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Thakur A, Kumar A. Emerging paradigms into bioremediation approaches for nuclear contaminant removal: From challenge to solution. Chemosphere 2024; 352:141369. [PMID: 38342150 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141369] [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: 09/03/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
The release of radionuclides, including Cesium-137 (137Cs), Strontium-90 (90Sr), Uranium-238 (238U), Plutonium-239 (239Pu), Iodine-131 (131I), etc., from nuclear contamination presents profound threats to both the environment and human health. Traditional remediation methods, reliant on physical and chemical interventions, often prove economically burdensome and logistically unfeasible for large-scale restoration efforts. In response to these challenges, bioremediation has emerged as a remarkably efficient, environmentally sustainable, and cost-effective solution. This innovative approach harnesses the power of microorganisms, plants, and biological agents to transmute radioactive materials into less hazardous forms. For instance, consider the remarkable capability demonstrated by Fontinalis antipyretica, a water moss, which can accumulate uranium at levels as high as 4979 mg/kg, significantly exceeding concentrations found in the surrounding water. This review takes an extensive dive into the world of bioremediation for nuclear contaminant removal, exploring sources of radionuclides, the ingenious resistance mechanisms employed by plants against these harmful elements, and the fascinating dynamics of biological adsorption efficiency. It also addresses limitations and challenges, emphasizing the need for further research and implementation to expedite restoration and mitigate nuclear pollution's adverse effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhinay Thakur
- Department of Chemistry, School of Chemical Engineering and Physical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, 144411, India
| | - Ashish Kumar
- Nalanda College of Engineering, Bihar Engineering University, Science, Technology and Technical Education Department, Government of Bihar, 803108, India.
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Dutheil P, Paatero J, Rodushkin I, Sundström T, Leppänen AP, Salminen-Paatero S. 137Cs and isotopic ratios of Pu and U in lichens and mosses from Russian Arctic areas. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2023; 30:76769-76783. [PMID: 37247140 PMCID: PMC10299934 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-27795-4] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Knowledge of past anthropogenic sources of radionuclide contamination in Russian Arctic areas is important to assess the radioecological situation of these less-studied regions. Therefore, we investigated the sources of radionuclide contamination in Russian Arctic in the 1990s. Lichen and moss samples were collected from 1993 to 1996 in Kola Peninsula, Franz Josef Land, and few other locations. The activity concentration of 137Cs was determined from the archived samples by gamma spectrometry in 2020. After radiochemical separation of Pu and U isotopes from the lichens and mosses, mass ratios 240Pu/239Pu, 234U/238U, 235U/238U, and 236U/238U were determined by mass spectrometry. 137Cs activity concentrations at the sampling date were found to vary from 3.1 ± 1.4 (Inari, Finnish-Russian border) to 303 ± 7 (Kola Peninsula) Bq/kg. The ranges of isotopic ratios were 0.0592 ± 0.0007 to 0.253 ± 0.082 for 240Pu/239Pu, (4.89 ± 3.91) × 10-5 to (6.86 ± 0.04) × 10-5 for 234U/238U, 0.0072104(21) to 0.007376(41) for 235U/238U, and from below 1 × 10-7 to (2.65 ± 0.19) × 10-6 for 236U/238U, respectively. Based on the measured isotopic ratios and characteristic isotopic ratios of known contamination sources, the main Pu and U sources in the sampled lichens and mosses are global fallout, the Chernobyl accident, and possibly local nuclear activities. These results contribute to further understanding of past nuclear events and resulting nuclear contamination in Russian Arctic terrestrial areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Dutheil
- Department of Chemistry, P.O. Box 55, FI-00014, University of Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Radiation Safety and Security, Paul Scherrer Institute, Forschungsstrasse 111, CH-5232, Villigen PSI, Switzerland
| | - Jussi Paatero
- Finnish Meteorological Institute, P.O. Box 503, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Timo Sundström
- Department of Chemistry, P.O. Box 55, FI-00014, University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ari-Pekka Leppänen
- Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority-STUK, Lähteentie 2, 96460, Rovaniemi, Finland
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Berthiaume A. Radionuclide contamination in Canada: A scoping review. Heliyon 2023; 9:e16602. [PMID: 37303569 PMCID: PMC10250728 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e16602] [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: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Radionuclides were first discovered in the late 1800s, and artificial (anthropogenic) radionuclides in the 1930s. Since then, this group of substances has been increasingly incorporated into various peaceful and non-peaceful applications across Canada and the world, bringing with it both advanced technological and medical benefits, and public concern about the dangers from radiation exposure. As such, a breadth of research on, and monitoring of, radionuclides in the Canadian environment has been generated, the results of which span decades. However, a recent comprehensive review of these is not readily available. This study aims to fill this gap by synthesizing available literature from the last 30 years on the Canadian state and provenance of radionuclide contamination to better understand the context of overall sources and status of contamination. The findings indicate that while regional and temporal variations exist, on average, routine radionuclide exposure in Canada is generally attributed mainly to natural sources and fallout from historical nuclear weapons testing and nuclear accidents (including the Chernobyl and Fukushima power plant accidents) and to a smaller degree to emissions from nuclear facilities, including active and historical uranium mines and mills, nuclear research facilities, and nuclear power plants. Levels of anthropogenic radionuclides in the Canadian environment have declined since the initial cessation of nuclear weapons testing in the 1960s and are generally below guidelines protective of human health. On the national scale, present-day nuclear sector facilities do not appear to be a significant source of routine anthropogenic, nor technically-enhanced naturally occurring radionuclide exposure, though local scenarios may vary. These findings contribute context for evaluating the sustainable management of nuclear technologies, radioactive materials and waste in Canada and globally, in line with UN Sustainable Development Goal 12 and target 12.4: responsible management of chemicals and waste.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Berthiaume
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Gatineau, QC, Canada
- Department of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
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Li Z, He Y, Sonne C, Lam SS, Kirkham MB, Bolan N, Rinklebe J, Chen X, Peng W. A strategy for bioremediation of nuclear contaminants in the environment. Environ Pollut 2023; 319:120964. [PMID: 36584860 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120964] [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: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Radionuclides released from nuclear contamination harm the environment and human health. Nuclear pollution spread over large areas and the costs associated with decontamination is high. Traditional remediation methods include both chemical and physical, however, these are expensive and unsuitable for large-scale restoration. Bioremediation is the use of plants or microorganisms to remove pollutants from the environment having a lower cost and can be upscaled to eliminate contamination from soil, water and air. It is a cheap, efficient, ecologically, and friendly restoration technology. Here we review the sources of radionuclides, bioremediation methods, mechanisms of plant resistance to radionuclides and the effects on the efficiency of biological adsorption. Uptake of radionuclides by plants can be facilitated by the addition of appropriate chemical accelerators and agronomic management, such as citric acid and intercropping. Future research should accelerate the use of genetic engineering and breeding techniques to screen high-enrichment plants. In addition, field experiments should be carried out to ensure that this technology can be applied to the remediation of nuclear contaminated sites as soon as possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaolin Li
- Henan Province International Collaboration Lab of Forest Resources Utilization, School of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China
| | - Yifeng He
- Henan Province International Collaboration Lab of Forest Resources Utilization, School of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China
| | - Christian Sonne
- Henan Province International Collaboration Lab of Forest Resources Utilization, School of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China; Department of Ecoscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, DK-4000, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Su Shiung Lam
- Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), Institute of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries (AKUATROP), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | | | - Nanthi Bolan
- UWA School of Agriculture and Environment, The UWA Institute of Agriculture, M079, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Jörg Rinklebe
- Henan Province International Collaboration Lab of Forest Resources Utilization, School of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China; University of Wuppertal, School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Institute of Foundation, Engineering, Water and Waste Management, Laboratory of Soil and Groundwater Management, Pauluskirchstraße 7, 42285, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Xiangmeng Chen
- Henan Province International Collaboration Lab of Forest Resources Utilization, School of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China
| | - Wanxi Peng
- Henan Province International Collaboration Lab of Forest Resources Utilization, School of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China.
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Ulibarri N, Tracy CL, McCarty RJ. Cleanup and Complexity: Nuclear and Industrial Contamination at The Santa Susana Field Laboratory, California. Environ Manage 2020; 65:257-271. [PMID: 31828410 DOI: 10.1007/s00267-019-01239-7] [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: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Environmental contamination, a legacy of industrial activity borne by numerous sites around the world, poses health risks for surrounding communities and presents serious cleanup challenges. One such site, the Santa Susana Field Laboratory (SSFL), served as an aerospace and nuclear energy research facility for over 50 years, during which time radioactive and other hazardous materials were unintentionally and intentionally released into the surrounding environment. These releases, including the partial meltdown of a sodium reactor, were hidden from the public for three decades. The site is now located in suburban Los Angeles, with 730,000 people living within a 10-mile radius. This paper evaluates the technical and social challenges underlying site cleanup at SSFL, including a complex geological setting, uncertain contaminant information, and a convoluted, evolving regulatory framework. These challenges, paired with historical secrecy on the part of responsible organizations and unclear layers of responsibility, have led to uncertainty and distrust within the surrounding community. Lessons learned from other remediated sites are assessed and recommendations for the SSFL cleanup are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Ulibarri
- Department of Urban Planning and Public Policy, University of California, Irvine, 300 Social Ecology I, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
| | - Cameron L Tracy
- Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, 79 John F. Kennedy St, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Ryan J McCarty
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Natural Sciences II, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
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