Plutonium-239+240 and Sediment Yield Data for a Southern Italy Catchment

ENVIDAT provides a dataset comparing Plutonium-239+240 isotope measurements with sediment yield to validate the radionuclide as a soil redistribution tracer. The data includes soil samples from a catchment area and undisturbed reference sites in Southern Italy, with measurements taken using ICP-MS. The dataset was last updated on January 1, 2023.

Use Cases

• Validate Plutonium-239+240 as a soil redistribution tracer based on direct sediment yield measurements.
• Model soil erosion rates in a Mediterranean catchment based on radionuclide concentration data.
• Compare soil redistribution rates from radionuclide tracers against rates from direct sediment measurements.
• Study the long-term fallout and accumulation of Plutonium-239+240 in soil since initial deposition.

Strengths

• Dataset is based on a unique sediment yield record extending back to the initial fallout of Plutonium-239+240.
• Includes measurements from both a catchment area and undisturbed reference sites for comparison.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.

Provenance

Source

ENVIDAT

Collection Method

Soil samples were collected, Plutonium-239+240 was extracted and measured using ICP-MS, and results were converted into soil redistribution rates.

Time Range

Extends back to the initial fallout of Plutonium-239+240 (likely mid-20th century).

Freshness

Last updated 2023-01-01 00:00:00; freshness should be verified.

Geography

A small catchment in Southern Italy.