Radioactive characterization of the Pinheiros river bottom sediment

Radionuclide contents were determined in the botton sediment of the Pinheiros river, into which the Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares (IPEN) has been continuously discharging low level radioactive liquid effluents. The results showed that the activity of natural radionuclides and the activity of (137)Cs found in the sediment were within the range of the expected baskground for the region. (60)Co was the only other artificial radionuclide detected, with concentrations ranging from 0.20 to 0.85 Ba per kilogram dry weight, at some points of the river.