Determination of plutonium isotopes (238,239,240Pu) and strontium (90Sr) in seafood using alpha spectrometry and liquid scintillation spectrometry

The present study was carried out to survey the levels of plutonium isotopes (Pu-238,Pu-239,Pu-240) and strontium (Sr-90) in domestic seafood in Korea. In current, regulatory authorities have analyzed radionuclides, such as Cs-134, Cs-137 and I-131, in domestic and imported food. However, people are concerned about contamination of other radionuclides, such as plutonium and strontium, in food. Furthermore, people who live in Korea have much concern about safety of seafood. Accordingly, in this study, we have investigated the activity concentrations of plutonium and strontium in seafood. For the analysis of plutonium isotopes and strontium, a rapid and reliable method developed from previous study was used. Applicability of the test method was verified by examining recovery, minimum detectable activity (MDA), analytical time, etc. Total 40 seafood samples were analyzed in 2014-2015. As a result, plutonium isotopes (Pu-238,Pu-239,Pu-240) and strontium (90Sr) were not detected or below detection limits in seafood. The detection limits of plutonium isotopes and strontium-90 were 0.01 and 1 Bq/kg, respectively. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.