Iodine-129 in animal thyroids from Argentina

Abstract

129I and 127I concentrations in animal thyroids coming from several regions of Argentina were determined by accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) and gas chromatography (GC), respectively. The measured 129I/127I ratios, ranging from 3×10−12 to 4×10−10, are significantly lower than those typical for areas in the northern hemisphere (10−10 - 10−7). The 129I concentrations show a clear dependence with latitude and season, which can be understood considering tropospheric circulation patterns, possible 129I sources and regional precipitation rates.