Fission Product Concentration in the Chukchi Sea

Abstract

Reports on concentrations of strontium-90, cerium-144, and promethium-147 in water samples collected 1959-1962, especially as indicating mass transport of ocean water. The 1959 Sr-90 fallout values were less than those reported from the northwestern Pacific and similar to values for the North Atlantic and mainland Alaska; but the 1960-62 values increased, in contrast to the other areas. No comparable increase was found in the Ce-144 and Pm-147 concentrations, but these radioisotopes may be removed from sea water during passage over shallow seas and analysis of sediment content would be enlightening.