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Tariba Lovaković B, Rašeta D, Lazarus M, Jurica K, Živković Semren T, Jurič A, Dramićanin A, Petrinec B, Bulog A, Brčić Karačonji I. Elemental and Radiological Characterisation of Arbutus unedo L. Leaves and Tea: Impact of Preparation Method on Nutritional Risk/Benefit. Biol Trace Elem Res 2024:10.1007/s12011-024-04201-9. [PMID: 38702515 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-024-04201-9] [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] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to characterise the elemental and radiological composition of strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.) leaves and tea preparations and compare it with commercial Uvin H herbal mixture, widely used in treatment of urinary tract infections. The concentration of 17 elements and the activity concentration of selected radionuclides were measured in strawberry tree leaves/Uvin H herbal mixture, as well as in herbal tea prepared by infusion or decoction of leaves for 5 or 10 min. In both leaves and tea preparations, Ca, K, Mg, and Na were the most abundant elements, while the lowest levels were measured for As, Co, Mo, and Se. Only 137Cs and 40K were detected in analysed leaves/herbal mixture, while the activity of radionuclides in tea preparations was below the detection limit. The maximum possible health benefits can be obtained by a 10-min decoction of leaves, which resulted in the highest total phenolic content and antioxidant activity and levels of K, Ca, Mg, Na, Fe, Mn, and Se in comparison to the other preparation methods evaluated in this study. The calculated intake of potentially toxic elements and radionuclides does not represent a health risk to consumers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blanka Tariba Lovaković
- Division of Toxicology, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Davor Rašeta
- Division of Radiation Protection, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Maja Lazarus
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Health, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Karlo Jurica
- Special Security Operations Directorate, Ministry of the Interior, Ulica grada Vukovara 33, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Tanja Živković Semren
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Health, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Andreja Jurič
- Division of Toxicology, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Aleksandra Dramićanin
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 12-16, Belgrade, 11158, Serbia
| | - Branko Petrinec
- Division of Radiation Protection, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
- Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Crkvena ulica 21, 31000, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Aleksandar Bulog
- Department of Health Ecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Braće Branchetta 20, 51000, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Irena Brčić Karačonji
- Division of Toxicology, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health Studies, University of Rijeka, Viktora Cara Emina 5, 51000, Rijeka, Croatia.
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Jurišić V, Rašeta D, Kontek M, Clifton-Brown J, Trindade LM, Lamy I, Guerin A, Kiesel A, Matin A, Krička T, Petrinec B. Assessment of the radionuclide remediation potential of novel miscanthus hybrids. Heliyon 2024; 10:e27788. [PMID: 38515730 PMCID: PMC10955284 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e27788] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
There are few studies related to the radionuclide remediation options, which comply to the demands of the environmentally non-destructive physical remediation methods. So far, most of the research was conducted on the phytoremediation capacity of different energy crops, as well as the established miscanthus hybrids which involved metal and heavy metal contaminants. Hence, the objective of this research was the radioecological characterization of the examined agroecosystem, including the initial source of the radionuclides (soil) as well as different miscanthus hybrids grown on the same soil. The results have shown that the radioactive content of soil was similar to the global averages. All measurements of the activity concentration of 137Cs in miscanthus samples were below the detection limits. There is also an indication that 210Pb is leaching into the lower layers (or is being taken up by miscanthus plant from the upper layers). Moreover, transfer factors (TFs) for radionuclides, as a more precise parameter for evaluating the phytoremediation potential, were calculated; the TFs were found to be very low for 226Ra (≤0.07), TFs for 40K (≤0.39) and for 232Th (≤0.21) were in the lower limits, whereas the TFs for 238U were found to be the highest (≤0.92). For 210Pb, the TFs were not calculated, since the expectation was that a significant part of the measured quantity came from the air, and not through the soil. Having in mind the sustainability and the circularity aspect of the radionuclide phytoremediation system, the appropriate management method should be applied for the disposal and utilization of the biomass contaminated with radionuclides. This research has shown that the radiological content in miscanthus is high enough and the ash content is low enough that miscanthus ash could be considered as a NORM (Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material), and it can be further used for the construction industry (i.e. concrete, tiles), in mixtures with other materials with certain limitations, similar to the utilization of ash from other sources such as coal or wood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanja Jurišić
- University of Zagreb Faculty of Agriculture, Svetošimunska cesta 25, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Davor Rašeta
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Mislav Kontek
- Energovizija d.o.o., Ilica 42, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - John Clifton-Brown
- Justus Liebig University Giessen, Ludwigstrasse 23, 35390, Giessen, Germany
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, UK
| | - Luisa M. Trindade
- Wageningen University & Research, Plant Breeding, Droevendaalsesteeg 4, 6708, PB Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Isabelle Lamy
- University Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, UMR EcoSys, 91120, Palaiseau, France
| | - Annie Guerin
- US 0010 Laboratoire d’Analyses des Sols (LAS), 62000, Arras, France
| | - Andreas Kiesel
- University of Hohenheim, Institute of Crop Science, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Ana Matin
- University of Zagreb Faculty of Agriculture, Svetošimunska cesta 25, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Tajana Krička
- University of Zagreb Faculty of Agriculture, Svetošimunska cesta 25, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Branko Petrinec
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
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Jurič A, Tariba Lovaković B, Lazarus M, Petrinec B, Širić I, Brčić Karačonji I. Development of a solid phase microextraction method for the determination of nicotine in dried mushrooms. Anal Methods 2023; 15:4980-4986. [PMID: 37727143 DOI: 10.1039/d3ay01181j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
Official control of EU market foodstuffs repeatedly reports high nicotine levels in dried wild mushrooms without any clear scientific consensus about their origin. The advised constant monitoring calls for improvements to existing methods. For this purpose, our aim was to develop a headspace solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) method coupled to gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection (GC-MS) that would eliminate the need for extensive sample pre-treatment. The type of fiber coating, amount of sample, extraction temperature and time, desorption time and salt addition were investigated and optimized as parameters affecting the SPME procedure. The optimized conditions were used to validate a quantitative method for nicotine analysis by matrix-matched calibration and isotopically labelled internal standard correction. The method provided good linearity (r2 = 0.9994) over the tested concentration range (0.025-1 mg kg-1), low detection limit (0.005 mg kg-1) and low quantification limit (0.017 mg kg-1) for nicotine, being below the EU foodstuff regulations. For both of the tested concentration levels (0.050 and 0.200 mg kg-1), precision expressed as relative standard deviation was below 10% (4.5% and 8.5%, respectively), while accuracy was 98.2% and 100.3%. The optimized method was then used to determine nicotine levels in 18 samples of dried Boletus mushrooms from southeastern European countries entering the EU market. We demonstrated our HS-SPME procedure to be fast, simple, sensitive, solvent-free, cost-effective and thus suitable for controlling consumer safety regarding nicotine level in dried mushrooms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreja Jurič
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Blanka Tariba Lovaković
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Maja Lazarus
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Branko Petrinec
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Ivan Širić
- University of Zagreb Faculty of Agriculture, Svetošimunska cesta 25, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Irena Brčić Karačonji
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
- University of Rijeka Faculty of Health Studies, Viktora Cara Emina 5, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
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Skoko B, Kovačić M, Lazarus M, Sekovanić A, Kovačić J, Sergiel A, Zwijacz-Kozica T, Reljić S, Petrinec B, Selva N, Huber Đ. 90Sr and stable element levels in bones of brown bears: long-term trends in bear populations from Croatia and Poland. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2023; 30:32507-32522. [PMID: 36460888 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-24397-4] [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: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the temporal trends and geographical differences in 90Sr and stable element (Ba, Ca, Mn, Sr, Pb, Zn) levels in the bones of Croatian and Polish brown bear (Ursus arctos) populations. Experimental data suggest that in the decades after nuclear weapon tests and the Chernobyl accident, 90Sr bone activity concentrations decreased from 352 to 11 Bq kg-1 in the Croatian bear population (period 1982-2015) and from 831 to 27 Bq kg-1 in Polish bears (period 1962-2020). Calculated effective and ecological half-lives were 9 and 13 years for Croatian bears, and 15 and 31 years for Polish bears, respectively. Different temporal trends were noted in levels of Ba, Mn, Pb and Zn between the two countries with majority of bones having lower Pb, Sr and Zn in Croatian than in Polish bears. Estimated values for the soil-to-bear transfer of 90Sr were the same order of magnitude in the studied populations. Contrary to this, the estimated transfer of stable Sr was an order of magnitude lower for the Croatian bear population compared to Polish bears. The observed differences in soil-to-bear transfer between stable Sr and 90Sr found for Croatian bears might suggest the need for careful consideration on the use of stable Sr data as an analogue for 90Sr. To our knowledge, this is the first study that analysed 90Sr activity in tissue of brown bears. As such, it provides insight into the fate and behaviour of one of the most relevant anthropogenic radionuclides at the top of the food chain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Božena Skoko
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska Cesta 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Milica Kovačić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska Cesta 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Maja Lazarus
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska Cesta 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Ankica Sekovanić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska Cesta 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Jelena Kovačić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska Cesta 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Agnieszka Sergiel
- Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Aleja Adama Mickiewicza 33, 31-120, Kraków, Poland
| | | | - Slaven Reljić
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Heinzelova Ulica 55, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Branko Petrinec
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska Cesta 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Nuria Selva
- Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Aleja Adama Mickiewicza 33, 31-120, Kraków, Poland
| | - Đuro Huber
- Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Aleja Adama Mickiewicza 33, 31-120, Kraków, Poland
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Heinzelova Ulica 55, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
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Skoko B, Kovačić M, Lazarus M, Sekovanić A, Kovačić J, Sergiel A, Zwijacz-Kozica T, Reljić S, Petrinec B, Selva N, Huber Đ. Correction to: 90Sr and stable element levels in bones of brown bears: long‑term trends in bear populations from Croatia and Poland. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2023; 30:32523. [PMID: 36522577 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-24687-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Božena Skoko
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska Cesta 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Milica Kovačić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska Cesta 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Maja Lazarus
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska Cesta 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Ankica Sekovanić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska Cesta 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Jelena Kovačić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska Cesta 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Agnieszka Sergiel
- Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Aleja Adama Mickiewicza 33, 31‑120, Kraków, Poland
| | | | - Slaven Reljić
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Heinzelova Ulica 55, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Branko Petrinec
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska Cesta 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Nuria Selva
- Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Aleja Adama Mickiewicza 33, 31‑120, Kraków, Poland
| | - Đuro Huber
- Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Aleja Adama Mickiewicza 33, 31‑120, Kraków, Poland
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Heinzelova Ulica 55, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
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Lazarus M, Orct T, Sekovanić A, Skoko B, Petrinec B, Zgorelec Ž, Kisić I, Prevendar Crnić A, Jurasović J, Srebočan E. Spatio-temporal monitoring of mercury and other stable metal(loid)s and radionuclides in a Croatian terrestrial ecosystem around a natural gas treatment plant. Environ Monit Assess 2022; 194:481. [PMID: 35668141 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-022-10140-6] [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: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The natural gas industry bears a certain contamination risk to human and biota due to, among others, mercury, arsenic, and naturally occurring radioactive material content in gas. We tracked multiple stabile metal(loid)s and radionuclides within the natural gas treatment plant Molve, Croatia, ecosystem during the last decade through a comprehensive monitoring of soil, earthworms, moss, livestock (blood, milk, hair, urine, and feces from cows), and wildlife animals (brain, muscle, liver, and kidney of European hare and pheasant). The level of mercury and other stable metal(loid)s has shown temporal variation, but without an obvious trend. The found spatial differences in soil and earthworms were based on the differing soil characteristics of the sampled locations and exceeded the maximal allowable concentration of arsenic and zinc for agricultural soil. The status of essential copper, selenium, and zinc in cows, hares, and pheasants inclined towards deficiency. The measured stable metal(loid) levels in soil and animal samples were generally in the same range of values reported in earlier decades from the same area or non-polluted areas across Europe. The consumption of local cow and game products (e.g., milk, meat) can be considered safe for human health, although game offal is advised to be avoided as a food item due to the low risk of lead and cadmium's adverse effects. Although the activity concentrations of some radionuclides in moss were higher than reported for pristine areas, transfer from soil to moss was assessed as average (except for lead-210). Radiological risk to human and biota around the gas treatment plant Molve was estimated as negligible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Lazarus
- Analytical Toxicology and Mineral Metabolism Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska c. 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Tatjana Orct
- Analytical Toxicology and Mineral Metabolism Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska c. 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ankica Sekovanić
- Radiation Protection Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska c. 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Božena Skoko
- Radiation Protection Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska c. 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Branko Petrinec
- Radiation Protection Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska c. 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Željka Zgorelec
- Department of General Agronomy, Division of Agroecology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, Svetošimunska cesta 25, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ivica Kisić
- Department of General Agronomy, Division of Agroecology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, Svetošimunska cesta 25, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Andreja Prevendar Crnić
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Heinzelova 55, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Jasna Jurasović
- Analytical Toxicology and Mineral Metabolism Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska c. 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Emil Srebočan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Heinzelova 55, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
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Skoko B, Babić D, Franić Z, Bituh T, Petrinec B. Distribution and transfer of naturally occurring radionuclides and 137Cs in the freshwater system of the Plitvice Lakes, Croatia, and related dose assessment to wildlife by ERICA Tool. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2021; 28:23547-23564. [PMID: 33452639 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-12415-w] [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: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the natural radioactivity of Plitvice Lakes, under the assumption that due to its status as a National Park, the area can be considered an example of a natural freshwater system. Also, considering the transfer parameter data as the largest source of uncertainty in radiological risk assessments, the impact of site-specific data on dose rate assessment, as opposed to currently available data, was investigated. The study included gamma and alpha spectrometric measurements of 238U, 226Ra, 210Pb, 228Ra, and 40K in water, sediment, and fish samples, as well as 137Cs due to the coinciding of the study with the Fukushima accident. The content of naturally occurring radionuclides significantly varied in sediments of different Lakes, probably as a reflection of the different underlying geology of the area. Also, the 210Pb distribution in sediments indicated an up to 312 Bq kg-1 of the allochthonous contribution of this radionuclide at the beginning of the Lake's watercourse, which probably entered into the lake system by the major inlet river with its steady decrease along downstream lakes. Low 40K activity concentrations (27.5 ± 20.1 mBq L-1) in the Lake's waters might be one of the causes of increased 137Cs activity concentrations in fish samples (1.5 ± 0.4 Bq kg-1), which was found to be an order of magnitude higher than average values for different fish species from other Croatian freshwater systems (0.2 ± 0.1 Bq kg-1). A temporary increase of 137Cs activity concentrations was measured in water samples collected immediately after the Fukushima accident. Calculated site-specific sediment/water distribution coefficients and fish/water concentration ratios for radium and caesium were on average lower than generic ones found in the literature. Background dose rate assessments performed by the ERICA Tool indicated a profound impact of different input data on assessment results with water activity concentrations resulting in significantly higher dose rates (0.1-67 μGy h-1) in comparison to sediment activity concentrations (0.03-9 μGy h-1). An incremental dose rate due to 137Cs was found to be in the range of < 0.001-0.023 μGy h-1 which, in comparison to background dose rates, can be considered negligible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Božena Skoko
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Dinko Babić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Zdenko Franić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Tomislav Bituh
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Branko Petrinec
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
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Rašeta D, Petrinec B, Babić D, Šoštarić M. Application of a new in situ calibration technique for gamma spectrometry and comparison of in situ and laboratory measurements. Arh Hig Rada Toksikol 2021; 72:29-35. [PMID: 33787184 PMCID: PMC8191430 DOI: 10.2478/aiht-2021-72-3468] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Revised: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
In situ gamma ray spectrometry was developed to quickly measure large areas of land following nuclear accidents. However, a proper calibration of detectors for in situ measurements is a long and complicated process. One tool designed to make this calibration quick is the InSiCal software. We compared 5,000 s in situ measurements with two different HPGe detectors calibrated using the InSiCal software and laboratory measurements of samples collected at the same locations. Our findings suggest that in situ gamma spectrometry using InSiCal software can provide reasonably accurate data, but some improvements are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davor Rašeta
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Branko Petrinec
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Dinko Babić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Marko Šoštarić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia
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Braysher E, Russell B, Collins SM, van Es EM, Shearman R, Molin FD, Read D, Anagnostakis M, Arndt R, Bednár A, Bituh T, Bolivar JP, Cobb J, Dehbi N, Di Pasquale S, Gascó C, Gilligan C, Jovanovič P, Lawton A, Lees AMJ, Lencsés A, Mitchell L, Mitsios I, Petrinec B, Rawcliffe J, Shyti M, Suárez-Navarro JA, Suursoo S, Tóth-Bodrogi E, Vaasma T, Verheyen L, Westmoreland J, de With G. Development of a reference material for analysing naturally occurring radioactive material from the steel industry. Anal Chim Acta 2020; 1141:221-229. [PMID: 33248656 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2020.10.053] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Accurate measurement of naturally occurring radionuclides in blast furnace slag, a by-product of the steel industry, is required for compliance with building regulations where it is often used as an ingredient in cement. A matrix reference blast furnace slag material has been developed to support traceability in these measurements. Raw material provided by a commercial producer underwent stability and homogeneity testing, as well as characterisation of matrix constituents, to provide a final candidate reference material. The radionuclide content was then determined during a comparison exercise that included 23 laboratories from 14 countries. Participants determined the activity per unit mass for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K using a range of techniques. The consensus values obtained from the power-moderated mean of the reported participant results were used as indicative activity per unit mass values for the three radionuclides: A0(226Ra) = 106.3 (34) Bq·kg-1, A0(232Th) = 130.0 (48) Bq·kg-1 and A0(40K) = 161 (11) Bq·kg-1 (where the number in parentheses is the numerical value of the combined standard uncertainty referred to the corresponding last digits of the quoted result). This exercise helps to address the current shortage of NORM industry reference materials, putting in place infrastructure for production of further reference materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Braysher
- National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington, Middlesex, TW11 0LW, UK; University of Surrey, Stag Hill, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH, UK.
| | - B Russell
- National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington, Middlesex, TW11 0LW, UK
| | - S M Collins
- National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington, Middlesex, TW11 0LW, UK; University of Surrey, Stag Hill, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH, UK
| | - E M van Es
- National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington, Middlesex, TW11 0LW, UK
| | - R Shearman
- National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington, Middlesex, TW11 0LW, UK
| | - F Dal Molin
- CEFAS, Lowestoft, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR33 0HT, UK
| | - D Read
- National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington, Middlesex, TW11 0LW, UK; University of Surrey, Stag Hill, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH, UK
| | - M Anagnostakis
- Nuclear Engineering Department, National Technical University of Athens, 15780, Athens, Greece
| | - R Arndt
- IAF-Radioökologie GmbH, Wilhelm-Rönsch-Straße 9, 01454, Radeberg, Germany
| | - A Bednár
- RadiÖko Ltd., H-8200, Veszprém, Wartha Vince Str. 1/2, Hungary
| | - T Bituh
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska Cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - J P Bolivar
- University of Huelva, Department of Integrated Sciences, Natural Resources, Health and Environment (RENSMA), Campus El Carmen, 21007, Huelva, Spain
| | - J Cobb
- Jacobs, Renaissance Centre, 601 Faraday Street, Birchwood Park, Warrington, WA3 6GN, UK
| | - N Dehbi
- ASTERALIS (VEOLIA NUCLEAR SOLUTIONS), 556 Chemin de L'Islon, 38670, Chasse sur Rhone, France
| | - S Di Pasquale
- Institute for Radioelements (IRE) - Radioactivity Measurement Laboratory, Avenue de L'Espérance,1, 6220, Fleurus, Belgium
| | - C Gascó
- CIEMAT, Avda de La Complutense 40, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - P Jovanovič
- ZVD D.o.o., Chengdujska Street 25, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - A Lawton
- UK National Nuclear Laboratory, NNL Preston, Springfields, Salwick, Lancashire, PR4 0XJ, UK
| | - A M J Lees
- Cavendish Nuclear Ltd, Greeson Court, Westlakes Science & Technology Park, Moor Row, Cumbria, CA24 3HZ, UK
| | - A Lencsés
- Nuclear Power Plant Paks, Environmental Monitoring Laboratory, 7030, Paks, Kurcsatov Str. 1/D, Hungary
| | - L Mitchell
- Public Health England, Centre Chemical Radiation and Environmental Hazards, Didcot, Oxon, OX11 0RQ, UK
| | - I Mitsios
- Nuclear Engineering Department, National Technical University of Athens, 15780, Athens, Greece
| | - B Petrinec
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska Cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - J Rawcliffe
- UK National Nuclear Laboratory, NNL Preston, Springfields, Salwick, Lancashire, PR4 0XJ, UK
| | - M Shyti
- Institute of Applied Nuclear Physics, University of Tirana, Th. Filipeu, Qesarake, Tirana, Albania
| | | | - S Suursoo
- University of Tartu, Institute of Physics, W.Ostwaldi 1, 50411, Tartu, Estonia
| | - E Tóth-Bodrogi
- Department of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, Bio- Environmental- and Chemical-engineering Research and Development Center, Faculty of Engineering, University of Pannonia, H-8200 Veszprém, Egyetem Str. 10., H-8210, Veszprém, POB 1158, Hungary
| | - T Vaasma
- University of Tartu, Institute of Physics, W.Ostwaldi 1, 50411, Tartu, Estonia
| | - L Verheyen
- SCK CEN, Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | | | - G de With
- Nuclear Research and Consultancy Group, Utrechtseweg 310 - B50-West, 6812, AR ARNHEM, Netherlands
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Babić D, Skoko B, Franić Z, Senčar J, Šoštarić M, Petroci L, Avdić M, Kovačić M, Branica G, Petrinec B, Bituh T, Franulović I, Marović G. Baseline radioecological data for the soil and selected bioindicator organisms in the temperate forest of Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2020; 27:21040-21056. [PMID: 32266621 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-08369-0] [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: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to provide baseline radioecological data for the temperate forest ecosystem in Plitvice Lakes National Park. Emphasis was placed on the determination of naturally occurring radionuclides since there is an acknowledged lack of data for these radionuclides in non-accident conditions in wildlife, even for bioindicator organisms. Activity concentrations of 238U, 226Ra, 210Pb, 232Th, 40K, 134Cs, and 137Cs were measured by gamma spectrometry in soil and bioindicators: earthworms, conifer needles, mosses, and lichens. From the measured activity concentrations, concentration ratios were calculated to quantify the transfer of these radionuclides from soil to bioindicators. Our results show that soil activity concentrations are biased toward results from other studies conducted within the Dinaric mountain region. However, in moss and lichen samples, we measured higher activity concentrations of 226Ra and lower activity concentrations of 40K and 137Cs in comparison to similar studies. Also, we estimated lower concentration ratios for all radionuclides from soil to these organisms, except for 210Pb, in comparison to generic values. The transfer of 238U was generally low for all of the bioindicator organisms. For conifer needles, a correlation was found between activity concentrations of 226Ra and 137Cs in soil and related concentration ratios. Correlation was also found between the activity concentration of 40K in soil and transfer of 40K and 137Cs to mosses and lichens. A comparison with literature data highlighted the lack of 226Ra related concentration ratios for conifer trees and especially for earthworms. Therefore, the results of this study could supplement the sparse data currently available on radionuclide background data in similar ecosystems and related soil-to-wildlife transfer of radionuclides. Dose rate assessments, performed by the ERICA Tool, estimated that 96% of the overall exposure of wildlife in the Park area is due to the background dose rates, while 0.06 μGy h-1 on average can be attributed as an incremental dose rate from 134Cs and 137Cs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dinko Babić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Božena Skoko
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Zdenko Franić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Jasminka Senčar
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Marko Šoštarić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ljerka Petroci
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Mak Avdić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Milica Kovačić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Gina Branica
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Branko Petrinec
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Tomislav Bituh
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Iva Franulović
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Gordana Marović
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
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11
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Abstract
This paper presents the results of long-term investigations of 137Cs activity concentrations in chicken meat and eggs from northwest Croatia for the period 1987-2018. The research has been done as a part of monitoring program of radioactive contamination in Croatia. The highest activity concentrations in both of these foodstuffs were measured in 1987 and have been decreasing exponentially ever since. The Fukushima-Daiichi accident in 2011 did not cause any increase of 137Cs activity concentrations. The ecological half-life for 137Cs was estimated to be 8.0 and 8.4 years for chicken meat and eggs respectively. The correlation between 137Cs in fallout and chicken meat as well as between 137Cs in fallout and eggs is very good, the respective correlation coefficients being 0.79 and 0.72, indicating that fallout was the main source of 137Cs contamination in both foodstuffs. The estimated effective doses received by adult members of the Croatian population due to the intake of radiocaesium by chicken meat and egg consumption for the overall observed period are very small, 2.0 and 0.6 µSv respectively. Therefore, chicken meat and chicken egg consumption was not a critical pathway for the transfer of radiocaesium to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zdenko Franić
- Radiation Protection Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Gina Branica
- Radiation Protection Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Branko Petrinec
- Radiation Protection Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Gordana Marović
- Radiation Protection Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia
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13
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Krmpotic M, Rožmaric M, Petrinec B, Bituh T, Fiket Ž, Benedik L. RADIONUCLIDE AND MAJOR ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF THERMAL AND MINERAL WATERS IN CROATIA WITH A RELATED DOSE ASSESSMENT. Radiat Prot Dosimetry 2018; 181:199-207. [PMID: 29415181 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncy010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2017] [Accepted: 01/14/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Major elements concentrations (Na, K, Ca, Mg) and the activity concentrations of 226,228Ra, 234,238U, 210Po, 210Pb, 40K and 137Cs in northern and eastern Croatian thermal and mineral waters, collected directly from springs (or wells), are presented herein with total effective doses assessed for those waters that are considered as drinking 'cures' and are available for consumption. The methods used for radionuclide determination included alpha-particle spectrometry, gas-proportional counting and gamma-ray spectrometry, while the major element composition was determined by ICP-MS. The activity concentrations of all of the radionuclides were found to be below the guidance levels set by the WHO and EC Directive, with the exception of one water sample that measured 0.26 Bq L-1 of 228Ra. The effective ingestion dose assessment for the consumption of the so-called water 'cures' during 1, 2 or 4 weeks' time period throughout 1 year was well below the recommended 0.1 mSv for drinking water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matea Krmpotic
- Ruder Boškovic Institute, Bijenicka cesta 54, Zagreb, Croatia
| | | | - Branko Petrinec
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska Cesta 2, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Tomislav Bituh
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska Cesta 2, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Željka Fiket
- Ruder Boškovic Institute, Bijenicka cesta 54, Zagreb, Croatia
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Petrinec B, Sovilj MP, Babić D, Meštrović T, Miklavčić I, Radolić V, Stanić D, Vuković B, Šoštarić M. Assessing the radiological load on the environment in the middle Danube river basin on the basis of a study of the Kopački Rit Nature Park, Croatia. Radiat Environ Biophys 2018; 57:285-292. [PMID: 29872921 DOI: 10.1007/s00411-018-0747-4] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2018] [Accepted: 05/31/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
A study of the environmental radioactivity in the Kopački Rit Nature Park, Croatia, is presented. This wildlife reserve is part of the Middle Danube River Basin, and it is exposed to various pollutants due to a number of human activities in the surroundings, where there is a nuclear power plant and also urban centres and areas of intense agricultural production. Results for the activity concentrations of soil and surface water samples do not indicate any elevated radioactivity level, which is confirmed by on-site measurements of ambient dose rate equivalent. An assessment of the radiological load on the local biota, carried out using the ERICA tool, implies an overall low radiological risk even if conservative values of the risk quotient are used. Therefore, human activities do not have a significant effect on the radiological load on the Kopački Rit area. A similar conclusion might be made with regard to numerous similar environments in the Middle Danube River Basin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Branko Petrinec
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Marina Poje Sovilj
- Department of Physics, J. J. Strossmayer University in Osijek, Trg Ljudevita Gaja 6, 31000, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Dinko Babić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Tomislav Meštrović
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Igor Miklavčić
- Department of Physics, J. J. Strossmayer University in Osijek, Trg Ljudevita Gaja 6, 31000, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Vanja Radolić
- Department of Physics, J. J. Strossmayer University in Osijek, Trg Ljudevita Gaja 6, 31000, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Denis Stanić
- Department of Physics, J. J. Strossmayer University in Osijek, Trg Ljudevita Gaja 6, 31000, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Branko Vuković
- Department of Physics, J. J. Strossmayer University in Osijek, Trg Ljudevita Gaja 6, 31000, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Marko Šoštarić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
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15
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Petrinec B, Tišma I, Šoštarić M, Sovilj MP, Babić D, Radolić V, Miklavčić I, Vuković B. Current radiological situation in Slavonski Brod, Croatia: is there a reason for concern? Arh Hig Rada Toksikol 2018; 68:206-211. [PMID: 28976880 DOI: 10.1515/aiht-2017-68-2992] [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] [Received: 05/01/2017] [Accepted: 07/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
For years, the town of Slavonski Brod in Croatia has been facing serious problems with air pollution, which is usually attributed to an oil refinery across the Sava River in Bosnia and Herzegovina. While the air quality is being monitored rigorously with regard to nonradioactive matter, no attention has been paid to the possibility of a coincidental radioactive pollution. This study is the first to have addressed this issue. We measured ambient dose rate equivalents at 150 sites and found that none exceeded 120 nSv h-1, while the average was 80 nSv h-1. Gamma-ray spectrometry of the collected river water and soil samples did not reveal any unusual radioactivity either. In other words, we have found no evidence of radioactive pollution that would endanger the health of the residents of Slavonski Brod.
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Šoštarić M, Petrinec B, Babić D. Air sampling by pumping through a filter: effects of air flow rate, concentration, and decay of airborne substances. Arh Hig Rada Toksikol 2017; 67:326-331. [PMID: 28033100 DOI: 10.1515/aiht-2016-67-2885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2016] [Accepted: 11/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper tackles the issue of interpreting the number of airborne particles adsorbed on a filter through which a certain volume of sampled air has been pumped. This number is equal to the product of the pumped volume and particle concentration in air, but only if the concentration is constant over time and if there is no substance decomposition on the filter during sampling. If this is not the case, one must take into account the inconstancy of the concentration and the decay law for a given substance, which is complicated even further if the flow rate through the filter is not constant. In this paper, we develop a formalism which considers all of these factors, resulting in a single, compact expression of general applicability. The use of this expression is exemplified by addressing a case of sampling airborne radioactive matter, where the decay law is already well known. This law is combined with three experimentally observed time dependence of the flow rate and two models for the time dependence of the particle concentration. We also discuss the implications of these calculations for certain other situations of interest to environmental studies.
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17
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Franic Z, Marovic G, Petrinec B, Branica G. Post-Chernobyl Investigations of Radiocesium Activity Concentrations in Cistern Waters along the Croatian Coast of the Adriatic Sea. Health Phys 2017; 113:167-174. [PMID: 28749807 DOI: 10.1097/hp.0000000000000685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The results of long-term investigations into the post-Chernobyl period of radiocesium activity concentrations in cistern waters along the Croatian coast of the Adriatic Sea are presented. The Cs activity concentrations in cistern water samples were in excellent correlation with fallout activities. The observed mean residence time of Cs in cistern waters was estimated to be 6.9 ± 0.8 y. Cesium-137 radioecological sensitivity for the period 1988-1997 for cistern water was estimated to be 1.17 × 10 Bq y L/(Bq m). The annual total effective dose incurred by Cs and Cs that a hypothetical adult person drinking 1 L of cistern water per day would receive was estimated to be < 1 mSv in 1986, decreasing to 3.6 μSv in 2015.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zdenko Franic
- *Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Radiation Protection Unit, Ksaverska cesta 2, P.O. Box 291, HR-10001 Zagreb, Croatia
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18
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Bituh T, Petrinec B, Skoko B, Vučić Z, Marović G. Measuring and modelling the radiological impact of a phosphogypsum deposition site on the surrounding environment. Arh Hig Rada Toksikol 2017; 66:31-40. [PMID: 25816304 DOI: 10.1515/aiht-2015-66-2587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2014] [Accepted: 02/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Phosphogypsum (PG) is a waste product (residue) from the production of phosphoric acid characterized by technologically enhanced natural radioactivity. Croatia's largest PG deposition site is situated at the edge of Lonjsko Polje Nature Park, a sensitive ecosystem possibly endangered by PG particles. This field study investigates two aspects relevant for the general radiological impact of PG: risk assessment for the environment and risk assessment for occupationally exposed workers and local inhabitants. Activity concentrations of natural radionuclides ((238)U, (235)U, (232)Th, (226)Ra, (210)Pb, and (40)K) were measured in the PG (at the deposition site), soil, and grass samples (in the vicinity of the site). The ERICA Assessment Tool was used to estimate the radiological impact of PG particles on non-human biota of the Lonjsko Polje Nature Park. The average annual effective dose for occupationally exposed workers was 0.4 mSv which was within the worldwide range.
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19
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Radolić V, Miklavčić I, Stanić D, Poje M, Krpan I, Mužević M, Petrinec B, Vuković B. Identification and mapping of radon-prone areas in Croatia-preliminary results for Lika-Senj and the southern part of Karlovac counties. Radiat Prot Dosimetry 2014; 162:29-33. [PMID: 24993009 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncu212] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Long-term indoor radon measurements performed by LR 115 track etched detectors in Croatian homes during 2003-04 showed that the arithmetic means of radon concentrations in Lika-Senj and the southern part of Karlovac counties were three times higher (198 Bq m(-3)) than in houses at national level (68 Bq m(-3)). Recently, indoor radon measurements in randomly selected houses were investigated. The obtained values in these new measurements have confirmed the values obtained 10 y ago (the average radon value in 225 investigated houses in this area is 223 Bq m(-3)). Radon concentrations in soil gas were measured in September and October 2012 and 2013 with the AlphaGUARD measuring system. Areas with both elevated indoor radon levels and radon in soil gas were identified (some micro locations in Korenica, Ličko Lešće, Generalski Stol, Slunj and Ogulin) and visually presented in the form of maps using the inverse distance weighting approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanja Radolić
- Department of Physics, University of Osijek, Trg Ljudevita Gaja 6, Osijek HR-31000, Croatia
| | - Igor Miklavčić
- Department of Physics, University of Osijek, Trg Ljudevita Gaja 6, Osijek HR-31000, Croatia
| | - Denis Stanić
- Department of Physics, University of Osijek, Trg Ljudevita Gaja 6, Osijek HR-31000, Croatia
| | - Marina Poje
- Department of Physics, University of Osijek, Trg Ljudevita Gaja 6, Osijek HR-31000, Croatia
| | - Ivana Krpan
- Department of Physics, University of Osijek, Trg Ljudevita Gaja 6, Osijek HR-31000, Croatia
| | - Matko Mužević
- Department of Physics, University of Osijek, Trg Ljudevita Gaja 6, Osijek HR-31000, Croatia
| | - Branko Petrinec
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, Zagreb HR-10001, Croatia
| | - Branko Vuković
- Department of Physics, University of Osijek, Trg Ljudevita Gaja 6, Osijek HR-31000, Croatia
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20
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Ljubičić A, Varnai VM, Petrinec B, Macan J. Response to thermal and physical strain during flashover training in Croatian firefighters. Appl Ergon 2014; 45:544-549. [PMID: 23992611 DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2013.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [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: 10/15/2012] [Revised: 07/14/2013] [Accepted: 07/22/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Flashover training (FOT) for firefighters is a simulation of the flashover phenomenon under controlled conditions. This study assessed arterial blood pressure (BP) and its response to thermal and physical strain during FOT in 48 professional and 18 volunteer firefighters. A high prevalence of obesity (27%), basal hypertensive (53%) and prehypertensive (33%) BP values was found. FOT induced mild hyperthermia and physical strain (average increase of 1.1 °C in tympanic temperature and 61% of the maximal heart beat predicted for age). Compared to professional firefighters, FOT in the volunteers induced a higher increase in pulse (P = 0.050) and tympanic temperature (P = 0.025). Systolic BP did not vary significantly, and diastolic BP slightly decreased in both groups. Results confirm that FOT induced only physiological cardiovascular responses to thermal and physical strain in firefighters. High prevalence of obesity and elevated BP values indicate the need for better physical fitness and BP control among firefighters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Ljubičić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Environmental and Occupational Medicine Unit, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10001 Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Veda M Varnai
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Environmental and Occupational Medicine Unit, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10001 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Branko Petrinec
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Environmental and Occupational Medicine Unit, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10001 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Jelena Macan
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Environmental and Occupational Medicine Unit, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10001 Zagreb, Croatia
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Babić D, Senčar J, Petrinec B, Marović G, Bituh T, Skoko B. Fine structure of the absorbed dose rate monitored in Zagreb, Croatia, in the period 1985-2011. J Environ Radioact 2013; 118:75-79. [PMID: 23257217 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2012.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2012] [Revised: 10/26/2012] [Accepted: 11/15/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
We report on the fine structure of the absorbed dose rate D which was measured and recorded on a daily basis at the Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health in Zagreb, Croatia, throughout the period 1985-2011. After the Chernobyl accident, D increased steeply by a factor of 3.5, but this is the only prominent feature in the D versus time (t) curve. In the absence of accidental conditions, the D(t) is flat and amounts to 30-35 pGy/s. Despite the apparent plainness of D(t), its Fourier transform reveals several periodic modulations hidden in the noise. Some of the corresponding periods (6 and 12 months) can be related to seasonal atmospheric changes but this is not the case with the other periods identified (9.3, 13.7, 15.7, 20, 31, and 39 months). These are found to agree well with literature data on periodicities in solar activity, which implies that they are most probably linked to variations in the atmospheric production of (7)Be by cosmic rays.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Babić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
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Petrinec B, Strok M, Franic Z, Smodis B, Pavicic-Hamer D. Radionuclides in the adriatic sea and related dose-rate assessment for marine biota. Radiat Prot Dosimetry 2012; 154:320-330. [PMID: 22927659 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncs234] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Artificial and natural radionuclides were determined in the Adriatic Sea in the seawater and sediment samples in the period from 2007 to 2011. The sampling areas were coastal waters of Slovenia, Croatia and Albania, together with the deepest part of the Adriatic in South Adriatic Pit and Otranto strait. Sampling locations were chosen to take into account all major geological and geographical features of this part of the Adriatic Sea and possible coastal influences. After initial sample preparation steps, samples were measured by gamma-ray spectrometry. In the seawater ⁴⁰K activity concentrations were in the range from 6063 to 10519 Bq m⁻³, ¹³⁷Cs from 1.6 to 3.8 Bq m⁻³, ²²⁶Ra from 23 to 31 Bq m⁻³, ²²⁸Ra from 1 to 25 Bq m⁻³ and ²³⁸U from 64 to 490 Bq m⁻³. The results of sediment samples showed that ⁴⁰K was in the range from 87 to 593 Bq kg⁻¹, ¹³⁷Cs from 0.8 to 7.3 Bq kg⁻¹, ²²⁶Ra from 18 to 35 Bq kg⁻¹, ²²⁸Ra from 4 to 29 Bq kg⁻¹ and ²³⁸U from 14 to 120 Bq kg⁻¹. In addition, the ERICA Assessment Tool was used for the assessment of dose rates for reference marine organisms using the activity concentrations of the determined radionuclides in seawater. The assessment showed that for the most of the organisms, the dose rates were within the background levels, indicating that the determined values for seawater does not pose a significant risk for the most of marine biota. In the study, the results are critically discussed and compared with other similar studies worldwide. Generally, the activity concentrations of the examined radionuclides did not differ from those reported for the rest of the Mediterranean Sea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Branko Petrinec
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10001 Zagreb, Croatia.
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Franić Z, Petrinec B, Branica G, Marović G, Kubelka D, Franić Z. Post-Chernobyl investigations of radiocaesium activity concentrations in Adriatic Sea pilchards. Radiat Prot Dosimetry 2012; 151:314-322. [PMID: 22345215 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncs012] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Investigations in the post-Chernobyl period (1986-2009) of radiocaesium activity concentrations in Adriatic pilchards are presented. Compared with pre-Chernobyl period, the Chernobyl nuclear accident caused increase of (137)Cs activity concentrations in pilchards. By fitting the measured (137)Cs activity concentrations to the theoretical curve was estimated to be 1.5±0.4 y for 1986-90 and 5.8±0.4 y for 1991-2009 and the bimodal behaviour for the ecological half-life of (137)Cs in pilchards has been observed. Estimated annual effective doses received by (134)Cs and (137)Cs intake due to consumption for an adult member of Croatian population are small. Collective dose for the 1986-2009 period was 4.9+0.3 person-Sv. The observed (134)Cs/(137)Cs activity ratio in pilchards was similar to the ratio that has been found in other environmental samples. The concentration factor for pilchards was roughly estimated to be 93.7±39.2 l kg(-1), which is consistent with the values observed elsewhere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zdenko Franić
- Radiation Protection Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, PO Box 291, HR-10001 Zagreb, Croatia
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Petrinec B, Franic Z, Ilijanic N, Miko S, Strok M, Smodis B. Estimation of sedimentation rate in the Middle and South Adriatic Sea using 137Cs. Radiat Prot Dosimetry 2012; 151:102-111. [PMID: 22155798 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncr449] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
(137)Cs activity concentrations were studied in the sediment profiles collected at five locations in the Middle and South Adriatic. In the sediment profiles collected from the South Adriatic Pit, the deepest part of the Adriatic Sea, two (137)Cs peaks were identified. The peak in the deeper layer was attributed to the period of intensive atmospheric nuclear weapon tests (early 1960s), and the other to the Chernobyl nuclear accident (1986). Those peaks could be used to estimate sedimentation rates by relating them to the respective time periods. Grain-size analysis showed no changes in vertical distribution through the depth of the sediment profile, and these results indicate uniform sedimentation, as is expected in deeper marine environments. It was not possible to identify respective peaks on more shallow locations due to disturbance of the seabed either by trawlers (locations PalagruŽa and Jabuka) or by river sediment (location Albania). The highest sedimentation rates were found in Albania (∼4 mm y(-1)) and Jabuka (3.1 mm y(-1)). For PalagruŽa, the sedimentation rate was estimated to be 1.8 mm y(-1), similar to the South Adriatic Pit where the sedimentation rate was estimated to be 1.8±0.5 mm y(-1). Low sedimentation rates found for the Middle and South Adriatic Sea are consistent with previously reported results for the rest of the Mediterranean.
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Affiliation(s)
- Branko Petrinec
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, Zagreb, Croatia.
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Petrinec B, Franić Z, Leder N, Tsabaris C, Bituh T, Marović G. Gamma radiation and dose rate investigations on the Adriatic islands of magmatic origin. Radiat Prot Dosimetry 2010; 139:551-559. [PMID: 20085897 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncp302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Natural radioactivity of Middle-Adriatic Sea islands and islets was measured. Gamma spectrometric measurements, both in situ and in laboratory, as well as radon measurements in the seawater were performed. Activity concentrations and the associated dose rates due to naturally occurring (232)Th, (238)U and (40)K radioisotopes were determined. Dose rates calculated from in situ gamma spectrometry are in correlation with dose rates calculated from activity concentrations measured in collected samples of pebbles and rocks. In situ gamma ray spectrometry in the seawater has been performed, showing activity concentration of 220 and 240 Bq m(-3) for (214)Bi and (214)Pb, respectively due to the presence of magmatic rocks in the seabed. The radium equivalent activity varied from 13 to 53 Bq kg(-1). These values are lower than the limit values, indicating that the radiation hazard is not significant. The highest mean activity concentrations of naturally occurring radionuclides in rock samples collected were found on the islands of magmatic origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Branko Petrinec
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Radiation Protection Unit, Ksaverska cesta 2, PO Box 291, HR-10001 Zagreb, Croatia.
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Bituh T, Marovic G, Petrinec B, Sencar J, Franulovic I. Natural radioactivity of 226Ra and 228Ra in thermal and mineral waters in Croatia. Radiat Prot Dosimetry 2009; 133:119-123. [PMID: 19297534 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncp033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Thermal waters are known as valuable natural resources of a country. They contain certain degree of natural radioactivity attributable to the elements of the uranium and thorium natural decay series. Among these elements, the most radiotoxic and the most important is radium that exists in several isotopic forms (226Ra and 228Ra). The focus of attention was the content of radium in samples of thermal and mineral spring water from several spas in Croatia. These waters are mainly used for medical, bathing and recreational purposes, and some of them are used for drinking. Measured activity concentrations of 226Ra ranged from 87 to 6200 mBq l(-1) which, in some springs, exceed the maximal permissible level of 1 Bq l(-1) for drinking water. Measured activity concentrations of 228Ra ranged from 23 to 3480 mBq l(-1). The study showed that radium content for the investigated thermal and mineral waters is below the levels at which negative consequences would arise due to ingestion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomislav Bituh
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Radiation Protection Unit, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000 Zagreb, Republic of Croatia.
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Franić Z, Sega K, Petrinec B, Marović G. Long-term investigations of post-Chernobyl radiocaesium in fallout and air in North Croatia. Environ Monit Assess 2009; 148:315-323. [PMID: 18278563 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-008-0162-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2007] [Accepted: 01/14/2008] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The long-term behaviour of (137)Cs activity concentrations in air and fallout has been studied in the city of Zagreb for the post-Chernobyl period (1986-2006) as a part of an extended monitoring program of radioactive contamination of human environment in Croatia. Annual mean (137)Cs activity concentrations in air and annual total deposition fluxes (wet plus dry) decreased from 2.8 x 10(-4) Bq m(-3) in September 1986 to 3.0 x 10(-6) Bq m(-3) in last quarter of 2006 and from 6,410 Bq m(-2) year(-1) in 1986 to 2 Bq m(-2) year(-1) in 2006 respectively. By fitting the measured (137)Cs activity concentrations to the theoretical curve the ecological half-lives of (137)Cs in air and fallout were estimated with respective values of 0.46 and 0.54 years for immediate post-Chernobyl period, increasing to 5.52 and 3.97 years afterwards. Using the data on (137)Cs activity concentrations in air and fallout total caesium deposition velocity of (3.34 +/- 3.13) x 10(-2) ms(-1) was estimated with median value being 2.13 x 10(-2) ms(-1). Such relatively high (137)Cs deposition velocities compared with pre-Chernobyl ones, are characteristic for the post-Chernobyl period and, according to Stokes' settling law, indicate that the diameters of aerosol particles associated with (137)Cs originated from the Chernobyl accident are pretty large, i.e. >1 microm. (134)Cs/(137)Cs activity ratio in fallout and in air has been found to be similar to the theoretically predicted values, initial value being about 0.5 and decreasing according to differential radioactive decay. The similar ratio has been observed in most of the other environmental samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zdenko Franić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, PO Box 291, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
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Bituh T, Petrinec B, Marović G, Sencar J, Gospodarić I. 226Ra and 228Ra in Croatian rivers. Coll Antropol 2008; 32 Suppl 2:105-108. [PMID: 19140273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The presence of natural radionuclides in Croatian rivers emphasizes the need for its continuous monitoring. Therefore results of 226Ra and 228Ra determination in Croatian river waters are presented in this paper. 226Ra and 228Ra were chosen as a possible source of human exposure due to their high radio-toxicity. Fifty liters of river water samples were collected from the Danube, Drava, Sava, Krka and Neretva rivers twice a year from 2002 to 2006. It is showed that activity concentrations of 226Ra ranged from 6.54 mBq/L to 59.44 mBq/L and 228Ra activity concentrations ranged from 2.57 mBq/L to 20.76 mBq/L. The highest values of both 226Ra and 228Ra were measured in the river Drava, and the lowest values in the river Sava. Statistically significant differences were not observed between radium concentrations from two watersheds (the Black Sea and the Adriatic Sea watershed), nor between 226Ra/228Ra ratio in rivers individually. The number of collected samples is insufficient to make more statistically significant conclusions. However the data obtained in this study could be the baseline for evaluating possible future changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomislav Bituh
- Radiation Protection Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia.
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Franić Z, Petrinec B, Marović G, Franić Z. Radiocaesium activity concentrations in potatoes in Croatia after the Chernobyl accident and dose assessment. J Environ Sci Health B 2007; 42:211-7. [PMID: 17365336 DOI: 10.1080/03601230601125362] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Systematic investigations of (137)Cs and (134)Cs activity concentrations in potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) for the post-Chernobyl period (1986-2005) in the Republic of Croatia are summarized. The correlation between (137)Cs activity concentrations in fallout and potatoes, has been found to be very good, the correlation coefficient being r = 0.88 with P(t) < 0.001 for 18 degrees of freedom. As the radiocaesium levels in potatoes decreased exponentially, the mean residence time of (137)Cs in potatoes was estimated by fitting the measured activity concentrations to the exponential curve. The mean residence time was found to be 6.8 +/- 1.1 years, the standard deviation being estimated by the Monte Carlo simulations. The initial observed (134)Cs:(137)Cs activity ratio in potatoes has been found to be quite variable, but slightly lesser than the theoretically predicted value of 0.5, calculated by applying the known inventory of these radionuclides in the Chernobyl reactor to the equation for the differential radioactive decay. This can be explained by presence of the pre-Chernobyl (137)Cs in soil that originated from nuclear fallout. The annual effective doses received by (134)Cs and (137)Cs intake due to consumption of potatoes estimated for an adult member of the Croatian population were found to be very small, as the per caput Dose for the entire 1986-2005 period was calculated to be about 2.9 microSv, (134)Cs accounting approximately for 1/3 of the entire dose. Therefore, after the Chernobyl accident consumption of potatoes was not the critical pathway for human intake of radiocaesium from the environment in Croatia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zdenko Franić
- Radiation Protection Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia.
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Franić Z, Petrinec B. Marine radioecology and waste management in the Adriatic. Arh Hig Rada Toksikol 2006; 57:347-52. [PMID: 17121008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023] Open
Abstract
This paper gives a review of marine radioecology research in the Adriatic area carried out by the Radiation Protection Unit of the Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health. Measurements of radioactivity in the Adriatic started in 1963 as a part of an extended monitoring programme of radioactivity in Croatian environment. The main sources of radioactive contamination of the Adriatic Sea are the fallout from past nuclear weapon testing conducted in the atmosphere and the Chernobyl accident. In 2005, the activity concentrations of fission radionuclides were detectable at very low levels in all environmental samples collected on the Adriatic. The 90Sr data obtained from long-term monitoring were used to estimate the upper limit of the Adriatic seawater turnover time, which turned out to be (3.4 +/- 0.4) years. Detailed knowledge about seawater circulation, including the turnover time is essential for planning an overall communal and other wastewater management on the Adriatic coast. The paper concludes with the prospects for future marine radioecological investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zdenko Franić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia.
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