Researching of tritium speciation in soils of "Balapan" site.

Speciation of tritium (3 Н) in soils from the "Balapan" site in Semipalatinsk are presented in this study. Three interrelated objects were chosen for further study: "Atomic" lake, the Shagan River and an external reservoir. The main speciation forms of 3 Н in soil were: 3 Н in surface-adsorbed water, 3 Н in interlayer water, hydroxylic 3 Н, organically bound 3 Н and crystalline-bound 3 Н. Results will allow an estimation of contamination mechanism to be made, and will also allow the potential for migration and bioavailability of 3 Н to be assessed.