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Jiao X, Dong Z, Baccolo G, Qin X, Wei T, Di J, Shao Y. Quantifying uranium radio-isotope ratios in riverine suspended particulate matter: Insights into natural and anthropogenic influences in the glacial-fed river system of the NE Tibetan Plateau. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 461:132725. [PMID: 37813028 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
The analysis of uranium isotope ratio 235U/238U in environmental media serves as a reliable method to distinguish between natural and anthropogenic sources of uranium, playing a crucial role in assessing the extent of contamination with anthropogenic uranium and disturbances in its biogeochemical cycle. In this study, we focus on the northeastern Tibetan Plateau to examine the atomic ratio of 235U and 238U in riverine suspended particulate matter (SPM) across eight glacial watersheds. Results reveal that the 235U/238U atomic ratio in the suspended load ranges from 0.007247 to 0.007437 (with an average value of 0.00727 ± 0.00003), which closely aligns with the ratio found in natural uranium (0.00725). The highest mean ratio (0.00729 ± 0.00007) is observed in the upper glacial basin of the Ningchan River. Results suggest the negligible influence of isotopically altered in relation to human nuclear activities. When considering different environmental media, such as soil, snow/cryoconite, and riverine suspended particulate matter in the study area, the 235U/238U ratio in surface soil presents the highest values, pointing to a slight enrichment of 235U. This may be attributed to the fact that soil retains the cumulative signals of uranium atmospheric deposition, including the deposition of 235U-enriched airborne particulate matter deposited after atmospheric nuclear tests carried out in the second half of the 20th century. On the contrary, riverine suspended particulate matter and glacial sediments are more influenced by the natural 235U/238U signature under modern environmental conditions. This confirms that the northeastern Tibetan Plateau is still relatively pristine with respect to biogeochemical disturbances related to human activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Jiao
- State Key Laboratory of Cryosphere Sciences, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhiwen Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Cryosphere Sciences, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Giovanni Baccolo
- Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Xiang Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Cryosphere Sciences, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ting Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Cryosphere Sciences, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jie Di
- State Key Laboratory of Cryosphere Sciences, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yaping Shao
- Institute for Geophysics and Meteorology, University of Cologne, Cologne D-50923, Germany
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Diacre A, Chalaux Clergue T, Burban S, Gauthier C, Hubert A, Humbert AC, Lefevre I, Fauré AL, Pointurier F, Evrard O. Temporal evolution of plutonium concentrations and isotopic ratios in the Ukedo - Takase Rivers draining the Difficult-To-Return zone in Fukushima, Japan (2013-2020). ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 319:120963. [PMID: 36587785 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120963] [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: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
In 2011, the Fukushima Dai-Ichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident released significant quantities of radionuclides into the environment. Japanese authorities decided to progressively reopen the Difficult-To-Return Zone after the decontamination of priority reconstruction zones. These areas include parts of the initially highly contaminated municipalities located to the north of the FDNPP, including Namie Town, an area drained by the Ukedo and Takase Rivers. Eleven years after the accident, research focused on the spatial distribution of plutonium (Pu) and radiocesium (Cs) isotopes at contrasted individual locations. To complement previous results, the current research was conducted on flood sediment deposits collected at the same locations after major flooding events during eleven fieldwork campaigns organised between 2013 and 2020 at the outlet of the Ukedo and Takase Rivers (n = 22). The results highlighted a global decrease of the Pu and 137Cs contents in sediment with time during the abandonment phase in the region, from 2013 (238.20 fg g-1) to 2020 (4.28 fg g-1). Furthermore, based on the analysis of the 240Pu/239Pu isotopic ratios, the plutonium transiting these rivers (range: 0.166 - 0.220) essentially originated from the global fallout (0.180 ± 0.014 (Kelley et al., 1999)). Sediment showed contrasted properties in the two investigated rivers, which is likely mainly the result of the occurrence of Ogaki Dam on upper sections of the Ukedo River as it strongly impacts the material supply from this river to the Pacific Ocean. A statistical analysis highlighted the strong correlation between Pu activity concentrations and 137Cs activities in both rivers, confirming that both radionuclides are transported with a similar pathway. Despite it was detected early after the accident (2011-2013), the current research demonstrates that plutonium originating from FDNPP is no longer detected in these rivers draining the Difficult-To-Return Zone at the onset of the reopening of the area to its former inhabitants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurélie Diacre
- Commissariat à L'Energie Atomique et Aux énergies Alternatives (CEA, DAM, DIF), F-91297, Arpajon, France; Laboratoire des Sciences Du Climat et de L'Environnement (LSCE/IPSL), Unité Mixte de Recherche 8212 (CEA/CNRS/UVSQ), Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
| | - Thomas Chalaux Clergue
- Laboratoire des Sciences Du Climat et de L'Environnement (LSCE/IPSL), Unité Mixte de Recherche 8212 (CEA/CNRS/UVSQ), Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Soazig Burban
- Commissariat à L'Energie Atomique et Aux énergies Alternatives (CEA, DAM, DIF), F-91297, Arpajon, France
| | - Caroline Gauthier
- Laboratoire des Sciences Du Climat et de L'Environnement (LSCE/IPSL), Unité Mixte de Recherche 8212 (CEA/CNRS/UVSQ), Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Amélie Hubert
- Commissariat à L'Energie Atomique et Aux énergies Alternatives (CEA, DAM, DIF), F-91297, Arpajon, France
| | - Anne-Claire Humbert
- Commissariat à L'Energie Atomique et Aux énergies Alternatives (CEA, DAM, DIF), F-91297, Arpajon, France
| | - Irène Lefevre
- Laboratoire des Sciences Du Climat et de L'Environnement (LSCE/IPSL), Unité Mixte de Recherche 8212 (CEA/CNRS/UVSQ), Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Anne-Laure Fauré
- Commissariat à L'Energie Atomique et Aux énergies Alternatives (CEA, DAM, DIF), F-91297, Arpajon, France
| | - Fabien Pointurier
- Commissariat à L'Energie Atomique et Aux énergies Alternatives (CEA, DAM, DIF), F-91297, Arpajon, France
| | - Olivier Evrard
- Laboratoire des Sciences Du Climat et de L'Environnement (LSCE/IPSL), Unité Mixte de Recherche 8212 (CEA/CNRS/UVSQ), Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
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Jiao X, Dong Z, Baccolo G, Li F, Wei T, Li J, Qin X. Insights on the distribution and environmental implications of the radio-isotope 235U in surface soils and glaciers of the Tibetan Plateau. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 317:120824. [PMID: 36493938 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120824] [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: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Atom ratio between 235U and 238U is often used as an indicator of U contamination as the isotopic signature of products generated by the nuclear and military industry significantly vary from the natural isotopic ratio of U. In this study, surface soils and glaciers samples were collected in the Tibetan Plateau (TP) and its surrounding areas and analyzed for U isotopic composition. Results show that the 235U/238U atom ratios in the surface soils of the TP ranges from 0.007122 to 0.007615, with an average value of 0.007378 ± 0.00011; while in the snow/ice dust from high-altitude glaciers it ranges from 0.007254 to 0.007687, with an average value of 0.007345 ± 0.000128. These ratios are slightly higher than the typical crustal value, indicating that the TP was affected by an anthropogenic input of 235U, especially in its northeast and southwest sectors. The variability of our results suggests that the spatial distribution of this contamination is not uniform, pointing to differences in the potential sources and transmission paths of radioactive particles. Combining the knowledge of past tests and activities conducted in the geographic areas around the TP with the knowledge of prevailing winds, we hypothesize that the observed 235U contamination in the TP surface soils and glaciers may have originated mainly from the previous nuclear related activities in surrounding areas (e.g., north Gobi Desert and South Asia). In addition, the horizontal and vertical wind field around the Tibetan Plateau, as well as the atmospheric aerosol optical thickness data also demonstrated the possible transport paths of the radionuclides, that is, originated from in northern Gobi desert and South Asia and reached the TP crossing the Himalayas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Jiao
- State Key Laboratory of Cryosphere Sciences, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Zhiwen Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Cryosphere Sciences, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Giovanni Baccolo
- Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Fangzhou Li
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Ting Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Cryosphere Sciences, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Jing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cryosphere Sciences, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Xiang Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Cryosphere Sciences, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China; Qilian Mountain Glacier and Ecological Environment Research Station, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China
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Morereau A, Jaegler H, Hain K, Steier P, Golser R, Beaumais A, Lepage H, Eyrolle F, Grosbois C, Cazala C, Gourgiotis A. Deciphering sources of U contamination using isotope ratio signatures in the Loire River sediments: Exploring the relevance of 233U/ 236U and stable Pb isotope ratios. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 307:135658. [PMID: 35835235 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.135658] [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: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
A broad range of contaminants has been recorded in sediments of the Loire River over the last century. Among a variety of anthropogenic activities of this nuclearized watershed, extraction of uranium and associated activities during more than 50 years as well as operation of several nuclear power plants led to industrial discharges, which could persist for decades in sedimentary archives of the Loire River. Highlighting and identifying the origin of radionuclides that transited during the last decades and were recorded in the sediments is challenging due to i) the low concentrations which are often close or below the detection limits of routine environmental surveys and ii) the mixing of different sources. The determination of the sources of anthropogenic radioactivity was performed using multi-isotopic fingerprints (236U/238U, 206Pb/207Pb and 208Pb/207Pb) and the newly developed 233U/236U tracer. For the first time 233U/236U data in a well-dated river sediment core in the French river Loire are reported here. Results highlight potential sources of contamination among which a clear signature of anthropogenic inputs related to two accidents of a former NUGG NPP that occurred in 1969 and 1980. The 233U and 236U isotopes were measured by recent high performance analytical methods due to their ultra-trace levels in the samples and show a negligible radiological impact on health and on the environment. The determination of mining activities by the use of stable Pb isotopes is still challenging probably owing to the limited dissemination of the Pb-bearing material marked by the U-ore signature downstream to the former U mines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amandine Morereau
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV/SRTE/LRTA, SEDRE/LELI, BP 3, 13115, Saint-Paul-Lez-Durance, France
| | - Hugo Jaegler
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV/SRTE/LRTA, SEDRE/LELI, BP 3, 13115, Saint-Paul-Lez-Durance, France
| | - Karin Hain
- Faculty of Physics, Isotope Physics, University of Vienna, Währinger Str. 17, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Steier
- Faculty of Physics, Isotope Physics, University of Vienna, Währinger Str. 17, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Robin Golser
- Faculty of Physics, Isotope Physics, University of Vienna, Währinger Str. 17, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Aurélien Beaumais
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV/SRTE/LRTA, SEDRE/LELI, BP 3, 13115, Saint-Paul-Lez-Durance, France
| | - Hugo Lepage
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV/SRTE/LRTA, SEDRE/LELI, BP 3, 13115, Saint-Paul-Lez-Durance, France
| | - Frédérique Eyrolle
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV/SRTE/LRTA, SEDRE/LELI, BP 3, 13115, Saint-Paul-Lez-Durance, France
| | - Cécile Grosbois
- Université de Tours, EA 6293 Géohydrosystèmes Continentaux (GéHCO), Parc de Grandmont, 37200, Tours, Cedex, France
| | - Charlotte Cazala
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV/SRTE/LRTA, SEDRE/LELI, BP 3, 13115, Saint-Paul-Lez-Durance, France
| | - Alkiviadis Gourgiotis
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV/SRTE/LRTA, SEDRE/LELI, BP 3, 13115, Saint-Paul-Lez-Durance, France.
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Shao Y, Zhang J, Luo M, Xu D, Ma L. A review of anthropogenic radionuclide 236U: Environmental application and analytical advances. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2022; 251-252:106944. [PMID: 35696882 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2022.106944] [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: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
236U is an anthropogenic radionuclide that is produced from nuclear reactions of 235U(n, γ) and 238U(n, 3n). It has gained extensive attention in the field of environment, geology, nuclear emergency, and nuclear forensics. Due to the unique physical and chemical character and the distinct fingerprint character from different sources, 236U has been successfully applied in the environmental tracer, nuclear material source appointment, and environmental assessment. Until now, few reviews were published about the database, application, and the latest analytical technology development of 236U. In this review, the 236U concentration and 236U/238U isotope ratio were summarized, and the data were classified into four categories, including soil and seawater samples affected by global fallout and nuclear incidents. Furthermore, the development of environmental application and pretreatment methods were also summarized. The advanced pretreatment technology using alkali fusion and flow injection was especially discussed to introduce the development of a rapid analytical method. Finally, the research challenge and direction of 236U were proposed for further research, such as the tracer application combining 236U with other radionuclides in the terrestrial environment and the precise analysis of minor isotopes in ultra-trace uranium samples. We hope this review will help scholars to have a deep research on the analysis and application of 236U.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Shao
- Beijing Engineering Research Center of Radiographic Techniques and Equipment, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jilong Zhang
- State Nuclear Security Technology Center, Beijing, 102401, China
| | - Min Luo
- Beijing Engineering Research Center of Radiographic Techniques and Equipment, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Diandou Xu
- Beijing Engineering Research Center of Radiographic Techniques and Equipment, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Lingling Ma
- Beijing Engineering Research Center of Radiographic Techniques and Equipment, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
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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: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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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Yomogida T, Ouchi K, Oka T, Kitatsuji Y, Koma Y, Konno K. Analysis of particles containing alpha-emitters in stagnant water at torus room of Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Station’s Unit 2 reactor. Sci Rep 2022; 12:7191. [PMID: 35577810 PMCID: PMC9110416 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-11334-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractParticles containing alpha (α) nuclides were identified from sediment in stagnant water in the torus room of the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Station(FDiNPS)’s Unit 2 reactor. We analyzed uranium (U), which is the main component of nuclear fuel, using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Other α-nuclides (plutonium [Pu], americium [Am], and curium [Cm]) were detected by alpha track detection and the morphology of particles with α-nuclides were analyzed by SEM-energy dispersive X-Ray (EDX) analysis. Several uranium-bearing particles ranging from sub-µm to several µm in size were identified by SEM observation. These particles contained zirconium (Zr) and other elements which constituted fuel cladding and structural materials. The 235U/238U isotope ratio in the solid fractions that included U particles was consistent with what was found for the nuclear fuel in the Unit 2 reactor. This indicated that the U of similar fuel composition had made finer. The α-nuclide-containing particles identified by alpha track analysis were several tens to several hundred µm in size. The EDX spectra showed that these particles mainly comprised iron (Fe). Since the amount of α-nuclide material was very small, Pu, Am, and Cm were adsorbed on the Fe particles. This study clarifies that the major morphologies of U and other α-nuclides in the sediment of stagnant water in the torus room of FDiNPS’s Unit 2 reactor differed.
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Ouyang J, Shao Y, Luo M, Zhang J, Dai X, Ma L, Xu D. Exploration of the potential application of plutonium isotopes in source identification of sandstorm in the atmosphere of Beijing. CHINESE CHEM LETT 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cclet.2022.03.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Qiao J, Ransby D, Steier P. Deciphering anthropogenic uranium sources in the equatorial northwest Pacific margin. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 806:150482. [PMID: 34844331 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
This work reports the first high-resolution deposition records of anthropogenic uranium (236U and 233U) in a sediment core taken at the continental slope of the Philippine Sea off Mindanao Island in the equatorial northwest Pacific Ocean. Two notable peaks were observed in both profiles of 236U and 233U concentrations, with a narrower peak in 1951-1957 corresponding to close-in Pacific Proving Grounds (PPG) signal, and a broader peak in 1960s-1980s corresponding to the global fallout from nuclear weapons testing. 236U and 233U areal cumulative inventories in the studied sediment core are (2.79 ± 0.20) ∙ 1012 atom ∙ m-2 and (3.12 ± 0.41) ∙ 1010 atom ∙ m-2, respectively, about 20-30% of reported 233U and 236U inventories from the direct global fallout deposition. The overall 233U/236U atomic ratios obtained in this work vary within (0.3-3.5) ∙ 10-2, with an integrated 233U/236U atomic ratio of (1.12 ± 0.17) ∙ 10-2. The contribution from global fallout and close-in PPG fallout to 236U in the sediment core is estimated to be about 69% and 31%, respectively. We believe the main driving process for anthropogenic uranium deposition in the Philippine sediment is continuous scavenging of dissolved 236U from the surface seawater by sinking particles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jixin Qiao
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, DTU Risø Campus, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark.
| | - Daniela Ransby
- Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Peter Steier
- VERA Laboratory, Faculty of Physics, Isotope Research, University of Vienna, Währinger Straße 17, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
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First study on 236U in environmental samples from Bangladesh by ICP-MS/MS prior to the operation of its first nuclear power plant. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-021-07931-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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11
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An unknown source of reactor radionuclides in the Baltic Sea revealed by multi-isotope fingerprints. Nat Commun 2021; 12:823. [PMID: 33547296 PMCID: PMC7865023 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21059-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
We present an application of multi-isotopic fingerprints (i.e., 236U/238U, 233U/236U, 236U/129I and 129I/127I) for the discovery of previously unrecognized sources of anthropogenic radioactivity. Our data indicate a source of reactor 236U in the Baltic Sea in addition to inputs from the two European reprocessing plants and global fallout. This additional reactor 236U may come from unreported discharges from Swedish nuclear research facilities as supported by high 236U levels in sediment nearby Studsvik, or from accidental leakages of spent nuclear fuel disposed on the Baltic seafloor, either reported or unreported. Such leakages would indicate problems with the radiological safety of seafloor disposal, and may be accompanied by releases of other radionuclides. The results demonstrate the high sensitivity of multi-isotopic tracer systems, especially the 233U/236U signature, to distinguish environmental emissions of unrevealed radioactive releases for nuclear safeguards, emergency preparedness and environmental tracer studies. Anthropogenic activities lead to the accumulation of radioactive substances in the environment. Here the authors use multi-isotopic fingerprints of uranium and iodine to discover a previously unknown source of reactor uranium in the Baltic Sea, likely sourced from a Swedish nuclear facility.
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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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13
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Shao Y, Yang G, Zhang J, Luo M, Ma L, Xu D. Progress and Application on the Analysis of Anthropogenic Radionuclide 236U. ACTA CHIMICA SINICA 2021. [DOI: 10.6023/a21020074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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14
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Xie B, Long X, Hu S. The formation mechanism of cerium-bearing aerosols with the aid of chemical explosions in airtight scenarios. NEW J CHEM 2021. [DOI: 10.1039/d1nj03330a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The formations of Ce-bearing aerosols from different materials, including CeO2, Ce powder and Ce tablet, via chemical explosive reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Xie
- Institute of Nuclear Physics and Chemistry, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang, 621999, China
| | - Xinggui Long
- Institute of Nuclear Physics and Chemistry, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang, 621999, China
| | - Sheng Hu
- Institute of Nuclear Physics and Chemistry, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang, 621999, China
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15
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Jaegler H, Gourgiotis A, Steier P, Golser R, Diez O, Cazala C. Pushing Limits of ICP-MS/MS for the Determination of Ultralow 236U/ 238U Isotope Ratios. Anal Chem 2020; 92:7869-7876. [PMID: 32370491 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.0c01121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Determination of uranium isotope ratios is of great expedience for assessing its origin in environmental samples. In particular, the 236U/238U isotope ratio provides a powerful tool to discriminate between the different sources of uranium (uranium ore, geochemical background, and uranium from anthropogenic activities). However, in the environment, this ratio is typically below 10-8. This low abundance of 236U and the presence in large excess of major isotopes (mainly 238U and 235U) complicates the accurate detection of 236U signal by mass spectrometry and thus highly sensitive analytical instruments providing high abundance sensitivity are required. This work pushes the limits of triple quadrupole-based ICP-MS technology for accurate detection of 236U/238U isotope ratios down to 10-10, which is so far mainly achievable by AMS. Coupled with an efficient desolvating module, N2O was used as the reaction gas in the collision reaction cell of the ICP-MS/MS. This configuration allows a significant decrease of the uranium polyatomic interferences (235UH+ ions) and an accurate determination of low 236U/238U isotope ratios. This new methodology was successfully validated through measurements of certified reference material from 10-7 to 10-9 and then through comparisons with AMS measurement results for ratios down to 10-10. This is the first time that 236U/238U isotope ratios as low as 10-10 were determined by ICP-MS/MS. The possibility of measuring low 236U/238U isotope ratios can offer a large variety of geochemical applications in particular for the determination of uranium sources in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Jaegler
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV/SEDRE/LELI, 31 Avenue de la Division Leclerc, 92260 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Alkiviadis Gourgiotis
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV/SEDRE/LELI, 31 Avenue de la Division Leclerc, 92260 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Peter Steier
- University of Vienna, Faculty of Physics, Isotope Research and Nuclear Physics, Vienna Environmental Research Accelerator, Währinger Straße 17, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Robin Golser
- University of Vienna, Faculty of Physics, Isotope Research and Nuclear Physics, Vienna Environmental Research Accelerator, Währinger Straße 17, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Olivier Diez
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV/SEDRE/LELI, 31 Avenue de la Division Leclerc, 92260 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Charlotte Cazala
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV/SEDRE/LELI, 31 Avenue de la Division Leclerc, 92260 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
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16
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Younes A, Ali JS, Nur MT, Duda A, Wang J, Samson J, Kawamura A, Francesconi L, Alexandratos S, Drain CM. Pistachio shells as remediating agents for uranium in contaminated industrial seawater. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2020; 217:106209. [PMID: 32217241 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2020.106209] [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: 11/14/2019] [Revised: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Waterways have histories of being contaminated by heavy and/or radioactive metals produced by industrial processes. Natural radioisotopes of uranium (238U, 235U and 234U), long-lived radiometals, are widespread in the environment as a result of both naturally occurring processes and anthropogenic processes. Uranium is considered a major threat to humans. Previous research has focused on using inorganic materials (e.g. ion-exchangers, extractants, nanoporous sorbents) to remove such metal. However, there has been a rise in using biodegradable, recyclable, and organic biological wastes to remove heavy toxic metals from aqueous solutions. The purpose of this study is to identify pistachio shells as good candidates for the removal of uranyl from aqueous solutions. The influences of pH, contact time, temperature, and initial uranyl concentration on uranyl uptake were investigated. The influence of pH was observed to be variable, with relatively high uptake occurring at pH 4 and at slightly alkaline pH values. Uptake increased as a function of contact time, temperature, and initial uranyl concentration. The mechanism followed pseudo-second-order and intraparticle kinetics models, and the shell was demonstrated to be a Freundlich isotherm. The shells were successfully demonstrated to be viable adsorbents for uranium in seawater samples, with obtained trends similar to those achieved in the batch studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Younes
- Hunter College of CUNY, 695 Park Ave, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
| | - Jafar Sunga Ali
- Hunter College of CUNY, 695 Park Ave, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | | | - Artem Duda
- Hunter College of CUNY, 695 Park Ave, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Jasmine Wang
- Hunter College of CUNY, 695 Park Ave, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Jacopo Samson
- Hunter College of CUNY, 695 Park Ave, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Akira Kawamura
- Hunter College of CUNY, 695 Park Ave, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | | | - Spiro Alexandratos
- Hunter College of CUNY, 695 Park Ave, New York, NY, 10065, USA; The Graduate Center of the City University of New York, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Charles Michael Drain
- Hunter College of CUNY, 695 Park Ave, New York, NY, 10065, USA; The Graduate Center of the City University of New York, New York, NY, 10016, USA
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17
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Igarashi J, Zheng J, Zhang Z, Ninomiya K, Satou Y, Fukuda M, Ni Y, Aono T, Shinohara A. First determination of Pu isotopes ( 239Pu, 240Pu and 241Pu) in radioactive particles derived from Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident. Sci Rep 2019; 9:11807. [PMID: 31413276 PMCID: PMC6694128 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-48210-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Radioactive particles were released into the environment during the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident. Many studies have been conducted to elucidate the chemical composition of released radioactive particles in order to understand their formation process. However, whether radioactive particles contain nuclear fuel radionuclides remains to be investigated. Here, we report the first determination of Pu isotopes in radioactive particles. To determine the Pu isotopes (239Pu, 240Pu and 241Pu) in radioactive particles derived from the FDNPP accident which were free from the influence of global fallout, radiochemical analysis and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry measurements were conducted. Radioactive particles derived from unit 1 and unit 2 or 3 were analyzed. For the radioactive particles derived from unit 1, activities of 239+240Pu and 241Pu were (1.70–7.06) × 10−5 Bq and (4.10–8.10) × 10−3 Bq, respectively and atom ratios of 240Pu/239Pu and 241Pu/239Pu were 0.330–0.415 and 0.162–0.178, respectively. These ratios were consistent with the simulation results from ORIGEN code and measurements from various environmental samples. In contrast, Pu was not detected in the radioactive particles derived from unit 2 or 3. The difference in Pu contents is clear evidence towards different formation processes of radioactive particles, and detailed formation processes can be investigated from Pu analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junya Igarashi
- Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, 1-1 Machikaneyama, Toyonaka, Osaka, 560-0043, Japan.
| | - Jian Zheng
- Department of Radioecology and Fukushima Project, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, 491 Anagawa, Inage, Chiba, 263-8555, Japan.
| | - Zijian Zhang
- Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, 1-1 Machikaneyama, Toyonaka, Osaka, 560-0043, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Ninomiya
- Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, 1-1 Machikaneyama, Toyonaka, Osaka, 560-0043, Japan
| | - Yukihiko Satou
- Collaborative Laboratories for Advanced Decommissioning Science, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, 790-1 Otsuka, Motooka, Tomioka, Futaba, Fukushima, 979-1151, Japan
| | - Miho Fukuda
- Department of Radioecology and Fukushima Project, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, 491 Anagawa, Inage, Chiba, 263-8555, Japan
| | - Youyi Ni
- Department of Radioecology and Fukushima Project, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, 491 Anagawa, Inage, Chiba, 263-8555, Japan.,State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Physics and Technology, School of Physics, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Tatsuo Aono
- Department of Radioecology and Fukushima Project, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, 491 Anagawa, Inage, Chiba, 263-8555, Japan
| | - Atsushi Shinohara
- Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, 1-1 Machikaneyama, Toyonaka, Osaka, 560-0043, Japan
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18
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Yang G, Rahman MS, Tazoe H, Hu J, Shao Y, Yamada M. 236U and radiocesium in river bank soil and river sediment in Fukushima Prefecture, after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident. CHEMOSPHERE 2019; 225:388-394. [PMID: 30884300 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.03.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Revised: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/10/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Almost 8 years after the Japanese Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident, data for 236U and 236U/238U have mainly remained limited to only a few heavily contaminated samples. In the present study, activities of 236U, 134Cs, and 137Cs, along with 234U, 235U, 238U, in 15 river bank soil and 10 river sediment samples, were measured by ICP-MS/MS and γ spectrometry. The 134Cs activities and 134Cs/137Cs activity ratios (decay-corrected to March 11, 2011) in these 15 river bank soil samples were from 74.8 to 3.88 × 105 Bq kg-1 and from 0.944 to 1.02, respectively; and in these 10 river sediment samples were from 87.1 to 1.86 × 105 Bq kg-1 and from 0.904 to 0.990, respectively. The 236U activities and 236U/238U atom ratios in these soil samples were in the respective ranges of (0.139-17.6) × 10-5 Bq kg-1 and (0.259-3.83) × 10-8; and in these sediment samples were in the respective ranges of (0.884-27.0) × 10-5 Bq kg-1 and (1.12-5.04) × 10-8. For one river sediment core sample, 134Cs and 236U activities decreased with the depth indicating 134Cs and 236U accumulated in the river sediment with time. Unlike 134Cs, no clear evidence of FDNPP accident-derived 236U has been found in this study, although further monitoring is encouraged to establish the background database on 236U/238U for its potential application as a tracer in environmental studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guosheng Yang
- Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8564, Japan
| | - M Safiur Rahman
- Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8564, Japan; Atmospheric & Environmental Chemistry Lab, Chemistry Division, Atomic Energy Centre, Dhaka, 1000, Bangladesh
| | - Hirofumi Tazoe
- Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8564, Japan
| | - Jun Hu
- Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8564, Japan
| | - Yang Shao
- Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8564, Japan; Beijing Engineering Research Center of Radiographic Techniques and Equipment, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China; School of Nuclear Science and Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Masatoshi Yamada
- Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8564, Japan.
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19
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Jaegler H, Pointurier F, Diez-Fernández S, Gourgiotis A, Isnard H, Hayashi S, Tsuji H, Onda Y, Hubert A, Laceby JP, Evrard O. Reconstruction of uranium and plutonium isotopic signatures in sediment accumulated in the Mano Dam reservoir, Japan, before and after the Fukushima nuclear accident. CHEMOSPHERE 2019; 225:849-858. [PMID: 30904765 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.03.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2018] [Revised: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/10/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident in Japan resulted in a major release of radionuclides into the environment. Compared to other radionuclides, few studies have investigated the fate of actinides in the environment. Accordingly, this research investigates the Pu composition in soil samples collected in paddy fields before and after the accident. Furthermore, the vertical distributions of Pu and U isotopic signatures, along with 137Cs activities, were measured in a sediment core collected in the Mano Dam reservoir, in the Fukushima Prefecture. Changes in the relative contributions of the major actinide sources (global fallout or FDNPP derived fallout) were investigated in sediment deposited in the reservoir. The distinct peak observed for all Pu isotope ratios (240Pu/239Pu, 241Pu/239Pu and 242Pu/239Pu) and for 137Cs concentrations in the sediment core was attributed to the Fukushima fallout, and coincided with the maximum atomic contribution of only 4.8 ± 1.0% of Pu from the FDNPP. Furthermore, 236U/238U ratios measured in the sediment core remained close to the global fallout signature indicating there was likely no U from the FDNPP accident detected in the sediment core. More research is required on the environmental dynamics of trace actinides in landscapes closer to the FDNPP where there are likely to be greater abundances of FDNPP-derived Pu and U.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Jaegler
- Laboratoire des Sciences Du Climat et de L'Environnement, LSCE/IPSL, UMR 8212 (CEA-CNRS-UVSQ), Université Paris-Saclay, F-91198, Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France
| | | | - Silvia Diez-Fernández
- Den - Service D'Etudes Analytiques et de Réactivité des Surfaces (SEARS), CEA, Université Paris-Saclay, F-91191, Gif sur Yvette, France
| | - Alkiviadis Gourgiotis
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire - PSE/ENV - SEDRE/LELI BP 17, Fontenay-aux-Roses, 92262, France
| | - Hélène Isnard
- Den - Service D'Etudes Analytiques et de Réactivité des Surfaces (SEARS), CEA, Université Paris-Saclay, F-91191, Gif sur Yvette, France
| | - Seiji Hayashi
- National Institute for Environmental Science, Fukushima Branch, 10-2 Fukasaku, Miharu, Tamura, Fukushima, 963-7700 Japan
| | - Hideki Tsuji
- National Institute for Environmental Science, Fukushima Branch, 10-2 Fukasaku, Miharu, Tamura, Fukushima, 963-7700 Japan
| | - Yuichi Onda
- Center for Research in Isotopes and Environmental Dynamics (CRIED), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | | | - J Patrick Laceby
- Laboratoire des Sciences Du Climat et de L'Environnement, LSCE/IPSL, UMR 8212 (CEA-CNRS-UVSQ), Université Paris-Saclay, F-91198, Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France; Environmental Monitoring and Science Division, Alberta Environment and Parks, 3115 - 12 Street NE, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Olivier Evrard
- Laboratoire des Sciences Du Climat et de L'Environnement, LSCE/IPSL, UMR 8212 (CEA-CNRS-UVSQ), Université Paris-Saclay, F-91198, Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France.
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20
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Method for detecting and characterising actinide-bearing micro-particles in soils and sediment of the Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-019-06575-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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21
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Zänker H, Heine K, Weiss S, Brendler V, Husar R, Bernhard G, Gloe K, Henle T, Barkleit A. Strong Uranium(VI) Binding onto Bovine Milk Proteins, Selected Protein Sequences, and Model Peptides. Inorg Chem 2019; 58:4173-4189. [PMID: 30860361 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.8b03231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Hexavalent uranium is ubiquitous in the environment. In view of the chemical and radiochemical toxicity of uranium(VI), a good knowledge of its possible interactions in the environment is crucial. The aim of this work was to identify typical binding and sorption characteristics of uranium(VI) with both the pure bovine milk protein β-casein and diverse related protein mixtures (caseins, whey proteins). For comparison, selected model peptides representing the amino acid sequence 13-16 of β-casein and dephosphorylated β-casein were also studied. Complexation studies using potentiometric titration and time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy revealed that the phosphoryl-containing proteins form uranium(VI) complexes of higher stability than the structure-analog phosphoryl-free proteins. That is in agreement with the sorption experiments showing a significantly higher affinity of caseins toward uranium(VI) in comparison to whey proteins. On the other hand, the total sorption capacity of caseins is lower than that of whey proteins. The discussed binding behavior of milk proteins to uranium(VI) might open up interesting perspectives for sustainable techniques of uranium(VI) removal from aqueous solutions. This was further demonstrated by batch experiments on the removal of uranium(VI) from mineral water samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harald Zänker
- Institute of Resource Ecology , Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf , Bautzner Landstraße 400 , 01328 Dresden , Germany
| | - Katja Heine
- Institute of Resource Ecology , Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf , Bautzner Landstraße 400 , 01328 Dresden , Germany.,Faculty of Chemistry and Food Chemistry , Technische Universität Dresden , 01062 Dresden , Germany
| | - Stephan Weiss
- Institute of Resource Ecology , Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf , Bautzner Landstraße 400 , 01328 Dresden , Germany
| | - Vinzenz Brendler
- Institute of Resource Ecology , Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf , Bautzner Landstraße 400 , 01328 Dresden , Germany
| | - Richard Husar
- Institute of Resource Ecology , Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf , Bautzner Landstraße 400 , 01328 Dresden , Germany
| | - Gert Bernhard
- Institute of Resource Ecology , Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf , Bautzner Landstraße 400 , 01328 Dresden , Germany
| | - Karsten Gloe
- Faculty of Chemistry and Food Chemistry , Technische Universität Dresden , 01062 Dresden , Germany
| | - Thomas Henle
- Faculty of Chemistry and Food Chemistry , Technische Universität Dresden , 01062 Dresden , Germany
| | - Astrid Barkleit
- Institute of Resource Ecology , Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf , Bautzner Landstraße 400 , 01328 Dresden , Germany
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22
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Shao Y, Yang G, Xu D, Yamada M, Tazoe H, Luo M, Cheng H, Yang K, Ma L. First report on global fallout 236U and uranium atom ratios in soils from Hunan Province, China. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2019; 197:1-8. [PMID: 30463028 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2018.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2018] [Revised: 11/13/2018] [Accepted: 11/13/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
More nuclear power plants continue to be built in China. Due to its long half-life, radiotoxicity and potential application as an environmental tracer, 236U is one of the most important artificial radionuclides deserving more study since activity data are important for risk assessment. However, the ultra-trace activity of 236U and its dilution by natural uranium isotopes make it difficult to distinguish its sources and there are only limited global fallout 236U data for present in Chinese environmental samples. In order to understand the background levels for uranium isotopes, especially 236U, and clarify their sources, inductively coupled plasma tandem mass spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS) was applied to analyze uranium isotopes in 48 soil samples from Hunan Province, China. The 234U, 235U, 238U and 236U concentrations were measured as 9.91-33.7, 0.312-1.43, 6.63-28.7 Bq kg-1 and (1.61-21.3) × 107 atoms g-1, while, the 236U/238U, 234U/238U and 235U/238U atom ratios were (0.470-4.91) × 10-8, (5.10-9.31) × 10-5, and (7.11-7.82) × 10-3, respectively. The uranium isotopic fractionation may be due to irrigation of the agricultural lands where the samples were collected. Considering the facts that neither previous nuclear tests nor nuclear accidents had occurred in Hunan Province and the present 236U/238U atom ratios were included in the range of global fallout values in other areas, it may be concluded that 236U in soils from Hunan Province is mainly from global fallout. To the best of the authors' knowledge, the presence of global fallout 236U in soil samples from China has been confirmed for the first time, and these values may be useful as background data for risk assessment in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Shao
- Beijing Engineering Research Center of Radiographic Techniques and Equipment, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China; Department of Radiation Chemistry, Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8564, Japan; School of Nuclear Science and Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Guosheng Yang
- Department of Radiation Chemistry, Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8564, Japan
| | - Diandou Xu
- Beijing Engineering Research Center of Radiographic Techniques and Equipment, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Masatoshi Yamada
- Department of Radiation Chemistry, Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8564, Japan.
| | - Hirofumi Tazoe
- Department of Radiation Chemistry, Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8564, Japan
| | - Min Luo
- Beijing Engineering Research Center of Radiographic Techniques and Equipment, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Hangxin Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Geochemical Cycling of Carbon and Mercury in the Earth's Critical Zone, Institute of Geophysical and Geochemical Exploration, Chinese Academy of Geological Science, Langfang, 065000, China
| | - Ke Yang
- Key Laboratory of Geochemical Cycling of Carbon and Mercury in the Earth's Critical Zone, Institute of Geophysical and Geochemical Exploration, Chinese Academy of Geological Science, Langfang, 065000, China
| | - Lingling Ma
- Beijing Engineering Research Center of Radiographic Techniques and Equipment, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
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Thakur P, Ward AL. Sources and distribution of 241Am in the vicinity of a deep geologic repository. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 26:2328-2344. [PMID: 30465246 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-018-3712-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The detection, distribution, and long-term behavior of 241Am in the terrestrial environment at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) site were assessed using historical data from an independent monitoring program conducted by the Carlsbad Environmental Monitoring & Research Center (CEMRC), and its predecessor organization the Environmental Evaluation Group (EEG). An analysis of historical data indicates frequent detections of trace levels of 241Am in the WIPP environment. Positive detections and peaks in 241Am concentrations in ambient air samples generally occur during the March to June timeframe, which is when strong and gusty winds in the area frequently give rise to blowing dust. A study of long-term measurements of 241Am in the WIPP environment suggest that the resuspension of previously contaminated soils is likely the primary source of americium in the ambient air samples from WIPP and its vicinity. Furthermore, the 241Am/239 + 240Pu ratio in aerosols and soils was reasonably consistent from year to year and was in agreement with the global fallout ratios. Higher than normal activity concentrations of 241Am and 241Am/239 + 240Pu ratios were measured in aerosol samples during 2014 as a result of February 14, 2014 radiation release event from the WIPP underground. However, after a brief spike, the activity concentrations of 241Am have returned to the normal background levels. The long-term monitoring data suggest there is no persistent contamination and no lasting increase in radiological contaminants in the region that can be considered significant by any health-based standard.
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Affiliation(s)
- Punam Thakur
- Carlsbad Environmental Monitoring & Research Center, 1400 University Drive, Carlsbad, New Mexico, 88220, USA.
| | - Anderson L Ward
- U.S. Department of Energy, Carlsbad Field Office, 4021 National Parks Highway, Carlsbad, New Mexico, 88220, USA
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24
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Dunne JA, Martin PG, Yamashiki Y, Ang IXY, Scott TB, Richards DA. Spatial pattern of plutonium and radiocaesium contamination released during the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant disaster. Sci Rep 2018; 8:16799. [PMID: 30429490 PMCID: PMC6235829 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-34302-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2018] [Accepted: 10/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Plutonium and radiocaesium are hazardous contaminants released by the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant (FDNPP) disaster and their distribution in the environment requires careful characterisation using isotopic information. Comprehensive spatial survey of 134Cs and 137Cs has been conducted on a regular basis since the accident, but the dataset for 135Cs/137Cs atom ratios and trace isotopic analysis of Pu remains limited because of analytical challenges. We have developed a combined chemical procedure to separate Pu and Cs for isotopic analysis of environmental samples from contaminated catchments. Ultra-trace analyses reveal a FDNPP Pu signature in environmental samples, some from further afield than previously reported. For two samples, we attribute the dominant source of Pu to Reactor Unit 3. We review the mechanisms responsible for an emergent spatial pattern in 134,135Cs/137Cs in areas northwest (high 134Cs/137Cs, low 135Cs/137Cs) and southwest (low 134Cs/137Cs, high 135Cs/137Cs) of FDNPP. Several samples exhibit consistent 134,135Cs/137Cs values that are significantly different from those deposited on plant specimens collected in previous works. A complex spatial pattern of Pu and Cs isotopic signature is apparent. To confidently attribute the sources of mixed fallout material, future studies must focus on analysis of individual FDNPP-derived particles.
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Affiliation(s)
- James A Dunne
- School of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol, University Road, Bristol, BS8 1SS, UK. .,Bristol Isotope Group, University of Bristol, Wills Memorial Building, Queen's Road, Bristol, BS8 1RJ, UK.
| | - Peter G Martin
- Interface Analysis Centre, HH Wills Physics Laboratory, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK
| | - Yosuke Yamashiki
- Graduate School of Advanced Integrated Studies in Human Survivability, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan
| | - Ian X Y Ang
- Interface Analysis Centre, HH Wills Physics Laboratory, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK
| | - Tom B Scott
- Interface Analysis Centre, HH Wills Physics Laboratory, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK
| | - David A Richards
- School of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol, University Road, Bristol, BS8 1SS, UK. .,Bristol Isotope Group, University of Bristol, Wills Memorial Building, Queen's Road, Bristol, BS8 1RJ, UK.
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25
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26
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Wu J. Sources and scavenging of plutonium in the East China Sea. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2018; 135:808-818. [PMID: 30301101 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2018] [Revised: 08/03/2018] [Accepted: 08/03/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The 240Pu/239Pu atom ratio and 239+240Pu activity of seawater in the East China Sea (ECS) was measured in order to examine the Pu sources and elaborate Pu scavenging process. High 240Pu/239Pu atom ratios (0.187-0.243, average = 0.221 ± 0.017) in the surface water and water column were observed during 2011, implying of non-global fallout Pu sources. The distribution of 240Pu/239Pu atom ratio in the ECS was in agreement with the introduction pathway of the Kuroshio, showing a decreasing trend away from the outer shelf. An even higher 240Pu/239Pu atom ratios (0.243-0.263, average = 0.253 ± 0.007) were observed in the Kuroshio, indicating the non-global fallout Pu signal from the Pacific Proving Grounds (PPG). Using a two end-member mixing model, the Pu source from the PPG contribution was calculated to be 36 ± 9% in the ECS seawater. The 239+240Pu activities of surface seawater were in the range of 2.00-2.95 mBq m-3 in the ECS. The spatial distribution of 239+240Pu activity in the surface seawater showed an increasing trend from the outer shelf to the nearshore. Moreover, 239+240Pu inventory of water column at the station DH23 in the ECS was calculated to be ~0.29 Bq m-2, which was 1-3 orders of magnitude lower than the estimates of sediment cores in the ECS shelf (9-407 Bq m-2). Such differences were determined by the high degree Pu scavenging efficiency in the ECS and high Pu input carried by terrestrial sediments from the Yangtze River. Finally, both 240Pu/239Pu atom ratios and 239+240Pu activities were identical before and after the Fukushima nuclear accident (FNA), suggesting that the impact of the FNA on the ECS was negligible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junwen Wu
- Institute of Marine Biology, College of Science, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, China; State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiang'an District, Xiamen 361102, China.
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Barkleit A, Hennig C, Ikeda-Ohno A. Interaction of Uranium(VI) with α-Amylase and Its Implication for Enzyme Activity. Chem Res Toxicol 2018; 31:1032-1041. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.8b00106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Astrid Barkleit
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf, Institute of Resource Ecology, Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
| | - Christoph Hennig
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf, Institute of Resource Ecology, Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
| | - Atsushi Ikeda-Ohno
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf, Institute of Resource Ecology, Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
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28
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Yamamoto S, Tomita H. Development of a high-resolution alpha-particle imaging system for detection of plutonium particles from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. RADIAT MEAS 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.radmeas.2018.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
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29
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Thakur P, Ward AL. 241Pu in the environment: insight into the understudied isotope of plutonium. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-018-5946-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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30
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Ni Y, Zheng J, Guo Q, Men W, Tagami K, Uchida S. Rapid determination of ultra-trace plutonium isotopes (239Pu, 240Pu and 241Pu) in small-volume human urine bioassay using sector-field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Anal Chim Acta 2018; 1000:85-92. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2017.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2017] [Revised: 10/08/2017] [Accepted: 10/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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31
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Development and application of mass spectrometric techniques for ultra-trace determination of 236U in environmental samples-A review. Anal Chim Acta 2017; 995:1-20. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2017.09.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2017] [Revised: 08/23/2017] [Accepted: 09/19/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
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32
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Yang G, Tazoe H, Yamada M. Can 129I track 135Cs, 236U, 239Pu, and 240Pu apart from 131I in soil samples from Fukushima Prefecture, Japan? Sci Rep 2017; 7:15369. [PMID: 29133826 PMCID: PMC5684215 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-15714-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
In the present study, 129I activities and 129I/127I atom ratios were measured in 60 soil samples contaminated by the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident. The 127I concentrations, 129I activities, and 129I/127I atom ratios in dry-weight were observed to be 0.121–23.6 mg kg−1, 0.962–275 mBq kg−1, and (0.215–79.3) × 10−7, respectively. The maximum values of both 129I activities and 129I/127I atom ratios in Japanese soil increased about three orders of magnitude due to this accident. The equation logy = 0.877logx + 0.173 (Pearson’s r = 0.936; x, 129I concentration; y, 131I concentration; decay-corrected to March 11, 2011) instead of a simple constant may be a better way to express the relationship between 129I and 131I in Japanese soil affected by both global fallout and FDNPP accident fallout. In addition, a moderate correlation was observed between 129I and 135Cs (logy = 0.624logx + 1.01, Pearson’s r = 0.627; x, 129I activity; y, 135Cs activity). However, 129I presented larger fractionations with less volatile radionuclides, such as 236U, 239Pu, and 240Pu. These findings indicated 135Cs could be roughly estimated from 129I or 131I; this is advantageous as fewer 135Cs data are available and 135Cs/137Cs is being considered a promising tracer during radiocesium source identification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guosheng Yang
- Department of Radiation Chemistry, Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8564, Japan.,Division of Nuclear Technology and Applications, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Beijing Engineering Research Center of Radiographic Techniques and Equipment, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Hirofumi Tazoe
- Department of Radiation Chemistry, Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8564, Japan
| | - Masatoshi Yamada
- Department of Radiation Chemistry, Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8564, Japan.
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33
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Méndez-García CG, Romero-Guzmán ET, Hernández-Mendoza H, Solís-Rosales C, Chávez-Lomelí ER. Assessment of the concentrations of U and Th in PM2.5 from Mexico City and their potential human health risk. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-017-5549-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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34
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Isotopic compositions of 236U, 239Pu, and 240Pu in soil contaminated by the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident. Sci Rep 2017; 7:13619. [PMID: 29051607 PMCID: PMC5648813 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-13998-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2017] [Accepted: 10/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Six years after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident, data for 236U and 236U/238U have remained limited to a few heavily contaminated samples. In the present study, activities of 236U, 239Pu, and 240Pu, along with other U isotopes in 46 soil samples both heavily and lightly contaminated by this accident were measured by inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and triple-quadrupole ICP-MS. The 236U activities and 236U/238U atom ratios in these soil samples were in the range of (0.469–24.4) × 10−5 Bq kg−1 and ((0.099–1.35) × 10−7), respectively. Higher 240Pu/239Pu atom ratios (0.245–0.312) and 238Pu/239+240Pu activity ratios (0.859–1.62) indicated Pu contamination originated from this accident and global fallout in some samples. For those soil samples along with black substances collected along roads in Fukushima Prefecture, high linear correlations were presented between 236U activities and 239+240Pu activities (Pearson’s r = 0.755, p < 0.01), and between 236U activities and 238Pu activities (Pearson’s r = 0.844, p < 0.01). The analysis of these soil samples confirmed the release of 236U, although in trace amounts, during the FDNPP accident.
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Scavenged 239Pu, 240Pu, and 241Am from snowfalls in the atmosphere settling on Mt. Zugspitze in 2014, 2015 and 2016. Sci Rep 2017; 7:11848. [PMID: 28928452 PMCID: PMC5605513 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-12079-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2017] [Accepted: 09/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Concentrations of 239Pu, 240Pu, and 241Am, and atomic ratio of 240Pu/239Pu in freshly fallen snow on Mt. Zugspitze collected in 2014, 2015 and 2016 were determined by accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS). For the sub-femtogram (10−15 g) - level of Pu and Am analysis, a chemical separation procedure combined with AMS was improved and an excellent overall efficiency of about 10−4 was achieved. The concentration of 239Pu ranges from 75 ± 13 ag/kg to 2823 ± 84 ag/kg, of 240Pu from 20.6 ± 5.2 to 601 ± 21 ag/kg, and of 241Am was found in the range of 16.7 ± 5.0–218.8 ± 8.9 ag/kg. Atomic ratios of 240Pu/239Pu for most samples are comparable to the fallout in middle Europe. One exceptional sample shows a higher Pu concentration. High airborne dust concentration, wind directions, high Cs concentrations and the activity ratio of 239+240Pu/137Cs lead to the conclusion that the sample was influenced by Pu in Saharan dust transported to Mt. Zugspitze.
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36
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Jolin WC, Kaminski M. Sorbent materials for rapid remediation of wash water during radiological event relief. CHEMOSPHERE 2016; 162:165-71. [PMID: 27494317 PMCID: PMC6468322 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2016.07.077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2016] [Revised: 07/22/2016] [Accepted: 07/24/2016] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Procedures for removing harmful radiation from interior and exterior surfaces of homes and businesses after a nuclear or radiological disaster may generate large volumes of radiologically contaminated waste water. Rather than releasing this waste water to potentially contaminate surrounding areas, it is preferable to treat it onsite. Retention barrels are a viable option because of their simplicity in preparation and availability of possible sorbent materials. This study investigated the use of aluminosilicate clay minerals as sorbent materials to retain (137)Cs, (85)Sr, and (152)Eu. Vermiculite strongly retained (137)Cs, though other radionuclides displayed diminished affinity for the surface. Montmorillonite exhibited increased affinity to sorb (85)Sr and (152)Eu in the presence of higher concentrations of (137)Cs. To simulate flow within retention barrels, vermiculite was mixed with sand and used in small-scale column experiments. The GoldSim contaminate fate module was used to model breakthrough and assess the feasibility of using clay minerals as sorbent materials in retention barrels. The modeled radionuclide breakthrough profiles suggest that vermiculite-sand and montmorillonite-sand filled barrels could be used for treatment of contaminated water generated from field operations.
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Affiliation(s)
- William C Jolin
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - Michael Kaminski
- Nuclear Engineering, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL 60439, USA.
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37
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Yang G, Tazoe H, Yamada M. Determination of 236 U in environmental samples by single extraction chromatography coupled to triple-quadrupole inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Anal Chim Acta 2016; 944:44-50. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2016.09.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2016] [Revised: 09/08/2016] [Accepted: 09/23/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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38
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Salbu B, Lind OC. Radioactive particles released to the environment from the Fukushima reactors-Confirmation is still needed. INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT 2016; 12:687-689. [PMID: 27616421 DOI: 10.1002/ieam.1834] [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: 06/10/2016] [Revised: 07/11/2016] [Accepted: 07/26/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
After severe nuclear events, a major fraction of refractory radionuclides such as U and Pu are released to the environment in the form of radioactive particles. After the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident, Pu isotope ratio signals different from that of global fallout have been reported, indicating that spent fuel particles have been released from the reactors or reactor vessels. Radioactive particles containing (37) Cs and other volatile radionuclides, as well as a series of stable refractory metals (Cs, Fe, Zn, U, etc.), have been identified by several authors claiming that these particles originated from the FDNPP fuel. If so, long-lived radioactive isotopes of the refractory metals should have been identified in these particles. It is therefore most probable that volatile radionuclides released as gases during the accidents have deposited on available surfaces such as fly ash, forming condensation particles during release or transport. If spent fuel particles have been deposited in the FDNPP surroundings, information on particle characteristics influencing ecosystem transport, uptake, and effects is essential for assessing environmental impact and risk. More emphasis should therefore be put on the identification of hot spots in the FDNPP environment followed by the characterization of radioactive particles using nanoanalytical-microanalytical techniques to support environmental monitoring, as recommended in the present study. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2016;12:687-689. © 2016 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brit Salbu
- CERAD CoE/Department of Environmental Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway.
| | - Ole Christian Lind
- CERAD CoE/Department of Environmental Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
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39
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Cao L, Zheng J, Tsukada H, Pan S, Wang Z, Tagami K, Uchida S. Simultaneous determination of radiocesium ((135)Cs, (137)Cs) and plutonium ((239)Pu, (240)Pu) isotopes in river suspended particles by ICP-MS/MS and SF-ICP-MS. Talanta 2016; 159:55-63. [PMID: 27474279 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2016.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2016] [Revised: 06/03/2016] [Accepted: 06/03/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Due to radioisotope releases in the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident, long-term monitoring of radiocesium ((135)Cs and (137)Cs) and Pu isotopes ((239)Pu and (240)Pu) in river suspended particles is necessary to study the transport and fate of these long-lived radioisotopes in the land-ocean system. However, it is expensive and technically difficult to collect samples of suspended particles from river and ocean. Thus, simultaneous determination of multi-radionuclides remains as a challenging topic. In this study, for the first time, we report an analytical method for simultaneous determination of radiocesium and Pu isotopes in suspended particles with small sample size (1-2g). Radiocesium and Pu were sequentially pre-concentrated using ammonium molybdophosphate and ferric hydroxide co-precipitation, respectively. After the two-stage ion-exchange chromatography separation from the matrix elements, radiocesium and Pu isotopes were finally determined by ICP-MS/MS and SF-ICP-MS, respectively. The interfering elements of U ((238)U(1)H(+) and (238)U(2)H(+) for (239)Pu and (240)Pu, respectively) and Ba ((135)Ba(+) and (137)Ba(+) for (135)Cs and (137)Cs, respectively) were sufficiently removed with the decontamination factors of 1-8×10(6) and 1×10(4), respectively, with the developed method. Soil reference materials were utilized for method validation, and the obtained (135)Cs/(137)Cs and (240)Pu/(239)Pu atom ratios, and (239+240)Pu activities showed a good agreement with the certified/information values. In addition, the developed method was applied to analyze radiocesium and Pu in the suspended particles of land water samples collected from Fukushima Prefecture after the FDNPP accident. The (135)Cs/(137)Cs atom ratios (0.329-0.391) and (137)Cs activities (23.4-152Bq/g) suggested radiocesium contamination of the suspended particles mainly originated from the accident-released radioactive contaminates, while similar Pu contamination of suspended particles caused by the accident could be neglected as the (240)Pu/(239)Pu atom ratios (0.182-0.208) were within the range of global fallout.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liguo Cao
- Biospheric Assessment for Waste Disposal Team & Fukushima Project Headquarters, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Anagawa 4-9-1, Inage, Chiba 263-8555, Japan; School of Geographic and Oceanographic Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jian Zheng
- Biospheric Assessment for Waste Disposal Team & Fukushima Project Headquarters, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Anagawa 4-9-1, Inage, Chiba 263-8555, Japan.
| | - Hirofumi Tsukada
- Institute of Environmental Radioactivity, Fukushima University, 1 Kanayagawa, Fukushima-City 960-1296, Japan
| | - Shaoming Pan
- School of Geographic and Oceanographic Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Zhongtang Wang
- Biospheric Assessment for Waste Disposal Team & Fukushima Project Headquarters, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Anagawa 4-9-1, Inage, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Keiko Tagami
- Biospheric Assessment for Waste Disposal Team & Fukushima Project Headquarters, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Anagawa 4-9-1, Inage, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Shigeo Uchida
- Biospheric Assessment for Waste Disposal Team & Fukushima Project Headquarters, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Anagawa 4-9-1, Inage, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
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40
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Cao L, Bu W, Zheng J, Pan S, Wang Z, Uchida S. Plutonium determination in seawater by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry: A review. Talanta 2016; 151:30-41. [DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2016.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2015] [Revised: 01/07/2016] [Accepted: 01/08/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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41
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Automatic sequential separation with an anion-exchange column for ultra-trace analysis of Pu, U, Th, Pb, and lanthanides in environmental samples. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-016-4837-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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42
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Xu C, Zhang S, Sugiyama Y, Ohte N, Ho YF, Fujitake N, Kaplan DI, Yeager CM, Schwehr K, Santschi PH. Role of natural organic matter on iodine and (239)(,240)Pu distribution and mobility in environmental samples from the northwestern Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2016; 153:156-166. [PMID: 26773510 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2015.12.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2015] [Revised: 12/23/2015] [Accepted: 12/27/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
In order to assess how environmental factors are affecting the distribution and migration of radioiodine and plutonium that were emitted from the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident, we quantified iodine and (239,240)Pu concentration changes in soil samples with different land uses (urban, paddy, deciduous forest and coniferous forest), as well as iodine speciation in surface water and rainwater. Sampling locations were 53-63 km northwest of the FDNPP within a 75-km radius, in close proximity of each other. A ranking of the land uses by their surface soil (<4 cm) stable (127)I concentrations was coniferous forest > deciduous forest > urban > paddy, and (239,240)Pu concentrations ranked as deciduous forest > coniferous forest > paddy ≥ urban. Both were quite distinct from that of (134)Cs and (137)Cs: urban > coniferous forest > deciduous forest > paddy, indicating differences in their sources, deposition phases, and biogeochemical behavior in these soil systems. Although stable (127)I might not have fully equilibrated with Fukushima-derived (129)I, it likely still works as a proxy for the long-term fate of (129)I. Surficial soil (127)I content was well correlated to soil organic matter (SOM) content, regardless of land use type, suggesting that SOM might be an important factor affecting iodine biogeochemistry. Other soil chemical properties, such as Eh and pH, had strong correlations to soil (127)I content, but only within a given land use (e.g., within urban soils). Organic carbon (OC) concentrations and Eh were positively, and pH was negatively correlated to (127)I concentrations in surface water and rain samples. It is also noticeable that (127)I in the wet deposition was concentrated in both the deciduous and coniferous forest throughfall and stemfall water, respectively, comparing to the bulk rainwater. Further, both forest throughfall and stemflow water consisted exclusively of organo-iodine, suggesting all inorganic iodine in the original bulk deposition (∼ 28.6% of total iodine) have been completely converted to organo-iodine. Fukushima-derived (239,240)Pu was detectable at a distance ∼ 61 km away, NW of FDNPP. However, it is confined to the litter layer, even three years after the FDNPP accident-derived emissions. Plutonium-239,240 activities were significantly correlated with soil OC and nitrogen contents, indicating Pu may be associated with nitrogen-containing SOM, similar to what has been observed at other locations in the United States. Together, these finding suggest that natural organic matter (NOM) plays a key role in affecting the fate and transport of I and Pu and may warrant greater consideration for predicting long-term stewardship of contaminated areas and evaluating various remediation options in Japan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Xu
- Laboratory for Environmental and Oceanographic Research, Department of Marine Sciences, Texas A&M University, Building 3029, Galveston, TX, 77551, USA.
| | - Saijin Zhang
- Laboratory for Environmental and Oceanographic Research, Department of Marine Sciences, Texas A&M University, Building 3029, Galveston, TX, 77551, USA
| | - Yuko Sugiyama
- School of Human Science and Environment, University of Hyogo, 1-1-12 Shinzaike-Honcho, Himeji, Hyogo, 670-0092, Japan
| | - Nobuhito Ohte
- Department of Social Informatics, Graduate School of Informatics, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan
| | - Yi-Fang Ho
- Laboratory for Environmental and Oceanographic Research, Department of Marine Sciences, Texas A&M University, Building 3029, Galveston, TX, 77551, USA
| | - Nobuhide Fujitake
- Division of Agroenvironmental Biology, Graduate School of Agriculture Science, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai, Nada-ku, Kobe, 657-8501, Japan
| | | | - Chris M Yeager
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, 87545, USA
| | - Kathleen Schwehr
- Laboratory for Environmental and Oceanographic Research, Department of Marine Sciences, Texas A&M University, Building 3029, Galveston, TX, 77551, USA
| | - Peter H Santschi
- Laboratory for Environmental and Oceanographic Research, Department of Marine Sciences, Texas A&M University, Building 3029, Galveston, TX, 77551, USA
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Safi S, Jeanson A, Roques J, Solari PL, Charnay-Pouget F, Den Auwer C, Creff G, Aitken DJ, Simoni E. Thermodynamic and Structural Investigation of Synthetic Actinide–Peptide Scaffolds. Inorg Chem 2016; 55:877-86. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.5b02379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Pier Lorenzo Solari
- MARS Beamline, Synchrotron SOLEIL, L’Orme des Merisiers, 91192 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | | | - Christophe Den Auwer
- Institut de Chimie de Nice, Université de Nice Sophia Antipolis, 28 Avenue Valrose, 06108 Nice, France
| | - Gaëlle Creff
- Institut de Chimie de Nice, Université de Nice Sophia Antipolis, 28 Avenue Valrose, 06108 Nice, France
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Evangeliou N, Balkanski Y, Florou H, Eleftheriadis K, Cozic A, Kritidis P. Global deposition and transport efficiencies of radioactive species with respect to modelling credibility after Fukushima (Japan, 2011). JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2015; 149:164-175. [PMID: 26254209 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2015.07.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2015] [Revised: 07/21/2015] [Accepted: 07/22/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
In this study we conduct a detailed comparison of the modelling response of the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident with global and local observations. We use five different model versions characterized by different horizontal and vertical resolutions of the same General Circulation Model (GCM). Transport efficiencies of (137)Cs across the world are presented as an indication of the expected radioactive impact. Activity concentrations were well represented showing lower Normalized Mean Biases (NMBs) when the better resolved versions of the GCM were used. About 95% of the results using the zoom configuration over Europe (zEur) remained within a factor of 10 from the observations. Close to Japan, the model reproduced well (137)Cs concentrations using the zoom version over Asia (zAsia) showing high correlations, while more than 64% of the modelling results were found within a factor of two from the observations and more than 92% within a factor of 10. Labile and refractory rare radionuclides calculated indirectly showed larger deviations, with about 60% of the simulated concentrations within a factor of 10 from the observations. We estimate that around 23% of the released (137)Cs remained into Japan, while 76% deposited in the oceans. Around 163 TBq deposited over North America, among which 95 TBq over USA, 40 TBq over Canada and 5 TBq over Greenland). About 14 TBq deposited over Europe (mostly in the European part of Russia, Sweden and Norway) and 47 TBq over Asia (mostly in the Asian part of Russia, Philippines and South Korea), while traces were observed over Africa, Oceania and Antarctica. Since the radioactive plume followed a northward direction before its arrival to USA and then to Europe, a significant amount of about 69 TBq deposited in the Arctic, as well. These patterns of deposition are fully consistent with the most recent reports for the accident.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaos Evangeliou
- CEA-CNRS-UVSQ UMR 8212, IPSL/LSCE (Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l'Environnement), L'Orme des Merisiers, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France.
| | - Yves Balkanski
- CEA-CNRS-UVSQ UMR 8212, IPSL/LSCE (Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l'Environnement), L'Orme des Merisiers, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France
| | - Heleni Florou
- NCSR "Demokritos", Institute of Nuclear & Radiological Sciences & Technology, Energy & Safety (INRASTES), Environmental Radioactivity Laboratory, 15310 Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Eleftheriadis
- NCSR "Demokritos", Institute of Nuclear & Radiological Sciences & Technology, Energy & Safety (INRASTES), Environmental Radioactivity Laboratory, 15310 Athens, Greece
| | - Anne Cozic
- CEA-CNRS-UVSQ UMR 8212, IPSL/LSCE (Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l'Environnement), L'Orme des Merisiers, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France
| | - Panayotis Kritidis
- NCSR "Demokritos", Institute of Nuclear & Radiological Sciences & Technology, Energy & Safety (INRASTES), Environmental Radioactivity Laboratory, 15310 Athens, Greece
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45
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Determination of isotopic ratios of plutonium and uranium in soil samples by thermal ionization mass spectrometry. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-015-4551-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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46
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Uranium beam characterization at CIRCE for background and contamination determinations. Appl Radiat Isot 2015; 103:166-72. [DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2015.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2015] [Revised: 05/26/2015] [Accepted: 06/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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47
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Plutonium concentration and isotopic ratio in soil samples from central-eastern Japan collected around the 1970s. Sci Rep 2015; 5:9636. [PMID: 25881009 PMCID: PMC4399503 DOI: 10.1038/srep09636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2014] [Accepted: 03/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Obtaining Pu background data in the environment is essential for contamination source identification and assessment of environmental impact of Pu released from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant (FDNPP) accident. However, no baseline information on Pu isotopes in Fukushima Prefecture has been reported. Here we analyzed 80 surface soil samples collected from the central-eastern Japan during 1969–1977 for 239+240Pu activity concentration and 240Pu/239Pu atom ratio to establish the baseline before the FDNPP accident. We found that 239+240Pu activity concentrations ranged from 0.004 –1.46 mBq g−1, and 240Pu/239Pu atom ratios varied narrowly from 0.148 to 0.229 with a mean of 0.186 ± 0.015. We also reconstructed the surface deposition density of 241Pu using the 241Pu/239Pu atom ratio in the Japanese fallout reference material. The obtained results indicated that, for the FDNPP-accident released 241Pu, a similar radiation impact can be estimated as was seen for the global fallout deposited 241Pu in the last decades.
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48
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Oikawa S, Watabe T, Takata H. Distributions of Pu isotopes in seawater and bottom sediments in the coast of the Japanese archipelago before and soon after the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Station accident. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2015; 142:113-123. [PMID: 25659922 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2015.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2014] [Revised: 12/16/2014] [Accepted: 01/06/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
A radioactivity measurement survey was carried out from 24 April 2008 to 3 June 2011 to determine the levels of plutonium isotopes and (240)Pu/(239)Pu atom ratios in the marine environments off the sites of commercial nuclear power stations around the Japanese islands; the sampling period extended to two months after the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Station accident. In our previous study (Oikawa et al., 2015), data on Pu isotopes and (241)Am in sediments have already been reported. In this study, we report those on Pu isotopes in seawater as well as sediments, and the characteristics of sediments in addition (e.g., ignition loss and biogenic opals). Concentrations of (239+240)Pu in seawater and bottom sediments remained nearly constant at all sampling locations during the survey period. In addition, no regional differences were observed in the (239+240)Pu concentrations in surface waters. Higher (239+240)Pu concentrations were found in bottom waters at deeper sampling locations, but the (240)Pu/(239)Pu atom ratios were nearly constant regardless of the water depth. Higher (239+240)Pu concentrations were also found in bottom sediments at deeper sampling locations, but vice versa for (240)Pu/(239)Pu atom ratios as reported in the previous report. The sediments samples from deeper locations showed the higher percentage of ignition loss as well as the higher content of biogenic opal. There was likely to be some driving force participating in the transfer of Pu isotopes associated with biogenic substances to the deeper seabed. The present survey showed that the accident at the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Station did not contribute much to the inventory of Pu isotopes in the adjacent sea area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinji Oikawa
- Central Laboratory, Marine Ecology Research Institute, 300 Iwawada, Onjuku-machi, Isumu-gun, Chiba 299-5105, Japan
| | - Teruhisa Watabe
- Head Office, Marine Ecology Research Institute, Towa-Edogawabashi Bldg. 7F., 347 Yamabuki-cho, Shinjuku, Tokyo 162-0801, Japan
| | - Hyoe Takata
- Central Laboratory, Marine Ecology Research Institute, 300 Iwawada, Onjuku-machi, Isumu-gun, Chiba 299-5105, Japan.
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Konings RJM, Wiss T, Beneš O. Predicting material release during a nuclear reactor accident. NATURE MATERIALS 2015; 14:247-252. [PMID: 25698420 DOI: 10.1038/nmat4224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Rudy J M Konings
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Transuranium Elements, PO Box 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Thierry Wiss
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Transuranium Elements, PO Box 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Ondřej Beneš
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Transuranium Elements, PO Box 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe, Germany
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50
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Bu W, Zheng J, Aono T, Wu J, Tagami K, Uchida S, Guo Q, Yamada M. Pu Distribution in Seawater in the Near Coastal Area off Fukushima after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015. [DOI: 10.14494/jnrs.15.1_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- W.T. Bu
- Research Center for Radiation Protection, National Institute of Radiological Sciences
- State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Physics and Technology, School of Physics, Peking University
| | - J. Zheng
- Research Center for Radiation Protection, National Institute of Radiological Sciences
| | - T. Aono
- Research Center for Radiation Protection, National Institute of Radiological Sciences
| | - J.W. Wu
- Research Center for Radiation Protection, National Institute of Radiological Sciences
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environment Science, Xiamen University
| | - K. Tagami
- Research Center for Radiation Protection, National Institute of Radiological Sciences
| | - S. Uchida
- Research Center for Radiation Protection, National Institute of Radiological Sciences
| | - Q.J. Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Physics and Technology, School of Physics, Peking University
| | - M. Yamada
- Department of Radiation Chemistry, Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University
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