Vertical distribution of 241Pu in the southern Baltic Sea sediments

The vertical distribution of plutonium 241Pu in marine sediments can assist in determining the deposition history and sedimentation process of analyzed regions. In addition, 241Pu/239+240Pu activity ratio could be used as a sensitive fingerprint for radioactive source identification. The present preliminary studies on vertical distribution of 241Pu in sediments from four regions of the southern Baltic Sea are presented. The distribution of 241Pu was not uniform and depended on sediment geomorphology and depth as well as location. The highest concentrations of plutonium were found in the surface layers of all analyzed sediments and originated from the Chernobyl accident.