516 TRANSURANIC ELEMENTS IN THE ENVIRONMENT 



The distribution of plutonium concentrations in the water column follows the general 

 lagoon circulation pattern with the tiighest concentration in the northwest quadrant and 

 with decreasing concentration gradually toward the east and south. The outlet of the 

 radioactive lagoon water is through the deep passes in the southwestern part of the Atoll 

 where the exit into the North Equatorial Current occurs. The physicochemical state 

 studies of plutonium show that approximately 15% of the total concentration is present 

 in the colloidal fraction; varying amounts are found in the soluble and particulate 

 fractions, depending on location. The americium is found primarily associated with the 

 particulate fraction (>0.3/nm). Measurements of the isotope ratios of ^^^Pu/^^^'^'^^Pu 

 in the particulate, first AI2O3, and second AI2O3 fractions of a water sample are not 

 constant. The ratios in these water fractions also vary with location in the lagoon. The 

 ^^^Pu appears to be more soluble than the ^^^'^^*^Pu in lagoon samples since the ratios 

 are higher in the soluble fractions (first AI2O3 and second AI2O3) than in the particulate 

 fraction. In an attempt to explain these observations, it is speculated that the ^^^Pu 

 forms smaller clusters than the 2 3 9,24 0pjj Q^jj^g jq possible differences in specific 

 ionization. This could be a result of the differences in decay half-lives (^^^Pu, 86 yr; 

 2 3^Pu,24,400yr). 



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