129I record in a sediment core from Tinto River (Spain)

Abstract

The potential of 129I (T1/2 = 15.7 × 106 y) as an environmental tracer has extensively been shown in the literature. However, more information about the transport and distribution of this radionuclide in nature is needed. In this work, we present the results obtained for the 129I concentration in a sediment core profile taken at the Tinto River, in Southern Spain. This place can be considered far away from the direct impact of the nuclear fuel reprocessing plants, which are the main anthropogenic 129I sources. However, the 129I profile found in the core clearly not only shows the presence of anthropogenic 129I but it also allows obtaining information about its possible specific origin. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.