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Maderich V, Tsumune D, Bezhenar R, de With G. A critical review and update of modelling of treated water discharging from Fukushima Daiichi NPP. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 198:115901. [PMID: 38086108 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115901] [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: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Since the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant (FDNPP) in March 2011 seawater is still needed to cool the reactor cores. This water, contaminated with radionuclides, has been collected in tanks and treated on the site of the FDNPP. In 2021, the Japanese government decided to gradually discharge treated water into the ocean, which started on the 24th of August 2023 and will continue for the next 30 years. This paper provides a critical analysis of the models that were used in the different radiological impact studies. Based on the analysis, a hydrodynamic and a compartment models with a harmonized setup were used to estimate the impact of the discharge on humans and biota. Doses obtained with these two models were within one order of magnitude for humans (<0.1 μSv/year) and for biota (<10-6 mGy/d) indicating that harmonization of the model parameters improved the reliability of the simulation results.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Maderich
- Institute of Mathematical Machine and System Problems, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - D Tsumune
- University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - R Bezhenar
- Institute of Mathematical Machine and System Problems, Kyiv, Ukraine.
| | - G de With
- Nuclear Research and Consultancy Group (NRG), Arnhem, the Netherlands
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MacIntosh A, Dafforn K, Penrose B, Chariton A, Cresswell T. Assessing the ecological impacts of NORM-contaminated scale on marine infauna using sediment microcosms. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 340:139939. [PMID: 37625489 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.139939] [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: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
Naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMs) can be found in decommissioned oil and gas infrastructure (e.g. pipelines), including scales. The effects of NORM contaminants from offshore infrastructure on benthic macroorganisms remain poorly understood. To test the potential ecological effects of NORM-contaminated scale, we exposed a marine amphipod, a clam and a polychaete to marine sediments spiked with low level concentrations of barium sulfate scale retrieved from a decommissioned subsea pipe. Only amphipods were included in further analysis due to treatment mortalities of the clam and polychaete. Barium (Ba) and copper (Cu) were elevated in the seawater overlying the spiked sediments, although no sediment metals exceeded guidelines. 210Po was the only NORM detected in the overlying waters while both 210Po and 226Ra were significantly elevated in the scale-contaminated sediments when compared with the control sediments. The whole-body burden of Ba and 226Ra were significantly higher in the scale-exposed amphipods. Using experiment- and scale-specific parameters in biota dose assessments suggested potential dose rates may elicit individual and population level effects. Future work is needed to assess the biological impacts and effects of NORM scale at elevated levels above background concentrations and the accumulation of NORM-associated contaminants by marine organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy MacIntosh
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), Lucas Heights, Locked Bag 2001, NSW, 2232, Australia; School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Katherine Dafforn
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Beth Penrose
- Charles Darwin University (CDU), Research Institute of Northern Agriculture and Drought Resilience (RINA), Charles Darwin University, Casuarina, 0810, NT, Australia
| | - Anthony Chariton
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Tom Cresswell
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), Lucas Heights, Locked Bag 2001, NSW, 2232, Australia
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Koppel DJ, Cresswell T, MacIntosh A, von Hellfeld R, Hastings A, Higgins S. Threshold values for the protection of marine ecosystems from NORM in subsea oil and gas infrastructure. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2023; 258:107093. [PMID: 36621180 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2022.107093] [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: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
This modelling study uses the ERICA Tool and Bateman's equation to derive sediment threshold values for radiation protection of the marine environment relevant to NORM-contaminated products (radium-contaminated scales, 210Pb films and 210Po films) found in subsea oil and gas infrastructure. Threshold values are calculated as the activity concentration of the NORM-contaminated products' head of chain radionuclide (i.e., 226Ra + 228Ra, 210Pb, or 210Po) that will increase radiation dose rates in sediments by 10 μGy/h to the most exposed organism at a given release time. The minimum threshold value (corresponding to peak radiation dose rates from the ingrowth of progeny) were for radium-contaminated scales, 0.009 Bq/g of 226Ra, 0.029 Bq/g of 228Ra (in the absence of 226Ra) or 0.14 Bq/g of 228Ra (in the presence of 226Ra), followed by 0.015 Bq/g for 210Pb films, and 1.6 Bq/g for 210Po films. These may be used as default threshold values. Added activity concentrations of the NORM-contaminated products to marine sediments below these threshold values implies a low radiological risk to organisms while exceedances imply that further investigation is necessary. Using contaminated product specific parameterisations, such as Kd values derived for Ra from a BaSO4 matrix in seawater, could greatly affect threshold values. Strong consideration should be given to deriving such data as part of specific radiological risk assessments for these products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darren J Koppel
- Curtin University Oil and Gas Innovation Centre, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia; Australian Institute of Marine Science, Crawley, WA, Australia.
| | - Tom Cresswell
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Amy MacIntosh
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights, NSW, Australia; Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Rebecca von Hellfeld
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK; National Decommissioning Centre, Ellon, Scotland, UK
| | - Astley Hastings
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK; National Decommissioning Centre, Ellon, Scotland, UK
| | - Stuart Higgins
- Curtin University Oil and Gas Innovation Centre, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
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MacIntosh A, Koppel DJ, Johansen MP, Beresford NA, Copplestone D, Penrose B, Cresswell T. Radiological risk assessment to marine biota from exposure to NORM from a decommissioned offshore oil and gas pipeline. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2022; 251-252:106979. [PMID: 35963215 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2022.106979] [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: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Scale residues can accumulate on the interior surfaces of subsea petroleum pipes and may incorporate naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM). The persistent nature of 'NORM scale' may result in a radiological dose to the organisms living on or near intact pipelines. Following a scenario of in-situ decommissioning of a subsea pipeline, marine organisms occupying the exteriors or interiors of petroleum structures may have close contact with the scale or other NORM-associated contaminated substances and suffer subsequent radiological effects. This case study used radiological dose modelling software, including the ERICA Tool (v2.0), MicroShield® Pro and mathematical equations, to estimate the likely radiological doses and risks of effects from NORM-contaminated scale to marine biota from a decommissioned offshore oil and gas pipeline. Using activity concentrations of NORM (226Ra, 210Po, 210Pb, 228Ra, 228Th) from a subsea pipeline from Australia, environmental realistic exposure scenarios including radiological exposures from both an intact pipe (external only; accounting for radiation shielding by a cylindrical carbon steel pipe) and a decommissioned pipeline with corrosive breakthrough (resulting in both internal and external radiological exposure) were simulated to estimate doses to model marine organisms. Predicted dose rates for both the external only exposure (ranging from 26 μGy/h to 33 μGy/h) and a corroded pipeline (ranging from 300 μGy/h to 16,000 μGy/h) exceeded screening levels for radiological doses to environmental receptors. The study highlighted the importance of using scale-specific solubility data (i.e., Kd) values for individual NORM radionuclides for ERICA assessments. This study provides an approach for conducting marine organism dose assessments for NORM-contaminated subsea pipelines and highlights scientific gaps required to undertake risk assessments necessary to inform infrastructure decommissioning planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy MacIntosh
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights, NSW, Australia; School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Darren J Koppel
- Curtin University Oil and Gas Innovation Centre, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Mathew P Johansen
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights, NSW, Australia
| | | | - David Copplestone
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, United Kingdom
| | - Beth Penrose
- Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Tom Cresswell
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights, NSW, Australia
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Distribution of Sulfonamide Antibiotics and Resistance Genes and Their Correlation with Water Quality in Urban Rivers (Changchun City, China) in Autumn and Winter. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14127301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
With the extensive use of antibiotics, antibiotics, and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), contamination in the water environment is becoming severe in recent years. This study examined the distribution characteristics of sulfonamide antibiotics and resistance genes in the urban section of the Yitong River in autumn and winter. In addition, the correlation between them and water quality parameters was analyzed using Pearson correlation analysis. The surface water from the Yitong River was sampled in September and November for this experiment. The results of 32 samples showed that seven sulfonamides were detected in the surface water and sediments of this reach, and the concentrations were generally at the levels of ng/L and ng/g. The total concentration range was 11–161 ng/L and ND-85.7 ng/g. The concentrations of different antibiotics were similar in autumn and winter, and the concentration of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) was higher than that of other antibiotics. The results of the Risk Quotients (RQs) showed that SMX and sulfadiazine (SDZ) had moderate acute risk to the corresponding sensitive species in river water, sulfapyridine (SPD) and sulfisoxazole (SIZ) had low acute risk, while the rest had no risk. The total bacterial abundance in surface water and sediment was in the range of 104–105 copies/mL and 108–1011 copies/g, respectively. The detection rates of three sulfonamide resistance genes were 100%; the relative abundance was in the range of 10−3–10−1 copies/16S rRNA, and sul1 was the primary resistance gene. The results of correlation analysis showed that there was a significant positive correlation between sulfamethazine (SMZ), sulfathiazole (STZ), and SIZ and water quality indexes such as total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP), ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) and chlorophyll a (Chl-a). The river‘s change of water quality environment could significantly affect the antibiotics’ spatial distribution characteristics and content. The higher the level of nutrients, the higher the concentration of antibiotics. The abundance of sulfa resistance genes was positively correlated with the concentration of sulfa antibiotics. Frequent human activities can increase antibiotic concentration, leading to the production of more resistance genes induced by antibiotics, but the main reason for the formation of resistance genes was not apparent. Therefore, exploring the occurrence and pollution characteristics of antibiotics and ARGs in the environment of the Yitong River Basin in Changchun City and analyzing their sources, transmission, and ecological risks in the environment provided an essential scientific basis for pollution prevention and ecological protection of urban rivers in northern China.
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Kolovi S, Fois GR, Lanouar S, Chardon P, Miallier D, Rivrais G, Allain E, Baker LA, Bailly C, Beauger A, Biron DG, He Y, Holub G, Le Jeune AH, Mallet C, Michel H, Montavon G, Schoefs B, Sergeant C, Maigne L, Breton V. Radiation exposure of microorganisms living in radioactive mineral springs. EPJ WEB OF CONFERENCES 2022. [DOI: 10.1051/epjconf/202226104001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The TIRAMISU collaboration gathers expertise from biologists, physicists, radiochemists and geologists within the Zone-Atelier Territoires Uranifères (ZATU) in France to analyze the radiation exposure of microorganisms living in naturally radioactive mineral springs. These springs are small waterbodies that are extremely stable over geological time scales and display different physicochemical and radiological parameters compared to their surroundings. Water and sediment samples collected in 27 mineral springs of the volcanic Auvergne region (Massif Central, France) have been studied for their microbial biodiversity and their radionuclide content. Among the microorganisms present, microalgae (diatoms), widely used as environmental indicators of water quality, have shown to display an exceptional abundance of teratogenic forms in the most radioactive springs studied (radon activity up to 3700 Bq/L). The current work presents a first assessment of the dose received by the diatoms inhabiting these ecosystems. According to ERICA tool, microorganisms living in most of the sampled mineral springs were exposed to dose rates above 10 μGy/h due to the large concentration of radium in the sediments (up to 50 Bq/g). Radiological analyses of water and sediments were used as inputs to Monte Carlo simulations at micro-(GATE) and nano- (Geant4-DNA) scale in order to assess the direct and indirect damages on the diatom DNA.
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Koppel DJ, Kho F, Hastings A, Crouch D, MacIntosh A, Cresswell T, Higgins S. Current understanding and research needs for ecological risk assessments of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) in subsea oil and gas pipelines. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2022; 241:106774. [PMID: 34823203 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2021.106774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Thousands of offshore oil and gas facilities are coming to the end of their life in jurisdictions worldwide and will require decommissioning. In-situ decommissioning, where the subsea components of that infrastructure are left in the marine environment following the end of its productive life, has been proposed as an option that delivers net benefits, including from: ecological benefits from the establishment of artificial reefs, economic benefits from associated fisheries, reduced costs and improved human safety outcomes for operators. However, potential negative impacts, such as the ecological risk of residual contaminants, are not well understood. Naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) are a class of contaminants found in some oil and gas infrastructure (e.g. pipelines) and includes radionuclides of uranium, thorium, radium, radon, lead, and polonium. NORM are ubiquitous in oil and gas reservoirs around the world and may form contamination products including scales and sludges in subsea infrastructure due to their chemistries and the physical processes of oil and gas extraction. The risk that NORM from these sources pose to marine ecosystems is not yet understood meaning that decisions made about decommissioning may not deliver the best outcomes for environments. In this review, we consider the life of NORM-contamination products in oil and gas systems, their expected exposure pathways in the marine environment, and possible ecological impacts following release. These are accompanied by the key research priorities that need to better describe risk associated with decommissioning options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darren J Koppel
- Curtin University Oil and Gas Innovation Centre, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia; CSIRO Land and Water, Lucas Heights, NSW, Australia.
| | - Fenny Kho
- Curtin University Oil and Gas Innovation Centre, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia; Curtin Corrosion Center, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | | | - Dean Crouch
- Curtin University Oil and Gas Innovation Centre, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Amy MacIntosh
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights, NSW, Australia; Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Tom Cresswell
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Stuart Higgins
- Curtin University Oil and Gas Innovation Centre, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
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Bezhenar R, Takata H, de With G, Maderich V. Planned release of contaminated water from the Fukushima storage tanks into the ocean: Simulation scenarios of radiological impact for aquatic biota and human from seafood consumption. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 173:112969. [PMID: 34560391 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2021] [Revised: 09/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The radiological impact for human and aquatic biota as a result of a planned release of contaminated water stored in tanks near the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant to the Pacific Ocean is assessed. The total activity for 10 dominant radionuclides (3H, 14C, 60Co, 90Sr, 99Tc, 106Ru, 125Sb, 129I, 134Cs, 137Cs) in tanks is estimated. The compartment model POSEIDON-R is applied to compute the concentration of activity for each radionuclide in water, bottom sediments, and biota, and corresponding doses to marine organisms and humans from seafood consumption. Predicted concentrations of activity in marine products in future will not exceed food safety limits in Japan. The computed maximum committed effective dose to humans is less than 1 μSv per year with the highest contribution from 129I and 14C. Maximum absorbed doses to non-human biota are in the order of 0.05 to 20 μGy per year, meaning that no deleterious effects are expected.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Bezhenar
- Institute of Mathematical Machine and System Problems, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - H Takata
- Institute of Environmental Radioactivity, Fukushima University, Japan
| | - G de With
- Nuclear Research and Consultancy Group (NRG), Arnhem, the Netherlands
| | - V Maderich
- Institute of Mathematical Machine and System Problems, Kyiv, Ukraine.
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Burraco P, Car C, Bonzom JM, Orizaola G. Assessment of exposure to ionizing radiation in Chernobyl tree frogs (Hyla orientalis). Sci Rep 2021; 11:20509. [PMID: 34654841 PMCID: PMC8519934 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-00125-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Ionizing radiation can damage organic molecules, causing detrimental effects on human and wildlife health. The accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant (1986) represents the largest release of radioactive material to the environment. An accurate estimation of the current exposure to radiation in wildlife, often reduced to ambient dose rate assessments, is crucial to understand the long-term impact of radiation on living organisms. Here, we present an evaluation of the sources and variation of current exposure to radiation in breeding Eastern tree frogs (Hyla orientalis) males living in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. Total absorbed dose rates in H. orientalis were highly variable, although generally below widely used thresholds considered harmful for animal health. Internal exposure was the main source of absorbed dose rate (81% on average), with 90Sr being the main contributor (78% of total dose rate, on average). These results highlight the importance of assessing both internal and external exposure levels in order to perform a robust evaluation of the exposure to radiation in wildlife. Further studies incorporating life-history, ecological, and evolutionary traits are needed to fully evaluate the effects that these exposure levels can have in amphibians and other taxa inhabiting radio-contaminated environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Burraco
- Animal Ecology, Department of Ecology and Genetics, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University, 75236, Uppsala, Sweden
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Clément Car
- Research Laboratory on the Effects of Radionuclides on Ecosystems (LECO), Institute for Radioprotection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN), PSE-ENV/SRTE/LECO, 13115, Cadarache, Saint Paul Lez Durance, France
| | - Jean-Marc Bonzom
- Research Laboratory on the Effects of Radionuclides on Ecosystems (LECO), Institute for Radioprotection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN), PSE-ENV/SRTE/LECO, 13115, Cadarache, Saint Paul Lez Durance, France
| | - Germán Orizaola
- Animal Ecology, Department of Ecology and Genetics, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University, 75236, Uppsala, Sweden.
- IMIB-Biodiversity Research Institute (Univ. Oviedo-CSIC-Princip. Asturias), University of Oviedo, 33600, Mieres-Asturias, Spain.
- Zoology Unit, Department of Biology of Organisms and Systems, University of Oviedo, 33071, Oviedo-Asturias, Spain.
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Monte L. A few considerations on some current modelling approaches to assess the impact of radiation on the population size of wildlife species. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2021; 237:106686. [PMID: 34171791 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2021.106686] [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: 02/20/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
This note outlines some features of current state-of-the-art models aimed at assessing the radiological impact on wildlife. Such models can be interpreted as particular realisations of an archetypal model from which they can be derived on the basis of specific hypotheses described and analysed here. A stressor can influence, to varying degrees, on the one hand, the inherent biological mortality of a species and, on the other hand, the actual mortality of a species competing for survival in the ecosystem. Generally, the actual mortality rate of a species impacted by a stressor is linked through complicated mathematical relationships to the excess biological mortality caused by the stressor. Such relationships may depend on the particular type of model. The models can be of help to select criteria for the assessment of the radiological impact and to identify suitable parameters for its evaluation.
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Rea MAD, Johansen MP, Payne TE, Hirth G, Hondros J, Pandelus S, Tucker W, Duff T, Stopic A, Green L, Pring A, Lenehan CE, Popelka-Filcoff RS. Radionuclides and stable elements in vegetation in Australian arid environments: Concentration ratios and seasonal variation. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2021; 234:106627. [PMID: 33964669 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2021.106627] [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: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Data on the uptake of elements and radionuclides by flora from soils in arid environments are underrepresented in international databases, especially when comparing across seasons. This study improved the understanding on the uptake of natural uranium-series radionuclides, as well as more than 30 elements, in a range of Australian native flora species that are internationally representative of an arid/semi-arid zone (e.g. Acacia, Astrebla, Atriplex, and Dodonea). Results indicate that the soil-to-plant uptake ratios were generally higher when compared with international data for grasses and shrubs from more temperate environments. The majority of the elemental concentrations in grasses were higher in winter than in summer and the opposite trend was found in shrubs, which suggests that the season of collection potentially introduces variability in the reported concentration ratios. The data also suggest that grasses, being dominant and widespread species in arid zones, may be effective as a reference organism to ensure comparative assessment across sites of interest. The results of this study will improve the confidence of environmental assessments in arid zones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Angelica D Rea
- Flinders University, College of Science and Engineering, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia.
| | - Mathew P Johansen
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights, NSW, 2234, Australia.
| | - Timothy E Payne
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights, NSW, 2234, Australia.
| | - Gillian Hirth
- Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA), 619 Lower Plenty Road, Yallambie, VIC, 3085, Australia.
| | - Jim Hondros
- JRHC Enterprises Pty. Ltd., Stirling, SA, 5152, Australia.
| | - Samantha Pandelus
- Flinders University, College of Science and Engineering, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia.
| | - William Tucker
- Flinders University, College of Science and Engineering, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia
| | - Tim Duff
- National Energy Resources Australia, Kensington, WA, 6151, Australia.
| | - Attila Stopic
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights, NSW, 2234, Australia.
| | - Liesel Green
- Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA), 619 Lower Plenty Road, Yallambie, VIC, 3085, Australia.
| | - Allan Pring
- Flinders University, College of Science and Engineering, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia.
| | - Claire E Lenehan
- Flinders University, College of Science and Engineering, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia.
| | - Rachel S Popelka-Filcoff
- Flinders University, College of Science and Engineering, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia; University of Melbourne, School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia.
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de With G, Bezhenar R, Maderich V, Yevdin Y, Iosjpe M, Jung KT, Qiao F, Perianez R. Development of a dynamic food chain model for assessment of the radiological impact from radioactive releases to the aquatic environment. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2021; 233:106615. [PMID: 33894499 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2021.106615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Revised: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The software tool POSEIDON-R was developed for modelling the concentration of radionuclides in water and sediments as well as uptake and fate in the aquatic environment and marine organisms. The software has been actively advanced in the aftermath of the Fukushima Dai-ichi accident. This includes development of an uptake model for the benthic food chain, a kinetic-allometric compartment model for fish and recent advancements for the application of 3H. This work will focus on the food chain model development and its extension to key artificial radionuclides in radioecology such as 3H. Subsequently, the model will be applied to assess the radiological dose for marine biota from 3H, 90Sr, 131I, 134Cs and 137Cs released during and after the Fukushima Dai-ichi accident. The simulation results for 3H, 90Sr, 131I, 134Cs and 137Cs obtained from the coastal box (4-4 km) located at the discharge area of the Fukushima Dai-ichi NPP, and the surrounding regional box (15-30 km) are compared with measurements. The predictions are by and large consistent with experimental findings, although good validation for 3H, 90Sr and 131I is challenging due to lack of data. On the basis of the model predictions a dose assessment for pelagic and benthic fish is carried out. Maximum absorbed dose rates in the coastal box and the regional box are respectively 6000 and 50 μGy d-1 and are found in the pelagic non-piscivorous fish. Dose rates exceeding ICRP's derived consideration levels of 1 mGy d-1 are only found in the direct vicinity of the release and shortly after the accident. During the post-accidental phase absorbed dose rates consistently fall to levels where no deleterious effects to the marine biota are expected. The results also demonstrate the prolonged dose rate from 134Cs and 137Cs, particularly for benthic organisms, due to caesium's affinity with sediment, re-entry of caesium from the sediment into the food chain and external exposure from its high energetic gamma emissions. Uptake of non-organic tritium (HTO) and organically bound tritium (OBT) is modelled and shows some accumulation of OBT in the marine organism. However, dose rates from tritium, even during the accident, are low.
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Affiliation(s)
- G de With
- Nuclear Research and Consultancy Group (NRG), Utrechtseweg 310, NL-6800 ES, Arnhem, the Netherlands.
| | - R Bezhenar
- Institute of Mathematical Machine and System Problems, Glushkov av 42, Kyiv, 03187, Ukraine
| | - V Maderich
- Institute of Mathematical Machine and System Problems, Glushkov av 42, Kyiv, 03187, Ukraine
| | - Y Yevdin
- Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS), Ingolstaedter Landstr. 1 85764, Oberschleissheim, Germany
| | - M Iosjpe
- Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (DSA), Grini næringspark 13, NO-1332, Østerås, Norway
| | - K T Jung
- Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology, 787 Haean-ro, Ansan, 426-744, Republic of Korea
| | - F Qiao
- First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, 266061, China
| | - R Perianez
- Dpt. Física Aplicada I, ETSIA, Universidad de Sevilla, Ctra Utrera km 1, 41013, Sevilla, Spain
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13
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Johansen MP, Anderson D, Child D, Hotchkis MAC, Tsukada H, Okuda K, Hinton TG. Differentiating Fukushima and Nagasaki plutonium from global fallout using 241Pu/ 239Pu atom ratios: Pu vs. Cs uptake and dose to biota. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 754:141890. [PMID: 32916482 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Plutonium (Pu) has been released in Japan by two very different types of nuclear events - the 2011 Fukushima accident and the 1945 detonation of a Pu-core weapon at Nagasaki. Here we report on the use of Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) methods to distinguish the FDNPP-accident and Nagasaki-detonation Pu from worldwide fallout in soils and biota. The FDNPP-Pu was distinct in local environmental samples through the use of highly sensitive 241Pu/239Pu atom ratios. In contrast, other typically-used Pu measures (240Pu/239Pu atom ratios, activity concentrations) did not distinguish the FDNPP Pu from background in most 2016 environmental samples. Results indicate the accident contributed new Pu of ~0.4%-2% in the 0-5 cm soils, ~0.3%-3% in earthworms, and ~1%-10% in wild boar near the FDNPP. The uptake of Pu in the boar appears to be relatively uninfluenced by the glassy particle forms of fallout near the FDNPP, whereas the 134,137Cs uptake appears to be highly influenced. Near Nagasaki, the lasting legacy of Pu is greater with high percentages of Pu sourced from the 1945 detonation (~93% soils, ~88% earthworm, ~96% boar). The Pu at Nagasaki contrasts with that from the FDNPP in having proportionately higher 239Pu and was distinguished by both 240Pu/239Pu and 241Pu/239Pu atom ratios. However, compared with the contamination near the Chernobyl accident site, the Pu amounts at all study sites in Japan are orders of magnitude lower. The dose rates from Pu to organisms in the FDNPP and Nagasaki areas, as well as to human consumers of wild boar meat, have been only slightly elevated above background. Our data demonstrate the greater sensitivity of 241Pu/239Pu atom ratios in tracing Pu from nuclear releases and suggest that the Nagasaki-detonation Pu will be distinguishable in the environment for much longer than the FDNPP-accident Pu.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathew P Johansen
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Donovan Anderson
- Institute of Environmental Radioactivity, Fukushima University, 960-1248, Fukushima Prefecture, Fukushima, Kanayagawa, Japan; Symbiotic Systems Science and Technology, Fukushima University, 960-1248, Fukushima Prefecture, Fukushima, Kanayagawa, Japan
| | - David Child
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Hirofumi Tsukada
- Institute of Environmental Radioactivity, Fukushima University, 960-1248, Fukushima Prefecture, Fukushima, Kanayagawa, Japan
| | - Kei Okuda
- Faculty of Human Environmental Studies, Hiroshima Shudo University, 731-3195, Hiroshima Prefecture, Asaminami-ku, Ozuka-higashi, Japan
| | - Thomas G Hinton
- Institute of Environmental Radioactivity, Fukushima University, 960-1248, Fukushima Prefecture, Fukushima, Kanayagawa, Japan; CERAD CoE, Norwegian University of Life sciences, Faculty for Environmental Sciences and Nature Research Management, Aas, Norway
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14
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Gerke HC, Hinton TG, Takase T, Anderson D, Nanba K, Beasley JC. Radiocesium concentrations and GPS-coupled dosimetry in Fukushima snakes. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 734:139389. [PMID: 32464388 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139389] [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: 12/30/2019] [Revised: 05/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
One of the largest releases of radioactive contamination in history occurred at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP). Although the accident happened in 2011, questions still persist regarding its ecological impacts. For example, relatively little is known about radiocesium accumulation in snakes, despite their high trophic status, limited home range sizes, and close association with soil where many radionuclides accumulate. This study presents one of the most comprehensive radioecological studies of snakes published to date using a combination of whole-body radiocesium analyses, GPS transmitters, and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dosimeters. The objectives were to: 1) quantify whole-body radiocesium activity concentrations and internal dose rates among several common species of snakes within and around the Fukushima Exclusion Zone (FEZ), 2) determine effects of species, sex, and body size on radiocesium activity concentrations, 3) measure external dose rates using GPS-coupled dosimeters deployed on free-ranging snakes, 4) compare field-derived empirical dose rates to those generated by computer simulation software (i.e., the ERICA tool), and 5) determine if incorporating snake behavior into computer models improve simulated estimates of external dose. Whole-body radiocesium levels for snakes were highly variable among individuals (16 to 25,000 Bq/kg, FW), but were influenced more by levels of local contamination than species, sex, or size. Doses recorded by OSL dosimeters on snakes, as well as modeling in ERICA, suggest that individual movements and behavior have a substantial influence on dose rates to snakes. However, dose estimates produced with ERICA were comparable to dose received by tracked snakes. The average external plus internal dose rate for snakes captured in the FEZ was 3.6-3.9 μGy/h, with external dose contributing 80% to the total. Further research regarding reptile-specific benchmark dose rates would improve risk assessment for reptiles in radiologically contaminated areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah C Gerke
- University of Georgia, Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Aiken, SC 29802, USA; University of Georgia, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
| | - Thomas G Hinton
- Institute of Environmental Radioactivity, Fukushima University, 960-1248, Kanayagawa, Fukushima Prefecture, Fukushima, Japan; CERAD CoE, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Faculty for Environmental Sciences and Nature Research Management, Aas, Norway
| | - Tsugiko Takase
- Institute of Environmental Radioactivity, Fukushima University, 960-1248, Kanayagawa, Fukushima Prefecture, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Donovan Anderson
- Institute of Environmental Radioactivity, Fukushima University, 960-1248, Kanayagawa, Fukushima Prefecture, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Kenji Nanba
- Institute of Environmental Radioactivity, Fukushima University, 960-1248, Kanayagawa, Fukushima Prefecture, Fukushima, Japan
| | - James C Beasley
- University of Georgia, Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Aiken, SC 29802, USA; University of Georgia, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, Athens, GA 30602, USA
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15
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Johansen MP, Child DP, Hotchkis MAC, Johansen A, Thiruvoth S, Whiting SD. Radionuclides in sea turtles at the Montebello Islands former nuclear test sites: Current and historical dose rates for adults and embryos. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2020; 158:111390. [PMID: 32753176 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111390] [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: 04/02/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Radionuclides from 1950s weapons testing at the Montebello Islands, Western Australia, may impact sea turtle embryos incubating within eggs laid in contaminated sands or be taken up into adult body tissues where they can contribute to radiation dose over a turtles' 60+ year lifespan. We measured plutonium in all local samples including turtle skin, bones, hatchlings, eggshells, sea sediments, diet items and beach sands. The amount of Pu in developing embryos/hatchling samples was orders of magnitude lower than that in the surrounding sands. These contaminated sands caused most dose to eggs (external dose from 137Cs, 152Eu), while most of the dose to adults was from internalised radionuclides (98%). While current dose rates are relatively low, local dose rates were high for about ten years following the 1950s detonations and may have resulted in lethality or health impacts to a generation of turtles that likely carry biomarkers today.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathew P Johansen
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Sydney, Australia.
| | - David P Child
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Andrea Johansen
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Sydney, Australia
| | - Sangeeth Thiruvoth
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Sydney, Australia
| | - Scott D Whiting
- Western Australia Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions, Kensington, Australia
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16
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Mora JC, Amado V, Manso F, Charrasse B, Smith J, Ikonen ATK, Zorko B, Bonchuk Y, Leclerc E, Boyer C, Anderson T, Anderson A, Carný P, Telleria DM. On the use of reference areas for prospective dose assessments on populations of wildlife for planned atmospheric discharges around nuclear installations. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 182:109057. [PMID: 31881530 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.109057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Revised: 11/10/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Juan C Mora
- Research Centre for Energy, Environment and Technology (CIEMAT), Avenida Complutense 40, Madrid, 28040, Spain.
| | - Valeria Amado
- Nuclear Regulatory Authority, Av. del Libertador 8250, C1429BNP, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Fernando Manso
- Research Centre for Energy, Environment and Technology (CIEMAT), Avenida Complutense 40, Madrid, 28040, Spain; Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Justin Smith
- Radiation Assessments Department, Public Health England, Centre for Radiation, Chemical & Environmental Hazards, Chilton, Didcot, Oxon, OX11 0RQ, United Kingdom
| | - Ari T K Ikonen
- EnviroCase, Ltd., Hallituskatu 1 D 4, 28100, Pori, Finland
| | - Benjamin Zorko
- Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Yurii Bonchuk
- Ukrainian Radiation Protection Institute, 53, Melnykova str., Kyiv, 04050, Ukraine
| | | | - Cecile Boyer
- Electricité de France (EDF), CIDEN, 154 Rue Thiers. CS 60018, 69458, Lyon, Cedex 06, France
| | - Tracey Anderson
- Radiation Assessments Department, Public Health England, Centre for Radiation, Chemical & Environmental Hazards, Chilton, Didcot, Oxon, OX11 0RQ, United Kingdom
| | - Amanda Anderson
- Office of Environmental Management, US Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Ave., SW Washington, DC, 20585, USA
| | - Peter Carný
- ABmerit s.r.o., Hornopotocna 1, 917 01, Trnava, Slovakia
| | - Diego M Telleria
- IAEA Assessment and Management of Environmental Releases Unit, Wagramer Str. 5, PO Box 100, 1400, Vienna, Austria
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17
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Lin W, Feng Y, Yu K, Han Y, Wang S, Mo Z, Ning Q, Liu X, Huang D, Wang J. Comparative study of radioactivity levels and radionuclide fingerprints in typical marine ecosystems of coral reefs, mangroves, and hydrothermal vents. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2020; 152:110913. [PMID: 31957676 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.110913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Revised: 01/11/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
As a key environmental parameter to induce radiation dose and effect on non-human species, radioactivity level is rarely evaluated in typical ecosystems of coral reefs, mangroves, and hydrothermal vents. In this study, naturally occurring radionuclides (238U, 226Ra, 228Ra, and 40K) in carbonate, silicate, and sulfide sediments collected from coral reefs, mangroves, and hydrothermal vents were simultaneously measured using high purity germanium (HPGe) γ spectrometry. Radioactivity levels and radionuclide fingerprints (226Ra/238U and 228Ra/226Ra) were interpreted and explored for tracking sources and formation processes of marine sediments in distinct marine ecosystems. Additionally, ionizing radiation dose rate on representative marine biotas (mollusc-bivalve, crustacean, polychaete worm, benthic fish, and pelagic fish) was evaluated using the ERICA tool with an increasing rank in coral reefs < mangroves < hydrothermal vents. Polychaete worm received the highest radiation dose relative to other marine biotas. We also emphasized the dominant contribution of 210Po to total radiation dose rate on marine biotas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wuhui Lin
- School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Yu Feng
- School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Kefu Yu
- School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, Nanning 530004, China.
| | - Yi Han
- School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Shiyue Wang
- School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Zhenni Mo
- Guangxi Academy of Oceanography, Nanning 530022, China
| | - Qiuyun Ning
- Guangxi Academy of Oceanography, Nanning 530022, China
| | - Xinming Liu
- Guangxi Academy of Oceanography, Nanning 530022, China.
| | - Dingyong Huang
- Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Jianjia Wang
- Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen 361005, China
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18
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Beaugelin-Seiller K, Garnier-Laplace J. Answer to comments made by J. Smith on "Is non-human species radiosensitivity in the lab a good indicator of that in the field? Making the comparison more robust" by Beaugelin-Seiller et al. (2018). JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2020; 211:105924. [PMID: 30862370 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2019.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Karine Beaugelin-Seiller
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, PSE-ENV/SRTE/LECO, St Paul les Durance, 13115, France.
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19
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Beaugelin-Seiller K, Della-Vedova C, Garnier-Laplace J. Is non-human species radiosensitivity in the lab a good indicator of that in the field? Making the comparison more robust. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2020; 211:105870. [PMID: 30578084 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2018.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2017] [Revised: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 12/12/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Ecological risk assessment has globally become the basis for environmental decision-making within government and industry for chemical substances. Regarding radioactive substances, recently revised International and European Basic Safety Standards are pushing the development of member state policy on environmental regulation in the field of radiological protection. Within this framework, existing derived effect benchmarks for ionising radiation and non-human species need to be more robust to reinforce their credibility when used as levels of exposure considered to be safe for the environment. Actually, the derivation of such benchmarks has mainly relied on laboratory studies from a limited number of species. Moreover lab species would be apparently less radiosensitive than for example terrestrial wildlife chronically exposed to ionising radiation in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. Additionally to the results of such comparison that still need to be confirmed, another way to challenge benchmarks is to improve the quality/quantity of radiotoxicity data constituting the basis for a statistically-based comparison. This is the major focus of this paper where we demonstrate through various examples how to make the comparison more robust (i) by analysing the discrepancy between lab and field at the taxonomic level rather than at the ecosystem level, (ii) by extending the knowledge base making use of acute radiotoxicity data, (iii) by identifying environmental factors modifying radiological dose-effect relationship in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Claire Della-Vedova
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV, SRTE, Cadarache, France
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20
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Real A, Garnier-Laplace J. The importance of deriving adequate wildlife benchmark values to optimize radiological protection in various environmental exposure situations. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2020; 211:105902. [PMID: 30732942 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2019.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Revised: 01/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/25/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The actions to be taken to demonstrate that the environment is adequately protected against the detrimental effects of ionising radiation, and if needed to protect it, must be commensurate with the overall level of risk to non-human biota. To judge the level of risk, the estimated dose rates absorbed by animals and plants need to be compared with dose criteria, a benchmark or reference value. A variety of aspects will influence the final value of the derived benchmark, including: the aim of the application of the benchmark, the protection goals of the assessment, the data on radiation-induced biological effects considered, and the methodology used. Benchmark values have been proposed by several international organizations (UNSCEAR, ICRP, IAEA), countries (USA, Canada) and research projects (ERICA, PROTECT), for different application purposes and protection goals and using a variety of methodologies. This paper describes the aspects that need to be considered in the derivation of numerical benchmarks, the approaches used by different organizations and the benchmark values they have proposed for the radiation protection of the environment. The benchmark values proposed are compared with the dose-rates at which radiation-induced biological effects have been described in animals and plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Almudena Real
- Spanish Research Centre in Energy, Environment and Technology (CIEMAT), Avenida Complutense 40, Madrid, 28040, Spain.
| | - Jacqueline Garnier-Laplace
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), Pôle Santé et Environnement, Cadarache-Batiment 159, BP 3, 13115, Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, France.
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21
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Festarini A, Shultz C, Stuart M, Kim SB, Ferreri C. Cellular responses in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) reared in tritiated water and/or fed organically bound tritium. Appl Radiat Isot 2019; 151:217-225. [DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2019.05.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Revised: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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22
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Maystrenko T, Gruzdev B, Belykh E, Rybak A. The succession of the plant community on a decontaminated radioactive meadow site. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2018; 192:687-697. [PMID: 29571956 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2017.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2017] [Revised: 12/19/2017] [Accepted: 12/20/2017] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Long-term observation of the succession in a plant community is considered a fundamental unit used to investigate the expected consequences of soil contamination by radionuclides and to understand restoration of technogeneously disturbed ecosystems. The development of arboreal willow meadow under remediation of a radioactively contaminated site has been studied for half a century. Succession stages in the formation of the de novo community were noted. Changes in the floristic composition, soil structure as well as radionuclide activity concentrations in topsoil were registered on each step. Technical recultivation of the area including covering radioactive wastes with a mixture of sand and gravel led to lower the radiation levels and was suitable for decontamination during first 5-8 years. This allowed the community to develop with maximal effectiveness on the initial steps. Than the covering layer lost its barrier functions but no adverse effects at dose rates up to 150 μGy/h on completion of the community formation were registered. Radioecological conditions and changes in the plant community development were registered simultaneously on the area studied that makes possible to follow main doseforming radionuclides migration and to determine main steps of the succession. The study results is a practical demonstration that edaphic niches, climatic conditions and сoenotic relationships between plants play a more important role in the evolution of the studied community than the contamination type and radiation exposure levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Maystrenko
- Institute of Biology, Komi Scientific Center, Ural Division RAS, Kommunisticheskaya 28, 167982 Syktyvkar, Russia.
| | - B Gruzdev
- Institute of Biology, Komi Scientific Center, Ural Division RAS, Kommunisticheskaya 28, 167982 Syktyvkar, Russia
| | - E Belykh
- Institute of Biology, Komi Scientific Center, Ural Division RAS, Kommunisticheskaya 28, 167982 Syktyvkar, Russia
| | - A Rybak
- Institute of Biology, Komi Scientific Center, Ural Division RAS, Kommunisticheskaya 28, 167982 Syktyvkar, Russia
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23
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Vernon EL, Smith JT, Jha AN. Relative comparison of tissue specific bioaccumulation and radiation dose estimation in marine and freshwater bivalve molluscs following exposure to phosphorus-32. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2018; 192:312-320. [PMID: 30015316 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2018.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2018] [Revised: 07/02/2018] [Accepted: 07/06/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
With respect to environmental protection, understanding radionuclide bioconcentration is necessary to relate exposure to radiation dose and hence to biological responses. Few studies are available on tissue specific accumulation of short-lived radionuclides in aquatic invertebrates. Short-lived radionuclides such as 32Phosphorus (32P), although occurring in small quantities in the environment, are capable of concentrating in the biota, especially if they are chronically exposed. In this study, we firstly compared tissue specific bioaccumulation and release (depuration) of 32P in adult marine (Mytilus galloprovincialis, MG) and freshwater bivalve molluscs (Dreissena polymorpha, DP). Secondly, using the Environmental Risk from Ionising Contaminants Assessment and Management (ERICA) tool, we calculated tissue specific doses following determination of radionuclide concentration. Marine and freshwater bivalves were exposed for 10 days to varying 32P concentrations to acquire desired whole body average dose rates of 0.10, 1.0 and 10 mGy d-1. Dose rates encompass a screening dose rate value of 10 μGy h-1 (0.24 mGy d-1), in accordance with the ERICA tool. This study is the first to relate tissue specific uptake and release (via excretion) of 32P from two anatomically similar bivalve species. Results showed highly tissue specific accumulation of this radionuclide and similarity of accumulation pattern between the two species. Our data, which highlights preferential 32P accumulation in specific tissues such as digestive gland, demonstrates that in some cases, tissue-specific dose rates may be required to fully evaluate the potential effects of radiation exposure on non-human biota. Differential sensitivity between biological tissues could result in detrimental biological responses at levels presumed to be acceptable when adopting a 'whole-body' approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily L Vernon
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, Devon, PL4 8AA, UK
| | - Jim T Smith
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, PO1 3QL, UK
| | - Awadhesh N Jha
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, Devon, PL4 8AA, UK.
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24
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Golsteijn L, Lessard L, Campion JF, Capelli A, D'Enfert V, King H, Kremer J, Krugman M, Orliac H, Furnemont SR, Schuh W, Stalmans M, O'Hanlon NW, Coroama M. Developing Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules (PEFCR) for shampoos: The basis for comparable life cycle assessment. INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT 2018; 14:649-659. [PMID: 29870121 DOI: 10.1002/ieam.4064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Revised: 03/27/2018] [Accepted: 05/25/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
In 2013, the European Commission launched the Environmental Footprint Rules pilot phase. This initiative aims at setting specific rules for life cycle assessment (LCA: raw material sourcing, production, logistics, use, and disposal phase) studies within 1 product category, called product environmental footprint category rules (PEFCR), and for organizations, called organizational environmental footprint sector rules (OEFSR). Such specific rules for measuring environmental performance throughout the life cycle should facilitate the comparability between LCA studies and provide principles for communicating environmental performance, such as transparency, reliability, completeness, and clarity. Cosmetics Europe, the association representing the cosmetics industry in the European Union, completed a voluntary study into the development of PEFCR for shampoo, generally following the guidelines and methodology developed by the European Commission for its own pilot projects. The study assessed the feasibility and relevance of establishing PEFCR for shampoo. Specifically, the study defines a large number of modeling assumptions and default values relevant for shampoo (e.g., for the functional unit, the system boundaries, default transport distances, rinsing water volumes, temperature differences, life cycle inventory data sources) that can be modified as appropriate, according to the specificities of individual products, manufacturing companies, and countries. The results of the study may be used to support internal decision making (e.g., to identify "hotspots" with high environmental impact and opportunities for improvement) or to meet information requests from commercial partners, consumers, media, or authorities on product environmental characteristics. In addition, the shampoo study also highlighted many of the challenges and limitations of the current product environmental footprint (PEF) methodology, namely its complexity and resource intensiveness. It highlighted 2 areas where improvements are much needed: (1) data quality and availability, and (2) impact assessment methodologies and robustness. Many of the findings are applicable to other rinse-off cosmetic products, such as shower gels, liquid soaps, bath products, and hair conditioners. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2018;14:649-659. © 2018 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).
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25
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Prlić I, Mostečak A, Mihić MS, Veinović Ž, Pavelić L. Radiological risk assessment: an overview of the ERICA Integrated Approach and the ERICA Tool use. Arh Hig Rada Toksikol 2018; 68:298-307. [PMID: 29337685 DOI: 10.1515/aiht-2017-68-3020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2017] [Accepted: 11/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The ERICA project (Environmental Risk from Ionising Contaminants: Assessment and Management) was co-funded by the European Union as part of the 6th Framework Programme (FP EURATOM). The project was carried out between 2004 and 2007 as the collective work of 15 organisations in seven European countries. Two significant outputs of the project are the ERICA Integrated Approach and the ERICA Tool. The ERICA Integrated Approach consists of three elements: assessment, risk characterisation and management. The ERICA Tool is a practical implementation of the assessment component of the ERICA Integrated Approach and has a three-tier structure. The aim of this review paper is to give a concise overview of ERICA project outputs and their structure, updates done since their first release in 2007, as well as to provide a context for their practical application in environmental radiation protection and radiological risk assessments for various engineering scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivica Prlić
- 1Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ana Mostečak
- 2Faculty of Mining, Geology, and Petroleum Engineering, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Marija Surić Mihić
- 1Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Želimir Veinović
- 3Faculty of Mining, Geology, and Petroleum Engineering, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Luka Pavelić
- 1Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia
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Strand P, Sundell-Bergman S, Brown JE, Dowdall M. On the divergences in assessment of environmental impacts from ionising radiation following the Fukushima accident. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2017; 169-170:159-173. [PMID: 28119209 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2016.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2016] [Revised: 12/16/2016] [Accepted: 12/16/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The accident at the Fukushima-Daiichi Nuclear Power Station on March 11, 2011, led to significant contamination of the surrounding terrestrial and marine environments. Whilst impacts on human health remain the primary concern in the aftermath of such an accident, recent years have seen a significant body of work conducted on the assessment of the accident's impacts on both the terrestrial and marine environment. Such assessments have been undertaken at various levels of biological organisation, for different species, using different methodologies and coming, in many cases, to divergent conclusions as to the effects of the accident on the environment. This article provides an overview of the work conducted in relation to the environmental impacts of the Fukushima accident, critically comparing and contrasting methodologies and results with a view towards finding reasons for discrepancies, should they indeed exist. Based on the outcomes of studies conducted to date, it would appear that in order to avoid the fractured and disparate conclusions drawn in the aftermath of previous accidents, radioactive contaminants and their effects can no longer simply be viewed in isolation with respect to the ecosystems these effects may impact. A combination of laboratory based and field studies with a focus on ecosystem functioning and effects could offer the best opportunities for coherence in the interpretation of the results of studies into the environmental impacts of ionising radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Strand
- CERAD, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 1430 Ås, Norway.
| | - S Sundell-Bergman
- Department of Soil and Environment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Box 7014, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - J E Brown
- Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority, Grini næringspark 13, 1332 Østerås, Norway
| | - M Dowdall
- Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority, Grini næringspark 13, 1332 Østerås, Norway
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Salomaa S, Jourdain JR, Kreuzer M, Jung T, Repussard J. Multidisciplinary European low dose initiative: an update of the MELODI program. Int J Radiat Biol 2017; 93:1035-1039. [DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2017.1281463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sisko Salomaa
- University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio and STUK, Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jean-René Jourdain
- IRSN, Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Michaela Kreuzer
- German Federal Office for Radiation Protection, BfS, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Jung
- German Federal Office for Radiation Protection, BfS, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Jacques Repussard
- IRSN, Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
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Batlle JVI, Sweeck L, Wannijn J, Vandenhove H. Environmental risks of radioactive discharges from a low-level radioactive waste disposal site at Dessel, Belgium. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2016; 162-163:263-278. [PMID: 27299850 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2016.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2016] [Revised: 06/01/2016] [Accepted: 06/03/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The potential radiological impact of releases from a low-level radioactive waste (Category A waste) repository in Dessel, Belgium on the local fauna and flora was assessed under a reference scenario for gradual leaching. The potential impact situations for terrestrial and aquatic fauna and flora considered in this study were soil contamination due to irrigation with contaminated groundwater from a well at 70 m from the repository, contamination of the local wetlands receiving the highest radionuclide flux after migration through the aquifer and contamination of the local river receiving the highest radionuclide flux after migration through the aquifer. In addition, an exploratory study was carried out for biota residing in the groundwater. All impact assessments were performed using the Environmental Risk from Ionising Contaminants: Assessment and Management (ERICA) tool. For all scenarios considered, absorbed dose rates to biota were found to be well below the ERICA 10 μGy h-1 screening value. The highest dose rates were observed for the scenario where soil was irrigated with groundwater from the vicinity of the repository. For biota residing in the groundwater well, a few dose rates were slightly above the screening level but significantly below the dose rates at which the smallest effects are observed for those relevant species or groups of species. Given the conservative nature of the assessment, it can be concluded that manmade radionuclides deposited into the environment by the near surface disposal of category A waste at Dessel do not have a significant radiological impact to wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Vives I Batlle
- Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK·CEN), Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium.
| | - L Sweeck
- Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK·CEN), Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - J Wannijn
- Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK·CEN), Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - H Vandenhove
- Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK·CEN), Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium
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Sotiropoulou M, Florou H, Manolopoulou M. Radioactivity measurements and dose rate calculations using ERICA tool in the terrestrial environment of Greece. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2016; 23:10872-10882. [PMID: 26897581 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-016-6240-1] [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: 10/01/2015] [Accepted: 02/01/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
In the present study, the radioactivity levels to which terrestrial non-human biota were exposed are examined. Organisms (grass and herbivore mammals) and abiotic components (soil) were collected during the period of 2010 to 2014 from grasslands where sheep and goats were free-range grazing. Natural background radionuclides ((226)Ra, (228)Ra, (228)Th) and artificial radionuclides ((137)Cs, (134)Cs, (131)I) were detected in the collected samples using gamma spectrometry. The actual measured activity concentrations and site-specific data of the studied organisms were imported in ERICA Assessment Tool (version 1.2.0) in order to provide an insight of the radiological dose rates. The highest activity concentrations were detected in samples collected from Lesvos island and the lowest in samples collected from Attiki and Etoloakarnania prefectures. The highest contribution to the total dose rate was clearly derived from the internal exposure and is closely related to the exposure to alpha emitters of natural background ((226)Ra and (228)Th). The Fukushima-derived traces of (137)Cs, (134)Cs, and (131)I, along with the residual (137)Cs, resulted in quite low contribution to the total dose rate. The obtained results may strengthen the adaptation of software tools to a wider range of ecosystems and may be proved useful in further research regarding the possible impact of protracted low level ionizing radiation on non-human biota. This kind of studies may contribute to the effective incorporation of dosimetry tools in the development of integrated environmental and radiological impact assessment policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Sotiropoulou
- Environmental Radioactivity Laboratory, Institute of Nuclear & Radiological Sciences & Technology, Energy & Safety, NCSR, Agia Paraskevi, Athens, 15341, Greece.
- Atomic and Nuclear Physics Laboratory, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, 54124, Greece.
| | - Heleny Florou
- Environmental Radioactivity Laboratory, Institute of Nuclear & Radiological Sciences & Technology, Energy & Safety, NCSR, Agia Paraskevi, Athens, 15341, Greece
| | - Metaxia Manolopoulou
- Atomic and Nuclear Physics Laboratory, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, 54124, Greece
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Brown J, Hosseini A, Karcher M, Kauker F, Dowdall M, Schnur R, Strand P. Derivation of risk indices and analysis of variablility for the management of incidents involving the transport of nuclear materials in the Northern Seas. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2016; 171:195-203. [PMID: 26895720 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2016.02.012] [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: 11/12/2015] [Revised: 01/22/2016] [Accepted: 02/08/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The transport of nuclear or radioactive materials and the presence of nuclear powered vessels pose risks to the Northern Seas in terms of potential impacts to man and environment as well socio-economic impacts. Management of incidents involving actual or potential releases to the marine environment are potentially difficult due to the complexity of the environment into which the release may occur and difficulties in quantifying risk to both man and environment. In order to address this, a state of the art oceanographic model was used to characterize the underlying variability for a specific radionuclide release scenario. The resultant probabilistic data were used as inputs to transfer and dose models providing an indication of potential impacts for man and environment This characterization was then employed to facilitate a rapid means of quantifying risk to man and the environment that included and addressed this variability. The radionuclide specific risk indices derived can be applied by simply multiplying the reported values by the magnitude of the source term and thereafter summing over all radionuclides to provide an indication of total risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Brown
- Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority, PO Box 55, N-1332 Østerås, Norway; CERAD, Ås, Norway
| | - A Hosseini
- Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority, PO Box 55, N-1332 Østerås, Norway; CERAD, Ås, Norway
| | - M Karcher
- O.A.Sys - Ocean Atmosphere Systems GmbH, Tewessteg 420249 Hamburg, Germany; Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, 27515 Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - F Kauker
- O.A.Sys - Ocean Atmosphere Systems GmbH, Tewessteg 420249 Hamburg, Germany; Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, 27515 Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - M Dowdall
- Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority, PO Box 55, N-1332 Østerås, Norway.
| | - R Schnur
- O.A.Sys - Ocean Atmosphere Systems GmbH, Tewessteg 420249 Hamburg, Germany
| | - P Strand
- Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority, PO Box 55, N-1332 Østerås, Norway; CERAD, Ås, Norway
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Horiguchi T, Yoshii H, Mizuno S, Shiraishi H. Decline in intertidal biota after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami and the Fukushima nuclear disaster: field observations. Sci Rep 2016; 6:20416. [PMID: 26842814 PMCID: PMC4740796 DOI: 10.1038/srep20416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2015] [Accepted: 01/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In 2011, 2012, and 2013, in the intertidal zones of eastern Japan, we investigated the ecological effects of the severe accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant that accompanied the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami. The number of intertidal species decreased significantly with decreasing distance from the power plant, and no rock shell (Thais clavigera) specimens were collected near the plant, from Hirono to Futaba Beach (a distance of approximately 30 km) in 2012. The collection of rock shell specimens at many other sites hit by the tsunami suggests that the absence of rock shells around the plant in 2012 might have been caused by the nuclear accident in 2011. Quantitative surveys in 2013 showed that the number of species and population densities in the intertidal zones were much lower at sites near, or within several kilometers south of, the plant than at other sites and lower than in 1995, especially in the case of Arthropoda. There is no clear explanation for these findings, but it is evident that the intertidal biota around the power plant has been affected since the nuclear accident.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshihiro Horiguchi
- Center for Environmental Risk Research, National Institute for Environmental Studies, 16-2, Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8506, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Yoshii
- Research Center for Radiation Emergency Medicine, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, Chiba, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Satoshi Mizuno
- Nuclear Power Safety Division, Fukushima Prefectural Government, Fukushima, Fukushima 960-8670, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Shiraishi
- Center for Environmental Risk Research, National Institute for Environmental Studies, 16-2, Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8506, Japan
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32
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Adam N, Schmitt C, De Bruyn L, Knapen D, Blust R. Aquatic acute species sensitivity distributions of ZnO and CuO nanoparticles. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2015; 526:233-242. [PMID: 25933293 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.04.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2015] [Revised: 04/12/2015] [Accepted: 04/17/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Metal oxide nanoparticles are increasingly being produced and will inevitably end up in the aquatic environment. Up till now, most papers have studied individual nanoparticle effects. However, the implementation of these data into a risk assessment tool, needed to characterise their risk to the aquatic environment, is still largely lacking. Therefore, aquatic species sensitivity distributions (SSDs) were constructed for ZnO and CuO nanoparticles and 5% hazard concentrations (HC5) were calculated in this study. The effect of individual nanoparticles on these SSDs was estimated by comparison with bulk SSDs. Additionally, the effect of nanoparticle dynamics (aggregation and dissolution) was considered by evaluating the effect of aggregate size on the toxicity, by estimation of the dissolved fraction and comparison with SSDs for ZnCl2 and CuCl2 inorganic salt. Bacteria, protozoa, yeast, rotifera, algae, nematoda, crustacea, hexapoda, fish and amphibia species were included in the analysis. The results show that algae (Zn) and crustacea (Zn, Cu) are the most sensitive species when exposed to the chemicals. Similar acute sensitivity distributions were obtained for ZnO nanoparticles (HC5: 0.06 with 90% confidence interval: 0.03-0.15 mg Zn/l; 43 data points), bulk ZnO (HC5: 0.06 with CI: 0.03-0.20 mg Zn/l; 23 dps) and ZnCl2 (HC5: 0.03 with CI: 0.02-0.05 mg Zn/l; 261 dps). CuO nanoparticles (HC5: 0.15 with CI: 0.05-0.47 mg Cu/l; 43 dps) are more toxic than the bulk materials (HC5: 6.19 with CI: 2.15-38.11 mg Cu/l; 12 dps) but less toxic than CuCl2 (HC5: 0.009 with CI: 0.007-0.012 mg Cu/l; 594 dps) to aquatic species. However, the combined dissolution and SSD results indicate that the toxicity of these nanoparticles is mainly caused by dissolved metal ions. Based on the available information, no current risk of these nanoparticles to the aquatic environment is expected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Adam
- Systemic Physiological and Ecotoxicological Research, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerpen, Belgium.
| | - Claudia Schmitt
- Systemic Physiological and Ecotoxicological Research, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerpen, Belgium.
| | - Luc De Bruyn
- Evolutionary Ecology, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium; Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO), Kliniekstraat 25, 1070 Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Dries Knapen
- Zebrafishlab, Physiology and Biochemistry of Domestic Animals, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.
| | - Ronny Blust
- Systemic Physiological and Ecotoxicological Research, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerpen, Belgium.
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Oujifard A, Amiri R, Shahhosseini G, Davoodi R, Moghaddam JA. Effect of gamma radiation on the growth, survival, hematology and histological parameters of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) larvae. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2015; 165:259-265. [PMID: 26141584 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2015.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2014] [Revised: 06/16/2015] [Accepted: 06/17/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Effects of low (1, 2.5 and 5Gy) and high doses (10, 20 and 40Gy) of gamma radiation were examined on the growth, survival, blood parameters and morphological changes of the intestines of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) larvae (103±20mg) after 12 weeks of exposure. Negative effects of gamma radiation on growth and survival were observed as radiation level and time increased. Changes were well documented at 10 and 20Gy. All the fish were dead at the dose of 40Gy. In all the treatments, levels of red blood cells (RBC), hematocrit (HCT) and hemoglobin (HB) were significantly (P<0.05) declined as the irradiation levels increased, whereas the amount of mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) did not change. No significant differences (P>0.05) were found in the levels of white blood cells (WBC), lymphocytes and monocytes. Destruction of the intestinal epithelium cells was indicated as the irradiation levels increased to 1Gy and above. The highest levels of growth, survival, specific growth rate (SGR), condition factor (CF) and protein efficiency rate (PER) were obtained in the control treatment. The results showed that gamma rays can be a potential means for damaging rainbow trout cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amin Oujifard
- Fisheries Department, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Persian Gulf University, Borazjan, Bushehr, Iran.
| | - Roghayeh Amiri
- Department of Veterinary, Agricultural Medical and Industrial Research School, Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute, AEOI, Karaj, Iran
| | - Gholamreza Shahhosseini
- Fisheries Department, Faculty of Natural Resources and Marine Sciences, TarbiatModares University, Noor, Mazandaran, Iran
| | - Reza Davoodi
- Fisheries Department, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Persian Gulf University, Borazjan, Bushehr, Iran
| | - Jamshid Amiri Moghaddam
- Fisheries Department, Faculty of Natural Resources and Marine Sciences, TarbiatModares University, Noor, Mazandaran, Iran
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Van Hoeck A, Horemans N, Van Hees M, Nauts R, Knapen D, Vandenhove H, Blust R. β-Radiation Stress Responses on Growth and Antioxidative Defense System in Plants: A Study with Strontium-90 in Lemna minor. Int J Mol Sci 2015; 16:15309-27. [PMID: 26198226 PMCID: PMC4519901 DOI: 10.3390/ijms160715309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2015] [Revised: 06/23/2015] [Accepted: 06/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
In the following study, dose dependent effects on growth and oxidative stress induced by β-radiation were examined to gain better insights in the mode of action of β-radiation induced stress in plant species. Radiostrontium (⁹⁰Sr) was used to test for β-radiation induced responses in the freshwater macrophyte Lemna minor. The accumulation pattern of 90Sr was examined for L. minor root and fronds separately over a seven-day time period and was subsequently used in a dynamic dosimetric model to calculate β-radiation dose rates. Exposing L. minor plants for seven days to a ⁹⁰Sr activity concentration of 25 up to 25,000 kBq·L⁻¹ resulted in a dose rate between 0.084 ± 0.004 and 97 ± 8 mGy·h⁻¹. After seven days of exposure, root fresh weight showed a dose dependent decrease starting from a dose rate of 9.4 ± 0.5 mGy·h⁻¹. Based on these data, an EDR10 value of 1.5 ± 0.4 mGy·h⁻¹ was estimated for root fresh weight and 52 ± 17 mGy·h⁻¹ for frond fresh weight. Different antioxidative enzymes and metabolites were further examined to analyze if β-radiation induces oxidative stress in L. minor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arne Van Hoeck
- SCK•CEN, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium.
- Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerpen, Belgium.
| | - Nele Horemans
- SCK•CEN, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium.
- Centre for Environmental Research, University of Hasselt, Universiteitslaan 1, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium.
| | - May Van Hees
- SCK•CEN, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium.
| | - Robin Nauts
- SCK•CEN, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium.
| | - Dries Knapen
- Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerpen, Belgium.
| | | | - Ronny Blust
- Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerpen, Belgium.
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Garnier-Laplace J, Alonzo F, Adam-Guillermin C. Establishing relationships between environmental exposures to radionuclides and the consequences for wildlife: inferences and weight of evidence. Ann ICRP 2015; 44:295-303. [PMID: 25816277 DOI: 10.1177/0146645315572311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Ecological risk assessments for radioactive substances are based on a number of inference rules to compensate for knowledge gaps, and generally require the implementation of a weight-of-evidence approach. Until recently, dose (rate)-response relationships used to derive radioprotection criteria for wildlife have mainly relied on laboratory studies from a limited number of species as representatives of biodiversity. There is no doubt that additional knowledge, combined with advanced conceptual and mathematical approaches, is needed to develop general rules and increase confidence when extrapolating from test species to complex biological/ecological systems. Moreover, field data sets based on robust sampling strategies are still needed to validate benchmark values derived from controlled laboratory tests, and to indicate potential indirect ecological effects, if any. This paper illustrates, through several examples, the need for implementing a combined laboratory-field-model approach to obtain science-based benchmark doses (or dose rates) (e.g. screening benchmarks for ecological risk assessments or derived consideration reference levels), based on robust meta-analysis of dose-effect relationships covering ecologically relevant exposure time scales, species, and endpoints.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Garnier-Laplace
- Institute for Radioprotection and Nuclear Safety, IRSN/PRP-ENV/SERIS, Bld 159, Cadarache, 13115 Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, Cedex, France
| | - F Alonzo
- IRSN/PRP-ENV/SERIS/LECO, Laboratory of Ecotoxicology of Radionuclides, France
| | - C Adam-Guillermin
- IRSN/PRP-ENV/SERIS/LECO, Laboratory of Ecotoxicology of Radionuclides, France
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Fuma S, Ihara S, Kawaguchi I, Ishikawa T, Watanabe Y, Kubota Y, Sato Y, Takahashi H, Aono T, Ishii N, Soeda H, Matsui K, Une Y, Minamiya Y, Yoshida S. Dose rate estimation of the Tohoku hynobiid salamander, Hynobius lichenatus, in Fukushima. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2015; 143:123-134. [PMID: 25765872 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2015.02.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2014] [Revised: 02/15/2015] [Accepted: 02/16/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The radiological risks to the Tohoku hynobiid salamanders (class Amphibia), Hynobius lichenatus due to the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident were assessed in Fukushima Prefecture, including evacuation areas. Aquatic egg clutches (n = 1 for each sampling date and site; n = 4 in total), overwintering larvae (n = 1-5 for each sampling date and site; n = 17 in total), and terrestrial juveniles or adults (n = 1 or 3 for each sampling date and site; n = 12 in total) of H. lichenatus were collected from the end of April 2011 to April 2013. Environmental media such as litter (n = 1-5 for each sampling date and site; n = 30 in total), soil (n = 1-8 for each sampling date and site; n = 31 in total), water (n = 1 for each sampling date and site; n = 17 in total), and sediment (n = 1 for each sampling date and site; n = 17 in total) were also collected. Activity concentrations of (134)Cs + (137)Cs were 1.9-2800, 0.13-320, and 0.51-220 kBq (dry kg) (-1) in the litter, soil, and sediment samples, respectively, and were 0.31-220 and <0.29-40 kBq (wet kg)(-1) in the adult and larval salamanders, respectively. External and internal absorbed dose rates to H. lichenatus were calculated from these activity concentration data, using the ERICA Assessment Tool methodology. External dose rates were also measured in situ with glass dosimeters. There was agreement within a factor of 2 between the calculated and measured external dose rates. In the most severely contaminated habitat of this salamander, a northern part of Abukuma Mountains, the highest total dose rates were estimated to be 50 and 15 μGy h(-1) for the adults and overwintering larvae, respectively. Growth and survival of H. lichenatus was not affected at a dose rate of up to 490 μGy h(-1) in the previous laboratory chronic gamma-irradiation experiment, and thus growth and survival of this salamander would not be affected, even in the most severely contaminated habitat in Fukushima Prefecture. However, further studies of the adult salamanders may be required in order to examine whether the most severe radioactive contamination has any effects on sensitive endpoints, since the estimated highest dose rate to the adults exceeded some of the guidance dose rates proposed by various organisations and programmes for the protection of amphibians, which range from 4 to 400 μGy h(-1). Conversely, at one site in Nakadori, a moderately contaminated region in Fukushima Prefecture, the dose rate to the adult salamanders in spring of 2012 was estimated to be 0.2 μGy h(-1). Estimated dose rates to the overwintering larvae in spring of 2012 were 1 and 0.2 μGy h(-1) at one site in Nakadori, and in Aizu, a less contaminated region in Fukushima Prefecture, respectively. These results suggest that there is a low risk that H. lichenatus will be affected by radioactive contamination in these districts, though further studies on dose rate estimation are required for definitive risk characterisation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoichi Fuma
- Project for Environmental Dynamics and Radiation Effects, Fukushima Project Headquarters, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8555, Japan.
| | - Sadao Ihara
- Hokkaido University of Education Kushiro Campus, 1-15-55 Shiroyama, Kushiro, Hokkaido 085-8580, Japan
| | - Isao Kawaguchi
- Project for Environmental Dynamics and Radiation Effects, Fukushima Project Headquarters, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Takahiro Ishikawa
- Department of Technical Support and Development, Research, Development and Support Centre, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Yoshito Watanabe
- Project for Environmental Dynamics and Radiation Effects, Fukushima Project Headquarters, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Yoshihisa Kubota
- Project for Environmental Dynamics and Radiation Effects, Fukushima Project Headquarters, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | | | - Hiroyuki Takahashi
- Tokyo Nuclear Services Co., Ltd., Sorimachi Building, 1-3-5 Taito, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-0016, Japan
| | - Tatsuo Aono
- Project for Environmental Dynamics and Radiation Effects, Fukushima Project Headquarters, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Nobuyoshi Ishii
- Office of Biospheric Assessment for Waste Disposal, Research Centre for Radiation Protection, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Haruhi Soeda
- Project for Environmental Dynamics and Radiation Effects, Fukushima Project Headquarters, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Kumi Matsui
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology 1, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, 1-17-71 Fuchinobe, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-5201, Japan
| | - Yumi Une
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, 1-17-71 Fuchinobe, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-5201, Japan
| | - Yukio Minamiya
- Graduate School of Environment and Information Science, Yokohama National University, Tokiwadai 79-7, Hodogaya, Yokohama, Kanagawa 240-8501, Japan
| | - Satoshi Yoshida
- Project for Environmental Dynamics and Radiation Effects, Fukushima Project Headquarters, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
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Johansen MP, Ruedig E, Tagami K, Uchida S, Higley K, Beresford NA. Radiological dose rates to marine fish from the Fukushima Daiichi accident: the first three years across the North Pacific. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2015; 49:1277-1285. [PMID: 25532541 DOI: 10.1021/es505064d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
A more complete record is emerging of radionuclide measurements in fish tissue, sediment, and seawater samples from near the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) and across the Pacific Ocean. Our analysis of publicly available data indicates the dose rates to the most impacted fish species near the FDNPP (median 1.1 mGy d(-1), 2012-2014 data) have remained above benchmark levels for potential dose effects at least three years longer than was indicated by previous, data-limited evaluations. Dose rates from (134,137)Cs were highest in demersal species with sediment-associated food chains and feeding behaviors. In addition to (134,137)Cs, the radionuclide (90)Sr was estimated to contribute up to approximately one-half of the total 2013 dose rate to fish near the FDNPP. Mesopelagic fish 100-200 km east of the FDNPP, coastal fish in the Aleutian Islands (3300 km), and trans-Pacific migratory species all had increased dose rates as a consequence of the FDNPP accident, but their total dose rates remained dominated by background radionuclides. A hypothetical human consumer of 50 kg of fish, gathered 3 km from the FDNPP in 2013, would have received a total committed effective dose of approximately 0.95 mSv a(-1) from combined FDNPP and ambient radionuclides, of which 0.13 mSv a(-1) (14%) was solely from the FDNPP radionuclides and below the 1 mSv a(-1) benchmark for public exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathew P Johansen
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation , Lucas Heights, NSW 2234, Australia
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Fuma S, Une Y, Ihara S, Matsui K, Kudo T, Tokiwa T, Kubota Y, Soeda H, Ishikawa T, Doi K, Watanabe Y, Yoshida S. Effects of chronic γ-irradiation on growth and survival of the Tohoku hynobiid salamander, Hynobius lichenatus. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2014; 135:84-92. [PMID: 24797100 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2014.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2013] [Revised: 04/01/2014] [Accepted: 04/02/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The Tohoku hynobiid salamanders, Hynobius lichenatus, were chronically irradiated with γ-rays from embryonic to juvenile stages for 450 days. At 490 μGy h(-1) or lower dose rates, growth and survival were not significantly affected by irradiation, and any morphological aberrations and histological damages were not observed. At 4600 μGy h(-1), growth was severely inhibited, and all the individuals died mostly at the juvenile stage. Chronic LD50 was 42 Gy as a total dose. In the liver, the number of hematopoietic cells was significantly reduced in the living juveniles, and these cells disappeared in the dead juveniles. In the spleen, mature lymphocytes were depleted in the living larvae, and almost all the heamtopoietic cells disappeared in the dead juveniles. These results suggest that this salamander died due to acute radiation syndrome, i.e., hematopoietic damage and subsequent sepsis caused by immune depression. The death would be also attributed to skin damage inducing infection. At 18,000 μGy h(-1), morphological aberrations and severe growth inhibition were observed. All the individuals died at the larval stage due to a multiple organ failure. Chronic LD50 was 28 Gy as a total dose. Assuming that chronic LD50 was 42 Gy at lower dose rates than 4600 μGy h(-1), a chronic median lethal dose rate could be estimated to be <340 μGy h(-1) for the whole life (>14 years). These results suggest that, among guidance dose rates, i.e., 4-400 μGy h(-1), proposed by various organisations and research programmes for protection of amphibians and taxonomic groups or ecosystems including amphibians, most of them would protect this salamander but the highest value may not on the whole life scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoichi Fuma
- Project for Environmental Dynamics and Radiation Effects, Fukushima Project Headquarters, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8555 Japan.
| | - Yumi Une
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, 1-17-71 Fuchinobe, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-5201, Japan
| | - Sadao Ihara
- Hokkaido University of Education Kushiro Campus, 1-15-55 Shiroyama, Kushiro, Hokkaido 085-8580 Japan
| | - Kumi Matsui
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology 1, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, 1-17-71 Fuchinobe, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-5201, Japan
| | - Tomoo Kudo
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, 1-17-71 Fuchinobe, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-5201, Japan
| | - Toshihiro Tokiwa
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, 1-17-71 Fuchinobe, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-5201, Japan
| | - Yoshihisa Kubota
- Project for Environmental Dynamics and Radiation Effects, Fukushima Project Headquarters, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8555 Japan
| | - Haruhi Soeda
- Project for Environmental Dynamics and Radiation Effects, Fukushima Project Headquarters, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8555 Japan
| | - Takahiro Ishikawa
- Department of Technical Support and Development, Research, Development and Support Centre, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8555 Japan
| | - Kazutaka Doi
- Project for Human Health, Fukushima Project Headquarters, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8555 Japan
| | - Yoshito Watanabe
- Project for Environmental Dynamics and Radiation Effects, Fukushima Project Headquarters, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8555 Japan
| | - Satoshi Yoshida
- Project for Environmental Dynamics and Radiation Effects, Fukushima Project Headquarters, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8555 Japan
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Vives I Batlle J, Aono T, Brown JE, Hosseini A, Garnier-Laplace J, Sazykina T, Steenhuisen F, Strand P. The impact of the Fukushima nuclear accident on marine biota: retrospective assessment of the first year and perspectives. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2014; 487:143-153. [PMID: 24784739 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.03.137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2014] [Revised: 03/31/2014] [Accepted: 03/31/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
An international study under the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) was performed to assess radiological impact of the nuclear accident at the Fukushima-Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (FDNPS) on the marine environment. This work constitutes the first international assessment of this type, drawing upon methodologies that incorporate the most up-to-date radioecological models and knowledge. To quantify the radiological impact on marine wildlife, a suite of state-of-the-art approaches to assess exposures to Fukushima derived radionuclides of marine biota, including predictive dynamic transfer modelling, was applied to a comprehensive dataset consisting of over 500 sediment, 6000 seawater and 5000 biota data points representative of the geographically relevant area during the first year after the accident. The dataset covers the period from May 2011 to August 2012. The method used to evaluate the ecological impact consists of comparing dose (rates) to which living species of interest are exposed during a defined period to critical effects values arising from the literature. The assessed doses follow a highly variable pattern and generally do not seem to indicate the potential for effects. A possible exception of a transient nature is the relatively contaminated area in the vicinity of the discharge point, where effects on sensitive endpoints in individual plants and animals might have occurred in the weeks directly following the accident. However, impacts on population integrity would have been unlikely due to the short duration and the limited space area of the initially high exposures. Our understanding of the biological impact of radiation on chronically exposed plants and animals continues to evolve, and still needs to be improved through future studies in the FDNPS marine environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordi Vives I Batlle
- Biosphere Impact Studies Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre SCK•CEN, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium.
| | - Tatsuo Aono
- National Institute of Radiological Sciences, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Justin E Brown
- Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority, Grini næringspark 13, 1332 Østerås, Norway; CERAD Centre of Excellence, Grini næringspark 13, 1332 Østerås, Norway
| | - Ali Hosseini
- Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority, Grini næringspark 13, 1332 Østerås, Norway; CERAD Centre of Excellence, Grini næringspark 13, 1332 Østerås, Norway
| | - Jacqueline Garnier-Laplace
- Institute for Radioprotection and Nuclear Safety, Department for research and expertise in environmental risks, PRP-ENV/SERIS, Cadarache, Building 159, 13115 Saint-Paul-Lez-Durance Cedex, France
| | - Tatiana Sazykina
- State Institution Research and Production Association Typhoon, 4 Pobedy Str., Obninsk, Kaluga Region 249038, Russian Federation
| | | | - Per Strand
- Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority, Grini næringspark 13, 1332 Østerås, Norway; CERAD Centre of Excellence, Grini næringspark 13, 1332 Østerås, Norway
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Mothersill C, Smith RW, Heier LS, Teien HC, Lind OC, Seymour CB, Oughton D, Salbu B. Radiation-induced bystander effects in the Atlantic salmon (salmo salar L.) following mixed exposure to copper and aluminum combined with low-dose gamma radiation. RADIATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOPHYSICS 2014; 53:103-114. [PMID: 24352529 DOI: 10.1007/s00411-013-0505-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2013] [Accepted: 11/25/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Very little is known about the combined effects of low doses of heavy metals and radiation. However, such "multiple stressor" exposure is the reality in the environment. In the work reported in this paper, fish were exposed to cobalt 60 gamma irradiation with or without copper or aluminum in the water. Doses of radiation ranged from 4 to 75 mGy delivered over 48 or 6 h. Copper doses ranged from 10 to 80 μg/L for the same time period. The aluminum dose was 250 μg/L. Gills and skin were removed from the fish after exposure and explanted in tissue culture flasks for investigation of bystander effects of the exposures using a stress signal reporter assay, which has been demonstrated to be a sensitive indicator of homeostatic perturbations in cells. The results show complex synergistic interactions of radiation and copper. Gills on the whole produce more toxic bystander signals than skin, but the additivity scores show highly variable results which depend on dose and time of exposure. The impacts of low doses of copper and low doses of radiation are greater than additive, medium levels of copper alone have a similar level of effect of bystander signal toxicity to the low dose. The addition of radiation stress, however, produces clear protective effects in the reporters treated with skin-derived medium. Gill-derived medium from the same fish did not show protective effects. Radiation exposure in the presence of 80 μg/L led to highly variable results, which due to animal variation were not significantly different from the effect of copper alone. The results are stressor type, stressor concentration and time dependent. Clearly co-exposure to radiation and heavy metals does not always lead to simple additive effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmel Mothersill
- Medical Physics and Applied Radiation Sciences Department, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada,
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41
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Howard BJ, Wells C, Beresford NA, Copplestone D. Exploring methods to prioritise concentration ratios when estimating weighted absorbed dose rates to terrestrial Reference Animals and Plants. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2013; 126:326-337. [PMID: 23866262 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2013.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2013] [Revised: 05/13/2013] [Accepted: 05/13/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The ICRP and IAEA have recently reported Concentration Ratio values (CRwo-media--equilibrium radionuclide activity concentration in whole organism divided by that in media) for Reference Animals and Plants (RAPs) and a wide range of organism groups, respectively, based on a common online database. Given the large number of data gaps in both publications, there is a need to develop methods for identifying the relative importance of improving currently available CR(wo-media) values. A simple, transparent approach involving the derivation and comparison of predicted internal and external weighted absorbed dose rates for radionuclides considered by ICRP (2009) for terrestrial RAPs is presented. Using the approach of applying a reference value of CR(wo-soil) = 1 or using the maximum reported values where CR(wo-soil) >1, we provisionally identify terrestrial radionuclide RAP combinations which could be considered low priority, notably: Ca, Cr and Ni consistently; Mn for all RAPs except Deer and Pine Tree; and Tc for all RAPs but Wild Grass. Equally, we can systematically identify high priority elements and radioisotopes, which largely, but not exclusively, consist of alpha-emitters (especially isotopes of Ra and Th, but also consistently Am, Cf, Cm, Np, Pa, Po, Pu, U). The analysis highlights the importance of the radiation weighting factor default assumption of 10 for alpha-emitters in the ERICA Tool when comparing the magnitude of the internal dose and trying to identify high priority RAP-isotope combinations. If the unweighted Dose Conversion Coefficient (DCC) values are considered, those for alpha-emitters are often one order of magnitude higher than those due to some beta-gamma emitters for terrestrial RAPs, whereas with the radiation weighting factor applied they are two orders of magnitude higher.
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Affiliation(s)
- B J Howard
- NERC Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Av., Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4AP, United Kingdom.
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42
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Vetikko V, Kostiainen E. Assessment of doses to game animals in Finland. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2013; 125:69-73. [PMID: 23395135 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2013.01.014] [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: 05/29/2012] [Revised: 01/14/2013] [Accepted: 01/19/2013] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
A study was carried out to assess the dose rates to game animals in Finland affected by the radioactive caesium deposition that occurred after the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine in 1986. The aim of this assessment was to obtain new information on the dose rates to mammals and birds under Finnish conditions. Dose rates were calculated using the ERICA Assessment Tool developed within the EC 6th Framework Programme. The input data consisted of measured activity concentrations of (137)Cs and (134)Cs in soil and lake water samples and in flesh samples of selected animal species obtained for environmental monitoring. The study sites were located in the municipality of Lammi, Southern Finland, where the average (137)Cs deposition was 46.5 kBq m(-2) (1 October 1987). The study sites represented the areas receiving the highest deposition in Finland after the Chernobyl accident. The selected species included moose (Alces alces), arctic hare (Lepus timidus) and several bird species: black grouse (Tetrao tetrix), hazel hen (Bonasia bonasia), mallard (Anas platurhynchos), goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) and teal (Anas crecca). For moose, dose rates were calculated for the years 1986-1990 and for the 2000s. For all other species, maximal measured activity concentrations were used. The results showed that the dose rates to these species did not exceed the default screening level of 10 μGy h(-1) used as a protection criterion. The highest total dose rate (internal and external summed), 3.7 μGy h(-1), was observed for the arctic hare in 1986. Although the dose rate of 3.7 μGy h(-1) cannot be considered negligible given the uncertainties involved in predicting the dose rates, the possible harmful effects related to this dose rate are too small to be assessed based on current knowledge on the biological effects of low doses in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virve Vetikko
- STUK - Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, Research and Environmental Surveillance, P.O. Box 14 (Laippatie 4), FI-00881 Helsinki, Finland.
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Heier LS, Teien HC, Oughton D, Tollefsen KE, Olsvik PA, Rosseland BO, Lind OC, Farmen E, Skipperud L, Salbu B. Sublethal effects in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) exposed to mixtures of copper, aluminium and gamma radiation. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2013; 121:33-42. [PMID: 22583837 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2012.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2011] [Revised: 04/11/2012] [Accepted: 04/13/2012] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The present study was designed to investigate the effects in presmolt of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) exposed to copper (Cu), aluminium (Al) and gamma radiation, individually or in combination. Fish were exposed for 48 h to metals added to lake water; 10, 40 and 80 μg Cu/L, 250 μg Al/L and a combination of 40 μg Cu/L and 250 μg Al/L. In addition, gamma radiation (4-70 mGy delivered over 48 h) was added as an additional exposure stressor. Selected endpoints were chosen to reveal different toxic mechanisms and included Cu and Al accumulation on gills, blood chemistry and haematological variables (plasma sodium and chloride, haematocrit, glucose), hepatic levels of reduced and oxidised glutathione (GSH and GSSG) and hepatic transcriptional response of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase (GCS), metallothionein (MT) and ubiquitin. Exposure to Cu alone resulted in gill accumulation of Cu, reduction of plasma ions and increased transcriptional response of GPx, MT and ubiquitin. Exposure to Al alone reduced plasma ion levels but did not affect any of the hepatic biomarkers except for ubiquitin. The combined metal exposure (Cu + Al) altered the GSH levels, however GPx and MT were not affected suggesting a different mode of detoxification in the combined exposure. Gamma radiation appeared to influence GSH and ubiquitin levels. The observed effects seemed to be both stressor and concentration dependent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lene Sørlie Heier
- Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, N-1432 Ås, Norway.
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Gwynn JP, Heldal HE, Gäfvert T, Blinova O, Eriksson M, Sværen I, Brungot AL, Strålberg E, Møller B, Rudjord AL. Radiological status of the marine environment in the Barents Sea. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2012; 113:155-162. [PMID: 22776690 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2012.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2012] [Revised: 05/28/2012] [Accepted: 06/11/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
This paper presents the results of Norwegian radiological monitoring of the Barents Sea in 2007, 2008 and 2009. Activity concentrations of the anthropogenic radionuclides (137)Cs, (90)Sr, (239,240)Pu and (241)Am in seawater were low and up to an order of magnitude lower than in previous decades. Activity concentrations of (99)Tc in seawater were low but remain elevated compared to levels prior to the increased discharge of this radionuclide from Sellafield in the 1990s. Activity concentrations of the naturally occurring radionuclide (226)Ra in seawater were comparable to expected background values. Activity concentrations of (137)Cs in surface sediments were low, with higher values observed in sediments from coastal areas along the Norwegian mainland than from locations in the open sea. Activity concentrations of (137)Cs and (99)Tc in marine biota were low and up to an order of magnitude lower than in previous decades. Committed effective dose rates to man from anthropogenic radionuclides via the consumption of seafood from the Barents Sea were low and are not a cause for concern. Weighted absorbed dose rates to biota from anthropogenic radionuclides were low and orders of magnitude below a predicted no effect screening level of 10 μGy/h. Dose rates to man from consumption of seafood and dose rates to biota in the marine environment are dominated by the contribution from naturally occurring radionuclides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin P Gwynn
- Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority, The Fram Centre, N-9296 Tromsø, Norway.
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45
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Abstract
The approach to protection of the environment may vary considerably depending on ethical basis, methodological approach, and identification of endpoints and protective targets. The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) reviewed these issues in Publication 91, 'A framework for assessing the impact of ionising radiation on non-human species', published in 2003. At the same time, ICRP proposed that a possible future ICRP system addressing environmental assessment and protection would focus on biota, that the system should be effect-based so that any reasoning about adequate protection would be derived from firm understanding of harm at different exposure levels, and that the system should be based on data sets for Reference Animals and Plants. ICRP has thus chosen to approach environmental protection on the basis of biology, and further developed the approach in Publications 103, 108 and 114. This paper explores the biological basis for the ICRP system of environmental protection from the viewpoints of: the effects endpoints of concern; the hierarchy of biological organisation; adequate and appropriate protective targets; and the derivation of benchmark dose (rates) to guide protective efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- C-M Larsson
- Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency, PO Box 655, Miranda, NSW 1490, Australia.
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46
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Beresford NA, Barnett CL, Vives i Batlle J, Potter ED, Ibrahimi ZF, Barlow TS, Schieb C, Jones DG, Copplestone D. Exposure of burrowing mammals to 222Rn. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2012; 431:252-261. [PMID: 22687435 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2012.05.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2012] [Revised: 05/04/2012] [Accepted: 05/07/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Estimates of absorbed dose rates to wildlife from exposure to natural background radionuclides are required to put estimates of dose rates arising from regulated releases of radioactivity and proposed benchmarks into context. Recent review papers have estimated dose rates to wildlife from (40)K, and (238)U and (232)Th series radionuclides. However, only one study previous has considered the potential dose rates to burrowing animals from inhaled (222)Rn and its daughter products. In this paper we describe a study conducted at seven sites in northwest England. Passive track etch detectors were used to measure the (222)Rn concentrations in artificial burrows over a period of approximately one year. Results suggest that absorbed dose rates to burrowing mammals as a consequence of exposure to (222)Rn are likely to be at least an order of magnitude higher than those suggested in previous evaluations of natural background exposure rates which had omitted this radionuclide and exposure pathway. Dose rates in some areas of Great Britain will be considerably in excess of incremental no-effects benchmark dose rates suggested for use as screening levels. Such advised benchmark dose rates need to be better put into context with background dose rates, including exposure to (222)Rn, to ensure credibility; although the context will be determined by the purpose of the benchmark and the assessment level.
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Affiliation(s)
- N A Beresford
- NERC Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Av. Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4AP, United Kingdom.
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47
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Lance E, Alonzo F, Garcia-Sanchez L, Beaugelin-Seiller K, Garnier-Laplace J. Modelling population-level consequences of chronic external gamma irradiation in aquatic invertebrates under laboratory conditions. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2012; 429:206-214. [PMID: 22578523 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2012.03.078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2011] [Revised: 03/28/2012] [Accepted: 03/28/2012] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
We modelled population-level consequences of chronic external gamma irradiation in aquatic invertebrates under laboratory conditions. We used Leslie matrices to combine life-history characteristics (duration of life stages, survival and fecundity rates) and dose rate-response curves for hatching, survival and reproduction fitted on effect data from the FREDERICA database. Changes in net reproductive rate R₀ (offspring per individual) and asymptotic population growth rate λ (dimensionless) were calculated over a range of dose rates in two marine polychaetes (Neanthes arenaceodentata and Ophryotrocha diadema) and a freshwater gastropod (Physa heterostropha). Sensitivities in R₀ and λ to changes in life-history traits were analysed in each species. Results showed that fecundity has the strongest influence on R₀. A delay in age at first reproduction is most critical for λ independent of the species. Fast growing species were proportionally more sensitive to changes in individual endpoints than slow growing species. Reduction of 10% in population λ were predicted at dose rates of 6918, 5012 and 74,131 μGy·h⁻¹ in N. arenaceodentata, O. diadema and P. heterostropha respectively, resulting from a combination of strong effects on several individual endpoints in each species. These observations made 10%-reduction in λ a poor criterion for population protection. The lowest significant changes in R₀ and λ were respectively predicted at a same dose rate of 1412 μGy h⁻¹ in N. arenaceodentata, at 760 and 716 μGy h⁻¹ in O. diadema and at 12,767 and 13,759 μGy h⁻¹ in P. heterostropha. These values resulted from a combination of slight but significant changes in several measured endpoints and were lower than effective dose rates calculated for the individual level in O. diadema and P. heterostropha. The relevance of the experimental dataset (external irradiation rather than contamination, exposure over one generation only, effects on survival and reproduction only) for predicting population responses was discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Lance
- Laboratoire de Modélisation Pour l'expertise Environnementale-LM2E, Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire-IRSN, PRP-ENV, SERIS, Cadarache, France
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48
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Fuma S, Kawaguchi I, Kubota Y, Yoshida S, Kawabata Z, Polikarpov GG. Effects of chronic γ-irradiation on the aquatic microbial microcosm: equi-dosimetric comparison with effects of heavy metals. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2012; 104:81-86. [PMID: 21962482 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2011.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2011] [Revised: 09/07/2011] [Accepted: 09/07/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Effects of chronic γ-irradiation were investigated in the aquatic microcosm consisting of flagellate algae Euglena gracilis as producers, ciliate protozoa Tetrahymena thermophila as consumers and bacteria Escherichia coli as decomposers. At 1.1 Gy day(-1), no effects were observed. At 5.1 Gy day(-1), cell densities of E. coli showed a tendency to be lower than those of controls. At 9.7 and 24.7 Gy day(-1), population decrease was observed in E. coli. E. gracilis and T. thermophila died out after temporal population decrease and subsequent population increase in T. thermophila. It is likely that this temporal population increase was an indirect effect due to interspecies interactions. Effect dose rates of γ-rays were compared with effect concentrations of some metals using the radiochemoecological conceptual model and the effect index for microcosm. Comparison of these community-level effects data with environmental exposure data suggests that ionising radiation, gadolinium and dysprosium have low risks to affect aquatic microbial communities while manganese, nickel and copper have considerable risks. Effects of chronic irradiation were smaller than those of acute irradiation, and an acute to chronic ratio was calculated to be 28 by dividing an acute dose by chronic daily dose rate at which the effect index was 10%. This ratio would be useful for community-level extrapolation from acute to chronic radiation effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoichi Fuma
- Research Center for Radiation Protection, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Chiba 263-8555, Japan.
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Geras'kin SA, Oudalova AA, Dikarev VG, Dikareva NS, Mozolin EM, Hinton T, Spiridonov SI, Copplestone D, Garnier-Laplace J. Effects of chronic exposure in populations of Koeleria gracilis Pers. from the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site, Kazakhstan. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2012; 104:55-63. [PMID: 22115436 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2011.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2011] [Revised: 09/20/2011] [Accepted: 09/30/2011] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Morphological and cytogenetic abnormalities were examined in crested hairgrass (Koeleria gracilis Pers.) populations inhabiting the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site (STS), Kazakhstan. Sampling of biological material and soil was carried out during 3 years (2005-2007) at 4 sites within the STS. Activity concentrations of 10 radionuclides and 8 heavy metals content in soils were measured. Doses absorbed by plants were estimated and varied, depending on the plot, from 4 up to 265 mGy/y. The frequency of cytogenetic alterations in apical meristem of germinated seeds from the highly contaminated plot significantly exceeded the level observed at other plots with lower levels of radioactive contamination during all three years of the study. A significant excess of chromosome aberrations, typical for radiation exposure, as well as a dependence of the frequency of these types of mutations on dose absorbed by plants were revealed. The results indicate the role radioactive contamination plays in the occurrence of cytogenetic effects. However, no radiation-dependent morphological alterations were detected in the progeny of the exposed populations. Given that the crested hairgrass populations have occupied the radioactively contaminated plots for some 50 years, adaptation to the radiation stress was not evident. The findings obtained were in agreement with the benchmark values proposed in the FASSET and ERICA projects to restrict radiation impacts on biota.
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Affiliation(s)
- S A Geras'kin
- Department of Radioecology, Russian Institute of Agricultural Radiology and Agroecology, Kievskoe shosse, Zvezdnaya str., 6-11 109 km, 249032 Obninsk, Kaluga Region, Russia.
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Fuma S, Watanabe Y, Kawaguchi I, Takata T, Kubota Y, Ban-Nai T, Yoshida S. Derivation of hazardous doses for amphibians acutely exposed to ionising radiation. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2012; 103:15-19. [PMID: 22036153 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2011.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2011] [Revised: 09/05/2011] [Accepted: 09/05/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Derivation of effect benchmark values for each taxonomic group, which has been difficult due to lack of experimental effects data, is required for more adequate protection of the environment from ionising radiation. Estimation of effects doses from nuclear DNA mass and subsequent species sensitivity distribution (SSD) analysis were proposed as a method for such a derivation in acute irradiation situations for assumed nuclear accident scenarios. As a case study, 5% hazardous doses (HD₅s), at which only 5% of species are acutely affected at 50% or higher lethality, were estimated on a global scale. After nuclear DNA mass data were obtained from a database, 50% lethal doses (LD₅₀s) for 4.8 and 36% of the global Anura and Caudata species, respectively, were estimated by correlative equations between nuclear DNA mass and LD₅₀s. Differences between estimated and experimental LD₅₀s were within a factor of three. The HD₅s obtained by the SSD analysis of these estimated LD₅₀s data were 5.0 and 3.1 Gy for Anura and Caudata, respectively. This approach was also applied to the derivation of regional HD₅s. The respective HD₅s were 6.5 and 3.2 Gy for Anura and Caudata inhabiting Japan. This HD₅ value for the Japanese Anura was significantly higher than the global value, while Caudata had no significant difference in global and Japanese HD₅s. These results suggest that this approach is also useful for derivation of regional benchmark values, some of which are likely different from the global values.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoichi Fuma
- Research Center for Radiation Protection, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8555, Japan.
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