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On the occurrence and origin of anthropogenic radionuclides found in a fragment of the Chelyabinsk ( LL 5) meteorite
Author(s) -
Querfeld Rebecca,
Tanha Mohammad R.,
Heyer Lars,
Renz Franz,
Guggenberger Georg,
Brandstätter Franz,
Ferrière Ludovic,
Koeberl Christian,
Steinhauser Georg
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
meteoritics and planetary science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.09
H-Index - 100
eISSN - 1945-5100
pISSN - 1086-9379
DOI - 10.1111/maps.12855
Subject(s) - meteorite , strontium , radionuclide , environmental chemistry , caesium , contamination , geochemistry , mineralogy , geology , radiochemistry , environmental science , chemistry , astrobiology , inorganic chemistry , nuclear physics , ecology , physics , organic chemistry , biology
A piece of the 2013 Chelyabinsk meteorite was investigated for its content of anthropogenic radionuclides. In addition to traces of cesium‐137 that had been previously reported for this particular fragment, we found an unusually high amount of strontium‐90, which indicates that the source of this contamination was the Kyshtym accident (1957). A high Sr‐90/Cs‐137 activity ratio is characteristic for Kyshtym‐derived contaminations. Based on the cesium‐137 content in the soil from the finding site, it is estimated that the fragment was contaminated with soil particles in the milligram range upon impact. Investigation of the soil revealed very unusual ferromagnetic characteristics and an iron‐rich chemical composition. Mössbauer spectroscopy indicated the presence of steel components in this soil, suggesting that the investigated meteorite fragment was found in an industrial dumping site rather than natural soil.