One problem with using sea water to cool is that chlorides can form. I wonder if the Pu leak is from one of the reactors where sea water was used. I do not know how much of the oxides can be transformed to Cl's at high temps. I know little of Pu chemistry.... just remember all the nice colors.
Dennis From: Jed Rothwell Sent: Monday, March 28, 2011 1:03 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [Vo]:Reuters: Plutonium Found Outside Ed Storms made the following comment about the plutonium: Plutonium comes in two forms. The oxide is insoluble in the body and, if trapped in the lungs, is quickly encapsulated by scar tissue that keeps the radiation from living tissue. In contrast, the water soluble forms go to the bone where they can cause cancer. Although the form found in soil is probably the oxide, it will be present along with many fission elements, including uranium, that are all bad. You should note, they only mentioned plutonium. This region of Japan will be useless for agriculture for decades. Naturally, they don't want to traumatize the populated any more than they already are, but the problems are just beginning. Ed
