Uranium Ammunition in Soil

Natural uranium contains the isotope U-238 of 99.3% and the isotope U-235 of 0.7 %. U-235 has to be enriched for using uranium as nuclear fuel. Depleted uranium (DU) is a by-product in that enriching process. It is accumulated in considerable amounts in this process all over the world. Due to its high density (19.1 g/cm3) DU is used as counterweights in ships and airplanes in the civil industry. In addition, DU is utilised for military purposes both in cladding for armoured vehicles and projectiles.
Such projectiles were used by NATO troops in the wars of Iraq, Serbia, and Bosnia. At impact the projectile becomes pulverized and transferred as finely dispersed powder into soil and may cause long-term ecological problems especially in agriculturally used areas. Consequently, the public was alarmed and discussions concerning possible health risks for civil population and soldiers who came into contact with DU arose.