Distributions and fluxes of $^{226}$Ra and $^{228}$Ra in the Irish Sea and in the English channel, in relation to hydrological conditions and sediment interactions

Abstract

International audienceDistribution of $^{226}$Ra activities and $^{228}$Ra/$^{226}$Ra activity ratios were measured in the surface waters of the Irish Sea and in the English Channel. 226Ra activities vary from 0.001 Bq.l$^{−1}$ for the Atlantic water to 0.002 Bq.l$^{-1}$ for coastal waters, whereas $^{228}$Ra/$^{226}$Ra activity ratios increase from 0.18 to 2.18. The coastal waters are clearly dominated by radium injection from nearshore sediments