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Suárez-Navarro JA, Gil-Pacheco E, Expósito-Suárez VM, Gómez-Mancebo MB, Vicente-Prieto N, García-Gómez H, Suárez-Navarro MJ, Sánchez-González SM, Caro A, Hernáiz G, Barragán M, Cid-Morillo C. Influence of soil chemical composition on U, 226Ra and 210Pb uptake in leaves and fruits of Quercus ilex L. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2023; 264:107187. [PMID: 37186982 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2023.107187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
To determine their transfer factors, activity concentrations of natural radionuclides were measured in the leaves and acorns of holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) trees collected from seven locations with different soil properties and radionuclide activity concentrations. The chemical and mineralogical compositions of the soils were also analysed to investigate the effect these had on radionuclide absorption by the trees. Soil chemistry showed significant effects on radionuclide incorporation into Quercus ilex L. tissues. A significant relationship was established between activity concentrations and soil content of Ca and P with 238U and 226Ra in the leaves and acorns of Quercus ilex L. Differentiated transfer was found for 40K, which showed greater transfer to the leaves than the other radionuclides. The activity concentration of U and 226Ra was higher in the fruits than in the leaves, with the opposite effect being observed for 40K. The risk of U and 226Ra transfer into the food chain through acorn consumption by livestock is predicted to increase in soils poor in Ca and rich in P.
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Affiliation(s)
- J A Suárez-Navarro
- Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Avd/Complutense, 40, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
| | - E Gil-Pacheco
- Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Salamanca (IRNASA-CSIC), CSIC, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, C/Cordel de Merinas, 40, 37008, Salamanca, Spain
| | - V M Expósito-Suárez
- Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Avd/Complutense, 40, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - M B Gómez-Mancebo
- Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Avd/Complutense, 40, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - H García-Gómez
- Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Avd/Complutense, 40, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - M J Suárez-Navarro
- Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), Departamento de Hidráulica, Energía y Medioambiente, E.T.S.I. Caminos, Canales y Puertos, Profesor Aranguren s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - S M Sánchez-González
- Universidad Europea Miguel de Cervantes, C/Padre Julio Chevalier, 2, 47012, Valladolid, Spain
| | - A Caro
- Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Avd/Complutense, 40, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - G Hernáiz
- Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Avd/Complutense, 40, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - M Barragán
- Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Avd/Complutense, 40, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - C Cid-Morillo
- Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Avd/Complutense, 40, 28040, Madrid, Spain
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2
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Pereira WS, Kelecom A, Lopes JM, Charles-Pierre M, Campelo ELC, Carmo AS, Filho LGP, Paiva AKS, Silva AX. Application of radiological assessment as water quality criterion for effluent release in a Brazilian uranium mine. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:65379-65391. [PMID: 37084045 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-26964-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Uranium mining causes several radiological impacts on the surrounding environment, notably in the water bodies, mainly due to the release of long half-life radionuclides from the 238U and 232Th series. The Ore Treatment Unit, an old uranium mine undergoing decommissioning, has three points of liquid effluent release (#014, #025, and #076). For current study, 78 samples of water were collected at #014, 33 samples at #025, and 63 samples at #076. The radionuclides were analyzed by gross alpha count, gross beta count, and by arsenazo spectrophotometry. Analyses were carried out using the radiological water quality criterion established by World Health Organization and other organizations, together with the Brazilian legislation, to assess if the released effluents may be used unrestrictedly by the individuals of the public. At #014, the mean values of activity concentration (AC), in Bq·L-1, were as follows: Unat = 0.107, 226Ra = 0.035, 210Pb = 0.031, 232Th = 0.007, and 228Ra = 0.049. At #025 the mean values of AC, in Bq·L-1, were as follows: Unat = 0.086, 226Ra = 0.015, 210Pb = 0.028, 232Th = 0.006, and 228Ra = 0.032. Finally, at point #076, the mean AC values, in Bq·L-1, were as follows: Unat = 3.624, 226Ra = 0.074, 210Pb = 0.054, 232Th = 0.013, and 228Ra = 0.069. The current study showed that natural radionuclides were not in secular equilibrium. Despite uranium presented its values outside the limits of guidance levels, it can be state that the unrestricted use of effluents released in the three water bodies is authorized from the radiological point of view. In terms of dose rate, the releases at three points were within the radiological limits of potability. On the other hand, in an additional analysis, #76 presented chemical toxicity above the authorized value, pointing the need of restricted use of water from the point of view of chemical toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wagner S Pereira
- Indústrias Nucleares do Brasil S/A - INB, 27.555-000, Resende, RJ, Brasil.
- Programa de Engenharia Nuclear, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro - UFRJ, 21.941-972, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.
| | - Alphonse Kelecom
- Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense - UFF, 24.001-970, Niterói, Brasil
| | - José M Lopes
- Departamento de Física da Terra e do Meio Ambiente, Instituto de Física, Universidade Federal da Bahia - UFBA, 40.170-115, Salvador, Brasil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Geoquímica (POSPETRO), Universidade Federal da Bahia - UFBA, 40.170-110, Salvador, Brasil
| | - Maxime Charles-Pierre
- Programa de Engenharia Nuclear, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro - UFRJ, 21.941-972, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | | | - Alessander S Carmo
- Setor de Criogenia, Centro Brasileiro de Pesquisas Físicas - CBPF, 22290-180, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Lucas G Padilha Filho
- Departamento de Radiologia, Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro - UFRJ, 21941-617, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
- Fundação Técnico Educacional Souza Marques - FTESM, 21310-310, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Alexandre K S Paiva
- Programa de Engenharia Nuclear, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro - UFRJ, 21.941-972, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Ademir X Silva
- Programa de Engenharia Nuclear, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro - UFRJ, 21.941-972, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
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Vengosh A, Coyte RM, Podgorski J, Johnson TM. A critical review on the occurrence and distribution of the uranium- and thorium-decay nuclides and their effect on the quality of groundwater. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 808:151914. [PMID: 34856287 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
This critical review presents the key factors that control the occurrence of natural elements from the uranium- and thorium-decay series, also known as naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM), including uranium, radium, radon, lead, polonium, and their isotopes in groundwater resources. Given their toxicity and radiation, elevated levels of these nuclides in drinking water pose human health risks, and therefore understanding the occurrence, sources, and factors that control the mobilization of these nuclides from aquifer rocks is critical for better groundwater management and human health protection. The concentrations of these nuclides in groundwater are a function of the groundwater residence time relative to the decay rates of the nuclides, as well as the net balance between nuclides mobilization (dissolution, desorption, recoil) and retention (adsorption, precipitation). This paper explores the factors that control this balance, including the relationships between the elemental chemistry (e.g., solubility and speciation), lithological and hydrogeological factors, groundwater geochemistry (e.g., redox state, pH, ionic strength, ion-pairs availability), and their combined effects and interactions. The various chemical properties of each of the nuclides results in different likelihoods for co-occurrence. For example, the primordial 238U, 222Rn, and, in cases of high colloid concentrations also 210Po, are all more likely to be found in oxic groundwater. In contrast, in reducing aquifers, Ra nuclides, 210Pb, and in absence of high colloid concentrations, 210Po, are more mobile and frequently occur in groundwater. In highly permeable sandstone aquifers that lack sufficient adsorption sites, Ra is often enriched, even in low salinity and oxic groundwater. This paper also highlights the isotope distributions, including those of relatively long-lived nuclides (238U/235U) with abundances that depend on geochemical conditions (e.g., fractionation induced from redox processes), as well as shorter-lived nuclides (234U/238U, 228Ra/226Ra, 224Ra/228Ra, 210Pb/222Rn, 210Po/210Pb) that are strongly influenced by physical (recoil), lithological, and geochemical factors. Special attention is paid in evaluating the ability to use these isotope variations to elucidate the sources of these nuclides in groundwater, mechanisms of their mobilization from the rock matrix (e.g., recoil, ion-exchange), and retention into secondary mineral phases and ion-exchange sites.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Joel Podgorski
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Dübendorf, Switzerland
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Yong J, Liu Q, Wu B, Chen H, Feng G, Hu Y. Measurement and spatial distribution pattern of natural radioactivity in a uranium tailings pond in Northwest China. JOURNAL OF RADIATION RESEARCH AND APPLIED SCIENCES 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/16878507.2021.1964314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jinlong Yong
- Research Center of Radiation Ecology and Ion Beam Biotechnology, College of Physics Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, PR China
| | - Qian Liu
- School of Statistics and Data Science, Xinjiang University of Finance & Economics, Urumqi, Xinjiang, PR China
| | - Baoshan Wu
- Research Center of Radiation Ecology and Ion Beam Biotechnology, College of Physics Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, PR China
| | - Henglei Chen
- Research Center of Radiation Ecology and Ion Beam Biotechnology, College of Physics Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, PR China
| | - Guangwen Feng
- Research Center of Radiation Ecology and Ion Beam Biotechnology, College of Physics Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, PR China
| | - Youhua Hu
- Radiation Environment Supervision Station of Xinjiang, Urumqi, Xinjiang, PR China
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Duong VH, Ly HB, Trinh DH, Nguyen TS, Pham BT. Development of Artificial Neural Network for prediction of radon dispersion released from Sinquyen Mine, Vietnam. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 282:116973. [PMID: 33845312 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the radon dispersion released from this mine are important targets as radon dispersion is used to assess radiological hazard to human. In this paper, the main objective is to develop and optimize a machine learning model namely Artificial Neural Network (ANN) for quick and accurate prediction of radon dispersion released from Sinquyen mine, Vietnam. For this purpose, a total of million data collected from the study area, which includes input variables (the gamma data of uranium concentration with 3 × 3m grid net survey inside mine, 21 of CR-39 detectors inside dwellings surrounding mine, and gamma dose at 1 m from ground surface data) and an output variable (radon dispersion) were used for training and validating the predictive model. Various validation methods namely coefficient of determination (R2), Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) were used. In addition, Partial dependence plots (PDP) was used to evaluate the effect of each input variable on the predictive results of output variable. The results show that ANN performed well for prediction of radon dispersion, with low values of error (i.e., R2 = 0.9415, RMSE = 0.0589, and MAE = 0.0203 for the testing dataset). The increase of number of hidden layers in ANN structure leads the increase of accuracy of the predictive results. The sensitivity results show that all input variables govern the dispersion radon activity with different amplitudes and fitted with different equations but the gamma dose is the most influenced and important variable in comparison with strike, distance and uranium concentration variables for prediction of radon dispersion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Van-Hao Duong
- Hanoi University of Mining and Geology, 18 Vien Street, Bac Tu Liem District, Hanoi, Viet Nam.
| | - Hai-Bang Ly
- University of Transport Technology, Hanoi, 100000, Viet Nam.
| | - Dinh Huan Trinh
- Radioactive & Rare Minerals Division, Xuan Phuong, Bac Tu Liem, Hanoi, Viet Nam.
| | - Thai Son Nguyen
- Hanoi University of Mining and Geology, 18 Vien Street, Bac Tu Liem District, Hanoi, Viet Nam; Radioactive & Rare Minerals Division, Xuan Phuong, Bac Tu Liem, Hanoi, Viet Nam.
| | - Binh Thai Pham
- University of Transport Technology, Hanoi, 100000, Viet Nam.
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Lai JL, Zhang-Xuan D, Xiao-Hui JI, Xue-Gang L. Absorption and interaction mechanisms of uranium & cadmium in purple sweet potato(Ipomoea batatas L.). JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2020; 400:123264. [PMID: 32947695 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.123264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Revised: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to reveal the absorption and interaction mechanisms of uranium (U) & cadmium (Cd) in corps. Purple sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) was selected as the experimental material. The absorption behavior of U and Cd in this crop and the effects on mineral nutrition were analyzed in a pot experiment. The interactions between U and Cd in purple sweet potato were analyzed using UPLC-MS metabolome analysis. The pot experiment confirmed that the root tuber of the purple sweet potato had accumulated U (1.68-5.16 mg kg-1) and Cd (0.78-2.02 mg kg-1) and would pose a health risk if consumed. Both U and Cd significantly interfered with the mineral nutrient of the roots. Metabolomics revealed that a total of 4865 metabolites were identified in roots. 643 (419 up; 224 down), 526 (332 up; 194 down) and 634 (428 up; 214 down) different metabolites (DEMs) were identified in the U, Cd, and U + Cd exposure groups. Metabolic pathway analysis showed that U and Cd induced the expression of plant hormones (the first messengers) and cyclic nucleotides (cAMP and cGMP, second messengers) in cells and regulated the primary/secondary metabolism of roots to induce resistance to U and Cd toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Long Lai
- College of Environment and Resources, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, 621010, China; School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, 621010, China; Engineering Research Center of Biomass Materials, Ministry of Education, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, 621010, China
| | - Deng Zhang-Xuan
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, 621010, China
| | - J I Xiao-Hui
- College of Environment and Resources, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, 621010, China; College of Chemical and Environment Science, Shaanxi University of Technology, Hanzhong, 723000, China
| | - Luo Xue-Gang
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, 621010, China; Engineering Research Center of Biomass Materials, Ministry of Education, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, 621010, China.
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7
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Dalencourt C, Tremblay-Cantin JC, Larivière D. Development of a radiochemical sequential procedure for the quantification of Th- and U-decay series elements in mining residues. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-020-07443-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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8
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Zhang Y, Lai JL, Ji XH, Luo XG. Unraveling response mechanism of photosynthetic metabolism and respiratory metabolism to uranium-exposure in Vicia faba. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2020; 398:122997. [PMID: 32512460 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.122997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
As a natural radionuclide, uranium (U) has obvious phytotoxicity, the purpose of this study is to unravel the response mechanism of U on photosynthetic and respiratory metabolism in plants. Therefore, 14-day-old Vicia faba seedlings were exposed to 0-25 μM U during 72 h. U effects on growth parameters, physiological parameters of plants, and potential phytotoxicity mechanism were investigated by physiological analysis, and metabolome and transcriptome data. U significantly inhibited photosynthesis and respiration of plants. In metabolome analysis, 53 metabolites related to carbohydrate metabolism were identified (13 up-regulated, 12 down-regulated). In transcriptome analysis, U significantly inhibited the expression of photoreactive electron transport chain (up: 0; down: 31), Calvin cycle (up: 0; down: 12) and photorespiration pathway genes (up: 0; down: 8). U significantly inhibited the expression of cellular energy metabolic pathways genes (e.g., glycolysis, TCA cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation pathways) (up 8, down 18). We concluded that U inhibited the expression of genes involved in the photosynthetic metabolic pathway, which caused the decrease of photosynthetic rate. Meanwhile, U inhibited the expression of the electron transport chain genes in the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation pathway, which leads to the abnormal energy supply of cells and the inhibition of root respiration rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhang
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, 621010, China
| | - Jin-Long Lai
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, 621010, China; College of Environment and Resources, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, 621010, China.
| | - Xiao-Hui Ji
- College of Chemical and Environment Science, Shaanxi University of Technology, Hanzhong, 723000, China; College of Environment and Resources, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, 621010, China
| | - Xue-Gang Luo
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, 621010, China; Engineering Research Center of Biomass Materials, Ministry of Education, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, 621010, China.
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9
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Gil-Pacheco E, Suárez-Navarro JA, Sánchez-González SM, Suarez-Navarro MJ, Hernáiz G, García-Sánchez A. A radiological index for evaluating the impact of an abandoned uranium mining area in Salamanca, Western Spain. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 258:113825. [PMID: 31874441 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Revised: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 12/15/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The establishment of a screening index would be a powerful tool to decide whether abandoned uranium mining areas should be rehabilitated or decommissioned. Thus, in this work we established a radiological index which uses the activity concentrations of different groups of gamma emitters from the natural radioactive series of 238U, 235U, and 232Th, as well as 40K and 137Cs. These activity concentrations were calculated by using the absorbed gamma radiation dose value of 175 nGy h-1 specified in the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations. We studied our index in an abandoned uranium mining area in Salamanca, Western Spain, and found that the most influential factors in this area were the presence of organic matter in the soil and the possible effect that plants and fungi may have on the retention of these aforementioned radionuclides. In addition, the results showed that contaminants are migrating in an easterly direction in line with the prevailing wind direction and we were able to identify areas in which the radiological risk is likely high. The mean effective dose rate was 2.51 ± 0.98 mSv y-1 which was equivalent to the levels obtained in previous works.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Gil-Pacheco
- Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Salamanca (IRNASA-CSIC), CSIC, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, C/Cordel de Merinas, 40, 37008, Salamanca, Spain
| | - J A Suárez-Navarro
- Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Avd/ Complutense, 40, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
| | - S M Sánchez-González
- Universidad Europea Miguel de Cervantes, C/Padre Julio Chevalier, 2. 47012, Valladolid Spain
| | - M J Suarez-Navarro
- Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), Departamento de Hidráulica, Energía y Medioambiente, E.T.S.I. Caminos, Canales y Puertos, Profesor Aranguren s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - G Hernáiz
- Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Avd/ Complutense, 40, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - A García-Sánchez
- Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Salamanca (IRNASA-CSIC), CSIC, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, C/Cordel de Merinas, 40, 37008, Salamanca, Spain
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Bonczyk M, Samolej K. Testing of the radon tightness of beakers and different types of sealing used in gamma-ray spectrometry for 226Ra concentration determination in NORM. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2019; 205-206:55-60. [PMID: 31102906 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2019.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Revised: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The presence of radium is common in the natural environment. However, some human activities lead to the production of large amounts of waste and by-product containing elevated concentrations of radium. Several methods for the determination of radium isotopes exist. The common use of gamma-ray spectrometry is justified by several of its advantages: it is a non-destructive method, easy, it is a time- and cost-effective procedure of preparing a sample and provides a reasonable time of measurement. The major disadvantages of direct measurements of radium are its weak yields γ-line 186.2 keV (3.59%) and, additionally, an interference with 235U direct line 185.7 keV. There is an indirect method of measuring radium. The method uses the daughter radionuclides of radon: 214Pb and 214Bi. The problem is radon escape from the measurement container. The article describes the tests of radontightness of various types of containers and different types of sealing. In frame of performed measurements, not sufficient tightness of typical containers used in laboratories was found.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Bonczyk
- Central Mining Insitute - Silesian Centre for Environmental Radioactivity, Katowice, Poland.
| | - Krzysztof Samolej
- Central Mining Insitute - Silesian Centre for Environmental Radioactivity, Katowice, Poland.
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11
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Verlinde M, Gorny J, Montavon G, Khalfallah S, Boulet B, Augeray C, Larivière D, Dalencourt C, Gourgiotis A. A new rapid protocol for 226Ra separation and preconcentration in natural water samples using molecular recognition technology for ICP-MS analysis. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2019; 202:1-7. [PMID: 30771696 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2019.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2018] [Revised: 02/02/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
A new rapid protocol for 226Ra separation and preconcentration in natural water samples was developed before its determination by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). For this purpose, the commercially available Ra specific resin AnaLig® Ra-01 was used. This resin shows a high selectivity for radium in a large range of acid concentrations and no affinity or possible elution of 226Ra interfering elements. The distribution coefficients of Ra and other elements over a wide range of acid (HCl and HNO3) concentrations were obtained. Due to the high radium selectivity, the new developed protocol uses only 50 mg of dry resin and its performance was evaluated using 100 mL of three natural waters with different ionic strengths, spiked with a known quantity of 226Ra. Radium was successfully separated and preconcentrated yielding recoveries ranging between 72% and 86%. In parallel with the characterisation of the resin sorption properties, a detailed study of polyatomic interferences was performed on our ICP-MS allowing to identify the prominent elements favouring interferences at m/z = 226. Furthermore, a 226Ra sensitivity comparison between different ICP-MS instruments and configurations was done in order to determine high sensitivity conditions for radium analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Verlinde
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV/SEDRE/LELI, 31 Avenue de la Division Leclerc, 92260, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - J Gorny
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV/SEDRE/LELI, 31 Avenue de la Division Leclerc, 92260, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - G Montavon
- SUBATECH, UMR CNRS, 6457 IMT Atlantique/IN2P3/Université de Nantes, 4 rue Alfred Kastler, BP 20722, 44307, Nantes Cedex 3, France
| | - S Khalfallah
- SUBATECH, UMR CNRS, 6457 IMT Atlantique/IN2P3/Université de Nantes, 4 rue Alfred Kastler, BP 20722, 44307, Nantes Cedex 3, France
| | - B Boulet
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV/SAME/LMRE, Bat 501 Bois des Rames, 91400, Orsay, France
| | - C Augeray
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV/SAME/LERCA, 31 rue de l'Ecluse, 78110, Le Vésinet, France
| | - D Larivière
- Laboratoire de radioécologie, Département de chimie, Université de Laval, 1045 Avenue de la médecine, G1V 0A6, Québec, Canada
| | - C Dalencourt
- Laboratoire de radioécologie, Département de chimie, Université de Laval, 1045 Avenue de la médecine, G1V 0A6, Québec, Canada
| | - A Gourgiotis
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV/SEDRE/LELI, 31 Avenue de la Division Leclerc, 92260, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France.
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Paiva I, Marques R, Santos M, Reis M, Prudêncio MI, Waerenborgh JC, Dias MI, Russo D, Cardoso G, Vieira BJC, Carvalho E, Rosa C, Lobarinhas D, Diamantino C, Pinto R. Naturally occurring radioactive material and risk assessment of tailings of polymetallic and Ra/U mines from legacy sites. CHEMOSPHERE 2019; 223:171-179. [PMID: 30776762 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.02.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2018] [Revised: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 02/10/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Old mine tailings from Northern and Central Portugal were studied in order to perform a radiological and chemical characterization. The evaluation of massic activity of natural radionuclides and concentrations in tailings of polymetallic and Ra/U mines was performed by gamma spectrometry and neutron activation analysis. Iron speciation was carried out by Mössbauer spectroscopy. In polymetallic tailings with physical ore processing (Cumieira and Verdes - exploited for Sn, Nb-Ta) higher contents of Th, 228Ra and 226Ra in the coarser materials occur, probably due to their presence in host rock and ore fragments. In finer tailings, washing may explain the lower 226Ra and 210Pb massic activity. In tailings with physical/chemical ore processing (Covas - exploited for W and Sn) high U contents and a tendency for higher 226Ra and 210Pb massic activity in the fine materials is observed, probably due to their incorporation in nano-sized particles of iron oxides. A high variation of the 210Pb/226Ra ratio occurs in polymetallic tailings; a deficit of 210Pb can be observed particularly in deposits of settling tanks drained from dumps of chemically treated ore. In Ervideira-Mestras tailings (Ra/U exploitation) where no ore process in situ was performed, a near equilibrium between 210Pb and 226Ra occurs. Dose risk assessment was carried out by calculating external outdoor Annual Effective Dose Rate; the dose rates in air due to terrestrial gamma radiation are low for the polymetallic tailings (<47 nGy/h), and higher for tailings of Ra/U (up to 4130 nGy/h), in the worst scenario.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Paiva
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares (C2TN), Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, EN 10 (km 139.7), 2695-066, Bobadela, Portugal; Laboratório de Protecção e Segurança Radiológica (LPSR), Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, EN 10 (km 139.7), 2695-066, Bobadela, Portugal.
| | - Rosa Marques
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares (C2TN), Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, EN 10 (km 139.7), 2695-066, Bobadela, Portugal.
| | - Marta Santos
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares (C2TN), Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, EN 10 (km 139.7), 2695-066, Bobadela, Portugal; Laboratório de Protecção e Segurança Radiológica (LPSR), Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, EN 10 (km 139.7), 2695-066, Bobadela, Portugal.
| | - Mário Reis
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares (C2TN), Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, EN 10 (km 139.7), 2695-066, Bobadela, Portugal; Laboratório de Protecção e Segurança Radiológica (LPSR), Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, EN 10 (km 139.7), 2695-066, Bobadela, Portugal.
| | - Maria Isabel Prudêncio
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares (C2TN), Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, EN 10 (km 139.7), 2695-066, Bobadela, Portugal.
| | - João Carlos Waerenborgh
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares (C2TN), Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, EN 10 (km 139.7), 2695-066, Bobadela, Portugal.
| | - Maria Isabel Dias
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares (C2TN), Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, EN 10 (km 139.7), 2695-066, Bobadela, Portugal.
| | - Dulce Russo
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares (C2TN), Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, EN 10 (km 139.7), 2695-066, Bobadela, Portugal.
| | - Guilherme Cardoso
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares (C2TN), Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, EN 10 (km 139.7), 2695-066, Bobadela, Portugal.
| | - Bruno J C Vieira
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares (C2TN), Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, EN 10 (km 139.7), 2695-066, Bobadela, Portugal.
| | - Edgar Carvalho
- Empresa de Desenvolvimento Mineiro, SA. (EDM), Rua Sampaio e Pina, nº 1, 7º, 1070-248, Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Carlos Rosa
- Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, IDL - Instituto Dom Luiz, Ed. C6, Campo Grande, 1749-016, Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Daniela Lobarinhas
- Empresa de Desenvolvimento Mineiro, SA. (EDM), Rua Sampaio e Pina, nº 1, 7º, 1070-248, Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Catarina Diamantino
- Empresa de Desenvolvimento Mineiro, SA. (EDM), Rua Sampaio e Pina, nº 1, 7º, 1070-248, Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Rui Pinto
- Empresa de Desenvolvimento Mineiro, SA. (EDM), Rua Sampaio e Pina, nº 1, 7º, 1070-248, Lisboa, Portugal.
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13
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Jain R, Peräniemi S, Jordan N, Vogel M, Weiss S, Foerstendorf H, Lakaniemi AM. Removal and recovery of uranium(VI) by waste digested activated sludge in fed-batch stirred tank reactor. WATER RESEARCH 2018; 142:167-175. [PMID: 29870950 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2018.05.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2017] [Revised: 05/22/2018] [Accepted: 05/23/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
This study demonstrated the removal and recovery of uranium(VI) in a fed-batch stirred tank reactor (STR) using waste digested activated sludge (WDAS). The batch adsorption experiments showed that WDAS can adsorb 200 (±9.0) mg of uranium(VI) per g of WDAS. The maximum adsorption of uranium(VI) was achieved even at an acidic initial pH of 2.7 which increased to a pH of 4.0 in the equilibrium state. Desorption of uranium(VI) from WDAS was successfully demonstrated from the release of more than 95% of uranium(VI) using both acidic (0.5 M HCl) and alkaline (1.0 M Na2CO3) eluents. Due to the fast kinetics of uranium(VI) adsorption onto WDAS, the fed-batch STR was successfully operated at a mixing time of 15 min. Twelve consecutive uranium(VI) adsorption steps with an average adsorption efficiency of 91.5% required only two desorption steps to elute more than 95% of uranium(VI) from WDAS. Uranium(VI) was shown to interact predominantly with the phosphoryl and carboxyl groups of the WDAS, as revealed by in situ infrared spectroscopy and time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy studies. This study provides a proof-of-concept of the use of fed-batch STR process based on WDAS for the removal and recovery of uranium(VI).
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohan Jain
- Tampere University of Technology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, P.O. Box 541, FI-33101 Tampere, Finland; Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf, Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology, Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany.
| | - Sirpa Peräniemi
- School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70221 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Norbert Jordan
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf, Institute of Resource Ecology, Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
| | - Manja Vogel
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf, Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology, Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany; Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf, Institute of Resource Ecology, Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
| | - Stephan Weiss
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf, Institute of Resource Ecology, Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
| | - Harald Foerstendorf
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf, Institute of Resource Ecology, Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
| | - Aino-Maija Lakaniemi
- Tampere University of Technology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, P.O. Box 541, FI-33101 Tampere, Finland
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Santos-Francés F, Gil Pacheco E, Martínez-Graña A, Alonso Rojo P, Ávila Zarza C, García Sánchez A. Concentration of uranium in the soils of the west of Spain. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2018; 236:1-11. [PMID: 29414328 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.01.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2017] [Revised: 12/03/2017] [Accepted: 01/15/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
While determining the uranium concentration in the rock (background level) and soils on the Iberian Massif of western Spain, several geochemical anomalies were observed. The uranium concentration was much higher than the geochemical levels at these locations, and several uranium minerals were detected. The proposed uranium background levels for natural soils in the west of Salamanca Province (Spain) are 29.8 mg kg-1 in granitic rock and 71.2 mg kg-1 in slate. However, the soil near the tailings of abandoned mines exhibited much higher concentrations, between 207.2 and 542.4 mg kg-1. The calculation of different pollution indexes (Pollution Factor and Geo-accumulation Index), which reveal the conditions in the superficial horizons of the natural soils, indicated that a good percentage of the studied samples (16.7-56.5%) are moderately contaminated. The spatial distribution of the uranium content in natural soils was analysed by applying the inverse distance weighted method. The distribution of uranium through the horizons of the soils shows a tendency to accumulate in the horizons with the highest clay content. The leaching of uranium from the upper horizons and accumulation in the lower horizons of the soil could be considered a process for natural attenuation of the surface impacts of this radiogenic element in the environment. Environmental restoration is proposed in the areas close to the abandoned mining facilities of this region, given the high concentration of uranium. First, all the tailings and other mining waste would be covered with a layer of impermeable material to prevent leaching by runoff. Then, a layer of topsoil with organic amendments would be added, followed by revegetation with herbaceous plants to prevent surface erosion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Santos-Francés
- Department of Soil Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences, University of Salamanca, Avenue Filiberto Villalobos, 119, 37007 Salamanca, Spain.
| | - Elena Gil Pacheco
- Department of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Natural Resources and Agrobiology-IRNASA (C.S.I.C.), Cordel de Merinas 40, 37008 Salamanca, Spain.
| | - Antonio Martínez-Graña
- Department of Geology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Salamanca, Plaza de la Merced s/n., 37008 Salamanca, Spain.
| | - Pilar Alonso Rojo
- Department of Soil Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences, University of Salamanca, Avenue Filiberto Villalobos, 119, 37007 Salamanca, Spain.
| | - Carmelo Ávila Zarza
- Department of Statistics, Faculty of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences, University of Salamanca, Avenue Filiberto Villalobos, 119, 37007 Salamanca, Spain.
| | - Antonio García Sánchez
- Department of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Natural Resources and Agrobiology-IRNASA (C.S.I.C.), Cordel de Merinas 40, 37008 Salamanca, Spain.
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15
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Keatley AC, Martin PG, Hallam KR, Payton OD, Awbery R, Carvalho FP, Oliveira JM, Silva L, Malta M, Scott TB. Source identification of uranium-containing materials at mine legacy sites in Portugal. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2018; 183:102-111. [PMID: 29331769 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2017.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2017] [Revised: 12/14/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Whilst prior nuclear forensic studies have focused on identifying signatures to distinguish between different uranium deposit types, this paper focuses on providing a scientific basis for source identification of materials from different uranium mine sites within a single region, which can then be potentially used within nuclear forensics. A number of different tools, including gamma spectrometry, alpha spectrometry, mineralogy and major and minor elemental analysis, have been utilised to determine the provenance of uranium mineral samples collected at eight mine sites, located within three different uranium provinces, in Portugal. A radiation survey was initially conducted by foot and/or unmanned aerial vehicle at each site to assist sample collection. The results from each mine site were then compared to determine if individual mine sites could be distinguished based on characteristic elemental and isotopic signatures. Gamma and alpha spectrometry were used to differentiate between samples from different sites and also give an indication of past milling and mining activities. Ore samples from the different mine sites were found to be very similar in terms of gangue and uranium mineralogy. However, rarer minerals or specific impurity elements, such as calcium and copper, did permit some separation of the sites examined. In addition, classification rates using linear discriminant analysis were comparable to those in the literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- A C Keatley
- Interface Analysis Centre, HH Wills Physics Laboratory, University of Bristol, BS8 1TL, United Kingdom.
| | - P G Martin
- Interface Analysis Centre, HH Wills Physics Laboratory, University of Bristol, BS8 1TL, United Kingdom
| | - K R Hallam
- Interface Analysis Centre, HH Wills Physics Laboratory, University of Bristol, BS8 1TL, United Kingdom
| | - O D Payton
- Interface Analysis Centre, HH Wills Physics Laboratory, University of Bristol, BS8 1TL, United Kingdom
| | - R Awbery
- AWE, Aldermaston, Reading, Berkshire, RG7 4PR, United Kingdom
| | - F P Carvalho
- Laboratório de Protecção e Segurança Radiológica, Instituto Superior Técnico, Estrada Nacional 10, Km 139,7, 2695-066, Bobadela LRS, Portugal
| | - J M Oliveira
- Laboratório de Protecção e Segurança Radiológica, Instituto Superior Técnico, Estrada Nacional 10, Km 139,7, 2695-066, Bobadela LRS, Portugal
| | - L Silva
- Laboratório de Protecção e Segurança Radiológica, Instituto Superior Técnico, Estrada Nacional 10, Km 139,7, 2695-066, Bobadela LRS, Portugal
| | - M Malta
- Laboratório de Protecção e Segurança Radiológica, Instituto Superior Técnico, Estrada Nacional 10, Km 139,7, 2695-066, Bobadela LRS, Portugal
| | - T B Scott
- Interface Analysis Centre, HH Wills Physics Laboratory, University of Bristol, BS8 1TL, United Kingdom
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16
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On the Sustainability and Progress of Energy Neutral Mineral Processing. SUSTAINABILITY 2018. [DOI: 10.3390/su10010235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
A number of primary ores such as phosphate rock, gold-, copper- and rare earth ores contain considerable amounts of accompanying uranium and other critical materials. Energy neutral mineral processing is the extraction of unconventional uranium during primary ore processing to use it, after enrichment and fuel production, to generate greenhouse gas lean energy in a nuclear reactor. Energy neutrality is reached if the energy produced from the extracted uranium is equal to or larger than the energy required for primary ore processing, uranium extraction, -conversion, -enrichment and -fuel production. This work discusses the sustainability of energy neutral mineral processing and provides an overview of the current progress of a multinational research project on that topic conducted under the umbrella of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
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17
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Lourenço J, Marques S, Carvalho FP, Oliveira J, Malta M, Santos M, Gonçalves F, Pereira R, Mendo S. Uranium mining wastes: The use of the Fish Embryo Acute Toxicity Test (FET) test to evaluate toxicity and risk of environmental discharge. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2017; 605-606:391-404. [PMID: 28672228 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.06.125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2017] [Revised: 06/15/2017] [Accepted: 06/15/2017] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Active and abandoned uranium mining sites often create environmentally problematic situations, since they cause the contamination of all environmental matrices (air, soil and water) with stable metals and radionuclides. Due to their cytotoxic, genotoxic and teratogenic properties, the exposure to these contaminants may cause several harmful effects in living organisms. The Fish Embryo Acute Toxicity Test (FET) test was employed to evaluate the genotoxic and teratogenic potential of mine liquid effluents and sludge elutriates from a deactivated uranium mine. The aims were: a) to determine the risk of discharge of such wastes in the environment; b) the effectiveness of the chemical treatment applied to the uranium mine water, which is a standard procedure generally applied to liquid effluents from uranium mines and mills, to reduce its toxicological potential; c) the suitability of the FET test for the evaluation the toxicity of such wastes and the added value of including the evaluation of genotoxicity. Results showed that through the FET test it was possible to determine that both elutriates and effluents are genotoxic and also that the mine effluent is teratogenic at low concentrations. Additionally, liquid effluents and sludge elutriates affect other parameters namely, growth and hatching and that water pH alone played an important role in the hatching process. The inclusion of genotoxicity evaluation in the FET test was crucial to prevent the underestimation of the risks posed by some of the tested effluents/elutriates. Finally, it was possible to conclude that care should be taken when using benchmark values calculated for specific stressors to evaluate the risk posed by uranium mining wastes to freshwater ecosystems, due to their chemical complexity.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Lourenço
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - S Marques
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - F P Carvalho
- Instituto Superior Técnico/Laboratório de Proteccão e Segurança Radiológica, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada Nacional 10, km 139, 2695-066 Bobadela LRS, Portugal.
| | - J Oliveira
- Instituto Superior Técnico/Laboratório de Proteccão e Segurança Radiológica, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada Nacional 10, km 139, 2695-066 Bobadela LRS, Portugal.
| | - M Malta
- Instituto Superior Técnico/Laboratório de Proteccão e Segurança Radiológica, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada Nacional 10, km 139, 2695-066 Bobadela LRS, Portugal.
| | - M Santos
- Instituto Superior Técnico/Laboratório de Proteccão e Segurança Radiológica, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada Nacional 10, km 139, 2695-066 Bobadela LRS, Portugal.
| | - F Gonçalves
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - R Pereira
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto & CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research & GreenUP/CITAB-UP, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal.
| | - S Mendo
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
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18
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Soil and vegetation influence in plants natural radionuclides uptake at a uranium mining site. Radiat Phys Chem Oxf Engl 1993 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.radphyschem.2017.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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19
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Matyskin AV, Hansson NL, Brown PL, Ekberg C. Barium and Radium Complexation with Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid in Aqueous Alkaline Sodium Chloride Media. J SOLUTION CHEM 2017; 46:1951-1969. [PMID: 29187768 PMCID: PMC5684263 DOI: 10.1007/s10953-017-0679-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2017] [Accepted: 07/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
The speciation of Ra2+ and Ba2+ with EDTA was investigated at 25 °C in aqueous alkaline NaCl media as a function of ionic strength (0.2–2.5 mol·L−1) in two pH regions where the EDTA4− and HEDTA3− species dominate. The stability constants for the formation of the [BaEDTA]2− and [RaEDTA]2− complexes were determined using an ion exchange method. Barium-133 and radium-226 were used as radiotracers and their concentrations in the aqueous phase were measured using liquid scintillation counting and gamma spectrometry, respectively. The specific ion interaction theory (SIT) was used to account for [NaEDTA]3− and [NaHEDTA]2− complex formation, and used to extrapolate the logarithms of the apparent stability constants (log10K) to zero ionic strength (BaEDTA2−: 9.86 ± 0.09; RaEDTA2−: 9.13 ± 0.07) and obtain the Ba2+ and Ra2+ ion interaction parameters: [ε(Na+, BaEDTA2−) = − (0.03 ± 0.11); ε(Na+, RaEDTA2−) = − (0.10 ± 0.11)]. It was found that in the pH region where HEDTA3− dominates, the reaction of Ba2+ or Ra2+ with the HEDTA3− ligand also results in the formation of the BaEDTA2− and RaEDTA2− complexes (as it does in the region where the EDTA4− ligand dominates) with the release of a proton. Comparison of the ion interaction parameters of Ba2+ and Ra2+ strongly indicates that both metal ions and their EDTA complexes have similar activity coefficients and undergo similar short-range interactions in aqueous NaCl media.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artem V Matyskin
- Nuclear Chemistry and Industrial Materials Recycling Groups, Energy and Materials Division, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Department, Chalmers University of Technology, Kemivägen 4, 412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Niklas L Hansson
- Nuclear Chemistry and Industrial Materials Recycling Groups, Energy and Materials Division, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Department, Chalmers University of Technology, Kemivägen 4, 412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Paul L Brown
- Rio Tinto Growth and Innovation, 1 Research Avenue, Bundoora, 3083 VIC Australia
| | - Christian Ekberg
- Nuclear Chemistry and Industrial Materials Recycling Groups, Energy and Materials Division, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Department, Chalmers University of Technology, Kemivägen 4, 412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden
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20
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando P. Carvalho
- Laboratório de Protecção e Segurança Radiológica; Instituto Superior Técnico/Universidade de Lisboa; Estrada Nacional 10, km 139 2695-066 Bobadela LRS Portugal
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21
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Assessment of Radioactive Materials and Heavy Metals in the Surface Soil around the Bayanwula Prospective Uranium Mining Area in China. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2017; 14:ijerph14030300. [PMID: 28335450 PMCID: PMC5369136 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14030300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2017] [Revised: 03/07/2017] [Accepted: 03/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The present work is the first systematic and large scale study on radioactive materials and heavy metals in surface soil around the Bayanwula prospective uranium mining area in China. In this work, both natural and anthropogenic radionuclides and heavy metals in 48 surface soil samples were analyzed using High Purity Germanium (HPGe) γ spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The obtained mean activity concentrations of 238U, 226Ra, 232Th, 40K, and 137Cs were 25.81 ± 9.58, 24.85 ± 2.77, 29.40 ± 3.14, 923.0 ± 47.2, and 5.64 ± 4.56 Bq/kg, respectively. The estimated average absorbed dose rate and annual effective dose rate were 76.7 ± 3.1 nGy/h and 83.1 ± 3.8 μSv, respectively. The radium equivalent activity, external hazard index, and internal hazard index were also calculated, and their mean values were within the acceptable limits. The estimated lifetime cancer risk was 3.2 × 10−4/Sv. The heavy metal contents of Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb from the surface soil samples were measured and their health risks were then assessed. The concentrations of all heavy metals were much lower than the average backgrounds in China except for lead which was about three times higher than that of China’s mean. The non-cancer and cancer risks from the heavy metals were estimated, which are all within the acceptable ranges. In addition, the correlations between the radionuclides and the heavy metals in surface soil samples were determined by the Pearson linear coefficient. Strong positive correlations between radionuclides and the heavy metals at the 0.01 significance level were found. In conclusion, the contents of radionuclides and heavy metals in surface soil around the Bayanwula prospective uranium mining area are at a normal level.
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22
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Lourenço J, Mendo S, Pereira R. Radioactively contaminated areas: Bioindicator species and biomarkers of effect in an early warning scheme for a preliminary risk assessment. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2016; 317:503-542. [PMID: 27343869 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2016.06.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2016] [Revised: 05/26/2016] [Accepted: 06/08/2016] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Concerns about the impacts on public health and on the natural environment have been raised regarding the full range of operational activities related to uranium mining and the rest of the nuclear fuel cycle (including nuclear accidents), nuclear tests and depleted uranium from military ammunitions. However, the environmental impacts of such activities, as well as their ecotoxicological/toxicological profile, are still poorly studied. Herein, it is discussed if organisms can be used as bioindicators of human health effects, posed by lifetime exposure to radioactively contaminated areas. To do so, information was gathered from several studies performed on vertebrates, invertebrate species and humans, living in these contaminated areas. The retrieved information was compared, to determine which are the most used bioindicators and biomarkers and also the similarities between human and non-human biota responses. The data evaluated are used to support the proposal for an early warning scheme, based on bioindicator species and on the most sensitive and commonly shared biomarkers, to perform a screening evaluation of radioactively contaminated sites. This scheme could be used to support decision-making for a deeper evaluation of risks to human health, making it possible to screen a large number of areas, without disturbing and alarming local populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Lourenço
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Sónia Mendo
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Ruth Pereira
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto & CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research & GreenUP/CITAB-UP, Porto, Portugal
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Determination of (226)Ra, (232)Th, (40)K, (235)U and (238)U activity concentration and public dose assessment in soil samples from bauxite core deposits in Western Cameroon. SPRINGERPLUS 2016; 5:1253. [PMID: 27536536 PMCID: PMC4974208 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-016-2895-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2016] [Accepted: 07/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Determination of activity concentrations in twenty five (25) soil samples collected from various points in bauxite ore deposit in Menoua Division in Western of Cameroon was done using gamma spectrometry based Broad Energy Germanium (BEGe6530) detector. The average terrestrial radionuclides of (40)K, (226)Ra, (232)Th, (235)U and (238)U were measured as 671 ± 272, 125 ± 58, 157 ± 67, 6 ± 3 and 99 ± 69 Bq kg(-1), respectively. The observed activity concentrations of radionuclides were compared with other published values in the world. The outdoor absorbed dose rate in air varied from 96.1 to 321.2 nGy h(-1) with an average of 188.2 ± 59.4 nGy h(-1). The external annual effective dose rate and external hazard index were estimated as 0.23 ± 0.07 mSv year(-1) for outdoor, 0.92 ± 0.29 mSv year(-1) for indoor and 1.13 for the external hazard index, respectively. These radiological safe parameters were relatively higher than the recommended safe limits of UNSCEAR. Consequently, using of soil as building material might lead to an increase the external exposure to natural radioactivity and future applications research need to be conducted to have a global view of radioactivity level in the area before any undergoing bauxite ore exploitation.
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Bessa ML, Antunes SC, Pereira R, Gonçalves FJM, Nunes B. Multibiomarker toxicity characterization of uranium mine drainages to the fish Carassius auratus. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2016; 23:13355-13367. [PMID: 27023822 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-016-6426-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2015] [Accepted: 03/06/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The release of acidic effluents, naturally enriched in metals and radionuclides, is the main legacy of uranium mines. Generally, metals dissolved by these acidic effluents can cause significant alterations in exposed organisms, with distinct toxicological outcomes. In this study, 72 individuals of the freshwater fish species Carassius auratus were exposed in situ for different periods (8, 16, 24, and 48 h) to water from a pond (treatment pond (TP)) with a chemically treated effluent and a reference pond (PRP), in the vicinity of the Cunha Baixa uranium mine (Portugal). Comparing the water of the two ponds, the PRP pond was characterized by higher pH and oxygen values and lower conductivity and hardness values. Regarding total metal concentrations, among others, magnesium (56,000 μg/L), sodium (17,400 μg/L), zinc (86 μg/L), manganese (6340 μg/L), and uranium (1380 μg/L) concentrations in the TP pond were above the values obtained for the PRP pond. The values of manganese and uranium exceeded the values of quality criteria established for surface waters for cyprinids and for irrigation purposes. After exposure to pond water, significant differences were recorded for several biomarkers: (i) between ponds for acetylcholinesterase (AChE) with higher activities for animals from the PRP and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities that were particularly enhanced in animals from the TP pond; (ii) between ponds and exposure periods for lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, since organisms from PRP pond presented always higher values than those from the TP pond, and among these, organisms exposed for the longer period presented a further depression in LDH activity; and (iii) between exposure periods for erythrocyte micronucleus. GSTs and LDH were the most sensitive biomarkers within the timeframe of the in situ assay performed. Despite the alleged efficacy of the chemical treatment (evidenced by a significantly lower pH), some metals persisted in the treated effluent (TP pond), potentially contributing to the induction of oxidative stress or increased conjugation metabolic activity in fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- M L Bessa
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
- Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar (CESAM), Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - S C Antunes
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/no., 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
- Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental (CIIMAR/CIMAR), Universidade do Porto, Rua dos Bragas 289, 4050-123, Porto, Portugal
| | - R Pereira
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/no., 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
- Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental (CIIMAR/CIMAR), Universidade do Porto, Rua dos Bragas 289, 4050-123, Porto, Portugal
| | - F J M Gonçalves
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
- Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar (CESAM), Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - B Nunes
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
- Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar (CESAM), Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
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Wang J, Liu J, Chen Y, Song G, Chen D, Xiao T, Wu S, Chen F, Yin M. Technologically elevated natural radioactivity and assessment of dose to workers around a granitic uranium deposit area, China. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-016-4809-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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26
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Yang Y, Teat SJ, Zhang Z, Luo S, Rao L. Complexation of U(VI) with benzoic acid at variable temperatures (298-353 K): thermodynamics and crystal structures of U(VI)/benzoate complexes. Dalton Trans 2016; 45:384-91. [PMID: 26609903 DOI: 10.1039/c5dt03532e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Thermodynamics of the U(VI) complexation with benzoic acid (HL) was studied by spectrophotometry at varied temperatures (298-353 K) with constant ionic strength (1.05 mol kg(-1) NaClO4). Two U(VI) benzoate complexes, UO2L(+) and UO2(OH)L(aq), were identified and their formation constants determined. The formation of both complexes is endothermic and driven exclusively by entropy. Two types of U(VI)/benzoate complex crystals were synthesized from aqueous solutions at different pH and ligand/metal ratios. Their structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffractometry. One structure is a 1 : 3 U(VI) benzoate complex (Na[UO2(C7H5O2)3]·2H2O), each benzoate holding a bidentate coordination mode to U(VI) in the equatorial plane of UO2(2+). The other is a U(VI) hydroxobenzoate complex with unique μ3-OH bridging ([(UO2)2(C7H5O2)2(μ3-OH)2]·4H2O). In the structure, each UO2(2+) ion holds five coordination oxygens in its equatorial plane, two carboxylate oxygens from two benzoate ligands and three oxygens from three μ3-OH groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanqiu Yang
- Institute of Nuclear Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang, Sichuan 621900, China and Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Simon J Teat
- Advanced Light Source, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Zhicheng Zhang
- Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Shunzhong Luo
- Institute of Nuclear Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang, Sichuan 621900, China
| | - Linfeng Rao
- Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
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Aliyu AS, Mousseau TA, Ramli AT, Bununu YA. Radioecological impacts of tin mining. AMBIO 2015; 44:778-87. [PMID: 26093469 PMCID: PMC4646856 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-015-0677-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2015] [Revised: 04/06/2015] [Accepted: 06/03/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The tin mining activities in the suburbs of Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria, have resulted in technical enhancement of the natural background radiation as well as higher activity concentrations of primordial radionuclides in the topsoil of mining sites and their environs. Several studies have considered the radiological human health risks of the mining activity; however, to our knowledge no documented study has investigated the radiological impacts on biota. Hence, an attempt is made to assess potential hazards using published data from the literature and the ERICA Tool. This paper considers the effects of mining and milling on terrestrial organisms like shrubs, large mammals, small burrowing mammals, birds (duck), arthropods (earth worm), grasses, and herbs. The dose rates and risk quotients to these organisms are computed using conservative values for activity concentrations of natural radionuclides reported in Bitsichi and Bukuru mining areas. The results suggest that grasses, herbs, lichens, bryophytes and shrubs receive total dose rates that are of potential concern. The effects of dose rates to specific indicator species of interest are highlighted and discussed. We conclude that further investigation and proper regulations should be set in place in order to reduce the risk posed by the tin mining activity on biota. This paper also presents a brief overview of the impact of mineral mining on biota based on documented literature for other countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu
- Department of Physics, Nasarawa State University, P.M.B 1022, Keffi, Nigeria.
- Department of Physics, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310, Johor, Malaysia.
| | - Timothy Alexander Mousseau
- Department of Biological Sciences and the Environment and Sustainability Program, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
| | - Ahmad Termizi Ramli
- Department of Physics, Nasarawa State University, P.M.B 1022, Keffi, Nigeria
| | - Yakubu Aliyu Bununu
- Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor, Malaysia
- Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
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Barbosa SM, Lopes F, Correia AD, Barbosa S, Pereira AC, Neves LF. Temporal variability of radon in a remediated tailing of uranium ore processing--the case of Urgeiriça (central Portugal). JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2015; 142:14-23. [PMID: 25618233 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2014.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2014] [Revised: 12/10/2014] [Accepted: 12/27/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Radon monitoring at different levels of the cover of the Urgeiriça tailings shows that the sealing is effective and performing as desired in terms of containing the strongly radioactive waste resulting from uranium ore processing. However, the analysis of the time series of radon concentration shows a very complex temporal structure, particularly at depth, including very large and fast variations from a few tens of kBq m(-3) to more than a million kBq m(-3) in less than one day. The diurnal variability is strongly asymmetric, peaking at 18 h/19 h and decreasing very fast around 21 h/22 h. The analysis is performed for summer and for a period with no rain in order to avoid the potential influence of precipitation and related environmental conditions on the radon variability. Analysis of ancillary measurements of temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and wind direction, as well as atmospheric pressure reanalysis data shows that the daily averaged radon concentration in the taillings material is anti-correlated with the atmospheric pressure and that the diurnal amplitude is associated with the magnitude of atmospheric pressure daily oscillations.
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Affiliation(s)
- S M Barbosa
- University of Lisbon, Instituto Dom Luiz, Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - F Lopes
- University of Lisbon, Instituto Dom Luiz, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - A D Correia
- EDM, Empresa de Desenvolvimento Mineiro, SA, Portugal
| | - S Barbosa
- EDM, Empresa de Desenvolvimento Mineiro, SA, Portugal
| | - A C Pereira
- IMAR, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Coimbra, Portugal
| | - L F Neves
- IMAR, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Coimbra, Portugal
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Yan X, Luo X. Radionuclides distribution, properties, and microbial diversity of soils in uranium mill tailings from southeastern China. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2015; 139:85-90. [PMID: 25464044 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2014.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2014] [Revised: 09/05/2014] [Accepted: 09/30/2014] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To collect the radioactive contamination data for environmental rehabilitation in uranium mill tailings in southeastern China. METHOD The sample areas were divided into high, moderate and low concentration areas, according to the uranium concentration. For every area, 3 soil samples were collected at 0-15 cm, 15-30 cm and 30-45 cm depth respectively, with 5 repetitions for each. Total 45 (3 × 5 × 3) soil samples were collected. Physicochemical properties and enzyme activities of soils were determined as described by references. The concentrations of the radionuclides (238)U, (232)Th, (226)Ra and (40)K in soils were determined by using HPGe gamma-ray spectrometer. Soil microbial diversity was analyzed via denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). RESULTS Soil samples were all acidic. Physicochemical properties, like pH, content of total/available N, P and K, as well as enzyme activities were all increased along with decreased uranium concentration. The (232)Th concentration was increased with the decreased uranium concentration and was not influenced by the depth of sample sites. However, uranium concentration and depth of sample showed no significant influence on the concentrations of (226)Ra and (40)K. The concentration of (232)Th was significantly correlated with that of (226)Ra and (40)K, while the concentrations of (226)Ra and (40)K were significantly correlated. However, Pearson correlation coefficients between (238)U and other radionuclides were not significant. The microbial population in different concentration areas was different with four domain strains in low area, and two for both moderate and high areas. Furthermore, in each sample site, Proteobacteria was the most dominant flora, while environmental samples were the second according to GenBank database. Moreover, Serratia sp. of Proteobacteria was the dominant strain. CONCLUSION Radionuclides distribution in the uranium mill tailing showed a profound influence on soil properties and microbial diversity. This primarily study might provide valuable data for further research towards a better understanding of the radioactive contamination in uranium mill tailings in southeast China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xun Yan
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150040, China; College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Qiqihar University Qiqihar, Heilongjiang 161006, China
| | - Xuegang Luo
- Southwest University of Science and Technology Mianyang, Sichuan 621010, China.
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Caetano AL, Marques CR, Gavina A, Carvalho F, Gonçalves F, da Silva EF, Pereira R. Contribution for the derivation of a soil screening value (SSV) for uranium, using a natural reference soil. PLoS One 2014; 9:e108041. [PMID: 25353962 PMCID: PMC4212963 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0108041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2014] [Accepted: 08/25/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In order to regulate the management of contaminated land, many countries have been deriving soil screening values (SSV). However, the ecotoxicological data available for uranium is still insufficient and incapable to generate SSVs for European soils. In this sense, and so as to make up for this shortcoming, a battery of ecotoxicological assays focusing on soil functions and organisms, and a wide range of endpoints was carried out, using a natural soil artificially spiked with uranium. In terrestrial ecotoxicology, it is widely recognized that soils have different properties that can influence the bioavailability and the toxicity of chemicals. In this context, SSVs derived for artificial soils or for other types of natural soils, may lead to unfeasible environmental risk assessment. Hence, the use of natural regional representative soils is of great importance in the derivation of SSVs. A Portuguese natural reference soil PTRS1, from a granitic region, was thereby applied as test substrate. This study allowed the determination of NOEC, LOEC, EC20 and EC50 values for uranium. Dehydrogenase and urease enzymes displayed the lowest values (34.9 and <134.5 mg U Kg, respectively). Eisenia andrei and Enchytraeus crypticus revealed to be more sensitive to uranium than Folsomia candida. EC50 values of 631.00, 518.65 and 851.64 mg U Kg were recorded for the three species, respectively. Concerning plants, only Lactuca sativa was affected by U at concentrations up to 1000 mg U kg1. The outcomes of the study may in part be constrained by physical and chemical characteristics of soils, hence contributing to the discrepancy between the toxicity data generated in this study and that available in the literature. Following the assessment factor method, a predicted no effect concentration (PNEC) value of 15.5 mg kg−1dw was obtained for U. This PNEC value is proposed as a SSV for soils similar to the PTRS1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Luisa Caetano
- Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal
- CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal
- * E-mail:
| | - Catarina R. Marques
- Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal
- CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Ana Gavina
- CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Fernando Carvalho
- Nuclear and Technological Institute (ITN) Department of Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety, Sacavém, Portugal
| | - Fernando Gonçalves
- Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal
- CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Eduardo Ferreira da Silva
- Department of Geosciences, University of Aveiro, GeoBioTec Research Center, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Ruth Pereira
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Pereira R, Barbosa S, Carvalho FP. Uranium mining in Portugal: a review of the environmental legacies of the largest mines and environmental and human health impacts. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2014; 36:285-301. [PMID: 24030454 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-013-9563-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2012] [Accepted: 07/17/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The history of uranium mining in Portugal during almost one century has followed international demand peaks of both radium and uranium, which in turn were driven by medical, military, and civil applications. Nowadays, following price drop in the 1980s, mining activities decreased and ceased in 2001. The current challenge is to deal with environmental legacies left by old uranium mines, mainly located in Viseu and Guarda districts. In 2001, based on several radiological surveys carried out, the Portuguese government assumed the remediation costs of abandoned mine areas for environmental safety and public health protection. Detailed environmental and public health risk assessments were performed under the scope of studies both requested by the government and by funded research projects. It was found that the existing risks, due to radiological and chemical exposures to metals and radionuclide's, were particularly high at the old milling facilities and mines where in situ and heap leaching of low-grade ore occurred. The different studies, involving both humans and non-human species from different trophic levels, demonstrated the existence of effects at different levels of biological organization (molecular, cellular, tissues, individuals, and populations) and on ecosystem services. To mitigate the risks, the environmental rehabilitation works at the Urgeiriça mine complex are almost complete, while at Cunha Baixa mine, they are presently in progress. These works and environmental improvements achieved and expected are described herein.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Pereira
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal,
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Carvalho FP, Oliveira JM, Malta M. Radioactivity in Iberian Rivers with Uranium Mining Activities in their Catchment Areas. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.proeps.2014.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Rapantova N, Licbinska M, Babka O, Grmela A, Pospisil P. Impact of uranium mines closure and abandonment on groundwater quality. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2013; 20:7590-7602. [PMID: 23238594 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-012-1340-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2012] [Accepted: 11/15/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The aim of the study is to assess the evolving mine water quality of closed uranium mines (abandoned between 1958 and 1992) in the Czech Republic. This paper focuses on the changes in mine water quality over time and spatial variability. In 2010, systematic monitoring of mine water quality was performed at all available locations of previous uranium exploitation. Gravity flow discharges (mine adits, uncontrolled discharges) or shafts (in dynamic state or stagnating) were sampled. Since the quality of mine water results from multiple conditions-geology, type of sample, sampling depth, time since mine flooding, an assessment of mine water quality evolution was done taking into account all these conditions. Multivariate analyses were applied in order to identify the groups of samples based on their similarity. Evaluation of hydrogeochemical equilibrium and evolution of mine waters was done using the Geochemist's Workbench and PHREEQC software. The sampling proved that uranium concentrations in mine waters did not predominantly exceed 0.45 mg/L. In case of discharges from old adits abandoned more than 40 years ago, uranium concentrations were below the MCL of US Environmental Protection Agency for uranium in drinking water (0.03 mg/L). Higher concentrations, up to 1.23 mg/L of U, were found only at active dewatered mines. Activity concentration of 226Ra varied from 0.03 up to 1.85 Bq/L except for two sites with increased background values due to rock formation (granites). Radium has a typically increasing trend after mine abandonment with a large variability. Concerning metals in mine water, Al, Co and Ni exceeded legislative limits on two sites with low pH waters. The mine water quality changes with a focus on uranium mobility were described from recently dewatered mines to shafts with water level maintained in order to prevent outflows to surface water and finally to stagnating shafts and discharges of mine water from old adits. The results were in good agreement with published experience on mine water stratification, its disturbance by pumping or natural water decant and the "first flush" phenomenon after mine flooding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nada Rapantova
- Institute of Clean Technologies for Mining and Utilization of Raw Materials for Energy Use, VSB-Technical University of Ostrava, 17, Listopadu 15, 708 33, Ostrava, Czech Republic,
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Lourenço J, Pereira R, Gonçalves F, Mendo S. SSH gene expression profile of Eisenia andrei exposed in situ to a naturally contaminated soil from an abandoned uranium mine. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2013; 88:16-25. [PMID: 23164450 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2012.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2012] [Revised: 10/12/2012] [Accepted: 10/13/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The effects of the exposure of earthworms (Eisenia andrei) to contaminated soil from an abandoned uranium mine, were assessed through gene expression profile evaluation by Suppression Subtractive Hybridization (SSH). Organisms were exposed in situ for 56 days, in containers placed both in a contaminated and in a non-contaminated site (reference). Organisms were sampled after 14 and 56 days of exposure. Results showed that the main physiological functions affected by the exposure to metals and radionuclides were: metabolism, oxireductase activity, redox homeostasis and response to chemical stimulus and stress. The relative expression of NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 and elongation factor 1 alpha was also affected, since the genes encoding these enzymes were significantly up and down-regulated, after 14 and 56 days of exposure, respectively. Also, an EST with homology for SET oncogene was found to be up-regulated. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that this gene was identified in earthworms and thus, further studies are required, to clarify its involvement in the toxicity of metals and radionuclides. Considering the results herein presented, gene expression profiling proved to be a very useful tool to detect earthworms underlying responses to metals and radionuclides exposure, pointing out for the detection and development of potential new biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Lourenço
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
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Momčilović M, Kovačević J, Tanić M, Dorđević M, Bačić G, Dragović S. Distribution of natural radionuclides in surface soils in the vicinity of abandoned uranium mines in Serbia. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2013; 185:1319-1329. [PMID: 22527467 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-012-2634-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2011] [Accepted: 04/02/2012] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The activity concentrations of natural radionuclides in soils from the area affected by uranium mining at Stara Planina Mountain in Serbia were studied and compared with the results obtained from an area with no mining activities (background area). In the affected area, the activity concentrations ranged from 1.75 to 19.2 mg kg(-1) for uranium and from 1.57 to 26.9 mg kg(-1) for thorium which is several-fold higher than those in the background area. The Th/U, K/U, and K/Th activity ratios were also determined and compared with data from similar studies worldwide. External gamma dose rate in the air due to uranium, thorium, and potassium at 1 m above ground level in the area affected by uranium mining was found to be 91.3 nGy h(-1), i.e., about two-fold higher than that in background area. The results of this preliminary study indicate the importance of radiological evaluation of the area and implementation of remedial measures in order to prevent further dispersion of radionuclides in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milan Momčilović
- Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy, University of Belgrade, Banatska 31b, 11080 Belgrade, Serbia
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Lourenço J, Pereira R, Pinto F, Caetano T, Silva A, Carvalheiro T, Guimarães A, Gonçalves F, Paiva A, Mendo S. Biomonitoring a human population inhabiting nearby a deactivated uranium mine. Toxicology 2013; 305:89-98. [PMID: 23370006 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2013.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2012] [Revised: 01/21/2013] [Accepted: 01/21/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Environmental exposure to uranium and its daughter radionuclides, has been linked to several negative effects such as those related with important physiological processes, like hematopoiesis, and may also be associated with genotoxicity effects. Herein, genotoxic effects, immunotoxicity, trace elements and C reactive protein (CRP) analyses, were performed in peripheral blood samples collected from individuals of a population living near a deactivated uranium mine. C reactive protein analysis was performed to exclude candidates with active inflammatory processes from further evaluations. DNA damage and immunotoxicity (immunophenotyping and immune cell counts) were evaluated by comet assay and flow cytometry, respectively. Significant DNA damage was observed in the peripheral blood samples from volunteers living in the Cunha Baixa village. A significant decrease of NK and T lymphocytes counts were observed in the individuals from the Cunha Baixa village, when compared with individuals from the reference site. Uranium and manganese levels were significantly higher in the Cunha Baixa village inhabitants. On the other hand, zinc levels were significantly lower in those individuals when compared with the volunteers from the control village. Results suggest that inhabitants from Cunha Baixa have a higher risk of suffering from serious diseases such as cancer, since high DNA damages were observed in peripheral blood leukocytes and also decreased levels of NK and T cells, which play an essential role in the defense against tumor growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Lourenço
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
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Lourenço J, Pereira R, Gonçalves F, Mendo S. Metal bioaccumulation, genotoxicity and gene expression in the European wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus) inhabiting an abandoned uranium mining area. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2013; 443:673-680. [PMID: 23220759 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2012.10.105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2012] [Revised: 10/30/2012] [Accepted: 10/31/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Genotoxic effects caused by the exposure to wastes containing metals and radionuclides were investigated in the European wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus). The animals were captured in the surroundings of an abandoned uranium mining site. DNA damage was assessed by comet assay; gene expression and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were assessed, respectively, by Real-Time PCR and melt curve analysis. The bioaccumulation of metals in the liver, kidney and bones was also determined to help clarify cause-effect relationships. Results confirmed the bioaccumulation of cadmium and uranium in organisms exposed to uranium mining wastes. P53 gene was found to be significantly up-regulated in the liver of those organisms and SNPs in the Rb gene were also detected in the kidney. Our results showed that uranium mining wastes caused serious DNA damage resulting in genomic instability, disclosed by the significant increase in DNA strand breaks and P53 gene expression disturbance. These effects can have severe consequences, since they may contribute for the emergence of serious genetic diseases. The fact that mice are often used as bioindicator species for the evaluation of risks of environmental exposure to humans, raises concerns on the risks for human populations living near uranium mining areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Lourenço
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
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Pereira AJSC, Neves LJPF. Estimation of the radiological background and dose assessment in areas with naturally occurring uranium geochemical anomalies--a case study in the Iberian Massif (Central Portugal). JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2012; 112:96-107. [PMID: 22694913 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2012.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2011] [Revised: 04/26/2012] [Accepted: 05/15/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Naturally occurring uranium geochemical anomalies, representative of the several thousand recognized in the Portuguese section of the Iberian Massif and outcropping in three target areas with a total of a few thousand square metres, were subjected to a detailed study (1:1000 scale) to evaluate the radiological health-risk on the basis of a dose assessment. To reach this goal some radioactive isotopes from the uranium, thorium and potassium radioactive series were measured in 52 samples taken from different environmental compartments: soils, stream sediments, water, foodstuff (vegetables) and air; external radiation was also measured through a square grid of 10×10 m, with a total of 336 measurements. The results show that some radioisotopes have high activities in all the environmental compartments as well as a large variability, namely for those of the uranium decay chain, which is a common situation in the regional geological setting. Isotopic disequilibrium is also common and led to an enrichment of several isotopes in the different pathways, as is the case of (226)Ra; maximum values of 1.76 Bq L(-1) (water), 986 Bq kg(-1) (soils) and 18.9 Bq kg(-1) (in a turnip sample) were measured. On the basis of a realistic scenario combined with the experimental data, the effective dose from exposure to ionizing radiation for two groups of the population (rural and urban) was calculated; the effective dose is variable between 8.0 and 9.5 mSv year(-1), which is 3-4 times higher than the world average. Thus, the radiological health-risk for these populations could be significant and the studied uranium anomalies must be taken into account in the assessment of the geochemical background. The estimated effective dose can also be used as typical of the background of the Beiras uranium metalogenetic province and therefore as a "benchmark" in the remediation of the old uranium mining sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J S C Pereira
- IMAR, Departamento de Ciências da Terra, Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal.
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Nhan DD, Fernando CP, Thu Ha NT, Long NQ, Thuan DD, Fonseca H. Radon ((222)Rn) concentration in indoor air near the coal mining area of Nui Beo, North of Vietnam. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2012; 110:98-103. [PMID: 22445878 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2012.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2011] [Revised: 02/10/2012] [Accepted: 02/15/2012] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Concentrations of radioactive radon gas ((222)Rn) were measured using passive monitors based on LR115 solid state track detectors during June-July 2010 in indoor air of dwellings in the Nui Beo coal mining area, mostly in Cam Pha and Ha Long coastal towns, Quang Ninh province, in the North of Vietnam. Global results of (222)Rn concentrations indoors varied from ≤6 to 145 Bq m(-3) averaging 46 ± 26 Bq m(-3) (n = 37), with a median value of 47 Bq m(-3). This was similar to outdoor (222)Rn concentrations in the region, averaging 43 ± 19 Bq m(-3) (n = 10), with a median value of 44 Bq m(-3). Indoor (222)Rn concentrations in the coastal town dwellings only were in average lower although not significantly different from indoor (222)Rn concentrations measured at the coal storage field near the harbor, 67 ± 4 Bq m(-3) (n = 3). Furthermore, there was no significant difference in the average (222)Rn concentration in indoor air measured in the coastal towns region and those at the touristic Tuan Chau Island located about 45 km south of the coal mine, in the Ha Long Bay. The indoor (222)Rn concentration in a floating house at the Bai Tu Long Bay, and assumed as the best estimate of the baseline (222)Rn in surface air, was 27 ± 3 Bq m(-3) (n = 3). Indoor average concentration of (222)Rn in dwellings at the Ha Noi city, inland and outside the coal mining area, was determined at 30 Bq m(-3). These results suggest that (222)Rn exhalation from the ground at the Nui Beo coal mining area may have contributed to generally increase (222)Rn concentration in the surface air of that region up to 1.7 times above the baseline value measured at the Bai Tu Long Bay and Ha Noi. The average indoor concentration of (222)Rn in Cam Pha-Ha Long area is about one-third of the value of the so-called Action Level set up by the US EPA of 148 Bq m(-3). Results suggest that there is no significant public health risk from (222)Rn exposure in the study region.
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Gerenutti M, Gonçalves MM, Rissato SR, de Oliveira JM, dos Santos Reigota MA, Galhiane MS. Assessment of liquid disposal originated by uranium enrichment at Aramar Experimental Center São Paulo--Brazil. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2012; 184:4425-4433. [PMID: 21814717 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-011-2274-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2010] [Accepted: 07/19/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
This work presents a liquid disposal monitoring originated from uranium enrichment process at Aramar Experimental Center from 1990 to 1998. Assessment of uranium, fluorides, ammoniacal nitrogen, chemical oxygen demand, and pH measurements were made in water samples and compared with results achieved in other countries, as North America and India. The liquid disposal evaluation, generated by uranium enrichment process, showed low levels, considering most parameters established by Federal and State Legislation, aiming environmental pollution control. However, uranium levels were above the limits established by Conselho Nacional do Meio Ambiente, Environment Protection Agency and mainly by the World Health Organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marli Gerenutti
- School of Pharmacy, Universidade de Sorocaba, Av Dr Eugênio Salerrno, 100/140, 18035-430, Sorocaba, Brazil.
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Lourenço J, Pereira R, Silva A, Carvalho F, Oliveira J, Malta M, Paiva A, Gonçalves F, Mendo S. Evaluation of the sensitivity of genotoxicity and cytotoxicity endpoints in earthworms exposed in situ to uranium mining wastes. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2012; 75:46-54. [PMID: 21955884 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2011.08.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2011] [Revised: 08/19/2011] [Accepted: 08/31/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Earthworms were exposed for 56 days to a contaminated soil from an abandoned uranium mine and to the natural reference soil LUFA 2.2. The exposure occurred in situ: the containers with contaminated soil were placed near the mine pit; the containers with reference soil were placed in a reference site. For the assessment of metals bioaccumulation, DNA damages, cell-to-cell variation in DNA content, Median Fluorescence Intensity (MFI), coelomocytes frequency and proliferation, organisms were sampled after 0, 1, 2, 7, 14 and 56 days of exposure. For the assessment of radionuclides bioaccumulation, animals were sampled after 0, 14 and 56 days of exposure. As for growth, organisms were sampled after 0, 14, 28 and 56 days of exposure. The reproduction assay was performed according to the OECD (2004) guideline. DNA damages were assessed by comet assay and flow cytometry was used to determine cell-to-cell variation in DNA content, Median Fluorescence Intensity (MFI), coelomocytes frequency and proliferation. Results have shown a myriad of effects in the organisms exposed to the contaminated soil, namely: the inhibition of reproduction, growth reduction, DNA damages, cytotoxicity, changes in eleocytes fluorescence intensity, coelomocytes proliferation and bioaccumulation of metals and radionuclides. Our results showed that the evaluation of genotoxicity and cytotoxicity endpoints, along with other parameters at an individual level in standard reproduction assays conducted in situ, are important to improve the risk assessment process of areas contaminated with uranium and other radioactive mining wastes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Lourenço
- Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal.
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Lourenço JI, Pereira RO, Silva AC, Morgado JM, Carvalho FP, Oliveira JM, Malta MP, Paiva AA, Mendo SA, Gonçalves FJ. Genotoxic endpoints in the earthworms sub-lethal assay to evaluate natural soils contaminated by metals and radionuclides. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2011; 186:788-795. [PMID: 21146299 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2010.11.073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2010] [Revised: 11/16/2010] [Accepted: 11/17/2010] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Eisenia andrei was exposed, for 56 days, to a contaminated soil from an abandoned uranium mine and to the natural reference soil LUFA 2.2. The organisms were sampled after 0, 1, 2, 7, 14 and 56 days of exposure, to assess metals bioaccumulation, coelomocytes DNA integrity and cytotoxicity. Radionuclides bioaccumulation and growth were also determined at 0 h, 14 and 56 days of exposure. Results have shown the bioaccumulation of metals and radionuclides, as well as, growth reduction, DNA damages and cytotoxicity in earthworms exposed to contaminated soil. The usefulness of the comet assay and flow cytometry, to evaluate the toxicity of contaminants such as metals and radionuclides in earthworms are herein reported. We also demonstrated that DNA strand breakage and immune cells frequency are important endpoints to be employed in the earthworm reproduction assay, for the evaluation of soil geno and cytotoxicity, as part of the risk assessment of contaminated areas. This is the first study that integrates DNA damage and cytotoxicity evaluation, growth and bioaccumulation of metals and radionuclides in a sub lethal assay, for earthworms exposed to soil contaminated with metals and radionuclides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana I Lourenço
- CESAM & Departamento de Biologia, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal.
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Saïdou, Bochud FO, Baechler S, Moïse KN, Merlin N, Froidevaux P. Natural radioactivity measurements and dose calculations to the public: Case of the uranium-bearing region of Poli in Cameroon. RADIAT MEAS 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.radmeas.2010.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Brugge D, Buchner V. Health effects of uranium: new research findings. REVIEWS ON ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 2011; 26:231-49. [PMID: 22435323 DOI: 10.1515/reveh.2011.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Recent plans for a nuclear renaissance in both established and emerging economies have prompted increased interest in uranium mining. With the potential for more uranium mining worldwide and a growth in the literature on the toxicology and epidemiology of uranium and uranium mining, we found it timely to review the current state of knowledge. Here, we present a review of the health effects of uranium mining, with an emphasis on newer findings (2005-2011). Uranium mining can contaminate air, water, and soil. The chemical toxicity of the metal constitutes the primary environmental health hazard, with the radioactivity of uranium a secondary concern. The update of the toxicologic evidence on uranium adds to the established findings regarding nephrotoxicity, genotoxicity, and developmental defects. Additional novel toxicologic findings, including some at the molecular level, are now emerging that raise the biological plausibility of adverse effects on the brain, on reproduction, including estrogenic effects, on gene expression, and on uranium metabolism. Historically, most epidemiology on uranium mining has focused on mine workers and radon exposure. Although that situation is still overwhelmingly true, a smaller emerging literature has begun to form around environmental exposure in residential areas near uranium mining and processing facilities. We present and critique such studies. Clearly, more epidemiologic research is needed to contribute to causal inference. As much damage is irreversible, and possibly cumulative, present efforts must be vigorous to limit environmental uranium contamination and exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doug Brugge
- Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
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Carvalho FP, Oliveira JM, Malta M. Analyses of radionuclides in soil, water, and agriculture products near the Urgeiriça uranium mine in Portugal. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2009. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-009-0027-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Vearrier D, Curtis JA, Greenberg MI. Technologically enhanced naturally occurring radioactive materials. Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2009; 47:393-406. [DOI: 10.1080/15563650902997849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Carvalho FP, Oliveira JM, Lopes I, Batista A. Radionuclides from past uranium mining in rivers of Portugal. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2007; 98:298-314. [PMID: 17624644 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2007.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2006] [Revised: 05/18/2007] [Accepted: 05/28/2007] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
During several decades and until a few years ago, uranium mines were exploited in the Centre of Portugal and wastewaters from uranium ore milling facilities were discharged into river basins. To investigate enhancement of radioactivity in freshwater ecosystems, radionuclides of uranium and thorium series were measured in water, sediments, suspended matter, and fish samples from the rivers Vouga, Dão, Távora and Mondego. The results show that these rivers carry sediments with relatively high naturally occurring radioactivity, and display relatively high concentrations of radon dissolved in water, which is typical of a uranium rich region. Riverbed sediments show enhanced concentrations of radionuclides in the mid-section of the Mondego River, a sign of past wastewater discharges from mining and milling works at Urgeiriça confirmed by the enhanced values of (238)U/(232)Th radionuclide ratios in sediments. Radionuclide concentrations in water, suspended matter and freshwater fish from that section of Mondego are also enhanced in comparison with concentrations measured in other rivers. Based on current radionuclide concentrations in fish, regular consumption of freshwater species by local populations would add 0.032 mSv a(-1) of dose equivalent (1%) to the average background radiation dose. Therefore, it is concluded that current levels of enhanced radioactivity do not pose a significant radiological risk either to aquatic fauna or to freshwater fish consumers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando P Carvalho
- Instituto Tecnológico e Nuclear, Departamento de Protecção Radiológica e Segurança Nuclear, E.N. 10, 2686-953 Sacavém, Portugal.
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