[ RadSafe ] Radioactive medicine being tracked through rivers

[Brennan, Mike (DOH)]

Years ago I did a study of radionuclides in sewage sludge, and I found I131 in every sample (except the one that had been composted for three months).  Although I had a limited number of samples, the concentration of I131 seemed to correlate with the moisture content of the sludge, leading me to believe the iodine was in solution in the liquid, as opposed to sorbed onto the particles.  

I've also run a program sampling marine sediment, water, plants, and animals at a Navy base, which is about two miles from the outfall of a wastewater treatment plant.  I've never seen I131 in the water or sediment, but every couple of years it is above the lower level of detection in some of the plants.  

It wouldn't surprise me if the I131 isn't in the sediment, but in the algae in the sediment.  Perhaps not a big difference, but something that might help explain results. 

-----Original Message-----
From: radsafe-bounces at health.phys.iit.edu [mailto:radsafe-bounces at health.phys.iit.edu] On Behalf Of ROY HERREN
Sent: Thursday, March 22, 2012 10:34 PM
To: radsafe at agni.phys.iit.edu
Subject: [ RadSafe ] Radioactive medicine being tracked through rivers

http://www.udel.edu/udaily/2012/mar/medicine-rivers-sediment-032212.html
Sediment sleuthing
Radioactive medicine being tracked through rivers
 10:56 a.m., March 22, 2012--A University of Delaware oceanographer has stumbled 
upon an unusual aid for studying local waterways: radioactive iodine. Roy Herren 
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