Dose equivalent commitments from fallout radionuclides in the open waters of the Great Lakes. 1973–1981

The levels of ¹⁴⁴Ce, ¹³⁷Cs, ¹²⁵Sb, and ⁹⁰Sr in the open waters of the Great Lakes were measured over the period 1973–81. The levels were found to be very low. ¹⁴⁴Ce was detected only up to 1975 after which it dropped below the detection limit. The data indicate that the concentrations of the remaining three radionuclides have decreased with time. ⁹⁰Sr and ¹³⁷Cs provide essentially all of the radiological dose from drinking Great Lakes water. The dose equivalant commitments have been calculated from these measurements and found to be well within the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement's water quality objective for radioactivity.