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Feng D, Ji M, Liao H, Yang F, Zhou X, Pan T, Lu C, Luo J, Miao Y. An overview of plutonium isotopes in soils, China: Distribution, spatial patterns, and sources. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 216:114677. [PMID: 36374654 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114677] [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: 06/19/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Plutonium (Pu) is an anthropogenic radionuclide which has drawn significant attentions due to its radiotoxicity, and the sources of plutonium linked with nuclear accidents and contaminations. The 240Pu/239Pu atom ratio is source dependent and can be used as a fingerprint to determine the sources of radioactive contaminant. However, the distribution and sources of plutonium in soils of China have not yet been systematically studied at a national scale up to date. The distribution, spatial patterns, and sources of plutonium in soils of China were discussed in this work. The concentrations of 239,240Pu are in the range of 0.002-4.824 mBq/g with a large variation, and the 239,240Pu concentrations in surface soils increase with the increasing latitude, which affects by multi-factors such as organic matter and particle size, etc. The inventories of 239,240Pu are in the range of 7.31-554 Bq/m2. The weighted average of 240Pu/239Pu atom ratios (0.180 ± 0.004) in all surface samples is good agreement with the ratio of global fallout (0.180 ± 0.014) of the nuclear weapons tests, this indicate that the major source of plutonium in China is global fallout. However, among some sites, distinctly lower 240Pu/239Pu atom ratio compared to the global fallout values were observed in the northwest China, indicating a significant contribution from other source besides the global fallout. Furthermore, the spatial clustering patterns of hot spots (high values) and cold spots (low values) for plutonium showing the clear associations with nuclear tests, especially the Chinese Lop Nor nuclear weapons tests (CNTs) and the Semipalatinsk nuclear weapons tests (STS). Radioactive material including plutonium from the STS or CNTs was transported by the prevailing westerlies to the northwest China. This review about the fingerprints and distribution of plutonium in soils of China will help researchers to establish a reference database for future radiation risk assessment and environmental radioactive management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongxia Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Meichen Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Haiqing Liao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China.
| | - Fang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Xingxuan Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Ting Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Chaojun Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Jingtian Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Yunge Miao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
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2
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Wu J, Zheng X, Chen J, Yang G, Zheng J, Aono T. Distributions and impacts of plutonium in the environment originating from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident: An overview of a decade of studies. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2022; 248:106884. [PMID: 35398758 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2022.106884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
This paper reviews the current knowledge on plutonium (Pu) isotopic composition (the atom or activity ratios) and activity concentrations of 238Pu, 239Pu, 240Pu, and 241Pu resulting from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident in 2011. In this critical review, we document the characteristic values of Pu atom or activity ratios (fingerprints) and present their spatial distributions around the FDNPP site. Based on multiple Pu fingerprints (238Pu/239+240Pu activity ratio, 240Pu/239Pu atom ratio, and 241Pu/239Pu atom ratio), we clarify that Pu contamination from the FDNPP accident occurred in a restricted terrestrial area, while Pu in the Northwest Pacific Ocean is still predominately sourced from the Pacific Proving Grounds (PPG) and global fallout. Using a simple two end-member mixing model, we calculate average contributions of Pu from the FDNPP accident of 13 ± 20% (n = 180) in soil samples, 55 ± 32% (n = 38) in leaf litter samples, and 67 ± 26% (n = 129) in air dust/black substances. In the marine environment, the PPG source average contributions are 45 ± 15% (n = 76) in seawater and 42 ± 12% (n = 48) in sediments. The spatial distributions of Pu atom or activity ratios based on existing studies suggest that: 1) in the terrestrial region investigated 80 km northwest of the FDNPP site, the Pu contamination is mainly observed in an area within a 50 km distance, and 2) in the terrestrial region investigated 60 km southwest of the FDNPP site, the Pu contamination is mainly observed in an area within a 30 km distance. Studies of Cs-bearing radioactive particles indicate that Pu occurs as Pu oxide, and the fuel fragments containing Pu that were released from the reactors to the surrounding environment are associated with micron-scale Cs-bearing radioactive particles. We note that the fractionation between Pu and other radionuclides occurred after release. These new findings about the Pu fingerprints around the FDNPP site will help researchers to establish a reference background database for future environmental risk assessment and geochemical study there.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junwen Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Disaster Prediction and Prevention & Institute of Marine Sciences, Shantou University, Shantou, 515063, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou, 511458, China
| | - Xuemin Zheng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Disaster Prediction and Prevention & Institute of Marine Sciences, Shantou University, Shantou, 515063, China
| | - Jisheng Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Disaster Prediction and Prevention & Institute of Marine Sciences, Shantou University, Shantou, 515063, China
| | - Guosheng Yang
- National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage, Chiba, 263-8555, Japan
| | - Jian Zheng
- National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage, Chiba, 263-8555, Japan.
| | - Tatsuo Aono
- National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage, Chiba, 263-8555, Japan
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Zheltonozhskaya MV, Zheltonozhsky VA, Vlasova IE, Kuzmenkova NV, Kalmykov SN. The plutonium isotopes and strontium-90 determination in hot particles by characteristic X-rays. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2020; 225:106448. [PMID: 33075716 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2020.106448] [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: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
This paper reports the developed non-destructive methods for the plutonium isotopes and strontium-90 content determination in hot particles and other samples. The proposed methods are based on the measurement of the characteristic X-rays accompanying the decay of these radionuclides. For hot particles of NPP accident origin, the proposed method's error limits are 10-15% for hot particles (samples) with activity above 100 Bq and 15-20% for hot particles (samples) with activity less than 100 Bq. For explosive particles, the determination accuracy is 10-15% for activity more than 5 Bq and 20-30% for 0.1-5 Bq activity. The accuracy of the proposed method for determining 90Sr in samples with its specific content of more than 104 Bq/sample is 5%, with ~102 Bq/sample its content is 15-20%. The cost of one sample measurement and the processing time of these methods are significantly reduced compared to traditional studies. The proposed methods are reasonably simple measurement methods and can be carried out even in the field condition. They open up new possibilities for the quick search and study of hot particles and environmental samples.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - I E Vlasova
- Lomonosov Moscow State University, Russian Federation
| | | | - S N Kalmykov
- Lomonosov Moscow State University, Russian Federation
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4
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Ecological assesment of Akkuyu nuclear power plant site marine sediments in terms of radionuclide and metal accumulation. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-020-07201-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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5
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Salbu B, Lind OC. Analytical techniques for charactering radioactive particles deposited in the environment. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2020; 211:106078. [PMID: 31677430 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2019.106078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Revised: 10/13/2019] [Accepted: 10/13/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Since 1945, a series of nuclear and radiological sources have contributed to the release of radioactive particles containing refractory elements into the environment. Several years of research have demonstrated that the particle composition will depend on the source, while the release scenarios will influence particle properties of relevance for environmental transfer. Radioactive particles can also carry sufficient amount of radioactivity (MBq) and represent point sources of radiological concern. Most radiological assessment models, however, are based on bulk concentrations, assuming that radionuclides in the environment are evenly distributed. In contrast, radioactive particles and thereby doses are unevenly distributed, while leaching of radionuclides from particles prior to measurements can be partial, potentially leading to underestimation of inventories. For areas affected by particle contamination, information on particle characteristics controlling the particle weathering rates and remobilization of particle associated radionuclides will therefore be essential to reduce the overall uncertainties of the impact assessments. The present paper will focus on analytical strategies, from screening techniques applicable for identifying hot spots in the field, fractionation techniques and single particle extraction techniques as a preparatory mean to apply non-destructive solid state speciation techniques, till leaching techniques applied sequentially to obtain information on binding mechanisms, mobility and potential bioavailability. Thus, a combination of techniques should be utilized to characterize radioactive particles in order to improve environmental assessments for areas affected by radioactive particle fallout.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brit Salbu
- CERAD CoE, Faculty of Environmental Sciences and nature Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 1432, Aas, Norway
| | - Ole Christian Lind
- CERAD CoE, Faculty of Environmental Sciences and nature Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 1432, Aas, Norway.
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Wu J, Sun J, Xiao X. An overview of current knowledge concerning the inventory and sources of plutonium in the China Seas. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2020; 150:110599. [PMID: 31733905 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.110599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Revised: 09/11/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
This study reviews the current understanding of the inventory and sources of plutonium (Pu) in the marine environment adjacent to China. The 239+240Pu inventory in the China Seas was found to have large spatial variations. The quantity in sediments decreases away from the shore, generally tracing the sedimentation rate distribution. High 239+240Pu inventories indicated that Pu in the water column was easily scavenged since Pu has a high particle affinity. Indeed, substantially higher 240Pu/239Pu atom ratios were observed in the sediment and seawater of the China Seas than are found in global fallout. We thus clarified that Pu sources in the China Seas were from both global fallout and the Pacific Proving Grounds (PPG) in the Pacific Marshall Islands. Plutonium from the latter source is transported into the China Seas through the North Equatorial Current (NEC) and Kuroshio. Using a two end-member mixing model, we revealed that the contribution of Pu from the PPG accounts for over 40% of the Pu in the East China Sea (ECS) and South China Sea (SCS), and less than 20% of the Pu in the Yellow Sea (YS). The distributions and isotopic composition of Pu in the China Seas indicate strong scavenging of Pu in the ECS and high Pu accumulation in the SCS. This information on the inventory and isotopic composition of Pu helps to establish a background for the future study of Pu in the China Seas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junwen Wu
- College of Science, Shantou University, Shantou, 515063, China.
| | - Jiang Sun
- College of Science, Shantou University, Shantou, 515063, China
| | - Xiyu Xiao
- College of Science, Shantou University, Shantou, 515063, China
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7
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Abstract
Recent developments in radiometric and mass spectrometry technologies have been associated in the radiometric sector mainly with underground operations of large volume Ge detectors, while the mass-spectrometry sector, represented mainly by accelerator mass spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry has become the most sensitive technique for ultra-low-level analyses of long-lived radionuclides. These new developments have had great impact on investigations of rare nuclear processes and applications of radionuclides in environmental, life and space sciences. New scientific investigations have been carried out therefore which have not been possible before either because of lack of sensitivity or required large sample size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavel P. Povinec
- Department of Nuclear Physics and Biophysics, Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, Comenius University, Mlynska dolina F1, 84248 Bratislava, Slovakia
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Buesseler KO, Charette MA, Pike SM, Henderson PB, Kipp LE. Lingering radioactivity at the Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 621:1185-1198. [PMID: 29096952 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.10.109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2017] [Revised: 10/05/2017] [Accepted: 10/12/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
We made an assessment of the levels of radionuclides in the ocean waters, seafloor and groundwater at Bikini and Enewetak Atolls where the US conducted nuclear weapons tests in the 1940's and 50's. This included the first estimates of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) derived from radium isotopes that can be used here to calculate radionuclide fluxes in to the lagoon waters. While there is significant variability between sites and sample types, levels of plutonium (239,240Pu) remain several orders of magnitude higher in lagoon seawater and sediments than what is found in rest of the world's oceans. In contrast, levels of cesium-137 (137Cs) while relatively elevated in brackish groundwater are only slightly higher in the lagoon water relative to North Pacific surface waters. Of special interest was the Runit dome, a nuclear waste repository created in the 1970's within the Enewetak Atoll. Low seawater ratios of 240Pu/239Pu suggest that this area is the source of about half of the Pu in the Enewetak lagoon water column, yet radium isotopes suggest that SGD from below the dome is not a significant Pu source. SGD fluxes of Pu and Cs at Bikini were also relatively low. Thus radioactivity associated with seafloor sediments remains the largest source and long term repository for radioactive contamination. Overall, Bikini and Enewetak Atolls are an ongoing source of Pu and Cs to the North Pacific, but at annual rates that are orders of magnitude smaller than delivered via close-in fallout to the same area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ken O Buesseler
- Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA.
| | - Matthew A Charette
- Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
| | - Steven M Pike
- Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
| | - Paul B Henderson
- Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
| | - Lauren E Kipp
- Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
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9
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Zhang K, Pan S, Liu Z, Li G, Xu Y, Hao Y. Vertical distributions and source identification of the radionuclides 239Pu and 240Pu in the sediments of the Liao River estuary, China. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2018; 181:78-84. [PMID: 29107833 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2017.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2017] [Revised: 10/22/2017] [Accepted: 10/27/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Activity concentration of plutonium (Pu) and its isotopic compositions are extensively used for measuring transport processes of Pu and identifying its source. We investigated the spatial distribution characteristics of 239+240Pu activity concentrations and 240Pu/239Pu atom ratio in several sediment cores collected from the Liao River coastal zone. Additionally, we calculated the 239+240Pu inventories and based on the 240Pu/239Pu atom ratio to trace Pu source. The activity concentrations of 239+240Pu in surface sediments of the Liao River estuary ranged between 0.103 ± 0.008 and 0.978 ± 0.035 mBq/g, with an average of 0.294 ± 0.024 mBq/g. The 240Pu/239Pu atom ratios, ranging from 0.173 ± 0.047 to 0.215 ± 0.061 (mean: 0.188 ± 0.049 (1σ)), were consistent with global fallout value, which indicates the global atmospheric fallout is the main source of Pu in sediment cores from the both sides of Liao River estuary. As for the tidal flat core LT-2, the mean 240Pu/239Pu atom ratio, slightly higher than that of the global fallout value, was 0.217 ± 0.050. Such pattern of Pu isotopic compositions indicated that Pu on the tidal flat in the Liao River estuary is sourced from a combination of global fallout and close-in fallout from the PPG by ocean currents transporting. And by using a two end-member mixing model, the results indicate the relative contribution of the PPG close-in fallout to core LT-2 is round 27% and 73% can be attributed to global fallout and river input. Therefore, these results clearly indicate that the direct global fallout is the main source of Pu in the Liao River estuary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kexin Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Coastal and Island Development of Ministry of Education, School of Geographic and Oceanographic Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China; College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Shaoming Pan
- The Key Laboratory of Coastal and Island Development of Ministry of Education, School of Geographic and Oceanographic Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China.
| | - Zhiyong Liu
- School of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Guosheng Li
- Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, CAS, Beijing 100101, China.
| | - Yihong Xu
- The Key Laboratory of Coastal and Island Development of Ministry of Education, School of Geographic and Oceanographic Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yongpei Hao
- The Key Laboratory of Coastal and Island Development of Ministry of Education, School of Geographic and Oceanographic Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
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Paul S, Pandey AK, Shah RV, Alamelu D, Aggarwal SK. Superparamagnetic bi-functional composite bead for the thermal ionization mass spectrometry of plutonium(iv) ions. RSC Adv 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c5ra18419c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Single resin bead-based thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) offers numerous advantages for Pu(iv) determinations in complex aqueous samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumana Paul
- Fuel Chemistry Division
- Bhabha Atomic Research Centre
- Mumbai-400 085
- India
| | - Ashok K. Pandey
- Radiochemistry Division
- Bhabha Atomic Research Centre
- Mumbai 400 085
- India
| | - Raju V. Shah
- Fuel Chemistry Division
- Bhabha Atomic Research Centre
- Mumbai-400 085
- India
| | - D. Alamelu
- Fuel Chemistry Division
- Bhabha Atomic Research Centre
- Mumbai-400 085
- India
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Wu J, Zheng J, Dai M, Huh CA, Chen W, Tagami K, Uchida S. Isotopic composition and distribution of plutonium in northern South China Sea sediments revealed continuous release and transport of Pu from the Marshall Islands. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2014; 48:3136-3144. [PMID: 24564849 DOI: 10.1021/es405363q] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The (239+240)Pu activities and (240)Pu/(239)Pu atom ratios in sediments of the northern South China Sea and its adjacent Pearl River Estuary were determined to examine the spatial and temporal variations of Pu inputs. We clarified that Pu in the study area is sourced from a combination of global fallout and close-in fallout from the Pacific Proving Grounds in the Marshall Islands where above-ground nuclear weapons testing was carried out during the period of 1952-1958. The latter source dominated the Pu input in the 1950s, as evidenced by elevated (240)Pu/(239)Pu atom ratios (>0.30) in a dated sediment core. Even after the 1950s, the Pacific Proving Grounds was still a dominant Pu source due to continuous transport of remobilized Pu from the Marshall Islands, about 4500 km away, along the North Equatorial Current followed by the transport of the Kuroshio current and its extension into the South China Sea through the Luzon Strait. Using a simple two end-member mixing model, we have quantified the contributions of Pu from the Pacific Proving Grounds to the northern South China Sea shelf and the Pearl River Estuary are 68% ± 1% and 30% ± 5%, respectively. This study also confirmed that there were no clear signals of Pu from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident impacting the South China Sea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junwen Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University , Xiamen, Fujian 361005, P. R. China
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Radi Dar MA, El-Saharty AA. Some radioactive-elements in the coastal sediments of the Mediterranean Sea. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2013; 153:361-368. [PMID: 22719046 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncs104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The radioactivities of (234+235)U, (232)Th, (40)K and (137)Cs were measured in the coastal sediments of the western Mediterranean Sea between Alexandria and Salloum, Egypt. The recorded activities of the natural radionuclides were within the range of those measured worldwide. The highest activities of (234+235)U and (40)K (166.5 ± 7.7; 365.8 ± 2.3 Bq kg(-1) dry weight) were measured at Sidi Krir station while El-Max station recorded the highest (232)Th activity (22.7 ± 0.6 Bq kg(-1) dry weight) indicating that these radionuclides may accumulate in ionic and particulate forms from the drainage systems of the fertiliser, petrochemical and paper industries and from agricultural drains and also as the drifted particulates from longshore currents and accretion processes. The lowest (234+235)U activities were recorded at Salloum and the lowest (232)Th and (40)K activities were recorded at El-Hammam, indicating that the accretion process is more active in the eastern Mediterranean. Salloum recorded the highest activity levels for (137)Cs (7.9 ± 0.4 Bq kg(-1) dry weight) showing significant increases of the artificial (137)Cs westwards that may be indicative of to the anthropogenic sources from the northern Mediterranean.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud A Radi Dar
- National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Hurghada, Red Sea, Egypt.
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13
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Povinec PP. Recent developments in radioanaytical technologies for environmental investigations. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-012-1805-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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14
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Grate JW, O’Hara MJ, Farawila AF, Douglas M, Haney MM, Petersen SL, Maiti TC, Aardahl CL. Extraction Chromatographic Methods in the Sample Preparation Sequence for Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometric Analysis of Plutonium Isotopes. Anal Chem 2011; 83:9086-91. [DOI: 10.1021/ac202150v] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jay W. Grate
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, Richland, Washington 99352, United States
| | - Matthew J. O’Hara
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, Richland, Washington 99352, United States
| | - Anne F. Farawila
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, Richland, Washington 99352, United States
| | - Matthew Douglas
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, Richland, Washington 99352, United States
| | - Morgan M. Haney
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, Richland, Washington 99352, United States
| | - Steven L. Petersen
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, Richland, Washington 99352, United States
| | - Tapas C. Maiti
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, Richland, Washington 99352, United States
| | - Christopher L. Aardahl
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, Richland, Washington 99352, United States
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Kinoshita N, Sumi T, Takimoto K, Nagaoka M, Yokoyama A, Nakanishi T. Anthropogenic Pu distribution in Tropical East Pacific. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2011; 409:1889-1899. [PMID: 21353291 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2011.01.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2010] [Revised: 01/18/2011] [Accepted: 01/26/2011] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The geographical distribution of the anthropogenic radionuclides (238)Pu and (239+240)Pu in the Tropical East Pacific in 2003 was studied from the viewpoint of material migration. We measured the contents of Pu isotopes in seawater and in sediment from the sea bottom. The distributions of Pu isotopes, together with those of coexisting nitrate and phosphate species and dissolved oxygen, are discussed in relation to the potential temperature and potential density (sigma-θ). The Pu contents in sediment samples were compared with those in the seawater. Horizontal migration across the Equator from north to south was investigated at depths down to ~800m in the eastern Pacific. The Pu distribution at 0-400m correlated well with the distribution of potential temperature. Maximum Pu levels were observed in the subsurface layer at 600-800m, corresponding to the depth where sigma-θ≈27.0. It is suggested that the Pu distribution depends on the structure of the water mass and the particular temperature and salinity. The water column/sediment column inventory ratio and the vertical distribution of Pu may reflect the efficiency of scavenging in the relevant water areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norikazu Kinoshita
- Research Facility Center for Science and Technology, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Ten-nodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, Japan.
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16
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Lindahl P, Lee SH, Worsfold P, Keith-Roach M. Plutonium isotopes as tracers for ocean processes: a review. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2010; 69:73-84. [PMID: 19773079 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2009.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2009] [Revised: 08/17/2009] [Accepted: 08/18/2009] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Since the first nuclear weapons tests in the 1940s, pulsed inputs of plutonium isotopes have served as excellent tracers for understanding sources, pathways, dynamics and the fate of pollutants and particles in the marine environment. Due to the well-defined spatial and temporal inputs of Pu, the long half-lives of (240)Pu and (239)Pu and its unique chemical properties, Pu is a potential tracer for various physical and biogeochemical ocean processes, including circulation, sedimentation and biological productivity, and hence a means of assessing the impacts of global climate change. Due to the source dependency of the Pu isotopic signature, plutonium isotopes are beginning to be exploited as tools for the evaluation and improvement of regional and global ocean models that will enhance understanding of past and future changes in the oceans. This paper addresses the major sources of Pu and the physical and biogeochemical behaviour in the marine environment. Finally, the use of Pu isotopes as tracers for various oceanic processes (e.g. water mass transport, particle export, and sedimentation) is considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patric Lindahl
- Marine Environment Research Department, Korea Ocean Research and Development Institute, Ansan, P.O. Box 29, Seoul 425-600, Republic of Korea.
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Inn KGW, LaRosa J, Nour S, Brooks G, LaMont S, Steiner R, Williams R, Patton B, Bostick D, Eiden G, Petersen S, Douglas M, Beals D, Cadieux J, Hall G, Goldberg S, Vogt S. Ultra-low level plutonium isotopes in the NIST SRM 4355A (Peruvian Soil-1). Appl Radiat Isot 2009; 67:667-71. [PMID: 19264497 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2009.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
For more than 20 years, countries and their agencies which monitor radionuclide discharge sites and storage facilities have relied on the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Standard Reference Material (SRM) 4355 Peruvian Soil. Its low fallout contamination makes it an ideal soil blank for measurements associated with terrestrial-pathway-to-man studies. Presently, SRM 4355 is out of stock, and a new batch of the Peruvian soil is currently under development as future NIST SRM 4355A. Both environmental radioanalytical laboratories and mass spectrometry communities will benefit from the use of this SRM. The former must assess their laboratory procedural contamination and measurement detection limits by measurement of blank sample material. The Peruvian Soil is so low in anthropogenic radionuclide content that it is a suitable virtual blank. On the other hand, mass spectrometric laboratories have high sensitivity instruments that are capable of quantitative isotopic measurements at low plutonium levels in the SRM 4355 (first Peruvian Soil SRM) that provided the mass spectrometric community with the calibration, quality control, and testing material needed for methods development and legal defensibility. The quantification of the ultra-low plutonium content in the SRM 4355A was a considerable challenge for the mass spectrometric laboratories. Careful blank control and correction, isobaric interferences, instrument stability, peak assessment, and detection assessment were necessary. Furthermore, a systematic statistical evaluation of the measurement results and considerable discussions with the mass spectroscopy metrologists were needed to derive the certified values and uncertainties. The one sided upper limit of the 95% tolerance with 95% confidence for the massic (239)Pu content in SRM 4355A is estimated to be 54,000 atoms/g.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth G W Inn
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, USA.
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Paxton WF, O'Hara MJ, Peper SM, Petersen SL, Grate JW. Accelerated analyte uptake on single beads in microliter-scale batch separations using acoustic streaming: plutonium uptake by anion exchange for analysis by mass spectrometry. Anal Chem 2008; 80:4070-7. [PMID: 18442264 DOI: 10.1021/ac800160n] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The use of acoustic streaming as a noncontact mixing platform to accelerate mass-transport-limited diffusion processes in small-volume heterogeneous reactions has been investigated. Single-bead anion exchange of plutonium at nanomolar and subpicomolar concentrations in 20 microL liquid volumes was used to demonstrate the effect of acoustic mixing. Pu uptake rates on individual approximately 760 microm diameter AG 1 x 4 anion-exchange resin beads were determined using acoustic mixing and compared with Pu uptake rates achieved by static diffusion alone. An 82 MHz surface acoustic wave (SAW) device was placed in contact with the underside of a 384-well microplate containing flat-bottomed semiconical wells. Acoustic energy was coupled into the solution in the well, inducing acoustic streaming. Pu uptake rates were determined by the plutonium remaining in solution after specific elapsed time intervals using liquid scintillation counting (LSC) for nanomolar concentrations and thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) analysis for the subpicomolar concentration experiments. It was found that this small batch uptake reaction could be accelerated by a factor of about 5-fold or more, depending on the acoustic power applied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter F Paxton
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, Richland, Washington 99352, USA
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Abstract
New isotope technologies in environmental physicsAs the levels of radionuclides observed at present in the environment are very low, high sensitive analytical systems are required for carrying out environmental investigations. We review recent progress which has been done in low-level counting techniques in both radiometrics and mass spectrometry sectors, with emphasis on underground laboratories, Monte Carlo (GEANT) simulation of background of HPGe detectors operating in various configurations, secondary ionisation mass spectrometry, and accelerator mass spectrometry. Applications of radiometrics and mass spectrometry techniques in radioecology and climate change studies are presented and discussed as well. The review should help readers in better orientation on recent developments in the field of low-level counting and spectrometry, and to advice on construction principles of underground laboratories, as well as on criteria how to choose low or high energy mass spectrometers for environmental investigations.
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Resonance ionization mass spectrometry for trace analysis of long-lived radionuclides. RADIOACTIVITY IN THE ENVIRONMENT 2008. [DOI: 10.1016/s1569-4860(07)11010-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Determination of plutonium isotopes in marine particles collected by the large volume in situ filtration and concentration system. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2007. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-007-7049-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Hassellöv M, Buesseler KO, Pike SM, Dai M. Application of cross-flow ultrafiltration for the determination of colloidal abundances in suboxic ferrous-rich ground waters. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2007; 372:636-44. [PMID: 17161448 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2006.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2006] [Revised: 09/22/2006] [Accepted: 10/01/2006] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
A suboxic groundwater from a sandy coastal aquifer was sampled using a new air free, large volume sampling method. Subsequent processing for size fractionation was completed with a modified cross-flow ultrafiltration (CFF) system equipped with a 1 kDa CFF membrane. By purging the CFF system with nitrogen, no oxygen was able to reach the sample. With this optimization, the sample was processed with higher than 90% recovery in terms of both iron and phosphate. Only about 4% of iron and 20% of phosphate in the filtered (0.2 microm) groundwater sample was found to be in colloidal form in the groundwater. In contrast, if no care was taken to maintain the suboxic environment of the original sample, iron was rapidly and completely oxidized and subsequently adsorbed to the CFF membrane. Other elements, such as phosphorus, were also lost to the CFF membrane to a substantial degree, and the mechanism is most likely coprecipitation with iron oxides. This study thus strongly supports the importance of maintaining ambient redox conditions during sampling and fractionation, especially for the determinations of colloid abundances in groundwater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Hassellöv
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA.
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Xiaojing SUN, Zhanping ZHANG, Guangwei ZHU, Boqiang QIN. Content of colloidal phosphorus in water of Lake Taihu, China. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006. [DOI: 10.18307/2006.0306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
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Chapter 8 Developments in analytical technologies for marine radionuclide studies. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005. [DOI: 10.1016/s1569-4860(05)80009-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
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Kim CK, Kim CS, Chang BU, Choi SW, Chung CS, Hong GH, Hirose K, Igarashi Y. Plutonium isotopes in seas around the Korean Peninsula. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2004; 318:197-209. [PMID: 14654285 DOI: 10.1016/s0048-9697(03)00399-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
239+240Pu concentrations and 240Pu/239Pu atom ratios in coastal seas adjacent to the Korean Peninsula were determined, during the period 1999 to 2002, to assess the current distribution and to identify sources of Pu isotopes. 239+240Pu concentrations in surface waters ranged from 3.1 to 22.3 mBq m(-3) with higher concentrations in winter than in summer. 239+240Pu concentrations in seawaters around the Korean Peninsula are greater than that in the western North Pacific. 240Pu/239Pu atom ratios ranged from 0.18 to 0.33 with an average value of 0.25+/-0.03, which is significantly higher than the global fallout average. The 240Pu/239Pu atom ratios of the 2000 m deep entire water column in the south western part of the East Sea (Sea of Japan) was comparable to that observed in waters near Bikini Atoll. The higher 240Pu/239Pu atom ratios than that of global fallout may be explained by the hypothesis that the earlier input signal of low 240Pu/239Pu atom ratio (0.18-0.19) of global fallout plutonium in seas adjacent to the Korean Peninsula is being gradually diluted by the high 240Pu/239Pu atom ratio plutonium transported from the tropical Pacific Proving Grounds via prevailing ocean current.
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Affiliation(s)
- C K Kim
- Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety, P.O. Box 114, Yusong, Daejeon 305-338, South Korea.
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Eyrolle F, Charmasson S. Importance of colloids in the transport within the dissolved phase (<450 nm) of artificial radionuclides from the Rhône river towards the Gulf of Lions (Mediterranean Sea). JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2004; 72:273-286. [PMID: 14972410 DOI: 10.1016/s0265-931x(03)00178-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2003] [Revised: 06/24/2003] [Accepted: 06/25/2003] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The significance of colloidal fractions regarding the transport of artificial radionuclides in natural water systems is underlined by using sequential ultrafiltration both in the Rhône freshwater and the marine area under and outside the influence of the river outflow. Indeed, the Rhodanian aquatic system represents an interesting test site as various artificial radionuclides are released into the Rhône river by several nuclear installations. We focused our study on (137)Cs, (106)Ru, (60)Co, (238)Pu and (239+240)Pu. Our results show that Fe, Al and Organic carbon (OC) are the main components of colloidal matter. Colloids represent about 15% of dissolved (<450 nm) OC and 25% of dissolved Fe and Al exported towards the sea. Within the dissolved (< 450 nm) phase, these colloidal compounds are shown to account for the transport of 40% for both Co and Ru, 60% for (238)Pu and (239+240)Pu and have no significance on (137)Cs flux.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frédérique Eyrolle
- Laboratoire d'Etudes Radioécologiques Continentales et de la Mediterranée, Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, DPRE/SERNAT, BP 3, 13115 Saint Paul lez Durance cedex, France.
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Afonin M, Simonoff M, Donard O, Michel H, Ardisson G. Pu and Am determination in the environment—method development. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2003. [DOI: 10.1007/s10582-003-0004-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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