Radiactive particle biotic and abiotic processes

Abstract

In ecosystems affected by the presence of radioactive particles, it is imperative to obtain information regarding transformation processes that affect them in order to properly evaluate not only their behaviour, but also the potential transfer of radionuclides between different compartments. A protocol for the abiotic transformation of radioactive particles has been developed within the framework of EC and IAEA research projects and has been applied on a range of particles from various sites. Methods for the characterisation of single radioactive particles pre- and post-leaching, using sub-micron resolution imaging techniques have been developed that enable the quantitative analysis of transformation processes.