90Sr level and behaviour in the terrestrial environment of Spitsbergen.

The research was focused on the level and distribution of ⁹⁰Sr in various parts of the terrestrial environment of Spitsbergen. The mean activity concentrations were noted lower in peats and soils than in cryoconite. Analysis of vertical variation of ⁹⁰Sr for soils and peats as well as isotopic ratios of ¹³⁷Cs/⁹⁰Sr and ^239+240Pu/⁹⁰Sr for cryoconite clearly showed substantial migration or depletion of the considered radionuclide. Due to the large dispersion of isotopic signatures, the ⁹⁰Sr provenance was difficult to identify in the examined region. However, observed high mobility of the ⁹⁰Sr might indicate the global fallout origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]