This paper describes the most common presently used methods for detecting uranium and plutonium isotopes after their introduction to environment. Known isotope ratios of U and Pu in different nuclear events are important tool for characterizing the sources of nuclear material. Detection techniques both in field and in laboratory are presented, as well as different models that can be used for identifying the origin and age of the nuclear material. Identification of the source of nuclear material in environmental samples is needed for estimating the quality and quantity of the nuclear hazard. This information is essential in risk assessment and crisis management, in chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) research after e.g. a terrorist attack, in radioecology and environmental radioactivity research.

本文介绍了目前最常用的检测铀和p同位素的方法，将其引入环境后。不同核事件中U和Pu的已知同位素比是表征核材料来源的重要工具。介绍了现场和实验室中的检测技术，以及可用于识别核材料起源和年龄的不同模型。需要鉴定环境样品中的核材料来源，以估计核危害的质量和数量。该信息对于风险评估和危机管理，恐怖袭击后的化学，生物，放射和核（CBRN）研究，放射生态学和环境放射性研究至关重要。