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Ang JWL, Bongrand A, Duval S, Donnard J, Jolis EM, Utsunomiya S, Minomo K, Koivula R, Siitari-Kauppi M, Law GTW. Detecting radioactive particles in complex environmental samples using real-time autoradiography. Sci Rep 2024; 14:5413. [PMID: 38443397 PMCID: PMC10915129 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52876-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Radioactive particles often contain very high radioactivity concentrations and are widespread. They pose a potential risk to human health and the environment. Their detection, quantification, and characterization are crucial if we are to understand their impact. Here, we present the use of a real-time autoradiography gaseous detector (using parallel ionization multiplier) to expedite and improve the accuracy of radioactive particle screening in complex environmental samples. First, standard particles were used to assess the detector capabilities (spatial resolution, spectrometry, and artefact contributions), then, we applied the technique to more complex and environmentally relevant samples. The real-time autoradiography technique provides data with a spatial resolution (≲100 µm) suitable for particle analysis in complex samples. Further, it can differentiate between particles predominantly emitting alpha and beta radiation. Here, the technique is applied to radioactive cesium-rich microparticles collected from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear exclusion zone, showing their accurate detection, and demonstrating the viability of real-time autoradiography in environmental scenarios. Indeed, for more complex samples (radioactive particles in a less radioactive heterogeneous background mix of minerals), the technique permits relatively high selectivity for radioactive particle screening (up to 61.2% success rate) with low false positive percentages (~ 1%).
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Affiliation(s)
- Joyce W L Ang
- Department of Chemistry, Radiochemistry Unit, The University of Helsinki, 00014, Helsinki, Finland.
- Singapore Nuclear Safety and Research Initiative, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 138602, Singapore.
| | - Arthur Bongrand
- AI4R, 2 Rue Alfred Kastler, 44307, Nantes, France
- IMT Atlantique, Nantes Université, CNRS, 44000, Nantes, SUBATECH, France
| | - Samuel Duval
- AI4R, 2 Rue Alfred Kastler, 44307, Nantes, France
| | | | - Ester M Jolis
- Circular Economy Solutions Research Laboratory, Geological Survey of Finland GTK, 02151, Espoo, Finland
| | - Satoshi Utsunomiya
- Department of Chemistry, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-Ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan
| | - Kenta Minomo
- Department of Chemistry, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-Ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan
| | - Risto Koivula
- Department of Chemistry, Radiochemistry Unit, The University of Helsinki, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Marja Siitari-Kauppi
- Department of Chemistry, Radiochemistry Unit, The University of Helsinki, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Gareth T W Law
- Department of Chemistry, Radiochemistry Unit, The University of Helsinki, 00014, Helsinki, Finland.
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Guo L, Peng L, Li J, Zhang W, Shi B. Highly efficient U(VI) capture from nuclear wastewater by an easily synthesized lignin-derived biochar: Adsorption performance and mechanism. Environ Res 2023; 223:115416. [PMID: 36738769 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The efficient recycling of uranium (U) by adsorbents remains challenging due to the strong interference from coexisting impurities, insufficient desorption efficiency, and weak irradiation instability. In this work, a novel lignin-derived biochar (AL/BC) with high surface area and abundant functional groups was developed through a green and simple pyrolysis process, and an adsorbent for U(VI) capture was used. The optimist AL/BC-600 exhibited ultrahigh adsorption capacity for U(VI) of 4007 mg/g, possessing a wide pH range of 1-11, and powerful anti-interference ability when coexisting with various common cations and anions. In addition, AL/BC-600 showed high tolerance even under strong irradiation at a dose of 350 kGy. Most importantly, after the tenth round of the adsorption-desorption cyclic utilization, the adsorption efficiency and desorption rate of AL/BC-600 were actually over 95% and 80%, respectively. Hence, this study provides a green and simple process for synthesizing a novel adsorbent for highly efficient U(VI) capture, not only paving a path for alleviating the increasingly serious energy crisis, but also facilitating the low-carbon and circular development of lignin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijun Guo
- National Engineering Laboratory for Clean Technology of Leather Manufacture, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, PR China
| | - Liangqiong Peng
- National Engineering Laboratory for Clean Technology of Leather Manufacture, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, PR China
| | - Jiheng Li
- National Engineering Laboratory for Clean Technology of Leather Manufacture, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, PR China
| | - Wenhua Zhang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Clean Technology of Leather Manufacture, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, PR China; Key Laboratory of Leather Chemistry and Engineering of Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, PR China.
| | - Bi Shi
- National Engineering Laboratory for Clean Technology of Leather Manufacture, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, PR China; Key Laboratory of Leather Chemistry and Engineering of Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, PR China
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Lai EPC, Li C. Actinide Decorporation: A Review on Chelation Chemistry and Nanocarriers for Pulmonary Administration. Radiat Res 2022; 198:430-443. [PMID: 35943882 DOI: 10.1667/rade-21-00004.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Chelation is considered the best method for detoxification by promoting excretion of actinides (Am, Np, Pu, Th, U) from the human body after internal contamination. Chemical agents that possess carboxylic acid or hydroxypyridinonate groups play a vital role in actinide decorporation. In this review article, we provide considerable background details on the chelation chemistry of actinides with an aim to formulate better decorporation agents. Nanocarriers for pulmonary delivery represent an exciting prospect in the development of novel therapies for actinide decorporation that both reduce toxic side effects of the agent and improve its retention in the body. Recent studies have demonstrated the benefits of using a nebulizer or an inhaler to administer chelating agents for the decorporation of actinides. Effective chelation therapy with large groups of internally contaminated people can be a challenge unless both the agent and the nanocarrier are readily available from strategic national stockpiles for radiological or nuclear emergencies. Sunflower lecithin is particularly adept at alleviating the burden of administration when used to form liposomes as a nanocarrier for pulmonary delivery of diethylenetriamine-pentaacetic acid (DTPA) or hydroxypyridinone (HOPO). Better physiologically-based pharmacokinetic models must be developed for each agent in order to minimize the frequency of multiple doses that can overload the emergency response operations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward P C Lai
- Ottawa-Carleton Chemistry Institute, Department of Chemistry, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Chunsheng Li
- Radiation Protection Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 1C1, Canada
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