SIMILARITIES IN THE BEHAVIOR OF CHERNOBYL-DERIVED RU-103, RU-106 AND CS-137 IN 2 FRESH-WATER LAKES

Measurements of the concentrations of Ru-103 and Ru-106 in the water column and sediments of two productive temperate lakes were made during an eight month period following the Chernobyl accident. Ru-103 accumulation in the sediments began simultaneously with that of Cs-134 and a constant ratio (approx. 2.0 on a decay corrected basis) of Ru-103/Cs-137 was observed in surface waters and sediments throughout the measurement period. The ratio is not statistically different from that reported for atmospheric input and for epilimnetic water. The results suggest that the processes of removal of radioactive ruthenium and caesium from the mixed water column to the sediments are the same. Enhancement of Cs, compared with Ru, in the isolated bottom waters of one of the lakes in the summer months provided evidence for Cs release from the sediments during a period of hypolimnetic anoxia.