Wet and dry deposition of 129I in Seville (Spain) measured by accelerator mass spectrometry

• Published in: Journal of environmental radioactivity 2001, Vol.55 (3), p.269-282
• Main Authors: López-Gutiérrez, J.M, Garcı́a-León, M, Schnabel, Ch, Suter, M, Synal, H.-A, Szidat, S
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Accelerator mass spectrometry; Applied sciences; Atmospheric pollution; Dispersed sources and other; Europe; Exact sciences and technology; Iodine Isotopes - analysis; Iodine-129; Mass Spectrometry - methods; Meteorological Concepts; Natural water pollution; Pollution; Pollution sources. Measurement results; Radioactive Tracers; Radioactivity; Rain; Rainwater; Rainwaters, run off water and others; Sample preparation; Spain; Water - analysis; Water treatment and pollution
• ISSN: 0265-931X; 1879-1700
• DOI: 10.1016/S0265-931X(00)00197-1

Iodine-129 ( T 1/2 =1.57×10 7 yr ) concentrations have been determined by accelerator mass spectrometry in rainwater samples taken at Seville (southwestern Spain) in 1996 and 1997. This technique allows a reduction in the detection limits for this radionuclide in comparison to radiometric counting and other mass spectrometric methods such as ICP-MS. Typical 129I concentrations range from 4.7×10 7 129I atoms/l (19.2%) to 4.97×10 9 129I atoms/l (5.9%), while 129I depositions are normally in the order of 10 8–10 10 atoms/m 2 d. These values agree well with other results obtained for recent rainwater samples collected in Europe. Apart from these, the relationship between 129I deposition and some atmospheric factors has been analyzed, showing the importance of the precipitation rate and the concentration of suspended matter in it.