Murphy, et al., describe a submicron aerosol particle sampled at an altitude of 7 km near the Aleutian Islands that contained a small percentage of enriched uranium oxide. 235U was 3.1 ± 0.5% of 238U. During twenty years of aircraft sampling of millions of particles in the global atmosphere, we have rarely encountered a particle with a similarly
high content of 238U and never a particle with enriched 235U. The bulk of the particle consisted of material consistent with combustion of heavy fuel oil. Analysis of wind trajectories and particle dispersion model results show that the particle could have originated from a variety of areas across Asia. The source of such a particle is unclear, and the particle is described here in case it indicates a novel source where enriched uranium was dispersed.
In summary, the data would suggest that either a tiny (< 60 nm) particle of nearly pure enriched uranium oxide coagulated with an oil combustion particle, or the particle originated from combustion of heavy oil contaminated with enriched uranium. Neither explanation is especially satisfactory. The particle was probably emitted within a broad region that includes Japan, China, and South and North Korea. This particle could suggest a novel process or event whereby enriched uranium was released into the atmosphere.
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