFOB) has been studied for the common soil aerobe Microbacterium flavescens(JG-9). M. flavescens does not bind or take up nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) complexes of U(VI), Fe(III), or Pu(IV) or U(VI)-DFOB but does take up Fe(III)-DFOB and Pu(IV)-DFOB. Pu(IV)-DFOB and Fe(III)-DFOB accumulations are similar: only living and metabolically active bacteria take up these metal-siderophore complexes. The Fe(III)-DFOB and Pu(IV)-DFOB complexes mutually inhibit uptake of the other, indicating that they compete for shared binding sites or uptake proteins. However, Pu uptake is much slower than Fe uptake, and cumulative Pu uptake is less than Fe, 1.0 nmol of Fe vs 0.25 nmol of Pu per mg of dry weight bacteria. The Pu(IV)-DFOB interactions with M. flavescens suggest that Pu-siderophore complexes could generally be recognized by Fe-siderophore uptake systems of many bacteria, fungi, or plants, thereby affecting Pu environmental mobility and distribution. The results also suggest that the siderophore complexes of tetravalent metals can be recognized by Fe-siderophore uptake proteins.

Actinomycetaceae↗
PubMed2002

Sources and migration of plutonium in groundwater at the Savannah River site.

The isotopic composition, size distribution, and redox speciation of plutonium (Pu) in the groundwater in the vicinity of the F-area seepage basins at the U.S. Department of Energy Savannah River Site (SRS) were examined. A low 240Pu/239Pu ratio in the upstream control well signifies a Pu source otherthan global fallout and indicates reactor-produced Pu. Elevated 240Pu/239Pu atom ratios downstream from the seepage basins are due to the decay of transplutonium isotopes, mainly 244Cm to 240Pu, which were generated at the SRS. Evidence suggests that the migration of basin-released Pu isotopes is minor. Rather, it is the transplutonium isotopes that migrate preferentially downstream and in the process decay to yield progeny Pu isotopes. Size fractionation studies with cross-flow ultrafiltration show that <4% of the 239Pu or 240Pu is found in the colloidal fraction, a finding that is consistent with the higher Pu oxidation states observed in the SRS groundwater. The observation of a low abundance of colloid-associated Pu in SRS groundwater cannot be extrapolated to all sites, but is in contrast to the conclusions of prior groundwater Pu studies at the SRS and elsewhere. This work is unique in its application of a novel combination of sampling and processing protocols as well as its use of thermal ionization mass spectrometry for the detection of Pu isotopes. This allows quantification of the Pu source terms and better determination of the ambient Pu size and redox speciation representative of in situ conditions.

Colloids↗
PubMed2003

The role of sea ice in the fate of contaminants in the Arctic Ocean: plutonium atom ratios in the Fram Strait.

Atom ratios of 240Pu to 239Pu in bottom sediments from the Fram Strait are used to provide evidence for the long distance dispersion of Pu in the Arctic Ocean. In particular, low (<0.18) 240Pu/239Pu ratios indicate that plutonium from sources in the Kara Sea and Novaya Zemlya is transported across the basin toward the North Atlantic. The results have implications for the ability of sea ice to incorporate, intercept, and transport contaminants in the Arctic Ocean. They demonstrate that the fates of sea ice and associated contaminants in the Arctic Ocean are closely coupled, with the release of the particulate load and associated chemical species occurring in principal sea ice ablation areas such as the Fram Strait.

Arctic Regions↗
PubMed2005

Activities of Pu and Am isotopes and isotopic ratios in a soil contaminated by weapons-grade plutonium.

An accident and fire at the former McGuire Air Force Base and Boeing Michigan Aeronautical Research Center (BOMARC) site in New Jersey resulted in dispersion of weapons-grade plutonium in particulate form to the local environment. Soil samples collected at the BOMARC site were measured for their activities and isotopic ratios of Pu and Am isotopes by radioanalytical techniques. The activities of the Pu and Am isotopes in the BOMARC soil were markedly higher than fallout levels, and they decreased nearly exponentially with increasing particle size of the soil. The measured (241)Am activity was compared to calculated values based on decay of (241)Pu. The activity ratios of (238)Pu/(239,240)Pu, (241)Pu/(239,240)Pu, and (241)Am/(239,240)Pu observed in the BOMARC soil were much lower than those attributed to nuclear reprocessing plants and Chernobyl fallout. From the activity ratios of (241)Pu/(239,240)Pu and (241)Am/(239,240)Pu, the origin of the Pu isotopes was identified as weapons-grade and the time since production of the material was estimated. Furthermore, the atomic ratio of (240)Pu/(239)Pu in the BOMARC soil was remarkably lower than the fallout value influenced by nuclear weapons testing and the Chernobyl accident. The atomic ratio of (240)Pu/(239)Pu was very close to the value of the weapons-grade Pu detected from the Thule accident in Greenland. This work demonstrates the utility of radioanalytical measurements and decay calculations for defining characteristics of the source term and discriminating multiple processes that contribute to a source. Such an approach would also be needed to respond to a terrorist event involving an improvised nuclear device or radiological dispersal device.

Americium↗
PubMed2000

Plutonium(IV) sequestration: structural and thermodynamic evaluation of the extraordinarily stable cerium(IV) hydroxypyridinonate complexes.

Ligands containing the 1-methyl-3-hydroxy-2(1H)-pyridinone group (Me-3,2-HOPO) are powerful plutonium(IV) sequestering agents. The Ce(IV) complexes of bidentate and tetradentate HOPO ligands have been quantitatively studied as models for this sequestration. The complexes Ce(L1)4, Ce(L2)4, Ce(L3)2, and Ce(L4)2 (L1 = Me-3,2-HOPO; L2 = PR-Me-3,2-HOPO; L3 = 5LI-Me-3,2-HOPO; L4 = 5LIO-Me-3,2-HOPO) were prepared in THF solution from Ce(acac)4 and the corresponding ligand. The complex Ce(L4)2 was also prepared in aqueous solution by air oxidation of the Ce(III) complex [Ce(L4)2]-. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses are reported for Ce(L1)(4)x2CHCl3 [P1 (no. 2), Z = 2, a = 9.2604(2) A, b = 12.1992(2) A, c = 15.9400(2) A, alpha = 73.732(1) degrees, beta = 85.041(1) degrees, gamma = 74.454(1) degrees], Ce(L3)2x2CH3OH [P2(1)/c (no. 14), Z = 4, a = 11.7002(2) A, b = 23.0033(4) A, c = 15.7155(2) A, beta = 96.149(1) degrees], Ce(L4)(2).2CH3OH [P1 (no. 2), Z = 2, a = 11.4347(2) A, b = 13.8008(2) A, c = 15.2844(3) A, alpha = 101.554(1) degrees, beta = 105.691(1) degrees, gamma = 106.746(1) degrees], and Ce(L4)2x4H2O [P2(1)/c (no. 14), Z = 4, a = 11.8782(1) A, b = 22.6860(3) A, c = 15.2638(1) A, beta = 96.956(1) degrees]. A new criterion, the shape measure S, has been introduced to describe and compare the geometry of such complexes. It is defined as [formula: see text], where m is the number of edges, delta i is the observed dihedral angle along the ith edge of delta (angle between normals of adjacent faces), theta i is the same angle of the corresponding ideal polytopal shape theta, and min is the minimum of all possible values. For these complexes the shape measure shows that the coordination geometry is strongly influenced by small changes in the ligand backbone or solvent. Solution thermodynamic studies determined overall formation constants (log beta) for Ce(L2)4, Ce(L3)2, and Ce(L4)2 of 40.9, 41.9, and 41.6, respectively. A thermodynamic cycle has been used to calculate these values from the corresponding formation constants of Ce(III) complexes and standard electrode potentials. From the formation constants and from the protonation constants of the ligands, extraordinarily high pM values for Ce(IV) are generated by these tetradentate ligands (37.5 for Ce(L3)2 and 37.0 for Ce(L4)2). The corresponding constants for Pu(IV) are expected to be substantially the same.

Crystallography, X-Ray↗
PubMed1992

Transmission of chromosomal instability after plutonium alpha-particle irradiation.

When investigating the biological effects of ionizing radiation on the haemopoietic system, a confounding problem lies in possible differences between the biological effects of sparsely ionizing, low linear energy transfer radiation such as X-, beta- or gamma-rays, and densely ionizing, high linear energy transfer radiation such as alpha-particles. To address this problem we have developed novel techniques for studying haemopoietic cells irradiated with environmentally relevant doses of alpha-particles from a plutonium-238 source. Using a clonogenic culture system, cytogenetic aberrations in individual colonies of haemopoietic cells derived from irradiated stem cells have been studied. Exposure to alpha-particles (but not X-rays) produced a high frequency of non-clonal aberrations in the clonal descendants, compatible with alpha-emitters inducing lesions in stem cells that result in the transmission of chromosomal instability to their progeny. Such unexpected instability may have important implications for radiation leukaemogenesis.

Alpha Particles↗
PubMed1984

Multiplicative effect of inhaled plutonium oxide and benzo (a) pyrene on lung carcinogenesis in rats.

This study describes the effect of intratracheal instillations (2 X 5 mg) of benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P) on lung carcinogenesis in rats which had previously inhaled different levels of 239 plutonium oxide (220, 630, 6300 Bq, initial lung burden). Survival decreased with increasing PuO2 exposure and additional B(a)P exposure. The incidence of malignant lung tumours, adjusted for differences in survival, increased in a dose-related fashion with PuO2 dose and was elevated in the presence of additional B(a)P exposure. A multiplicative relative risk model was found to describe reasonably well the observed joint effect. The practical implications of these findings are discussed.

Administration, Intranasal↗
PubMed1998

Tumour induction by methyl-nitroso-urea following preconceptional paternal contamination with plutonium-239.

We have investigated the possibility that transgenerational effects from preconceptional paternal irradiation (PPI) may render offspring more vulnerable to secondary exposure to an unrelated carcinogen. 239Pu (0, 128 or 256 Bq g(-1)) was administered by intravenous injection to male mice, 12 weeks before mating with normal females. Two strains of mouse were used -- CBA/H and BDF1. Haemopoietic spleen colony-forming units (CFU-S) and fibroblastoid colony-forming units (CFU-F), a component of their regulatory microenvironment, were assayed independently in individual offspring at 6, 12 and 19 weeks of age. Bone marrow and spleen from each of these mice were grown in suspension culture for 2 or 7 days for assessment of chromosomal aberrations. Female BDF1 were injected with methyl-nitroso-urea (MNU) as a secondary carcinogen at 10 weeks of age and monitored for onset of leukaemia/lymphoma. Mean values of CFU-S and CFU-F were unaffected by preconceptional paternal plutonium-239 (PP-239Pu), although for CFU-F in particular there was an apparent increase in variation between individual animals. There was significant evidence of an increase in chromosomal aberrations with dose in bone marrow but not in spleen. By 250 days, 68% of MNU-treated control animals (no PPI) had developed thymic lymphoma (62%) or leukaemia (38%). The first case arose 89 days after MNU administration. In the groups with PPI, leukaemia/lymphoma developed from 28 days earlier, rising to 90% by 250 days. Leukaemia (65%) now predominated over lymphoma (35%). This second generation excess of leukaemia appears to be the result of PPI and may be related to inherited changes that affect the development of haemopoietic stem cells.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

A rapid and accurate method for the determination of plutonium in food using magnetic sector ICP-MS with an ultra-sonic nebuliser and ion chromatography.

In the event of a nuclear incident it is essential that analytical information on the distribution and level of contamination is available. An ICP-MS method is described which can provide data on plutonium contamination in food within 3 h of sample receipt without compromising detection limits or accuracy relative to traditional counting methods. The method can also provide simultaneous determinations of americium and neptunium. Samples were prepared by HNO3 closed-vessel microwave digestion, evaporated to dryness and diluted into a mobile phase comprising 1.5 M HNO3 and 0.1 mM 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid. A commercially available polystyrene-divinylbenzene ion chromatography column provides on-line separation of 239Pu and 238U reducing the impact of the 238U1H interference. Oxidation of the sample using H2O2 ensures all Pu is in the Pu(+4) state. The oxidation also displaces Np away from the solvent front by changing the oxidation state from Np(+3) to Np(+4) and produces the insoluble Am(+4) ion. Simultaneous Pu, Am and Np analyses therefore require omission of the oxidation stage and some loss of Pu data quality. Analyses were performed using a magnetic sector ICP-MS (Finnigan MAT Element). The sample is introduced to the plasma via an ultrasonic nebuliser-desolvation unit (Cetac USN 6000AT+). This combination achieves an instrumental sensitivity of 238U > 2 x 10(7) cps/ppb and removes hydrogen from the sample gas, which also inhibits the formation of 238U1H. The net effect of the improved sample introduction conditions is to achieve detection levels for Pu of 0.020 pg g(-1) (4.6 x 10(-2) Bq kg(-1)) which is significantly below 1/10th of the most stringent EU (European Union) legislation, currently 0.436 pg g(-1) (1 Bq kg(-1)) set for baby food. The new method was evaluated with a range of biological samples ranging from cabbage to milk and meat. Recovery of Pu agrees with published values (100% +/- 20%).

Chromatography, Ion Exchange↗
PubMed2000

Contamination and decontamination of rat and human skin with plutonium and uranium, studied with a Franz's chamber.

PURPOSE: Our work offers a new method of assessing human skin radiocontamination and of appraising its treatment. This in vitro technique stems from methods used in skin pharmacology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Franz's diffusion chambers, which help maintain the physiological condition of a skin biopsy, are used to study how 233U and 239Pu, added to a 0.1 N solution of nitric acid, could enter skin. The efficiencies of two different decontaminating agents (Na3Ca)DTPA (25%) and EHBP (0.5 M) are compared. These studies were made on human skin samples, recovered after plastic surgery. Parallel experiments were carried out on hairless rat skin biopsies and on the skin of live hairless rats. RESULTS: Results in vivo and in vitro on the rat were not significantly different which validates the in vitro technique. In human beings, most of the radioactivity was found in the epidermis, with 2-4% found at the level of the dermis. By means of autoradiography we were able to identify that this radioactivity was concentrated in and around hair and sebaceous glands. Local treatments by EHBP seemed more efficient than those by DTPA in decorporating uranium and plutonium but the complexes radionuclide-EHBP seemed to diffuse through the skin more than the radionuclide-DTPA complexes if the skin was not rinsed after application of the chelating agent. CONCLUSION: This new in vitro technique using human skin has been validated for radiotoxicology. It can be used to quantify the diffusion of radionuclides through the various skin layers and to assess the efficiency of decontaminating agents.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Induction of osteosarcoma and acute myeloid leukaemia in CBA/H mice by the alpha-emitting nuclides, uranium-233, plutonium-239 and amercium-241.

PURPOSE: To compare tumour induction in CBA/H mice, principally osteosarcoma and acute myeloid leukaemia, resulting from exposure to the alpha-emitting nuclides, uranium-233, plutonium-239 and americium-241, and to relate differences between the three nuclides to the pattern of dose delivery within tissues. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Each nuclide was administered intraperitoneally in citrate solution to three groups of adult male CBA/H mice at levels of activity which gave estimated life-time average skeletal doses of about 0.25-0.3 Gy, 0.5-1 Gy and 1-2 Gy. Animals were carefully monitored and sacrificed as soon as they showed signs of ill health; tumours were identified by standard histopathological techniques. RESULTS: Statistical modelling by Cox regression showed that, considering all three nuclides together, there was a highly significant increase in risk of death from osteosarcoma or myeloid leukaemia with increasing dose rate. For osteosarcoma, the effect was significantly greater for 239Pu than 241Am, while separate analysis for 233U showed no significant increase with increasing dose rate. For example, the increase in relative risk of death from osteosarcoma for an increase in life-time average dose rate to bone of 1 mGyd(-1) was 4.2 (2.7-6.5) for 239Pu, 2.3 (1.4-3.4) for 241Am and 1.1 (0.4-3.1) for 233U. For myeloid leukaemia, there was no significant difference between 239Pu and 241Am in the effect of dose rate. The increase in relative risk from myeloid leukaemia for an increase in average dose rate of 1 mGyd(-1) was 1.8 (1.1-2.8) for 239Pu, 2.0 (1.4-2.9) for 241Am and 1.5 (0.8-2.7) for 233U. Significant increases in renal and hepatic carcinomas were also recorded in animals exposed to 233U and 241Am, respectively. Studies of the distribution of the nuclides within the skeleton, published separately, have shown differences in their retention in individual bones and within bone. The proportions of decays occurring near to endosteal bone surfaces and throughout bone marrow were in the order: 239Pu> 241Am>233U. CONCLUSIONS: For osteosarcoma, the relative effectiveness of the nuclides in terms of average bone dose, in the order 239Pu>241Am>233U, is consistent with the proportion of dose delivered near to endosteal surfaces. For myeloid leukaemia, the greater effectiveness of 239Pu and 241Am than 233U is consistent with their accumulation in marrow.

Americium↗
PubMed2004

Comparative tissue uptake and cellular deposition of three different plutonium chemical forms in rats.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the influence of the chemical form of plutonium (Pu) on its distribution in tissues and within liver cells populations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Groups of male Sprague-Dawley rats were contaminated by intravenous injection of either Pu citrate, Pu nitrate or Pu phytate. Pu content was determined in various tissues at different times after injection. Pu liver distribution was analysed by autoradiography and after cellular separation. RESULTS: Biokinetic studies indicate that Pu citrate and Pu nitrate predominantly retained in the skeleton within the first hours after injection, whereas most of the Pu was in the liver after injection of Pu phytate. Autoradiographs showed that Pu citrate was homogeneously distributed in the liver, while Pu nitrate accumulated into 'hot points'. Pu phytate showed an intermediate distribution pattern. Hepatic cell separation revealed a difference of uptake between the two cell types depending on the chemical form of injected Pu, and on the time after contamination. CONCLUSIONS: Distinct Pu behaviour was observed for biokinetics, retention and liver distribution. The large differences noted between citrate, nitrate and phytate might be explained by differences in systemic and hepatic transport.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Targeting of diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid encapsulated in liposomes to rat liver: an effective strategy to prevent bone deposition and increase urine elimination of plutonium in rats.

PURPOSE: To modify the distribution of the chelating agent diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) by using a formulation approach with liposomes in order to match the in vivo distribution of plutonium (Pu) and, as a consequence, to improve actinide decorporation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: DTPA was encapsulated in conventional and stealth liposomes. Their pharmacokinetics and ability to remove Pu were evaluated in rats 2 and 16 days after a single intravenous treatment given 2 h after contamination with colloidal Pu (239Pu phytate) or with soluble Pu (238Pu citrate). RESULTS: Both formulations induced major pharmacokinetic modifications in rats, allowing an accumulation of [14C]-DTPA mainly in the liver and secondarily (for stealth liposomes) in bone and spleen. These modifications were associated with major increases in urine elimination and with a decrease in skeletal Pu deposition, depending of the nature of the Pu contaminant. After contamination by Pu phytate, conventional liposomes of DTPA (6 micromol kg(-1)) were as efficient as free DTPA (30 micromol kg(-1)) in maintaining the Pu content in the femur below 4.3% of the injected dose after 16 days, a 3.6-fold reduction compared with free DTPA (4 micromol kg(-1)) treatment or without treatment. CONCLUSIONS: A formulation approach with liposomes appears to be a powerful tool to improve the efficiency of Pu chelating agents in vivo.

Animals↗
PubMed1975

Radiation dose from plutonium deposited in marrow and bone of normal and chimaeric mice.

239Pu citrate was injected intraperitoneally into CBA mice and into CBA mice which had been made chimaeric by replacing their haematopoietic bone-marrow with that from another genetically-identical but cytologically-distinct strain. The mice were killed at three intervals up to 90 days after injection, and the deposited 239Pu was determined radiochemically in bone-marrow and in bone. The average radiation dose (integrated over 90 days) was found to be greater in the bones but lower in the marrow of chimaeric mice than in the corresponding tissues of the normal CBA mice. These results are discussed from the points of view of induction of malignant change in marrow and bone and of plutonium metabolism in the two types of mouse.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Plutonium-239 deposition in the skeleton of the mouse.

Using the technique of neutron-induced autoradiography, together with computer-based methods of data reduction, the distribution of intravenously injected plutonium-239 in the skeleton of the female CBA mouse, 24 hours after injection, has been investigated. With these techniques, it is possible to measure the localization of 239Pu on the endosteal and periosteal surfaces of the bone to an accuracy of approximately +/- 2 x 5 micrometer. Results are reported for the distribution of 239Pu in the third lumbar vertebra, a central caudal vertebra, the right ilium and the right femur. Radiochemical analyses of the 239Pu in other comparable bones of the skeleton are also reported.

Animals↗