Pu Residence Times in Freshwaters and Accumulation in Shield Lake Sediments

Abstract

Activity balances for 239,240Pu in seven oligotrophic lakes were constructed from measurements of 239,240Pu inputs and measurements of 239,240Pu accumulated in the lake sediments. 239,240Pu eroded from the catchment was a significant input to lakes with rapid hydrologic flushing rates. From 28 to 100% of the 239,240Pu input to the lakes accumulated in the lake sediments. The fraction of 239,240Pu inputs accumulated in the lake sediments was inversely correlated with the hydrologic flushing rate of the lake. 239,240Pu concentrations in the sediments were simulated using a single reservoir input–output model. Partial residence times for 239,240Pu transfer from the water to the sediments ranged from 0.09 to 2.7 yr and were shorter in lakes with more rapid flushing. Partial residence times of 239,240Pu in these small shield lakes were very similar to the residence times of 239,240Pu in the Laurentian Great Lakes and to those of 137Cs and 210Pb in other small oligotrophic lakes.