Periodic Table--Cesium

Cesium has only one naturally occurring stable isotope, ¹³³Cs. The radiogenic isotope ¹³⁷Cs has been used in hydrologic studies, analogous to the use of ³H. ¹³⁷Cs is produced from detonation of nuclear weapons and emissions from nuclear power plants. Beginning in 1954 with the commencement of nuclear testing, ¹³⁷Cs was released into the atmosphere where it is absorbed readily into solution. Once ¹³⁷Cs enters the ground water, it is deposited on soil surfaces and removed from the landscape primarily by particle transport. As a result, the input function of these isotopes can be estimated as a function of time. The resulting activities of ¹³⁷Cs in sediments can thus be used to understand the geomorphic history of catchments by dating cores and estimating rates of sediment deposition and thus catchment erosion.

¹³⁴Cs has also been used in hydrology as a measure of cesium output by the nuclear power industry. This isotope is used because, while it is less prevalent than either ¹³³Cs or ¹³⁷Cs, ¹³⁴Cs can be produced solely by nuclear reactions. ¹³⁵Cs has also been used in this function.

¹³⁴Cs and ¹³⁵Cs, while less prevalent than either ¹³³Cs or ¹³⁷Cs, have also been used in hydrology as a measure of cesium output by the nuclear power industry, as they too are produced solely by anthropogenic sources.

Source of text: This review was assembled by Eric Caldwell and Dan Snyder from the references below.