Field and laboratory applications of radionuclides in environmental research
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Date
2008-08-27
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Committee on Radiochemistry of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (HAS)
Abstract
Radionuclides have numerous applications in environmental research. They can be utilised in plant uptake and bioaccumulation studies in both field and laboratory experiments, thereby providing valuable information on elemental and radionuclide pathways and dynamics in ecological systems. In the estuarine environment, radiotracer studies enable experimental evaluation of the numerical models underpinning engineering studies, as well as enabling research into the dynamics of coastal ecosystems. The advantages of radionuclides in laboratory experiments include the wide range of elemental concentrations that can be studied, the capability to study several isotopes simultaneously, and the ability to study the mechanisms, reversibility and kinetics of environmental reactions under controlled conditions. The results of the studies are applicable to the behaviour of both radioactive and non-radioactive environmental contaminants. These attributes are demonstrated using specific examples drawn from case studies in Australia and South East Asia.
Description
Keywords
Radioisotopes, Environment, Isotope applications, Field tests, Experimental channels, Laboratory system
Citation
Payne, T. E., Hughes, C. E., Creighton, N. M., & Twining, J. R. (2008). Field and laboratory applications of radionuclides in environmental research. Seventh International Conference on Nuclear and Radiochemistry (NRC7), 24th – 29th August 2008. Budapest, Hungary: Eotvos Lorand University.