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Xiu T, Liu L, Liu S, Shehzad H, Liang Y, Zhang M, Ye G, Jiao C, Yuan L, Shi W. Complexation and extraction of trivalent actinides over lanthanides using highly soluble phenanthroline diamide ligands with different side chains. J Hazard Mater 2024; 465:133508. [PMID: 38228009 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133508] [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] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Although phenanthroline diamide ligands have been widely reported, their limited solubility in organic solvents and poor performance in the separation of trivalent actinides (An(III)) and lanthanides (Ln(III)) at high acidity are still clear demerits. In this study, we designed and synthesized three highly soluble phenanthroline diamide ligands with different side chains. By introducing alkyl chains and ester groups, the ligands solubility in 3-nitrotrifluorotoluene is increased to over 600 mmol/L, significantly higher than the previous reported phenanthroline diamide ligands. Based on anomalous aryl strengthening, benzene ring was incorporated to enhance ligand selectivity toward Am(III). Extraction experiments demonstrated favorable selectivity of all the three ligands towards Am(III). The optimal separation factor (SFAm/Eu) reaches 53 at 4 mol/L HNO3, representing one of the most effective separation of An(III) over Ln(III) under high acidity. Slope analysis, single crystal structure analysis, as well as titration of ultraviolet visible spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonanc confirmed the formation of 1:1 and 1:2 complex species between the metal ions and the ligands depending on the molar ratio of metal ions in the reaction mixture. The findings of this study offer valuable insights for developing phenanthroline diamide ligands for An(III)/Ln(III) separation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taoyuan Xiu
- College of Nuclear Science and Technology, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, China; Laboratory of Nuclear Energy Chemistry, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; China Institute of Atomic Energy, Beijing 102413, China
| | - Likun Liu
- China Institute of Atomic Energy, Beijing 102413, China
| | - Siyan Liu
- College of Nuclear Science and Technology, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Hamza Shehzad
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, China
| | - Yuanyuan Liang
- Laboratory of Nuclear Energy Chemistry, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Meng Zhang
- College of Nuclear Science and Technology, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Guoan Ye
- College of Nuclear Science and Technology, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, China; China Institute of Atomic Energy, Beijing 102413, China.
| | - Caishan Jiao
- College of Nuclear Science and Technology, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, China.
| | - Liyong Yuan
- Laboratory of Nuclear Energy Chemistry, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Weiqun Shi
- Laboratory of Nuclear Energy Chemistry, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
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2
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Bolsunovsky A, Borisov R, Melgunov M. New data on mobility of transuranium elements in sediments of the Yenisei River. J Environ Radioact 2023; 270:107285. [PMID: 37651770 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2023.107285] [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: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
The inflow of transuranium elements to the Yenisei River was previously associated with the production of weapons-grade plutonium at the Mining-and-Chemical Combine (MCC, Zheleznogorsk, Russia), but the source of transuranium elements in the River today is fabrication of MOX fuel that started recently at the MCC. The current study presents results of sequential chemical extraction of radionuclides from sediment samples collected in 2014 and 2020 in two areas near the MCC discharge site and compares these results with the data obtained previously by sequential extraction of sediments collected during 1999-2007. Over the study period, the strength of binding of 137Cs and 60Co in the Yenisei River sediments was high (up to 100%) and remained so, while the percentages of 241Am and 152Eu in residual solids after sequential extraction increased considerably and the percentage of 239,240Pu in residual solids decreased in samples from all study areas. In samples collected at the position located close to the MCC discharge site, the percentages of the strongly bound 241Am and 152Eu as well as 239,240Pu were lower than in the samples from the other positions. The study demonstrated an enormous increase in 239,240Pu activity concentration in the top sediment layers collected at all positions in 2020 relative to 2014. In the same period, as literature data suggest, 239,240Pu activity concentrations also increased in aquatic organisms of the Yenisei River, which can be indicative of the growing potential bioavailability of plutonium in the aquatic ecosystem, which could be caused by the presence of the mobile form of plutonium in the routine discharges from the MCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Bolsunovsky
- Institute of Biophysics, Federal Research Center "Krasnoyarsk Science Center" Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Krasnoyarsk, Russia.
| | - Roman Borisov
- Institute of Biophysics, Federal Research Center "Krasnoyarsk Science Center" Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Krasnoyarsk, Russia; Institute of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Federal Research Center "Krasnoyarsk Science Center" Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Krasnoyarsk, Russia
| | - Mikhail Melgunov
- V.S. Sobolev Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
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Kastl M, Grémy O, Lamart S, Giussani A, Li WB, Hoeschen C. Modelling DTPA therapy following Am contamination in rats. Radiat Environ Biophys 2023; 62:483-495. [PMID: 37831188 PMCID: PMC10628027 DOI: 10.1007/s00411-023-01046-z] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
A major challenge in modelling the decorporation of actinides (An), such as americium (Am), with DTPA (diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid) is the fact that standard biokinetic models become inadequate for assessing radionuclide intake and estimating the resulting dose, as DTPA perturbs the regular biokinetics of the radionuclide. At present, most attempts existing in the literature are empirical and developed mainly for the interpretation of one or a limited number of specific incorporation cases. Recently, several approaches have been presented with the aim of developing a generic model, one of which reported the unperturbed biokinetics of plutonium (Pu), the chelation process and the behaviour of the chelated compound An-DTPA with a single model structure. The aim of the approach described in this present work is the development of a generic model that is able to describe the biokinetics of Am, DTPA and the chelate Am-DTPA simultaneously. Since accidental intakes in humans present many unknowns and large uncertainties, data from controlled studies in animals were used. In these studies, different amounts of DTPA were administered at different times after contamination with known quantities of Am. To account for the enhancement of faecal excretion and reduction in liver retention, DTPA is assumed to chelate Am not only in extracellular fluids, but also in hepatocytes. A good agreement was found between the predictions of the proposed model and the experimental results for urinary and faecal excretion and accumulation and retention in the liver. However, the decorporation from the skeletal compartment could not be reproduced satisfactorily under these simple assumptions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Kastl
- Institute of Radiation Medicine, Helmholtz Center Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany.
| | - Olivier Grémy
- Laboratoire de Radio Toxicologie, CEA, Université de Paris-Saclay, Arpajon, France
| | - Stephanie Lamart
- Laboratoire de Radio Toxicologie, CEA, Université de Paris-Saclay, Arpajon, France
- Laboratoire d'Evaluation de la Dose Interne, Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-SANTE/SDOS/LEDI, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Augusto Giussani
- Division of Medical and Occupational Radiation Protection, Federal Office for Radiation Protection, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Wei Bo Li
- Institute of Radiation Medicine, Helmholtz Center Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Division of Medical and Occupational Radiation Protection, Federal Office for Radiation Protection, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Christoph Hoeschen
- Institut für Medizintechnik, Otto-Von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
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Zotina TA, Trofimova EA, Dementyev DV. Experimental assessment of 241Am accumulation in Carassius gibelio from amphipods. J Environ Radioact 2023; 257:107092. [PMID: 36535220 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2022.107092] [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: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Accumulation of dietary 241Am in freshwater omnivorous fish (Carassius gibelio) was studied aiming to estimate the distribution and retention of 241Am in the fish body. Amphipods labeled with 241Am served as a food item. From 0.4 to 0.6% of ingested 241Am was retained in the fish body after short courses of feeding and depuration, the trophic transfer factor of 241Am for whole organism level was about 2∙10-4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana A Zotina
- Institute of Biophysics, Federal Research Center "Krasnoyarsk Science Center" of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 50/50 Akademgorodok, Krasnoyarsk, 660036, Russia; Institute of Fundamental Biology and Biotechnology, Siberian Federal University, 79 Svobodny av., Krasnoyarsk, 660041, Russia.
| | - Elena A Trofimova
- Institute of Biophysics, Federal Research Center "Krasnoyarsk Science Center" of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 50/50 Akademgorodok, Krasnoyarsk, 660036, Russia
| | - Dmitry V Dementyev
- Institute of Biophysics, Federal Research Center "Krasnoyarsk Science Center" of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 50/50 Akademgorodok, Krasnoyarsk, 660036, Russia
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Drouet G, Devilliers K, Van der Meeren A. In vitro evidence of the influence of complexation of Pu and Am on uptake by human lung epithelial cells Calu-3. Toxicol In Vitro 2021; 79:105279. [PMID: 34843884 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2021.105279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the mechanisms involved in retention and clearance of actinides from the lungs after accidental intake is essential for the evaluation of the associated radiological risks. Although the absorption of radioelements has been shown in vivo to depend on their nature and physico-chemical properties, their mechanisms of translocation remain unknown. In this study, we have evaluated in vitro the binding and uptake by bronchial epithelial cells Calu-3 of 2 transuranic actinides, plutonium (Pu) and americium (Am), as the first steps of translocation across the pulmonary barrier. For this purpose, Calu-3 cells grown to confluence in 24-well plates were exposed to the radioelements for 24 h under various culture conditions. Two compartments were identified for the association of actinides to cells, corresponding to the membrane bound and internalized fractions. Binding of Pu was slightly higher than of Am, and depended on its initial chemical form (nitrate, citrate, colloids). Uptake of Pu and Am nitrate was higher in serum-free conditions than in supplemented medium, with an active mechanism involved in Pu internalization. Overall, our results suggest that complexation of actinides to bioligands may have an influence on their uptake by pulmonary epithelial cells, and therefore possibly on their subsequent absorption into blood.
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Zotina TA, Melgunov MS, Dementyev DV, Miroshnichenko LV, Alexandrova YV. A comparative study of biota and sediments as monitors of plutonium in the Yenisei River (Siberia, Russia). J Environ Radioact 2021; 237:106723. [PMID: 34438257 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2021.106723] [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: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
MOX-fuel production and spent nuclear fuel reprocessing started recently at the Mining-and-Chemical Combine (MCC, Zheleznogorsk, Russia) have caused an increase in controlled releases of plutonium to the Yenisei River. In this study, we analyzed time-dependent trends of plutonium (239,240Pu and 238Pu) in biota and bottom sediments of the Yenisei during 2008-2019, to estimate comparatively the potential of abundant representatives of biota as bio-monitors of contamination of the Yenisei by plutonium. Gamma-emitting radionuclides (40 K; 60Co; 137Cs; 152Eu; 241Am) were measured in environmental samples of the Yenisei as well. Samples of bottom sediments, water moss (Fontinalis antipyretica), shining pondweed (Potamogeton lucens), caddisfly larvae with casings (Apatania crymophila), and amphipods (Eulimnogammarus viridis and Palaseopsis cancelloides) were collected downstream and upstream of the radioactive discharge site. Environmental samples of the Yenisei collected downstream of the radioactive discharge site differed considerably in activity concentrations of plutonium but were similar in time-dependent trends of plutonium, reflecting the trends of annual discharges of plutonium. In 2018, the year of a sharp increase in controlled discharge of plutonium, the concentration of 239,240Pu in water moss (26 Bq kg-1 d.w.) was higher than in sediments (14 Bq kg-1 d.w.). In other years, the highest activity concentration of 2391,240Pu was observed in bottom sediments. In view of the higher magnitude of increase in plutonium concentration, water moss and shining pondweed can be considered as more sensitive indicators of increased fresh releases of plutonium than bottom sediments. Taking into account the food-related mechanism of plutonium uptake by amphipods, this representative of biota can be regarded as a sensitive monitor of bioavailable plutonium in the Yenisei.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana A Zotina
- Institute of Biophysics, Federal Research Center "Krasnoyarsk Science Center" of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 50/50 Akademgorodok, Krasnoyarsk, 660036, Russia; Institute of Fundamental Biology and Biotechnology, Siberian Federal University, 79 Svobodny av., Krasnoyarsk, 660041, Russia.
| | - Michail S Melgunov
- Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 3 Academician Koptyug av., Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
| | - Dmitry V Dementyev
- Institute of Biophysics, Federal Research Center "Krasnoyarsk Science Center" of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 50/50 Akademgorodok, Krasnoyarsk, 660036, Russia
| | - Leonid V Miroshnichenko
- Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 3 Academician Koptyug av., Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
| | - Yuliyana V Alexandrova
- Institute of Biophysics, Federal Research Center "Krasnoyarsk Science Center" of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 50/50 Akademgorodok, Krasnoyarsk, 660036, Russia
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7
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Keenan M, Behrens T, Bravenec S, Davis J, Bowen A, Goans R, Iddins C. Americium Inhalational Exposure with Successful Chelation Therapy. Disaster Med Public Health Prep 2021;:1-5. [PMID: 34399875 DOI: 10.1017/dmp.2021.211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Americium is a man-made metal produced in very small quantities in nuclear reactors. Americium-241 is one of the radioactive isotopes of americium and has commercial applications, including use in smoke detectors. This is a case report of an occupational inhalation of americium-241, treated with both effective external decontamination and the use of diethylenetriamine pentaacetate to promote decorporation. This experience is significant because of the potential for americium or similar radionuclides to be used in "dirty" bombs or other radiological dispersion devices to cause large-scale radioactive contamination.
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Wang W, Evans RD, Evans HE. A rapid, automated system for the separation, preconcentration and measurement of 90Sr, and U, Am and Pu isotopes. Talanta 2021; 233:122507. [PMID: 34215122 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2021.122507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
An online separation and preconcentration method, using an automated flow injection setup and solid phase extraction followed by ICP-MS/MS, was developed for the analysis of 90Sr, and U, Am and Pu isotopes in various liquid sample matrices. The radionuclide analytes were separated from interferences and complex matrices using DGA-branched resin and Sr resin, then specific gases were used in the reaction/collision cell in the ICP-MS/MS to measure the different analytes. The system requires smaller sample volumes (10 mL), less sample preparation and shorter processing time (46 min per sample) compared to traditional radiometric and other MS techniques. Based on a 10 mL sample, the limits of detection were 1.48 pg L-1 (8257 mBq L-1) for 90Sr, 1.75 pg L-1 (0.40 mBq L-1) for 234U, 0.65 pg L-1 (77.65 mBq L-1) for 241Am, and 0.56 pg L-1 (1.25 mBq L-1) for 239Pu when all target analytes were measured in one analysis. The analytical figures of merit were evaluated for a range of sample matrices including lake water, seawater and urine and were comparable to those reported in the literature. This online system thus provides a novel, fully automated analytical tool with faster analysis time, smaller sample requirements, minimum sample preparation, low detection limits and the flexibility to handle single and multiple measurements of various radionuclides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, 1600, West Bank Drive, Peterborough, Ontario, K9L 0G2, Canada.
| | - R Douglas Evans
- School of the Environment and Water Quality Center, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, Ontario, K9L 0G2, Canada
| | - Hayla E Evans
- School of the Environment and Water Quality Center, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, Ontario, K9L 0G2, Canada
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Pittet PA, Josset M, Boilley D, Bernollin A, Rougier G, Froidevaux P. Origin and age of an ongoing radioactive contamination of soils near La hague reprocessing plant based on 239+240Pu/ 238Pu and 241Am/ 241Pu current ratios and 90Sr and Ln(III) soil contents. Chemosphere 2021; 270:129332. [PMID: 33422999 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.129332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [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: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Nuclear reprocessing plants are sources of environmental contamination by gaseous or liquid discharges. Numerous radionuclides are of concern, with actinides and 90Sr being the most radiotoxic. Environmental radioactivity survey programs mostly use γ-spectrometry to track contaminations because γ-spectrometry is very cost effective and can be carried out on raw samples. On the other hand, the determination of β- or α-emitting radionuclides in environmental samples requires rather sophisticated analytical methods, and are thus dedicated to specific goals. However, measuring radionuclides such as Pu, Am, and Sr often provides more information about the presence of a current or prior contamination and on its origin, based on the isotopic composition of the samples. We found that the analysis of 241Pu, 239+240Pu, 241Am, and 90Sr of a few selected soil samples taken near the nuclear reprocessing plant of La Hague, France, revealed the presence of a previous environmental contamination originating from several incidents in La Hague site involving atmospheric transfer and leaks in flooded waste pits. The 241Am-241Pu dating method indicated a contamination period prior to 1983. The presence of elevated levels of light non-radioactive lanthanides and yttrium in the soil samples confirmed the involvement of cold fuel. Our results demonstrate how long-lived actinides are likely to reveal a long-term contamination of the environment by spent fuel. Our study indicates that there is a requirement to use more sophisticated tools than γ-spectrometry when surveying the environments surrounding industrial plants for nuclear power and nuclear reprocessing with a potential for the accidental release of radioactivity into the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre-André Pittet
- Institute of Radiation Physics, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Mylène Josset
- ACRO, Association pour le Contrôle de La Radioactivité Dans L'Ouest, 138, Rue de L'Eglise, 14200, Hérouville St Clair, France
| | - David Boilley
- ACRO, Association pour le Contrôle de La Radioactivité Dans L'Ouest, 138, Rue de L'Eglise, 14200, Hérouville St Clair, France
| | - Antoine Bernollin
- ACRO, Association pour le Contrôle de La Radioactivité Dans L'Ouest, 138, Rue de L'Eglise, 14200, Hérouville St Clair, France
| | - Guillaume Rougier
- ACRO, Association pour le Contrôle de La Radioactivité Dans L'Ouest, 138, Rue de L'Eglise, 14200, Hérouville St Clair, France
| | - Pascal Froidevaux
- Institute of Radiation Physics, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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Mamyrbayeva AS, Baigazinov ZA, Lukashenko SN, Panitskiy AV, Karatayev SS, Baigazy SA, Bazarbayeva AB, Zhadyranova AA, Kenzhina LB, Mukhamediyarov N, Salmenbayev S, Rakhimzhanova A, Hegedus M, Kovacs T. The excretion of 241Am and 137Cs from the broilers organs after long-term application. J Environ Radioact 2021; 229-230:106543. [PMID: 33515923 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2021.106543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [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: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 01/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Data, despite being crucial for internal dose assessment, is lacking on the transfer of artificial radionuclides from the environment to the food supply. Expanding the available information on these factors is important for the improvement of dose models for specific scenarios. This paper describes the results of a 70 day field experiment with broiler chickens on the dynamics of excretion of 137Cs and 241Am from the muscle, liver and bone of broilers after a 30 day application of contaminated feed. The radionuclide concentrations in the feed and the thigh muscle, thigh bone and liver of 54 chickens divided between grass meal and soil contaminated feed groups were evaluated by gamma spectrometry for 241Am and 137Cs. The obtained results confirm previous data on the dynamics of the excretion of cesium from organs, which can be described with a fast and a slow exponential curve of excretion. On the 70th day, following the 30-days application, 2-8% of the first-day activity concentrations of 137Cs in organs (muscle, liver, bone) were detected. In the first two days, activity concentration of 241Am decreases twofold in both liver and bone. 35% of the maximum activity concentration of 241Am remained in bone and 15% in liver on the last day of the experiment.
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Affiliation(s)
- A S Mamyrbayeva
- Institute of Radiation Safety and Ecology NNC RK, 071100, Beibit Atom 2, Building 23, Kurchatov, Kazakhstan
| | - Zh A Baigazinov
- Institute of Radiation Safety and Ecology NNC RK, 071100, Beibit Atom 2, Building 23, Kurchatov, Kazakhstan; Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, 8200, Egyetem u. 10, Veszprém, Hungary
| | - S N Lukashenko
- Russian Institute of Radiology and Agroecology, 249032, Kievskoe shosse 109 km, Obninsk, Kaluga Region, Russian Federation
| | - A V Panitskiy
- Institute of Radiation Safety and Ecology NNC RK, 071100, Beibit Atom 2, Building 23, Kurchatov, Kazakhstan
| | - S S Karatayev
- Institute of Radiation Safety and Ecology NNC RK, 071100, Beibit Atom 2, Building 23, Kurchatov, Kazakhstan
| | - S A Baigazy
- Institute of Radiation Safety and Ecology NNC RK, 071100, Beibit Atom 2, Building 23, Kurchatov, Kazakhstan
| | - A B Bazarbayeva
- Institute of Radiation Safety and Ecology NNC RK, 071100, Beibit Atom 2, Building 23, Kurchatov, Kazakhstan
| | - A A Zhadyranova
- Institute of Radiation Safety and Ecology NNC RK, 071100, Beibit Atom 2, Building 23, Kurchatov, Kazakhstan
| | - L B Kenzhina
- Institute of Radiation Safety and Ecology NNC RK, 071100, Beibit Atom 2, Building 23, Kurchatov, Kazakhstan
| | - N Mukhamediyarov
- Institute of Radiation Safety and Ecology NNC RK, 071100, Beibit Atom 2, Building 23, Kurchatov, Kazakhstan
| | - S Salmenbayev
- Institute of Radiation Safety and Ecology NNC RK, 071100, Beibit Atom 2, Building 23, Kurchatov, Kazakhstan
| | - A Rakhimzhanova
- Kazakh Humanitarian Law Innovative University, Semey, Mangilik el str, 11, Kazakhstan
| | - M Hegedus
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, 8200, Egyetem u. 10, Veszprém, Hungary
| | - T Kovacs
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, 8200, Egyetem u. 10, Veszprém, Hungary.
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Proskurnin VY, Tereshchenko NN, Paraskiv AA, Chuzhikova-Proskurnina OD. Plutonium and americium in the deep Black Sea bottom sediments. J Environ Radioact 2021; 229-230:106540. [PMID: 33503559 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2021.106540] [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: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The new data on 239+240Pu, 238Pu, 241Pu, 241Am vertical distribution in the deep western Black Sea sediments was analyzed. The sediment dating, obtained by means of 238Pu/239+240Pu activity ratio vertical distribution, suggested the upper 3 cm layer of sediments to be formed during 27 years after the Chernobyl accident and the deeper layers to be formed earlier in pre-Chernobyl time (before 1986). The whole data set on profiles of radionuclides studied was shown to reflect the history of their input into the basin and elimination of these radionuclides from the water column. Analysis of inventories of plutonium alpha-emitting nuclides ensured a more significant contribution of Chernobyl fallout into the present total 238Pu inventory than into 239+240Pu one. The 241Am inventory after-deposition enhancement due to 241Pu decay was estimated at 74% in pre-Chernobyl sediment layer and the general contribution of 241Pu support in the total 241Am inventory in situ enhancement was estimated at 49%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladislav Yu Proskurnin
- A.O. Kovalevsky Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas of RAS, 2, Nakhimov Av., Sevastopol, 299011, Russian Federation.
| | - Nataliya N Tereshchenko
- A.O. Kovalevsky Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas of RAS, 2, Nakhimov Av., Sevastopol, 299011, Russian Federation.
| | - Artem A Paraskiv
- A.O. Kovalevsky Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas of RAS, 2, Nakhimov Av., Sevastopol, 299011, Russian Federation.
| | - Olga D Chuzhikova-Proskurnina
- A.O. Kovalevsky Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas of RAS, 2, Nakhimov Av., Sevastopol, 299011, Russian Federation.
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12
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Ray D, Leary P, Livens F, Gray N, Morris K, Law KA, Fuller AJ, Abrahamsen-Mills L, Howe J, Tierney K, Muir G, Law GTW. Controls on anthropogenic radionuclide distribution in the Sellafield-impacted Eastern Irish Sea. Sci Total Environ 2020; 743:140765. [PMID: 32659564 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140765] [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] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Revised: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Understanding anthropogenic radionuclide biogeochemistry and mobility in natural systems is key to improving the management of radioactively contaminated environments and radioactive wastes. Here, we describe the contemporary depth distribution and phase partitioning of 137Cs, Pu, and 241Am in two sediment cores taken from the Irish Sea (Site 1: the Irish Sea Mudpatch; Site 2: the Esk Estuary). Both sites are located ~10 km from the Sellafield nuclear site. Low-level aqueous radioactive waste has been discharged from the Sellafield site into the Irish Sea for >50 y. We compare the depth distribution of the radionuclides at each site to trends in sediment and porewater redox chemistry, using trace element abundance, microbial ecology, and sequential extractions, to better understand the relative importance of sediment biogeochemistry vs. physical controls on radionuclide distribution/post-depositional mobility in the sediments. We highlight that the distribution of 137Cs, Pu, and 241Am at both sites is largely controlled by physical mixing of the sediments, physical transport processes, and sediment accumulation. Interestingly, at the Esk Estuary, microbially-mediated redox processes (considered for Pu) do not appear to offer significant controls on Pu distribution, even over decadal timescales. We also highlight that the Irish Sea Mudpatch likely still acts as a source of historical pollution to other areas in the Irish Sea, despite ever decreasing levels of waste output from the Sellafield site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisy Ray
- Centre for Radiochemistry Research, Department of Chemistry, School of Natural Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Peter Leary
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle NE1 7RU, UK
| | - Francis Livens
- Centre for Radiochemistry Research, Department of Chemistry, School of Natural Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK; Research Centre for Radwaste and Decommissioning and Williamson Research Centre, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Neil Gray
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle NE1 7RU, UK
| | - Katherine Morris
- Research Centre for Radwaste and Decommissioning and Williamson Research Centre, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Kathleen A Law
- Centre for Radiochemistry Research, Department of Chemistry, School of Natural Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK; Radiochemistry Unit, Department of Chemistry, The University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland
| | - Adam J Fuller
- Centre for Radiochemistry Research, Department of Chemistry, School of Natural Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | | | - John Howe
- Scottish Association for Marine Science, Scottish Marine Institute, Dunbeg-by-Oban PA37 1QA, UK
| | - Kieran Tierney
- Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre, Scottish Enterprise Technology Park, Rankine Avenue, Glasgow G75 0QF, UK
| | - Graham Muir
- Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre, Scottish Enterprise Technology Park, Rankine Avenue, Glasgow G75 0QF, UK
| | - Gareth T W Law
- Centre for Radiochemistry Research, Department of Chemistry, School of Natural Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK; Radiochemistry Unit, Department of Chemistry, The University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland.
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13
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Kedari CS, Yadav JS, Kaushik CP. TALSPEAK process on hollow fiber renewable liquid membrane apropos to the remedial maneuver of high level nuclear waste. J Hazard Mater 2020; 399:123050. [PMID: 32535519 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.123050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
In concurrence with objectives of advanced high level nuclear waste(HLW) management, separation of chemically similar trivalent actinides and lanthanides is accomplished using TALSPEAK (Trivalent Actinide - Lanthanide Separation by Phosphorous reagent Extraction from Aqueous Komplexes) process on hollow fibre renewable liquid membrane (HFRLM). Permeability coefficient(Kf) of metal ions are determined under varying concentrations of diethylene triamine pentacaetic acid (DTPA) and H+ in the feed solution, containing 241Am with other metal impurities usually occurred in the HLW, and di(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (HDEHP) in liquid membrane and receiving emulsion phase. Optimized process conditions obtained are: 5 ± 0.25 L feed solution: containing 0.05 M DTPA, 1 M lactic acid and metal ions under the agitation of 400 ± 15 rpm, receiving phase: emulsion of 400 ± 15 mL 2 M HNO3 + 100 mL 0.2 M HDEHP/dodecane under stirring at 650 ± 25 rpm. The Kf of metal ions obtained under optimized process conditions are in the order: Am(III)<<Sm(III)<Nd(III)<Sr(II)<Pr(III)<U(VI) <Y(III)<Ce(III)<La(III). The maximum Kf = 9.24 × 10-3 cm min-1 is obtained for La(III) whereas Sm(III) with Kf = 7.4 × 10-4 cm min-1 is the most difficult lanthanide to separate from Am(III). For the single step process of HFRLM, the decontamination factor obtained for Am is 412. Agreement between Kf values, determined by model and experimental data are within 10 %.
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Affiliation(s)
- C S Kedari
- Fuel Reprocessing Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai 400085, India.
| | - J S Yadav
- Fuel Reprocessing Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai 400085, India
| | - C P Kaushik
- Nuclear Recycle Group, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai 400085, India
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14
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Ramírez-Guinart O, Kaplan D, Rigol A, Vidal M. Deriving probabilistic soil distribution coefficients (Kd). Part 3: Reducing variability of americium K d best estimates using soil properties and chemical and geological material analogues. J Environ Radioact 2020; 223-224:106378. [PMID: 32911270 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2020.106378] [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: 04/25/2020] [Revised: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/01/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The solid-liquid distribution coefficient (Kd) is a key input parameter in radioecological risk models. However, its large variability hampers its usefulness in modelling transport processes as well as its accuracy in representing soil-radionuclide interactions. To assist in the selection of Kd values and their cumulative distribution functions for study areas without site specific information, a critically reviewed dataset was developed, containing more than 5000 soil Kd entries for 83 elements and an additional 2000 entries of Kd data for 75 elements gathered from a selection of other geological materials. For the specific case of americium (Am), the dataset contained 109 entries for soils and 33 additional entries for sediment and subsoils. The analysis of the Am Kd soil dataset showed that values varied 4-orders of magnitude, and consequently the resulting Am Kd best estimate (geometric mean (GM): 4.6 × 103 L kg-1) lacked sufficient reliability. The objective of this study was to calculate cumulative distribution functions and statistically evaluate this dataset to determine if the Am Kd variability in soils could be reduced by considering various factors, including: 1) measurement methods, 2) key soil properties, 3) the use of chemical analogue data, and 4) the use of analogue data. Accounting for Am Kd experimental method (i.e., sorption vs. desorption; long-vs. short-term experiments) had little effect on reducing variability. However, accounting for key soil factors (i.e., organic matter content (OM), pH, soil texture) succeeded in reducing variability of Am Kd, especially when combining pH and OM. While previous data sets have used 20% OM content as a critical value to distinguish between mineral and organic soils, this study shows that this critical value should be reduced to 10% OM to minimize Am Kd variability. The inclusion in the dataset of Am Kd from other geological materials (e.g., gyttjas, tills, and subsoils) and Kd values from trivalent lanthanides (Ln (III)) and actinides (An (III)) (172 additional entries) did not statistically affect the Am Kd geometric means of the various pH and OM partial datasets. The larger composite dataset (> 310 entries), with both chemical analogues and geological material analogues to address data gaps, increased the statistical power for calculating Kd best estimates with lower variability, thereby enhancing their usefulness for radionuclide risk calculations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oriol Ramírez-Guinart
- Chemical Engineering and Analytical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Barcelona, Martí i Franqués 1-11, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Anna Rigol
- Chemical Engineering and Analytical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Barcelona, Martí i Franqués 1-11, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Miquel Vidal
- Chemical Engineering and Analytical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Barcelona, Martí i Franqués 1-11, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
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15
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Ferreira RVDP, de Araujo LG, Canevesi RLS, da Silva EA, Ferreira EGA, Palmieri MC, Marumo JT. The use of rice and coffee husks for biosorption of U (total), 241Am, and 137Cs in radioactive liquid organic waste. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2020; 27:36651-36663. [PMID: 32564321 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-09727-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Rice and coffee husks (raw and chemically activated) are examined as potential biosorption materials regarding their capacity to remove U (total), 241Am, and 137Cs. The physical parameters evaluated were the morphological characteristics of the biomass, real and apparent density, and surface area. Contact times for the batch experiments were 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 h, and the concentrations tested ranged between 10% of the total concentration and the radioactive waste itself without any dilution. The results were evaluated by experimental sorption capacity, ternary isotherm, and kinetics models. The kinetics results showed that equilibrium was reached after 2 h for all biomass. Raw coffee husk showed the best adsorption results in terms of maximum capacity (qmax) for all three radionuclides, which were 1.96, 39.4 × 10-6, and 46.6 × 10-9 mg g-1 for U, Am, and Cs, respectively. The biosorption process for the raw and activated rice husks was best represented by the Langmuir ternary isotherm model with two sites. For the coffee husk, in the raw and activated states, the biosorption process was best described by the modified Jain and Snoeyink ternary model. These results suggest that biosorption with these biomaterials can be applied in the treatment of liquid organic radioactive waste containing mainly uranium and americium.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Leandro Goulart de Araujo
- Serviço de Gerência de Rejeitos Radioativos, Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, São Paulo, 05508-000, Brazil.
| | | | - Edson Antonio da Silva
- Centro de Engenharias e Ciências Exatas, 645 Rua da Faculdade, Toledo, PR, 85903000, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Gurzoni Alvares Ferreira
- Serviço de Gerência de Rejeitos Radioativos, Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, São Paulo, 05508-000, Brazil
| | | | - Júlio Takehiro Marumo
- Serviço de Gerência de Rejeitos Radioativos, Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, São Paulo, 05508-000, Brazil
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16
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Szufa KM, Mietelski JW, Olech MA, Kowalska A, Brudecki K. Anthropogenic radionuclides in Antarctic biota - dosimetrical considerations. J Environ Radioact 2020; 213:106140. [PMID: 31983449 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2019.106140] [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: 04/10/2019] [Revised: 11/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The article presents results of the research on artificial radionuclides (137Cs, 90Sr, 241Am) in the Antarctic environment. Samples of 12 species from the marine environment: Pygoscelis adeliae, Pygoscelis papua, Macronectes giganteus, Pagodroma nivea, Catharacta antarctica, Leptonychotes weddellii, Mirounga leonina, Harpagifer antarcticus, Chaenocephalus aceratus, Nacella concinna, Himantothallus grandifolius, Iridaea cordata (bones, feathers, soft tissues, eggs' shells of birds, bones, skin, fur of mammals, fish, mollusks' soft tissues and shells, algae) and samples of 4 species from the terrestrial environment: Sanionia uncinata, Usnea antarctica, Usnea aurantiaco-atra, Deschampsia antarctica (mosses, lichens, grass) were investigated. Differences in the accumulation of 137Cs between marine and terrestrial ecosystem were shown, which are mostly due to conservatism of mosses and lichens and active removal of cesium by animal body. Furthermore discrepancy between mosses and lichens in the radioceasium accumulation was statistically proven with the additional use of Neutron Activation Analysis. Moreover, the internal weighted dose rates assessment was prepared using the ERICA Tool. The dose rates were relatively low, not exceeding several dozen nGy/h. Nonetheless, one species - Pagodroma nivea, was significantly outstanding due to the highest weighted dose rate it is burdened with.
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Affiliation(s)
- K M Szufa
- Institute of Physics, University of Silesia, 75 Pułku Piechoty 1, 41-500, Chorzów, Poland; Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Radzikowskiego152, 32-342, Kraków, Poland.
| | - J W Mietelski
- Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Radzikowskiego152, 32-342, Kraków, Poland
| | - M A Olech
- Institute of Botany, Jagiellonian University, Kopernika 27, 31-501, Kraków, Poland; Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Department of Antarctic Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5a, 02-109, Warszawa, Poland
| | - A Kowalska
- Faculty of Geoengineering, Mining and Geology, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeże S. Wyspiańskiego 27, 50-370, Wrocław, Poland
| | - K Brudecki
- Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Radzikowskiego152, 32-342, Kraków, Poland
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17
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Paatero J, Salminen-Paatero S. Transfer of transuranium elements along the food chain lichen-reindeer-man - A review of investigations in Finnish Lapland. J Environ Radioact 2020; 212:106126. [PMID: 31818734 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2019.106126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 11/28/2019] [Revised: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 11/29/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Following the atmospheric nuclear tests in the '50s and early '60s radioecological research on the (sub)arctic food chain lichen-reindeer/caribou-man was initiated in Finland among other northern countries. The enrichment of radionuclides in this food chain can lead to exceptionally high body burdens among the indigenous Sami and Inuit populations consuming large quantities of the meat and edible organs of reindeer and caribou. In Finland, first fission and activation products and natural radionuclides were studied but in the early 1970s' the investigations concerning transuranium elements were started. These studies have continued to the present as also the effects of the Chernobyl accident on the existence of neptunium, plutonium, americium and curium isotopes in the environment of northern Finland have been investigated. In addition to radioactivity measurements detailed dietary surveys were performed among the reindeer herders and other Sami persons to assess the human intake of radionuclides by ingestion. The main aim of this literature review is to summarize the obtained data concerning transuranium elements in the food chain lichen-reindeer-man in northern Finland but also some supporting data is included.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jussi Paatero
- Finnish Meteorological Institute, P.O. Box 503, FI-00101, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Susanna Salminen-Paatero
- Finnish Meteorological Institute, P.O. Box 503, FI-00101, Helsinki, Finland; Department of Chemistry, Radiochemistry, P.O. Box 55, FI-00014, University of Helsinki, Finland.
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18
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Gulin SB, Proskurnin VY, Sidorov IG. Recent multi-tracer dating of the Black Sea sediments: Recovery of the late post-Chernobyl trends of radioactive contamination. J Environ Radioact 2019; 203:154-162. [PMID: 30921605 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2019.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [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: 07/19/2018] [Revised: 03/11/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The combined use of artificial (137Cs, 238,239+240,241Pu, 241Am) and naturally occurring (210Pb/226Ra, 40K) radionuclides as tracers for dating of the Black Sea sediments has allowed to reveal the recent increase in radioactive contamination of this basin with 137Cs after the Chernobyl accident. This is presumably caused by the prolonged input of the man-made radionuclides that showed a rise in the late 1990s - early 2000s, and by a possible post-deposition remobilization of 137Cs from the seabed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergey B Gulin
- The A.O. Kovalevsky Institute of Marine Biological Research of RAS, 2, Nakhimov Av., Sevastopol, 299011, Russian Federation.
| | - Vladislav Yu Proskurnin
- The A.O. Kovalevsky Institute of Marine Biological Research of RAS, 2, Nakhimov Av., Sevastopol, 299011, Russian Federation.
| | - Ilya G Sidorov
- The A.O. Kovalevsky Institute of Marine Biological Research of RAS, 2, Nakhimov Av., Sevastopol, 299011, Russian Federation.
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19
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Thakur P, Ward AL. Sources and distribution of 241Am in the vicinity of a deep geologic repository. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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20
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Ni Y, Wang Z, Guo Q, Zheng J, Li S, Lin J, Tan Z, Huang W. Distinctive distributions and migrations of 239+240Pu and 241Am in Chinese forest, grassland and desert soils. Chemosphere 2018; 212:1002-1009. [PMID: 30286529 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.09.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 05/16/2018] [Revised: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The vertical distributions and downward migrations of the global fallout derived 239+240Pu and 241Am in diverse types of Chinese soils (forest, grassland and desert) were studied. The mean 239+240Pu and 241Am activity concentrations in the investigated soil cores were 0.28-0.69 mBq/g and 0.13-0.37 mBq/g, respectively, while the accumulative inventories were 61.53-138.99 Bq/m2 for 239+240Pu and 28.29-61.05 Bq/m2 for 241Am. The convection-dispersion equation (CDE) was used to calculate the migration parameters of 239+240Pu and higher apparent dispersion coefficients (D) were observed for the acidic forest soils compared with the alkaline grassland and desert soils; meanwhile a compartment model was employed to compare the migration of 239+240Pu and 241Am in successive soil layers which showed that the migration behaviors of 239+240Pu and 241Am were rather similar; both velocities were less than 0.3 cm/y in diverse types of soils and these findings were compatible with those of short-term laboratory simulation experiments in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youyi Ni
- State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Physics and Technology, School of Physics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Zhongtang Wang
- Institute of Nuclear Physics and Chemistry, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang 621900, China.
| | - Qiuju Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Physics and Technology, School of Physics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Jian Zheng
- National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage, Chiba 263-8555, Japan.
| | - Sixuan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Physics and Technology, School of Physics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Jinxian Lin
- Institute of Nuclear Physics and Chemistry, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang 621900, China
| | - Zhaoyi Tan
- Institute of Nuclear Physics and Chemistry, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang 621900, China
| | - Wenna Huang
- Radiation Monitoring Technical Center of Ministry of Environmental Protection, Hangzhou 310012, China
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Simon O, Barjhoux I, Camilleri V, Gagnaire B, Cavalié I, Orjollet D, Darriau F, Pereira S, Beaugelin-Seillers K, Adam-Guillermin C. Uptake, depuration, dose estimation and effects in zebrafish exposed to Am-241 via dietary route. J Environ Radioact 2018; 193-194:68-74. [PMID: 30199762 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2018.08.011] [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: 03/21/2018] [Revised: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 08/19/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Zebrafish were chronically exposed to Am-241, an alpha-emitting radionuclide via daily consumption of an enriched artificial diet. Am-241 uptake was quantified in Danio rerio after 5 and 21 days of exposure via daily Am-spiked food ingestion and after 21 days of exposure followed by 5 days of depuration. Americium accumulates mostly in digestive tract, muscle, rest of the body but the accumulation levels and trophic transfer rate (0.033-0.013%) were low. Corresponding cumulative doses were calculated for the whole body (9 mGy) and for the digestive tract (42 mGy) with internal alpha radiation contributing to more than 99% of the total dose. Genotoxic effects (gamma-H2AX assay) and differential gene expressions of main biological functions were examined. Although fish were exposed to a low dose rate of 13 μGy h-1, DNA integrity and gene expression linked to oxidative stress, hormonal signaling and spermatogenesis were altered after 21 days of Am-241 exposure. These results underline the higher toxicity of alpha emitter Am-241, as compared to other studies on gamma radiation exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- O Simon
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN) PSE ENV SRTE LECO, Cadarache, Saint Paul-lez-Durance, France.
| | - I Barjhoux
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN) PSE ENV SRTE LECO, Cadarache, Saint Paul-lez-Durance, France
| | - V Camilleri
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN) PSE ENV SRTE LECO, Cadarache, Saint Paul-lez-Durance, France
| | - B Gagnaire
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN) PSE ENV SRTE LECO, Cadarache, Saint Paul-lez-Durance, France
| | - I Cavalié
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN) PSE ENV SRTE LECO, Cadarache, Saint Paul-lez-Durance, France
| | - D Orjollet
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN) PSE ENV SRTE LR2T, Cadarache, Saint Paul-lez-Durance, France
| | - F Darriau
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN) PSE ENV SRTE LECO, Cadarache, Saint Paul-lez-Durance, France
| | - S Pereira
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN) PSE ENV SRTE LECO, Cadarache, Saint Paul-lez-Durance, France
| | - K Beaugelin-Seillers
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN) PSE ENV SRTE LECO, Cadarache, Saint Paul-lez-Durance, France
| | - C Adam-Guillermin
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN) PSE ENV SRTE LECO, Cadarache, Saint Paul-lez-Durance, France
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Pearson AJ, Gaw S, Hermanspahn N, Glover CN. Deterministic and Semiprobabilistic Modeling of the Committed Dose from Radionuclides and the Chemical Burden from Uranium in the New Zealand Diet. J Food Prot 2018; 81:1400-1410. [PMID: 30052073 DOI: 10.4315/0362-028x.jfp-18-053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
To support New Zealand's food safety monitoring, estimates of the current population exposure to ionizing radiation through diet are needed. To calculate the committed dose from radionuclide activities in the food chain, dietary modeling was undertaken for different age and gender groupings of the New Zealand population. Based on a published survey of radionuclide activity concentrations in the New Zealand diet, deterministic and semiprobabilistic models were constructed to derive estimates of the effective dose via the diet. Deterministic estimated annual doses across the different age and gender groupings ranged from a minimum of 48 to 66 μSv/year for teenage girls to a maximum of 126 to 152 μSv/year for adult males. Polonium-210 was the main contributor to ingested dose, with anthropogenic radionuclides contributing very little. For adults, seafood represented the most important source of exposure, with the contribution from this source decreasing for younger age groups. Results of the semiprobabilistic model identified a range of possible ingested doses, with 2.5 to 97.5th percentile ranges of 0.01 to 1.44 μSv/day for adults and 0.02 to 1.84 μSv/day for children. Estimated doses to the New Zealand population show similarities to those of other countries and fall within the expected global range. The current level of exposure to ionizing radiation in the diet does not represent an elevated health risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J Pearson
- 1 Ministry for Primary Industries, P.O. Box 2536, Wellington, 6011, New Zealand.,2 University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand
| | - Sally Gaw
- 2 University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand
| | - Nikolaus Hermanspahn
- 3 Institute of Environmental Science & Research Ltd., P.O. Box 29-181, Christchurch 8540, New Zealand
| | - Chris N Glover
- 4 Faculty of Science and Technology and Athabasca River Basin Research Institute, Athabasca University, Athabasca, Alberta, Canada T9S 3A3; and.,5 Department of Biological Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2R3
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Al-Qasmi H, Law GTW, Fifield LK, Howe JA, Brand T, Cowie GL, Law KA, Livens FR. Deposition of artificial radionuclides in sediments of Loch Etive, Scotland. J Environ Radioact 2018; 187:45-52. [PMID: 29429873 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2018.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [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: 04/07/2017] [Revised: 10/08/2017] [Accepted: 02/01/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The nuclear fuel reprocessing plants on the Sellafield site (UK) have released low-level effluents into the Irish Sea under authorisation since 1952. This has led to the labelling of nearby offshore sediments with a range of artificial radionuclides. In turn, these sediments act as a long-term secondary source of both soluble and particle-associated radionuclides to coastal areas. These radionuclides are of interest both in assessing possible environmental impacts and as tracers for marine processes. Here we present results from a study of the geochemistry of natural (234, 238U) and artificial (137Cs, 241Am, 238Pu, 239+240Pu, and 236U) radionuclides and their accumulation in sediments from Loch Etive, Scotland. The data are interpreted in the context of the historical radioactive discharges to the Irish Sea and biogeochemical processes in marine sediments. Loch Etive is divided into two basins; a lower, seaward basin where the sedimentation rate (∼0.6 cm/yr) is about twice that of the more isolated upper basin (∼0.3 cm/yr). These accumulation rates are consistent with the broad distribution of 137Cs in the sediment profiles which can be related to the maximum Sellafield discharges of 137Cs in the mid-1970s and suggest that 137Cs was mainly transported in solution to Loch Etive during that period. Enrichments of Mn, Fe, and Mo in sediment and porewater from both Loch Etive basins result from contemporary biogeochemical redox processes. Enrichments of 238U and 234U in the lower basin may be a result of the cycling of natural U. By contrast, the Sellafield-derived artificial isotope 236U does not seem to be affected by the redox-driven reactions in the lower basin. The 238Pu/239,240Pu ratios suggest contributions from both historical Sellafield discharges and global fallout Pu. The uniform sediment distributions of Pu and Am, which do not reflect Sellafield historical discharges, suggest the existence of a homogenous secondary source. This could be the offshore 'mud patch' in the vicinity of Sellafield from which the supply of radionuclides reflects time-integrated Sellafield discharges. This source could also account for the continuing supply of Cs to Loch Etive, even after substantial reductions in discharge from the Sellafield site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamza Al-Qasmi
- Centre for Radiochemistry Research, School of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Gareth T W Law
- Centre for Radiochemistry Research, School of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - L Keith Fifield
- Department of Nuclear Physics, Research School of Physics and Engineering, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia
| | - John A Howe
- Scottish Association for Marine Science, Oban, Argyll, PA37 1QA, UK
| | - Tim Brand
- Scottish Association for Marine Science, Oban, Argyll, PA37 1QA, UK
| | - Gregory L Cowie
- School of Geosciences, The University of Edinburgh, King's Buildings, Edinburgh, EH9 3FE, UK
| | - Kathleen A Law
- Centre for Radiochemistry Research, School of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Francis R Livens
- Centre for Radiochemistry Research, School of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
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Thakur P, Runyon T. Ongoing environmental monitoring and assessment of the long-term impacts of the February 2014 radiological release from the waste isolation pilot plant. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2018; 25:17038-17049. [PMID: 29633192 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-018-1795-7] [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: 01/11/2018] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Three years ago, the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) experienced its first minor accident involving a radiological release. Late in the evening on February 14, 2014, a waste container in the repository underwent a chemical reaction that caused the container to overheat and breach, releasing its contents into the underground. Following a lengthy recovery process, the facility recently resumed waste disposal operations. The accident released significant levels of radioactivity into the disposal room and adjacent exhaust drifts, and although no one was present in the underground at the time of the release, a total of 22 workers tested positive for very low level of radiation, presumably from some of the radioactive material that was released above ground through a small leak in the HEPA filtration system. The dominant radionuclides released were 241Am and 239 + 240Pu in a ratio that matched the content of the drum from Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) that was eventually identified as the breached container. From the air particulate monitoring and plume modeling, it was concluded that the dose, at the nearest location accessible to the general public, from this radiation release event would have been less than 0.01 mSv (< 1 mrem/year). This level is well below the 0.1 mSv/year (10 mrem/year) regulatory limit for DOE facilities established by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).While no long-term impacts to public health or the environment are expected as a result of the WIPP radiation release, the limited ventilation and residual contamination levels in the underground are still a concern and pose a major challenge for the full recovery of WIPP. This article provides an up-to-date overview of environmental monitoring results through the WIPP recovery and an estimate of the long-term impacts of the accident on the natural and human environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Punam Thakur
- Carlsbad Environmental Monitoring & Research Center, 1400 University Drive, Carlsbad, NM, 88220, USA.
| | - Tim Runyon
- Carlsbad Technical Assistance Contractor, US Department of Energy, Carlsbad Field Office, 4021 S. National Parks Highway, Carlsbad, NM, 88220, USA
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Mahanty B, Ansari SA, Mohapatra PK, Leoncini A, Huskens J, Verboom W. Liquid-liquid extraction and facilitated transport of f-elements using an N-pivot tripodal ligand. J Hazard Mater 2018; 347:478-485. [PMID: 29367156 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2017.12.068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2017] [Revised: 12/07/2017] [Accepted: 12/28/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Diglycolamide (DGA)-functionalized tripodal ligands offer the required nine-coordinated complex for effective binding to a trivalent lanthanide/actinide ion. A N-pivot tripodal ligand (TREN-DGA) containing three DGA pendant arms was evaluated for the extraction and supported liquid membrane transport studies using PTFE flat sheets. Solvent extraction studies indicated preferential extraction of 1:1 (M:L) species, while the metal ion extraction increased with increasing HNO3 concentration conforming to a solvated species extraction. Flat sheet-supported liquid membrane studies, carried out using 4.0 × 10-3 M TREN-DGA in 95% n-dodecane + 5% iso-decanol indicated faster mass transport for Eu3+ ion as compared to Am3+ ion. The determined transport parameters indicated slow diffusion of the M-TREN-DGA (M = Am or Eu) complex being the rate-determining step. The transport of lanthanides and actinides followed the trend: Eu3+ > Am3+∼ Pu4+ >> UO22+ and Am can be selectively separated from a mixture of U and Pu by oxidizing the latter to its +6 oxidation state. The liquid membrane stability was not encouraging and was deteriorating the transport efficiency with time, which was attributed to carrier loss into the aqueous phases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bholanath Mahanty
- Radiochemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400085, India
| | - Seraj A Ansari
- Radiochemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400085, India
| | | | - Andrea Leoncini
- Laboratory of Molecular Nanofabrication, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Jurriaan Huskens
- Laboratory of Molecular Nanofabrication, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Willem Verboom
- Laboratory of Molecular Nanofabrication, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands
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Krmpotić M, Rožmarić M, Benedik L. Evaluation of several electrolyte mixture-cathode material combinations in electrodeposition of americium radioisotopes for alpha-spectrometric measurements. Appl Radiat Isot 2017; 128:158-164. [PMID: 28728068 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2017.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2017] [Revised: 05/25/2017] [Accepted: 07/04/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Three different types of electrolytes, subsequently modified and adjusted, in combination with three cathode materials used as source backings were analysed for electrodeposition of americium isotopes for alpha-spectrometric measurements. The obtained results are discussed in terms of electrodeposition yield and source quality (source homogeneity and spectral resolution, FWHM). The optimal conditions for source preparation are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matea Krmpotić
- Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, HR-10 000 Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Martina Rožmarić
- Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, HR-10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
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27
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Laynez-Bretones F, Lozano-Padilla C. Fifty years since the nuclear accident in Palomares (Almeria). Medical repercussions. Rev Clin Esp 2017; 217:263-266. [PMID: 28237407 DOI: 10.1016/j.rce.2016.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2016] [Accepted: 12/27/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
In January 1966, 2 US military aircraft collided over the skies of Palomares (Almeria). One of them carried thermonuclear bombs, which released plutonium and other radioactive materials upon striking the ground. The most contaminated earth and plants were immediately removed. The Indalo Project was launched to study the effects of nuclear material on the inhabitants and environment of Palomares. A total of 1,077 inhabitants have been monitored since then, and the official version is that the ionising radiation has not been related to any type of disease. However, secrecy has surrounded much of the investigations, and no trustworthy epidemiological study has been conducted in the area. Approximately 500g of plutonium and americium remains in Palomares. Although the risk for the population appears to be low, this radioactive material should be removed as soon as possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Laynez-Bretones
- Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Torrecárdenas, Almería, España.
| | - C Lozano-Padilla
- Unidad de Gestión Clínica Bajo Andarax, Distrito Almería, Almería, España
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28
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Thakur P, Lemons BG. Source and long-term behavior of transuranic aerosols in the WIPP environment. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2016; 23:19645-19656. [PMID: 27394421 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-016-7155-6] [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: 02/16/2016] [Accepted: 06/26/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Source and long-term behavior transuranic aerosols ((239+240)Pu, (238)Pu, and (241)Am) in the ambient air samples collected at and near the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) deep geologic repository site were investigated using historical data from an independent monitoring program conducted by the Carlsbad Environmental Monitoring and Research Center and an oversight monitoring program conducted by the management and operating contractor for WIPP at and near the facility. An analysis of historical data indicates frequent detections of (239+240)Pu and (241)Am, whereas (238)Pu is detected infrequently. Peaks in (239+240)Pu and (241)Am concentrations in ambient air generally occur from March to June timeframe, which is when strong and gusty winds in the area frequently give rise to blowing dust. Long-term measurements of plutonium isotopes (1985-2015) in the WIPP environment suggest that the resuspension of previously contaminated soils is likely the primary source of plutonium in the ambient air samples from WIPP and its vicinity. There is no evidence that WIPP is a source of environmental contamination that can be considered significant by any health-based standard.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Thakur
- Carlsbad Environmental Monitoring & Research Center, 1400 University Drive, Carlsbad, NM, 88220, USA.
| | - B G Lemons
- Carlsbad Environmental Monitoring & Research Center, 1400 University Drive, Carlsbad, NM, 88220, USA
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29
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Thakur P, Lemons BG, White CR. The magnitude and relevance of the February 2014 radiation release from the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant repository in New Mexico, USA. Sci Total Environ 2016; 565:1124-1137. [PMID: 27261427 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.05.158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [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: 01/23/2016] [Revised: 05/20/2016] [Accepted: 05/22/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
After almost fifteen years of successful waste disposal operations, the first unambiguous airborne radiation release from the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) was detected beyond the site boundary on February 14, 2014. It was the first accident of its kind in the 15-year operating history of the WIPP. The accident released moderate levels of radioactivity into the underground air. A small but measurable amount of radioactivity also escaped to the surface through the ventilation system and was detected above ground. The dominant radionuclides released were americium and plutonium, in a ratio consistent with the known content of a breached drum. The radiation release was caused by a runaway chemical reaction inside a transuranic (TRU) waste drum which experienced a seal and lid failure, spewing radioactive materials into the repository. According to source-term estimation, approximately 2 to 10Ci of radioactivity was released from the breached drum into the underground, and an undetermined fraction of that source term became airborne, setting off an alarm and triggering the closure of seals designed to force exhausting air through a system of filters including high-efficiency-particulate-air (HEPA) filters. Air monitoring across the WIPP site intensified following the first reports of radiation detection underground to determine the extent of impact to WIPP personnel, the public, and the environment, if any. This article attempts to compile and interpret analytical data collected by an independent monitoring program conducted by the Carlsbad Environmental Monitoring & Research Center (CEMRC) and by a compliance-monitoring program conducted by the WIPP's management and operating contractor, the Nuclear Waste Partnership (NWP), LLC., in response to the accident. Both the independent and the WIPP monitoring efforts concluded that the levels detected were very low and localized, and no radiation-related health effects among local workers or the public would be expected.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Thakur
- Carlsbad Environmental Monitoring & Research Center, 1400 University Drive, Carlsbad, NM, 88220, USA
| | - B G Lemons
- AECOM, Carlsbad Operations, Carlsbad, NM, 88220, USA
| | - C R White
- AECOM, Carlsbad Operations, Carlsbad, NM, 88220, USA
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30
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Rzemek K, Czerwiński A, Ośko J, Tymińska K, Dymecka M, Pliszczyński T. Determination of 238Pu, 239+240Pu and 241Am in air filters. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2016; 311:1271-1276. [PMID: 28250547 PMCID: PMC5306272 DOI: 10.1007/s10967-016-5015-y] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this work is to present the method for sequential plutonium and americium activity determination in air filters using chromatographic radionuclide separation and alpha spectrometry measurement. The developed method may be employed for the purposes of workplace monitoring and as an indicator of the need of introducing the individual monitoring as well as a useful complementation of individual monitoring. Basic parameters describing the developed method such as values of chemical recoveries and minimum detectable activities for plutonium and americium isotopes have been determined. Applied counting efficiency was obtained using Monte Carlo calculation method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Rzemek
- National Centre for Nuclear Research, Sołtana 7, 05-400 Otwock, Poland
| | - Andrzej Czerwiński
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Pasteura 1, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jakub Ośko
- National Centre for Nuclear Research, Sołtana 7, 05-400 Otwock, Poland
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31
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Olid C, Diego D, Garcia-Orellana J, Cortizas AM, Klaminder J. Modeling the downward transport of (210)Pb in Peatlands: Initial Penetration-Constant Rate of Supply (IP-CRS) model. Sci Total Environ 2016; 541:1222-1231. [PMID: 26476062 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.09.131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2015] [Revised: 09/21/2015] [Accepted: 09/24/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The vertical distribution of (210)Pb is commonly used to date peat deposits accumulated over the last 100-150 years. However, several studies have questioned this method because of an apparent post-depositional mobility of (210)Pb within some peat profiles. In this study, we introduce the Initial Penetration–Constant Rate of Supply (IP-CRS) model for calculating ages derived from 210Pb profiles that are altered by an initial migration of the radionuclide. This new, two-phased, model describes the distribution of atmospheric-derived (210)Pb ((210)Pbxs) in peat taking into account both incorporation of (210)Pb into the accumulating peat matrix as well as an initial flushing of (210)Pb through the uppermost peat layers. The validity of the IP-CRS model is tested in four anomalous (210)Pb peat records that showed some deviations from the typical exponential decay profile not explained by variations in peat accumulation rates. Unlike the most commonly used (210)Pb-dating model (Constant Rate of Supply (CRS)), the IP-CRS model estimates peat accumulation rates consistent with typical growth rates for peatlands from the same areas. Confidence in the IP-CRS chronology is also provided by the good agreement with independent chronological markers (i.e. (241)Am and (137)Cs). Our results showed that the IP-CRS can provide chronologies from peat records where (210)Pb mobility is evident, being a valuable tool for studies reconstructing past environmental changes using peat archives during the Anthropocene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Olid
- Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Umeå University, SE-90187, Umeå, Sweden.
| | - David Diego
- Department of Earth Science, University of Bergen, NO-5020 Bergen, Norway
| | - Jordi Garcia-Orellana
- Departament de Física, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, E-08193 Bellaterra, Spain; Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals (ICTA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, E-08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Antonio Martínez Cortizas
- Departamento de Edafoloxía e Química Agrícola, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, E-15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Jonatan Klaminder
- Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Umeå University, SE-90187, Umeå, Sweden
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32
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Francis AJ, Dodge CJ. Microbial mobilization of plutonium and other actinides from contaminated soil. J Environ Radioact 2015; 150:277-285. [PMID: 26406590 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2015.08.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [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: 06/03/2015] [Revised: 08/17/2015] [Accepted: 08/24/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
We examined the dissolution of Pu, U, and Am in contaminated soil from the Nevada Test Site (NTS) due to indigenous microbial activity. Scanning transmission x-ray microscopy (STXM) analysis of the soil showed that Pu was present in its polymeric form and associated with Fe- and Mn- oxides and aluminosilicates. Uranium analysis by x-ray diffraction (μ-XRD) revealed discrete U-containing mineral phases, viz., schoepite, sharpite, and liebigite; synchrotron x-ray fluorescence (μ-XRF) mapping showed its association with Fe- and Ca-phases; and μ-x-ray absorption near edge structure (μ-XANES) confirmed U(IV) and U(VI) oxidation states. Addition of citric acid or glucose to the soil and incubated under aerobic or anaerobic conditions enhanced indigenous microbial activity and the dissolution of Pu. Detectable amount of Am and no U was observed in solution. In the citric acid-amended sample, Pu concentration increased with time and decreased to below detection levels when the citric acid was completely consumed. In contrast, with glucose amendment, Pu remained in solution. Pu speciation studies suggest that it exists in mixed oxidation states (III/IV) in a polymeric form as colloids. Although Pu(IV) is the most prevalent and generally considered to be more stable chemical form in the environment, our findings suggest that under the appropriate conditions, microbial activity could affect its solubility and long-term stability in contaminated environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J Francis
- Biological, Environmental & Climate Sciences Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973, USA.
| | - C J Dodge
- Biological, Environmental & Climate Sciences Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973, USA
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Dittrich TM, Boukhalfa H, Ware SD, Reimus PW. Laboratory investigation of the role of desorption kinetics on americium transport associated with bentonite colloids. J Environ Radioact 2015; 148:170-182. [PMID: 26184579 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2015.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [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: 03/31/2015] [Revised: 06/30/2015] [Accepted: 07/01/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the parameters that control colloid-mediated transport of radionuclides is important for the safe disposal of used nuclear fuel. We report an experimental and reactive transport modeling examination of americium transport in a groundwater-bentonite-fracture fill material system. A series of batch sorption and column transport experiments were conducted to determine the role of desorption kinetics from bentonite colloids in the transport of americium through fracture materials. We used fracture fill material from a shear zone in altered granodiorite collected from the Grimsel Test Site (GTS) in Switzerland and colloidal suspensions generated from FEBEX bentonite, a potential repository backfill material. The colloidal suspension (100 mg L(-1)) was prepared in synthetic groundwater that matched the natural water chemistry at GTS and was spiked with 5.5 × 10(-10) M (241)Am. Batch characterizations indicated that 97% of the americium in the stock suspension was adsorbed to the colloids. Breakthrough experiments conducted by injecting the americium colloidal suspension through three identical columns in series, each with mean residence times of 6 h, show that more than 95% of the bentonite colloids were transported through each of the columns, with modeled colloid filtration rates (k(f)) of 0.01-0.02 h(-1). Am recoveries in each column were 55-60%, and Am desorption rate constants from the colloids, determined from 1-D transport modeling, were 0.96, 0.98, and 0.91 h(-1) in the three columns, respectively. The consistency in Am recoveries and desorption rate constants in each column indicates that the Am was not associated with binding sites of widely-varying strengths on the colloids, as one binding site with fast kinetics represented the system accurately for all three sequential columns. Our data suggest that colloid-mediated transport of Am in a bentonite-fracture fill material system is unlikely to result in transport over long distance scales because of the ability of the fracture materials to rapidly strip Am from the bentonite colloids and the apparent lack of a strong binding site that would keep a fraction of the Am strongly-associated with the colloids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy Mark Dittrich
- Earth and Environmental Sciences Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, P.O. Box 1663, Mail Stop J966, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA.
| | - Hakim Boukhalfa
- Earth and Environmental Sciences Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, P.O. Box 1663, Mail Stop J966, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA.
| | - Stuart Douglas Ware
- Earth and Environmental Sciences Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, P.O. Box 1663, Mail Stop J966, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA.
| | - Paul William Reimus
- Earth and Environmental Sciences Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, P.O. Box 1663, Mail Stop J966, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA.
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34
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Snow MS, Clark SB, Morrison SS, Watrous MG, Olson JE, Snyder DC. Mechanical environmental transport of actinides and ¹³⁷Cs from an arid radioactive waste disposal site. J Environ Radioact 2015; 148:42-49. [PMID: 26107287 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2015.06.009] [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: 02/19/2015] [Revised: 06/04/2015] [Accepted: 06/09/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Aeolian and pluvial processes represent important mechanisms for the movement of actinides and fission products at the Earth's surface. Soil samples taken in the early 1970's near a Department of Energy radioactive waste disposal site (the Subsurface Disposal Area, SDA, located in southeastern Idaho) provide a case study for studying the mechanisms and characteristics of environmental actinide and (137)Cs transport in an arid environment. Multi-component mixing models suggest actinide contamination within 2.5 km of the SDA can be described by mixing between 2 distinct SDA end members and regional nuclear weapons fallout. The absence of chemical fractionation between (241)Am and (239+240)Pu with depth for samples beyond the northeastern corner and lack of (241)Am in-growth over time (due to (241)Pu decay) suggest mechanical transport and mixing of discrete contaminated particles under arid conditions. Occasional samples northeast of the SDA (the direction of the prevailing winds) contain anomalously high concentrations of Pu with (240)Pu/(239)Pu isotopic ratios statistically identical to those in the northeastern corner. Taken together, these data suggest flooding resulted in mechanical transport of contaminated particles into the area between the SDA and a flood containment dike in the northeastern corner, following which subsequent contamination spreading in the northeastern direction resulted from wind transport of discrete particles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathew S Snow
- Department of Chemistry, Washington State University, PO Box 644630, Pullman, WA 99164-4630, USA; Idaho National Laboratory, PO Box 1625, Idaho Falls, ID 83415-2805, USA.
| | - Sue B Clark
- Department of Chemistry, Washington State University, PO Box 644630, Pullman, WA 99164-4630, USA
| | - Samuel S Morrison
- Department of Chemistry, Washington State University, PO Box 644630, Pullman, WA 99164-4630, USA
| | - Matthew G Watrous
- Idaho National Laboratory, PO Box 1625, Idaho Falls, ID 83415-2805, USA
| | - John E Olson
- Idaho National Laboratory, PO Box 1625, Idaho Falls, ID 83415-2805, USA
| | - Darin C Snyder
- Idaho National Laboratory, PO Box 1625, Idaho Falls, ID 83415-2805, USA
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Thakur P, Lemons BG, Ballard S, Hardy R. Environmental and health impacts of February 14, 2014 radiation release from the nation's only deep geologic nuclear waste repository. J Environ Radioact 2015; 146:6-15. [PMID: 25880461 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2015.03.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [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: 02/17/2015] [Revised: 03/26/2015] [Accepted: 03/29/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The environmental impact of the February 14, 2014 radiation release from the nation's only deep geologic nuclear waste repository, the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) was assessed using monitoring data from an independent monitoring program conducted by the Carlsbad Environmental Monitoring & Research Center (CEMRC). After almost 15 years of safe and efficient operations, the WIPP had one of its waste drums rupture underground resulting in the release of moderate levels of radioactivity into the underground air. A small amount of radioactivity also escaped to the surface through the ventilation system and was detected above ground. It was the first unambiguous release from the WIPP repository. The dominant radionuclides released were americium and plutonium, in a ratio that matches the content of the breached drum. The accelerated air monitoring campaign, which began following the accident, indicates that releases were low and localized, and no radiation-related health effects among local workers or the public would be expected. The highest activity detected was 115.2 μBq/m(3) for (241)Am and 10.2 μBq/m(3) for (239+240)Pu at a sampling station located 91 m away from the underground air exhaust point and 81.4 μBq/m(3) of (241)Am and 5.8 μBq/m(3) of (239+240)Pu at a monitoring station located approximately one kilometer northwest of the WIPP facility. CEMRC's recent monitoring data show that the concentration levels of these radionuclides have returned to normal background levels and in many instances, are not even detectable, demonstrating no long-term environmental impacts of the recent radiation release event at the WIPP. This article presents an evaluation of almost one year of environmental monitoring data that informed the public that the levels of radiation that got out to the environment were very low and did not, and will not harm anyone or have any long-term environmental consequence. In terms of radiological risk at or in the vicinity of the WIPP site, the increased risk from the WIPP releases is exceedingly small, approaching zero.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Thakur
- Carlsbad Environmental Monitoring & Research Center, 1400 University Drive, Carlsbad, NM 88220, USA.
| | - B G Lemons
- Carlsbad Environmental Monitoring & Research Center, 1400 University Drive, Carlsbad, NM 88220, USA
| | - S Ballard
- Carlsbad Environmental Monitoring & Research Center, 1400 University Drive, Carlsbad, NM 88220, USA
| | - R Hardy
- Carlsbad Environmental Monitoring & Research Center, 1400 University Drive, Carlsbad, NM 88220, USA
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Huckle JE, Sadgrove MP, Pacyniak E, Leed MGD, Weber WM, Doyle-Eisele M, Guilmette RA, Agha BJ, Susick RL, Mumper RJ, Jay M. Orally administered DTPA di-ethyl ester for decorporation of (241)Am in dogs: Assessment of safety and efficacy in an inhalation-contamination model. Int J Radiat Biol 2015; 91:568-75. [PMID: 25912343 DOI: 10.3109/09553002.2015.1043753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Currently two injectable products of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) are U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved for decorporation of (241)Am; however, an oral product is considered more amenable in a mass casualty situation. The di-ethyl ester of DTPA, named C2E2, is being developed as an oral drug for treatment of internal radionuclide contamination. MATERIALS AND METHODS Single-dose decorporation efficacy of C2E2 administered 24-h post contamination was determined in beagle dogs using a (241)Am nitrate inhalation contamination model. Single and multiple dose toxicity studies in beagle dogs were performed as part of an initial safety assessment program. In addition, the genotoxic potential of C2E2 was evaluated by the in vitro bacterial reverse mutation Ames test, mammalian cell chromosome aberration cytogenetic assay and an in vivo micronucleus test. RESULTS Oral administration of C2E2 significantly increased (241)Am elimination over untreated controls and significantly reduced the retention of (241)Am in tissues, especially liver, kidney, lung and bone. Daily dosing of 200 mg/kg/day for 10 days was well tolerated in dogs. C2E2 was found to be neither mutagenic or clastogenic. CONCLUSIONS The di-ethyl ester of DTPA (C2E2) was shown to effectively enhance the elimination of (241)Am after oral administration in a dog inhalation-contamination model and was well tolerated in toxicity studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- James E Huckle
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics , Chapel Hill , NC
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Ding M, Kelkar S, Meijer A. Surface complexation modeling of americium sorption onto volcanic tuff. J Environ Radioact 2014; 136:181-187. [PMID: 24963803 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2014.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [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: 10/15/2013] [Revised: 05/27/2014] [Accepted: 06/04/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Results of a surface complexation model (SCM) for americium sorption on volcanic rocks (devitrified and zeolitic tuff) are presented. The model was developed using PHREEQC and based on laboratory data for americium sorption on quartz. Available data for sorption of americium on quartz as a function of pH in dilute groundwater can be modeled with two surface reactions involving an americium sulfate and an americium carbonate complex. It was assumed in applying the model to volcanic rocks from Yucca Mountain, that the surface properties of volcanic rocks can be represented by a quartz surface. Using groundwaters compositionally representative of Yucca Mountain, americium sorption distribution coefficient (Kd, L/Kg) values were calculated as function of pH. These Kd values are close to the experimentally determined Kd values for americium sorption on volcanic rocks, decreasing with increasing pH in the pH range from 7 to 9. The surface complexation constants, derived in this study, allow prediction of sorption of americium in a natural complex system, taking into account the inherent uncertainty associated with geochemical conditions that occur along transport pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Ding
- MS J966, Los Alamos National Laboratory, P.O. Box 1663, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA.
| | - S Kelkar
- MS J966, Los Alamos National Laboratory, P.O. Box 1663, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA
| | - A Meijer
- GCX Inc., 1389 E. Stoney Canyon Cr., Tuscon, AZ 85737, USA
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Banerjee C, Dudwadkar N, Tripathi SC, Gandhi PM, Grover V, Kaushik CP, Tyagi AK. Nano-cerium vanadate: a novel inorganic ion exchanger for removal of americium and uranium from simulated aqueous nuclear waste. J Hazard Mater 2014; 280:63-70. [PMID: 25128895 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2014.07.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [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: 09/13/2013] [Revised: 06/12/2014] [Accepted: 07/07/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Cerium vanadate nanopowders were synthesized by a facile low temperature co-precipitation method. The product was characterized by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy and found to consist of ∼25 nm spherical nanoparticles. The efficiency of these nanopowders for uptake of alpha-emitting radionuclides (233)U (4.82 MeV α) and (241)Am (5.49 MeV α, 60 keV γ) has been investigated. Thermodynamically and kinetically favorable uptake of these radionuclides resulted in their complete removal within 3h from aqueous acidic feed solutions. The uptake capacity was observed to increase with increase in pH as the zeta potential value decreased with the increase in pH but effect of ionic strength was insignificant. Little influence of the ions like Sr(2+), Ru(3+), Fe(3+), etc., in the uptake process indicated CeVO4 nanopowders to be amenable for practical applications. The isotherms indicated predominant uptake of the radioactive metal ions in the solid phase of the exchanger at lower feed concentrations and linear Kielland plots with positive slopes indicated favorable exchange of the metal ions with the nanopowder. Performance comparison with the other sorbents reported indicated excellent potential of nano-cerium vanadate for removing americium and uranium from large volumes of aqueous acidic solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chayan Banerjee
- Fuel Reprocessing Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400085, India
| | - Nilesh Dudwadkar
- Fuel Reprocessing Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400085, India
| | | | | | - Vinita Grover
- Waste Management Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400085, India
| | | | - Avesh Kumar Tyagi
- Waste Management Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400085, India.
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Griffiths NM, Coudert S, Molina T, Wilk JC, Renault D, Berard P, Van der Meeren A. Increased retention of americium in kidneys as compared with plutonium in an actinide wound contamination model in the rat. Int J Radiat Biol 2014; 90:1019-24. [PMID: 24650071 DOI: 10.3109/09553002.2014.905723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Americium-241 ((241)Am) presents a potential risk for nuclear industry workers associated with reactor decommissioning and aging combustible materials. The purpose of this study was to investigate Am renal retention after actinide contamination by wounding in the rat. MATERIALS AND METHODS Anesthetized rats were contaminated with Mixed Oxide (MOX) (7.1% Plutonium [Pu] by mass and containing 27% Am as % total alpha activity), Pu or Am nitrate following an incision wound of the hind leg. Times of euthanasia ranged from 2 hours to 5 months after contamination. Pu and Am levels were quantified following radiochemistry and alpha-spectrophotometry. RESULTS Initial data show that over the experimental period the proportion of Am in kidneys as a fraction of total kidney alpha activity was elevated as compared to MOX powder indicating a specific retention in this organ. The percentage of Pu was similar to the powder. After MOX contamination, kidney to liver ratios appeared to increase more markedly for Am (from 0.2 at 7 days to 0.6 at 90 days) as compared with Pu (0.1 at 7 days to 0.2 at 90 days). In accordance with tissue actinide retention the dose from Am to the kidney increases with time. For comparison, the ratio of estimated equivalent doses due to Am to kidney is 1.5-fold greater than for Pu (around 90 versus 60 mSv). CONCLUSION After actinide contamination of wounds, Am is concentrated in the kidneys as compared to Pu leading to potential exposure of renal tissue to both alpha particles and gamma radiation.
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Brudecki K, Mietelski JW, Anczkiewicz R, Golec EB, Tomankiewicz E, Kuźma K, Zagrodzki P, Golec J, Nowak S, Szczygieł E, Dudkiewicz Z. Plutonium, 90Sr and 241Am in human bones from southern and northeastern parts of Poland. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2013; 299:1379-1388. [PMID: 26224962 PMCID: PMC4514605 DOI: 10.1007/s10967-013-2850-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The paper presents the results of our study on 238Pu, 239Pu, 240Pu, 241Am and 90Sr concentration in human bones carried out on a set of 88 individual samples of central Europe origin. Bone tissue samples were retrieved under surgery while introducing hip joint implants. The conducted surgeries tend to cover either southern or northeastern parts of Poland. While for the southern samples only global fallout was expected to be seen, a mixed global and Chernobyl fallout were to be reflected in the others. Alpha spectrometry was applied to obtain activity concentration for 238Pu, 239+240Pu, 241Am, while liquid scintillation spectrometry for 90Sr and mass spectrometry to receive 240Pu/239Pu mass ratio. Surprisingly enough, and to the contrary to our expectations we could not see any significant differences in either Pu activity or Pu mass ratio between the studied populations. In both populations Chernobyl fraction proved marginal. The results on 90Sr and 241Am confirm similarities between the two examined groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamil Brudecki
- Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Jerzy W. Mietelski
- Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Robert Anczkiewicz
- Institute of Geological Sciences, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Edward B. Golec
- 5th Military Clinical Hospital with Polyclinic, Kraków, Poland
- Faculty of Motor of the Bronislaw Czech University School of Physical Education, Kraków, Poland
- Faculty of Physical Therapy, Administration College, Bielsko-Biała, Poland
| | - Ewa Tomankiewicz
- Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Konstanty Kuźma
- General Hospital in Bielsk Podlaski, Bielsk Podlaski, Poland
| | - Paweł Zagrodzki
- Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
- Chair of Bromathology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland
| | - Joanna Golec
- Faculty of Motor of the Bronislaw Czech University School of Physical Education, Kraków, Poland
- Faculty of Physical Therapy, Administration College, Bielsko-Biała, Poland
| | - Sebastian Nowak
- 5th Military Clinical Hospital with Polyclinic, Kraków, Poland
| | - Elżbieta Szczygieł
- Faculty of Motor of the Bronislaw Czech University School of Physical Education, Kraków, Poland
| | - Zbigniew Dudkiewicz
- Hand Surgery Clinic, Chair of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, Medical University Łódź, Lodz, Poland
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Benedik L. An overview of results obtained in intercomparison exercises for determination of actinides. Appl Radiat Isot 2013; 81:10-3. [PMID: 23566808 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2013.03.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2012] [Accepted: 03/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
In recent years the Jožef Stefan Institute participated in numerous intercomparison exercises for determination of natural and man-made radionuclides. The reported values were mostly in good agreement with the resulting reference values. This paper describes an analysis of the measurement results obtained in intercomparison exercises for determination of actinides in the period from 2009 to 2011, organised by the National Physical Laboratory and the Bundesamt für Strahlenschutz. The review covers neptunium, plutonium and americium radioisotopes over this period.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Benedik
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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