XFM studies of plutonium dispersed in an arid environment

The soil particles collected at a former British nuclear test site in Australia were investigated by synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence microscopy (XFM), in order to determine the chemical speciation of radioactive nuclides retained in the particles. The results demonstrate that the particles contain a high concentration of Pu which derives from the original nuclear bomb material. The outcomes of this study would have a potential impact on the safety and environmental assessment associated with the former nuclear test sites.