| Abstract [eng] |
The study provides new data on the transport, distribution and flux of radionuclides (239,240Pu, 241Pu and 241Am) in the aquatic environment of the Neman River, the Curonian Lagoon and the Baltic Sea in the Lithuanian economic zone. The Neman River basin is a long-term source of 239,240Pu with an average annual rate of 62 MBq/year. Most of the activity is transported to the Curonian Lagoon by the particles > 1 µm in the Neman River. The suspended particles of 25 - 63 µm are responsible for the transport of 137Cs and natural radionuclides (7Be, 40K, 210Pb, 214Pb) with the water of the Neman River into the Curonian Lagoon. Nevertheless, particles with a size of 30 µm play an important role in the distribution of 137Cs, 40K and 214Pb, while suspended particles with a size of < 20 µm influence the transport of 210Pb in the Baltic Sea. The obtained data on the spatial distribution of 239,240Pu and 241Am in the Curonian Lagoon and in the Baltic Sea of the Lithuanian Economic Zone indicate a characteristic pattern supporting the use of these radionuclides to trace pollutants in the studied area. |
