1
|
Baumer T, Zavarin M, Pearce CI, Emerson HP, Kersting AB. Subsurface Transport of Plutonium in Organic and Aqueous Acidic Processing Wastes at the Hanford Site, USA. Environ Sci Technol 2024; 58:8909-8918. [PMID: 38728532 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c10082] [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] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
Over 4 million liters of mixed acidic (∼pH 2.5), high ionic strength (∼5 M nitrate) plutonium (Pu) processing waste were released into the 216-Z-9 (Z-9) trench at the Hanford Site, USA, and trace Pu has migrated 37 m below the trench. In this study, we used flowthrough columns to investigate Pu transport in simplified processing waste through uncontaminated Hanford sediments to determine the conditions that led to Pu migration. In low pH aqueous fluids, some Pu breakthrough is observed at pH < 4, and increased Pu transport (14% total Pu breakthrough) is observed at pH < 2. However, Pu migrates in organic processing solvents through low pH sediments virtually uninhibited with approximately 94 and 86% total Pu breakthrough observed at pH 1 and pH 3, respectively. This study demonstrates that Pu migration can occur both with and without organic solvents at pH < 4, but significantly more Pu can be transported when partitioned into organic processing solvents. Our data suggest that under acidic conditions (pH < 4) in the vadose zone beneath the Z-9 trench, Pu present in organic processing solvents moved relatively unhindered and may explain the historical downward migration of Pu tens of meters below the Z-9 trench.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Baumer
- Glenn T. Seaborg Institute, Physical & Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, L-231, P.O. Box 808, Livermore, California 94550, United States
| | - Mavrik Zavarin
- Glenn T. Seaborg Institute, Physical & Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, L-231, P.O. Box 808, Livermore, California 94550, United States
| | - Carolyn I Pearce
- Energy and Environment Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, Richland, Washington 99352, United States
| | - Hilary P Emerson
- Energy and Environment Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, Richland, Washington 99352, United States
| | - Annie B Kersting
- Glenn T. Seaborg Institute, Physical & Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, L-231, P.O. Box 808, Livermore, California 94550, United States
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Harrison N, Chappell GL, Tobash PH. Indications of flat bands driving the δ to α volume collapse of plutonium. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2308729121. [PMID: 38354265 PMCID: PMC10895343 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2308729121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
On cooling from the melt, plutonium (Pu) undergoes a series of structural transformations accompanied by a ≈ 28% reduction in volume from its δ phase to its α phase at low temperatures. While Pu's partially filled 5f-electron shells are known to be involved, their precise role in the transformations has remained unclear. By using calorimetry measurements on α-Pu and gallium-stabilized δ-Pu combined with resonant ultrasound and X-ray scattering data to account for the anomalously large softening of the lattice with temperature, we show here that the difference in electronic entropy between the α and δ phases dominates over the difference in phonon entropy. Rather than finding an electronic specific heat characteristic of broad f-electron bands in α-Pu, as might be expected to occur within a Kondo collapsed phase in analogy with cerium, we find it to be indicative of flatter subbands. An important role played by Pu's 5f electrons in the formation of its larger unit cell α phase comprising inequivalent lattice sites and varying bond lengths is therefore suggested.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Neil Harrison
- MPA-MAGLAB, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM87545
| | - Greta L. Chappell
- MPA-MAGLAB, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM87545
- MST-16, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM87545
| | - Paul H. Tobash
- MST-16, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM87545
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Samuels C, Leggett R. Dose reconstruction for plutonium-239 intakes at the Rocky Flats Plant. Int J Radiat Biol 2023; 99:1841-1852. [PMID: 37540281 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2023.2241896] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The Rocky Flats (RF) Plant was a weapons manufacturing facility that operated from the early 1950s to 1989. Its primary missions were the production of plutonium (Pu) pits for thermonuclear weapons and the processing of retired weapons for Pu recovery. The purpose of this study was to estimate radiation doses to a cohort of 4499 RF workers from an intake of 239Pu, the primary plutonium isotope handled at the site. MATERIALS AND METHODS The latest biokinetic models of the International Commission on Radiological Protection, or site-specific variations of those models, were used to estimate 239Pu intakes for each worker based on model fits to bioassay data often coupled with lung measurements. RESULTS Urinary excretion and lung retention data for most 239Pu intakes could be fit reasonably well by a mixture of Pu dioxide and moderately soluble material. For some workers, better fits were obtained by application of other absorption types including Type S, 239Pu nitrate, or pure 239Pu dioxide, or by assuming intake via a wound. The lungs typically received the highest tissue doses, with fifty-year committed equivalent doses in the range of 0.5-1 Sv for 275 workers, 1-5 Sv for 115 workers, and greater than 5 Sv for 12 workers. CONCLUSIONS RF was a unique site regarding a large number of lung measurements available for determining the appropriate absorption types for inhaled material. This provided higher confidence in reconstructed 239Pu doses than is generally gained from urinary data alone.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caleigh Samuels
- Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | - Rich Leggett
- Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Conrad C, Inglis J, Wende A, Sanborn M, Mukundan N, Price A, Tenner T, Wurth K, Naes B, Fair J, Middlebrook E, Gaukler S, Whicker J, Gerard JL, Aguilera WT, Gibbs JP, Wolf B, Kattil-deBrum TK, Hagemann M, Seminoff JA, Brys T, Brown R, Derieg KM. Anthropogenic uranium signatures in turtles, tortoises, and sea turtles from nuclear sites. PNAS Nexus 2023; 2:pgad241. [PMID: 37614675 PMCID: PMC10443656 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgad241] [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] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
Chelonians (turtles, tortoises, and sea turtles) grow scute keratin in sequential layers over time. Once formed, scute keratin acts as an inert reservoir of environmental information. For chelonians inhabiting areas with legacy or modern nuclear activities, their scute has the potential to act as a time-stamped record of radionuclide contamination in the environment. Here, we measure bulk (i.e. homogenized scute) and sequential samples of chelonian scute from the Republic of the Marshall Islands and throughout the United States of America, including at the Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range, southwestern Utah, the Savannah River Site, and the Oak Ridge Reservation. We identify legacy uranium (235U and 236U) contamination in bulk and sequential chelonian scute that matches known nuclear histories at these locations during the 20th century. Our results confirm that chelonians bioaccumulate uranium radionuclides and do so sequentially over time. This technique provides both a time series approach for reconstructing nuclear histories from significant past and present contexts throughout the world and the ability to use chelonians for long-term environmental monitoring programs (e.g. sea turtles at Enewetok and Bikini Atolls in the Republic of the Marshall Islands and in Japan near the Fukushima Daiichi reactors).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cyler Conrad
- Earth Systems Science Division, Risk and Environmental Assessment Group, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, Richland, WA 99352, USA
- Department of Anthropology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Jeremy Inglis
- Chemistry Division, Nuclear and Radiochemistry Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, P.O. Box 1663, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA
| | - Allison Wende
- Chemistry Division, Nuclear and Radiochemistry Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, P.O. Box 1663, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA
| | - Matthew Sanborn
- Chemistry Division, Nuclear and Radiochemistry Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, P.O. Box 1663, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA
| | - Nilesh Mukundan
- Chemistry Division, Nuclear and Radiochemistry Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, P.O. Box 1663, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA
| | - Allison Price
- Chemistry Division, Nuclear and Radiochemistry Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, P.O. Box 1663, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA
| | - Travis Tenner
- Chemistry Division, Nuclear and Radiochemistry Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, P.O. Box 1663, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA
| | - Kimberly Wurth
- Chemistry Division, Nuclear and Radiochemistry Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, P.O. Box 1663, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA
| | - Benjamin Naes
- Chemistry Division, Nuclear and Radiochemistry Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, P.O. Box 1663, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA
| | - Jeanne Fair
- Bioscience Division, Genomics and Bioanalytics Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, P.O. Box 1663, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA
| | - Earl Middlebrook
- Bioscience Division, Genomics and Bioanalytics Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, P.O. Box 1663, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA
| | - Shannon Gaukler
- Environmental Protection and Compliance Division, Environmental Stewardship Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, P.O. Box 1663, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA
| | - Jeffrey Whicker
- Environmental Protection and Compliance Division, Environmental Stewardship Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, P.O. Box 1663, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA
| | - Jamie L Gerard
- Environmental Protection and Compliance Division, Environmental Stewardship Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, P.O. Box 1663, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA
| | - Washington Tapia Aguilera
- Galápagos Conservancy, 11150 Fairfax Blvd. #408, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA
- University of Málaga, Campus Teatinos, Apdo 59.29080 Málaga, Spain
| | - James P Gibbs
- Galápagos Conservancy, 11150 Fairfax Blvd. #408, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA
- College of Environmental Science, State University of New York, 1 Forestry Dr., Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
| | - Blair Wolf
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | | | - Molly Hagemann
- Department of Natural Sciences, Vertebrate Zoology, Bishop Museum, 1525 Bernice Street, Honolulu, HI 96817, USA
| | - Jeffrey A Seminoff
- NOAA-Southwest Fisheries Science Center, 8901 La Jolla Shores Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Timothy Brys
- Community Engagement and Collections Management, Perot Museum of Nature and Science, Dallas, TX 75201, USA
| | - Rafe Brown
- Natural History Museum and Biodiversity Institute, University of Kansas, Dyche Hall, 1345 Jayhawk Blvd., Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
| | - Katrina M Derieg
- Natural History Museum of Utah, University of Utah, 301 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Griffiths NM, Moureau A, Coudert S, Huet F, Defrance M, Van der Meeren A. Take a Swipe at Actinide Bioavailability: Application of a New In Vitro Method. Health Phys 2023; 124:495-507. [PMID: 37022177 PMCID: PMC10155695 DOI: 10.1097/hp.0000000000001694] [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] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Filter swipe tests are used for routine analyses of actinides in nuclear industrial, research, and weapon facilities as well as following accidental release. Actinide physicochemical properties will determine in part bioavailability and internal contamination levels. The aim of this work was to develop and validate a new approach to predict actinide bioavailability recovered by filter swipe tests. As proof of concept and to simulate a routine or an accidental situation, filter swipes were obtained from a nuclear research facility glove box. A recently-developed biomimetic assay for prediction of actinide bioavailability was adapted for bioavailability measurements using material obtained from these filter swipes. In addition, the efficacy of the clinically-used chelator, diethylenetriamine pentaacetate (Ca-DTPA), to enhance transportability was determined. This report shows that it is possible to evaluate physicochemical properties and to predict bioavailability of filter swipe-associated actinides.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - A. Van der Meeren
- Laboratoire de RadioToxicologie, CEA, Université Paris-Saclay, Bruyères-le-Châtel 91297, France
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Stegner MA, Hadly EA, Barnosky AD, La Selle S, Sherrod B, Anderson RS, Redondo SA, Viteri MC, Weaver KL, Cundy AB, Gaca P, Rose NL, Yang H, Roberts SL, Hajdas I, Black BA, Spanbauer TL. The Searsville Lake Site (California, USA) as a candidate Global boundary Stratotype Section and Point for the Anthropocene series. Anthropocene Rev 2023; 10:116-145. [PMID: 37213212 PMCID: PMC10193828 DOI: 10.1177/20530196221144098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Cores from Searsville Lake within Stanford University's Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve, California, USA, are examined to identify a potential GSSP for the Anthropocene: core JRBP2018-VC01B (944.5 cm-long) and tightly correlated JRBP2018-VC01A (852.5 cm-long). Spanning from 1900 CE ± 3 years to 2018 CE, a secure chronology resolved to the sub-annual level allows detailed exploration of the Holocene-Anthropocene transition. We identify the primary GSSP marker as first appearance of 239,240Pu (372-374 cm) in JRBP2018-VC01B and designate the GSSP depth as the distinct boundary between wet and dry season at 366 cm (6 cm above the first sample containing 239,240Pu) and corresponding to October-December 1948 CE. This is consistent with a lag of 1-2 years between ejection of 239,240Pu into the atmosphere and deposition. Auxiliary markers include: first appearance of 137Cs in 1958; late 20th-century decreases in δ15N; late 20th-century elevation in SCPs, Hg, Pb, and other heavy metals; and changes in abundance and presence of ostracod, algae, rotifer and protozoan microfossils. Fossil pollen document anthropogenic landscape changes related to logging and agriculture. As part of a major university, the Searsville site has long been used for research and education, serves users locally to internationally, and is protected yet accessible for future studies and communication about the Anthropocene. Plain Word Summary The Global boundary Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) for the proposed Anthropocene Series/Epoch is suggested to lie in sediments accumulated over the last ~120 years in Searsville Lake, Woodside, California, USA. The site fulfills all of the ideal criteria for defining and placing a GSSP. In addition, the Searsville site is particularly appropriate to mark the onset of the Anthropocene, because it was anthropogenic activities-the damming of a watershed-that created a geologic record that now preserves the very signals that can be used to recognize the Anthropocene worldwide.
Collapse
|
7
|
Chaplin JD, Christl M, Cundy AB, Warwick PE, Gaca P, Bochud F, Froidevaux P. Time-Integrated Bioavailability Proxy for Actinides in a Contaminated Estuary. ACS ES T Water 2022; 2:1688-1696. [PMID: 36277120 PMCID: PMC9578035 DOI: 10.1021/acsestwater.2c00194] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Actinides accumulate within aquatic biota in concentrations several orders of magnitude higher than in the seawater [the concentration factor (CF)], presenting an elevated radiological and biotoxicological risk to human consumers. CFs currently vary widely for the same radionuclide and species, which limits the accuracy of the modeled radiation dose to the public through seafood consumption. We propose that CFs will show less dispersion if calculated using a time-integrated measure of the labile (bioavailable) fraction instead of a specific spot sample of bulk water. Herein, we assess recently developed configurations of the diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) sampling technique to provide a more accurate predictor for the bioaccumulation of uranium, plutonium, and americium within the biota of the Sellafield-impacted Esk Estuary (UK). We complement DGT data with the cross-flow ultrafiltration of bulk seawater to assess the DGT-labile fraction versus the bulk concentration. Sequential elution of Fucus vesiculosis reveals preferential internalization and strong intracellular binding of less particle-reactive uranium. We find significant variations between CF values in biota calculated using a spot sample versus using DGT, which suggest an underestimation of the CF by spot sampling in some cases. We therefore recommend a revision of CF values using time-integrated bioavailability proxies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joshua D. Chaplin
- Institute
of Radiation Physics, Lausanne University
Hospital and University of Lausanne, 1 Rue du Grand-Pré, Lausanne 1007, Switzerland
| | - Marcus Christl
- Laboratory
of Ion Beam Physics, ETH Zürich, Otto-Stern-Weg 5, Zürich 8093, Switzerland
| | - Andrew B. Cundy
- School
of Ocean and Earth Science, University of
Southampton, National Oceanography Centre, European Way, Southampton SO14 3ZH, U.K.
| | - Phillip E. Warwick
- School
of Ocean and Earth Science, University of
Southampton, National Oceanography Centre, European Way, Southampton SO14 3ZH, U.K.
| | - Paweł Gaca
- School
of Ocean and Earth Science, University of
Southampton, National Oceanography Centre, European Way, Southampton SO14 3ZH, U.K.
| | - François Bochud
- Institute
of Radiation Physics, Lausanne University
Hospital and University of Lausanne, 1 Rue du Grand-Pré, Lausanne 1007, Switzerland
| | - Pascal Froidevaux
- Institute
of Radiation Physics, Lausanne University
Hospital and University of Lausanne, 1 Rue du Grand-Pré, Lausanne 1007, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Beyea J. Implications of Recent Epidemiological Studies for Compensation of Veterans Exposed to Plutonium. Health Phys 2022; 123:133-153. [PMID: 35594489 PMCID: PMC9232282 DOI: 10.1097/hp.0000000000001580] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT The objective of this paper is to compare post-2007 epidemiological results for plutonium workers to risk predicted by the software program NIOSH-IREP (IREP for short), which is used to determine the lowest dose for a US veteran to obtain cancer compensation. IREP output and methodology were used to predict excess relative risk per Gy (ERR Gy -1 ) for lung cancer at the 99 th credibility percentile, which is used for compensation decisions. Also estimated were relative biological effectiveness factors (RBE) predicted for workers using IREP methodology. IREP predictions were compared to results for Mayak and Sellafield plutonium workers, separately and pooled. Indications that IREP might underpredict 99 th -percentile lung cancer plutonium risk came from (1) comparison of worker RBEs and (2) from comparison of Sellafield results separately. When Sellafield and Mayak data were pooled, ERR Gy -1 comparisons at the 99 th percentile roughly matched epidemiological data with regression dose range restricted to < 0.05 Gy, the most relevant region to veterans, but overpredicted for the full dose range. When four plausible distributions for lung cancer risk, including both new and old data, were combined using illustrative weighting factors, compensation cutoff dose for lung cancer matched current IREP values unless regression results below 0.05 were chosen for Sellafield, producing a two-fold reduction. A 1997 claim of a dose threshold in lung cancer dose response was not confirmed in later literature. The benefit of the doubt is given to claimants when the science is unclear. The challenge for NIOSH-IREP custodians is dealing with the Sellafield results, which might best match US claimants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jan Beyea
- Senior Scientist, Emeritus, Consulting in the Public Interest, 53 Clinton Street, Lambertville, NJ 08530,
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Mattio E, Caleyron A, Miguirditchian M, Lines AM, Bryan SA, Lackey HE, Rodriguez-Ruiz I, Lamadie F. Microfluidic In-Situ Spectrophotometric Approaches to Tackle Actinides Analysis in Multiple Oxidation States. Appl Spectrosc 2022; 76:580-589. [PMID: 35108115 DOI: 10.1177/00037028211063916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [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] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The study and development of present and future processes for the treatment/recycling of spent nuclear fuels require many steps, from design in the laboratory to setting up on an industrial scale. In all of these steps, analysis and instrumentation are key points. For scientific reasons (small-scale studies, control of phenomena, etc.) but also with regard to minimizing costs, risks, and waste, such developments are increasingly carried out on milli- or microfluidic devices. The logic is the same for the chemical analyses associated with their follow-up and interpretation. Due to this, over the last few years, opto-microfluidic analysis devices adapted to the monitoring of different processes (dissolution, liquid-liquid extraction, precipitation, etc.) have been increasingly designed and developed. In this work, we prove that photonic lab-on-a-chip (PhLoC) technology is fully suitable for all actinides concentration monitoring along the plutonium uranium refining extraction (plutonium, uranium, reduction, extraction, or Purex) process. Several PhLoC microfluidic platforms were specifically designed and used in different nuclear research and development (R&D) laboratories, to tackle actinides analysis in multiple oxidation states even in mixtures. The detection limits reached (tens of µmol·L-1) are fully compliant with on-line process monitoring, whereas a range of analyzable concentrations of three orders of magnitude can be covered with less than 150 µL of analyte. Finally, this work confirms the possibility and the potential of coupling Raman and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopies at the microfluidic scale, opening the perspective of measuring very complex mixtures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elodie Mattio
- CEA, DES, ISEC, DMRC, 27053Univ Montpellier, Marcoule, France
| | - Audrey Caleyron
- CEA, DES, ISEC, DMRC, 27053Univ Montpellier, Marcoule, France
| | | | - Amanda M Lines
- 6865Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, USA
| | - Samuel A Bryan
- 6865Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, USA
| | - Hope E Lackey
- 6865Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, USA
| | | | - Fabrice Lamadie
- CEA, DES, ISEC, DMRC, 27053Univ Montpellier, Marcoule, France
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Carter KP, Wacker JN, Smith KF, Deblonde GJP, Moreau LM, Rees JA, Booth CH, Abergel RJ. In situ beam reduction of Pu(IV) and Bk(IV) as a route to trivalent transuranic coordination complexes with hydroxypyridinone chelators. J Synchrotron Radiat 2022; 29:315-322. [PMID: 35254293 PMCID: PMC8900832 DOI: 10.1107/s1600577522000200] [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] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The solution-state interactions of plutonium and berkelium with the octadentate chelator 3,4,3-LI(1,2-HOPO) (343-HOPO) were investigated and characterized by X-ray absorption spectroscopy, which revealed in situ reductive decomposition of the tetravalent species of both actinide metals to yield Pu(III) and Bk(III) coordination complexes. X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) measurements were the first indication of in situ synchrotron redox chemistry as the Pu threshold and white-line position energies for Pu-343-HOPO were in good agreement with known diagnostic Pu(III) species, whereas Bk-343-HOPO results were found to mirror the XANES behavior of Bk(III)-DTPA. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure results revealed An-OHOPO bond distances of 2.498 (5) and 2.415 (2) Å for Pu and Bk, respectively, which match well with bond distances obtained for trivalent actinides and 343-HOPO via density functional theory calculations. Pu(III)- and Bk(III)-343-HOPO data also provide initial insight into actinide periodicity as they can be compared with previous results with Am(III)-, Cm(III)-, Cf(III)-, and Es(III)-343-HOPO, which indicate there is likely an increase in 5f covalency and heterogeneity across the actinide series.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Korey P. Carter
- Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Jennifer N. Wacker
- Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Kurt F. Smith
- Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | | | - Liane M. Moreau
- Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Julian A. Rees
- Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Corwin H. Booth
- Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Rebecca J. Abergel
- Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Romanchuk A, Trigub A, Plakhova T, Kuzenkova A, Svetogorov R, Kvashnina K, Kalmykov S. Effective coordination numbers from EXAFS: general approaches for lanthanide and actinide dioxides. J Synchrotron Radiat 2022; 29:288-294. [PMID: 35254290 PMCID: PMC8900841 DOI: 10.1107/s160057752101300x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) is a comprehensive and usable method for characterizing the structures of various materials, including radioactive and nuclear materials. Unceasing discussions about the interpretation of EXAFS results for actinide nanoparticles (NPs) or colloids were still present during the last decade. In this study, new experimental data for PuO2 and CeO2 NPs with different average sizes were compared with published data on AnO2 NPs that highlight the best fit and interpretation of the structural data. In terms of the structure, PuO2, CeO2, ThO2, and UO2 NPs exhibit similar behaviors. Only ThO2 NPs have a more disordered and even partly amorphous structure, which results in EXAFS characteristics. The proposed new core-shell model for NPs with calculated effective coordination number perfectly fits the results of the variations in a metal-metal shell with a decrease in NP size.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Romanchuk
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1, Bld. 3, Moscow 119991, Russian Federation
| | - Alexander Trigub
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1, Bld. 3, Moscow 119991, Russian Federation
- National Research Centre ‘Kurchatov Institute’, Pl. Kurchatova 1, Moscow 123182, Russian Federation
| | - Tatiana Plakhova
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1, Bld. 3, Moscow 119991, Russian Federation
| | - Anastasiia Kuzenkova
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1, Bld. 3, Moscow 119991, Russian Federation
| | - Roman Svetogorov
- National Research Centre ‘Kurchatov Institute’, Pl. Kurchatova 1, Moscow 123182, Russian Federation
| | - Kristina Kvashnina
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1, Bld. 3, Moscow 119991, Russian Federation
- The Rossendorf Beamline at ESRF – The European Synchrotron, CS40220, 38043 Grenoble Cedex 9, France
- Institute of Resource Ecology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), PO Box 510119, 01314 Dresden, Germany
| | - Stepan Kalmykov
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1, Bld. 3, Moscow 119991, Russian Federation
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Dumas T, Virot M, Menut D, Tamain C, Micheau C, Dourdain S, Diat O. Size and structure of hexanuclear plutonium oxo-hydroxo clusters in aqueous solution from synchrotron analysis. J Synchrotron Radiat 2022; 29:30-36. [PMID: 34985420 PMCID: PMC8733971 DOI: 10.1107/s1600577521012005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [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: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The size and shape of a water-soluble hexanuclear plutonium cluster were probed by combining synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS). A specific setup coupling both techniques and dedicated to radioactive samples on the MARS beamline endstation at Synchrotron SOLEIL is described. The plutonium hexanuclear cores are well stabilized by the 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid ligands and this allows a good evaluation of the setup to probe the very small plutonium core. The results show that, in spite of the constrained conditions required to avoid any risk of sample dispersion, the flux and the sample environment are optimized to obtain a very good signal-to-noise ratio, allowing the detection of small plutonium aggregates in an aqueous phase. The structure of the well defined hexanuclear cluster has been confirmed by EXAFS measurements in solution and correlated with SAXS data processing and modelling. An iterative comparison of classical fit models (Guinier or sphere form factor) with the experimental results allowed a better interpretation of the SAXS signal that will be relevant for future work under environmentally relevant conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Dumas
- CEA, DES, ISEC, DMRC, Univ Montpellier, Marcoule, France
| | - Matthieu Virot
- ICSM, CEA, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Bagnols sur Cèze, France
| | - Denis Menut
- Synchrotron SOLEIL, L’Orme des Merisiers Saint Aubin, BP 48, 91192 Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France
| | | | - Cyril Micheau
- ICSM, CEA, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Bagnols sur Cèze, France
| | | | - Olivier Diat
- ICSM, CEA, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Bagnols sur Cèze, France
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Zurita C, Tsushima S, Solari PL, Jeanson A, Creff G, Den Auwer C. Interaction of Th(IV), Pu(IV) and Fe(III) with ferritin protein: how similar? J Synchrotron Radiat 2022; 29:45-52. [PMID: 34985422 PMCID: PMC8733997 DOI: 10.1107/s1600577521012340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [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: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/21/2021] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Ferritin is the main protein of Fe storage in eukaryote and prokaryote cells. It is a large multifunctional, multi-subunit protein consisting of heavy H and light L subunits. In the field of nuclear toxicology, it has been suggested that some actinide elements, such as thorium and plutonium at oxidation state +IV, have a comparable `biochemistry' to iron at oxidation state +III owing to their very high tendency for hydrolysis and somewhat comparable ionic radii. Therefore, the possible mechanisms of interaction of such actinide elements with the Fe storage protein is a fundamental question of bio-actinidic chemistry. We recently described the complexation of Pu(IV) and Th(IV) with horse spleen ferritin (composed mainly of L subunits). In this article, we bring another viewpoint to this question by further combining modeling with our previous EXAFS data for Pu(IV) and Th(IV). As a result, the interaction between the L subunits and both actinides appears to be non-specific but driven only by the density of the presence of Asp and Glu residues on the protein shell. The formation of an oxyhydroxide Th or Pu core has not been observed under the experimental conditions here, nor the interaction of Th or Pu with the ferric oxyhydroxide core.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cyril Zurita
- Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS, ICN, 06108 Nice, France
| | - Satoru Tsushima
- Institute of Resource Ecology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), 01328 Dresden, Germany
- World Research Hub Initiative (WRHI), Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Meguro, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
| | | | | | - Gaëlle Creff
- Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS, ICN, 06108 Nice, France
| | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Manglass LM, Wintenberg M, Vogel C, Blenner M, Martinez NE. Accumulation of radio-iron and plutonium, alone and in combination, in Pseudomonas putidagrown in liquid cultures. J Radiol Prot 2021; 41:1199-1212. [PMID: 34644681 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6498/ac2f86] [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: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The impact of low doses of ionising radiation on biological and environmental systems have been historically difficult to study. Modern biological tools have provided new methods for studying these mechanisms but applying these tools to a dose-response relationship may require refinement of dosimetric techniques that incorporate a detailed understand of radionuclide accumulation in biological cells, particularly when assessing the impact of low doses of ionising radiation. In this workPseudomonas putida (KT2440) grown in liquid culture was exposed to low dose rates (10-20 mGy d-1) of239Pu and55Fe, both alone and in combination, for a period of 20 days, and the accumulation of239Pu and55Fe in cell pellets was analysed via liquid scintillation counting. The study also considered of cells grown with239Pu and stable Fe (primarily56Fe). In addition to the analysis of cell pellet and media samples, this work includes analysis of the radiological content of ribonucleic acid extraction samples to examine uptake of radionuclides. Results indicate that239Pu inhibited the uptake of55Fe, and that the presence of stable and radioactive isotopes of Fe in cultures may promote pathways for Fe accumulation that are used by239Pu. The work herein provides foundational insight into future dosimetric models for our work with environmental bacteria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M Manglass
- Department of Environmental Engineering and Earth Science, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, United States of America
- Department of Physics and Engineering, Francis Marion University, Florence, SC, United States of America
| | - Molly Wintenberg
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, United States of America
| | - Charlotte Vogel
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, United States of America
| | - Mark Blenner
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, United States of America
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, United States of America
| | - Nicole E Martinez
- Department of Environmental Engineering and Earth Science, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Aoki J, Oonuma C, Sudowe R, Takagai Y. Adsorption Behavior of Pu(IV), Am(III), Cm(III), and U(VI) on Desferrioxamine B-immobilized Micropolymer and Its Applications in the Separation of Pu(IV). ANAL SCI 2021; 37:1641-1644. [PMID: 34759094 DOI: 10.2116/analsci.21n028] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The adsorption properties of Pu(IV), Am(III), Cm(III), and U(VI) on desferrioxamine B-immobilized micropolymeric resin (DMPs) and adsorbed species were elucidated using thermodynamic constants and log β values. This allowed the determination of adsorption characteristics (91, 95, 88, and 97% for Pu(IV), Am(III), Cm(III), and U(VI), respectively) and individual pH-independent adsorption properties. Pu(IV) could be separated from Am(III), Cm(III), and U(VI) at pH 2. The separation of Pu(IV) from Am(III), Cm(III), and U(VI) was achieved by controlling the pH of the solution using a single resin.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jo Aoki
- Cluster of Science and Technology, Fukushima University
| | | | - Ralf Sudowe
- Department of Environmental & Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University
| | - Yoshitaka Takagai
- Cluster of Science and Technology, Fukushima University.,Institute of Environmental Radioactivity, Fukushima University
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Grémy O, Blanchin N, Miccoli L. Interpretation of Enhanced Fecal and Urinary Plutonium Excretion Data under a 2-y Regular DTPA Treatment Started Months after Intake. Health Phys 2021; 121:494-505. [PMID: 34591820 PMCID: PMC8505154 DOI: 10.1097/hp.0000000000001458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT In a worker who had internalized plutonium, most likely through inhalation of a somewhat soluble compound, an extensive diethylenetriaminepentaacetate (DTPA) treatment regimen was initiated several months after contamination. Numerous radiotoxicological analyses were performed in both fecal and urinary specimens collected, sometimes for three consecutive days after DTPA administration. Activity measurements showed the continued effectiveness of DTPA intravenous infusions in removing plutonium from tissues of retention even if the treatment regimen started very belatedly after contamination. In the present case, the activity excreted through urine within the first 24-h after a DTPA infusion contributed only about half of that activity excreted within the first three days (i.e., the cumulative activity of the first three 24-h urine collections). In addition, the careful study of the data revealed that DTPA-induced excretion of plutonium via fecal pathway significantly contributed to the overall decorporation. The intracellular chelation of plutonium may be responsible for this enhanced excretion of activity in feces as well as for the delayed and sustained increased clearance of activity in urine. The authors would suggest that the occupational physicians offer to individuals who internalized moderately soluble or soluble plutonium compounds undergo a long-term DTPA treatment, especially when it is not initiated promptly after intake. Under this scenario, measurements of plutonium in successive urine and fecal collections after treatment should be required to get a better estimate of the therapeutic benefit. Also, intracellular chelation and fecal route should be taken into account for better interpretation of radiotoxicological data and modeling of plutonium kinetics under delayed DTPA treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Grémy
- CEA, Direction de la Recherche Fondamentale, Institut de Biologie François Jacob, Université Paris-Saclay, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Nicolas Blanchin
- CEA, Service de Santé au Travail, Saint-Paul-Lez-Durance, France
| | - Laurent Miccoli
- CEA, Direction de la Recherche Fondamentale, Institut de Biologie François Jacob, Université Paris-Saclay, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Solovov R, Perevoznikova A, Seliverstov A, Shapagin A, Fedoseev A, Milyutin V, Ershov B. Physicochemical and Sorptive Properties of a Phosphorylated Mercerized Cotton Fabric. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:3756. [PMID: 34771314 DOI: 10.3390/polym13213756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A process of phosphorylation for a mercerized cotton kersey fabric was investigated. After wet oxidation, the phosphorus content in each sample was determined by spectrophotometric analysis. The range was 0.179 to 0.950 mmol g-1. A significant decrease in the tensile strength of samples resulted from an increase of phosphoric acid concentration in the phosphorylating solution. The mercerization has a positive impact on the process of phosphorylation, as the phosphorus content was found to be three times higher in the samples that underwent mercerization. The sorption properties of phosphorylated cotton fabric were studied using the Cu2+ sorption process as a reference. The value of the static exchange capacity for the phosphorylated fabric was determined to reach its maximum when the concentration of the H3PO4 in the phosphorylating solution was 1.40 M, and was found to be 1.48 ± 0.11 mmol g-1 with the phosphorus content equal to 0.898 ± 0.090 mmol g-1. The sorption of Cu2+ by a single phosphorus-containing group occurred for samples with phosphorus content not exceeding 0.80 mmol g-1. The preliminary studies of micro-quantities of 241Am, 233U, and 239Pu radionuclide sorption from aqueous solutions with phosphorylated textile demonstrated the high efficiency.
Collapse
|
18
|
Yamada M, Zheng J. Distributions of 239Pu and 240Pu Concentrations and 240Pu/ 239Pu Atom Ratios and 239+240Pu Inventories in a Water Column in the Eastern Indian Ocean: Transport of Pacific Proving Grounds-Derived Pu via the Indonesian Throughflow. Environ Sci Technol 2021; 55:13849-13859. [PMID: 34569801 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c03575] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The 239+240Pu concentrations and 240Pu/239Pu atom ratios in seawater from the eastern Indian Ocean were determined to identify their Pu sources and to propose the transport pathway of Pacific Proving Grounds (PPG)-derived Pu into the studied area. This is the first study by anyone on these Pu atom ratios in the Indian Ocean. In the West Australia Basin, the 239+240Pu concentration was 2.89 mBq m-3 in the surface water and increased with depth; a subsurface maximum was identified at 200 m depth and then decreased gradually with depth; its water column inventory was 32.8 Bq m-2. The inventory-weighted mean 240Pu/239Pu atom ratios were 0.208 in the South Australia Basin, 0.226 in the Perth Basin, 0.242 in the West Australia Basin, 0.232 in the Bay of Bengal, and 0.225 in the Andaman Sea. The obtained 240Pu/239Pu ratios were clearly greater than the mean global fallout ratio of 0.18. These high atom ratios proved the presence of close-in fallout Pu from PPG nuclear tests. The relative contribution of global and PPG fallouts was evaluated using the two-end-member mixing model. The 239+240Pu inventories originating from the PPG fallout were calculated as 2.9-14.9 Bq m-2, which corresponded to 20-46% of the total 239+240Pu inventory. A significant amount of the PPG-derived Pu has been transported to the eastern Indian Ocean. The proposed transport pathway accounting for the high 240Pu/239Pu ratio is the transportation of PPG-derived Pu by the North Equatorial Current followed by the Mindanao Current, Indonesian Throughflow, and then spreading over the Indian Ocean by its surface circulation system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Masatoshi Yamada
- Central Laboratory, Marine Ecology Research Institute, 300 Iwawada, Onjuku, Isumi, Chiba 299-5105, Japan
- Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8564, Japan
| | - Jian Zheng
- Department of Radioecology and Fukushima Project, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Boice JD, Cohen SS, Mumma MT, Golden AP, Howard SC, Girardi DJ, Ellis ED, Bellamy MB, Dauer LT, Samuels C, Eckerman KF, Leggett RW. Mortality among workers at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, 1943-2017. Int J Radiat Biol 2021; 98:722-749. [PMID: 34047625 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2021.1917784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [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: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND During World War II (WWII), the Manhattan Engineering District established a secret laboratory in the mountains of northern New Mexico. The mission was to design, construct and test the first atomic weapon, nicknamed 'The Gadget' that was detonated at the TRINITY site in Alamogordo, NM. After WWII, nuclear weapons research continued, and the laboratory became the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). MATERIALS AND METHODS The mortality experience of 26,328 workers first employed between 1943 and 1980 at LANL was determined through 2017. Included were 6157 contract workers employed by the ZIA Company. Organ dose estimates for each worker considered all sources of exposure, notably photons, neutrons, tritium, 238Pu and 239Pu. Vital status determination included searches within the National Death Index, Social Security Administration and New Mexico State Mortality Files. Standardized Mortality Ratios (SMR) and Cox regression models were used in the analyses. RESULTS Most workers (55%) were hired before 1960, 38% had a college degree, 25% were female, 81% white, 13% Hispanic and 60% had died. Vital status was complete, with only 0.1% lost to follow-up. The mean dose to the lung for the 17,053 workers monitored for radiation was 28.6 weighted-mGy (maximum 16.8 weighted-Gy) assuming a Dose Weighting Factor of 20 for alpha particle dose to lung. The Excess Relative Risk (ERR) at 100 weighted-mGy was 0.01 (95%CI -0.02, 0.03; n = 839) for lung cancer. The ERR at 100 mGy was -0.43 (95%CI -1.11, 0.24; n = 160) for leukemia other than chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), -0.06 (95%CI -0.16, 0.04; n = 3043) for ischemic heart disease (IHD), and 0.29 (95%CI 0.02, 0.55; n = 106) for esophageal cancer. Among the 6499 workers with measurable intakes of plutonium, an increase in bone cancer (SMR 2.44; 95%CI 0.98, 5.03; n = 7) was related to dose. The SMR for berylliosis was significantly high, based on 4 deaths. SMRs for Hispanic workers were significantly high for cancers of the stomach and liver, cirrhosis of the liver, nonmalignant kidney disease and diabetes, but the excesses were not related to radiation dose. CONCLUSIONS There was little evidence that radiation increased the risk of lung cancer or leukemia. Esophageal cancer was associated with radiation, and plutonium intakes were linked to an increase of bone cancer. IHD was not associated with radiation dose. More precise evaluations will await the pooled analysis of workers with similar exposures such as at Rocky Flats, Savannah River and Hanford.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John D Boice
- National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements, Bethesda, MD, USA.,Division of Epidemiology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt Epidemiology Center and Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | | | - Michael T Mumma
- International Epidemiology Institute, Rockville, MD, USA.,International Epidemiology Field Station, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Ashley P Golden
- ORISE Health Studies Program, Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | - Sara C Howard
- ORISE Health Studies Program, Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | - David J Girardi
- ORISE Health Studies Program, Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | | | - Michael B Bellamy
- Department of Medical Physics and Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lawrence T Dauer
- Department of Medical Physics and Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Zurita C, Tsushima S, Bresson C, Garcia Cortes M, Solari PL, Jeanson A, Creff G, Den Auwer C. How Does Iron Storage Protein Ferritin Interact with Plutonium (and Thorium)? Chemistry 2020; 27:2393-2401. [PMID: 32955137 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202003653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [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: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
The impact of the contamination of living organisms by actinide elements has been a constant subject of attention since the 1950s. But to date still little is understood. Ferritin is the major storage and regulation protein of iron in many organisms, it consists of a protein ring and a ferrihydric core at the center. This work sheds light on the interactions of early actinides (Th, Pu) at oxidation state +IV with ferritin and its ability to store those elements at physiological pH compared to Fe. The ferritin-thorium load curve suggests that ThIV saturates the protein (2840 Th atoms per ferritin) in a similar way that Fe does on the protein ring. Complementary spectroscopic techniques (spectrophotometry, infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy) were combined with molecular dynamics to provide a structural model of the interaction of ThIV and PuIV with ferritin. Comparison of spectroscopic data together with MD calculations suggests that ThIV and PuIV are complexed mainly on the protein ring and not on the ferrihydric core. Indeed from XAS data, there is no evidence of Fe neighbors in the Th and Pu environments. On the other hand, carboxylates from amino acids of the protein ring and a possible additional carbonate anion are shaping the cation coordination spheres. This thorough description from a molecular view point of ThIV and PuIV interaction with ferritin, an essential iron storage protein, is a cornerstone in comprehensive nuclear toxicology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cyril Zurita
- CNRS, Institut de Chimie de Nice, Université Côte d'Azur, 06108, Nice, France
| | - Satoru Tsushima
- Institute of Resource Ecology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), 01328, Dresden, Germany.,World Research Hub Initiative (WRHI), Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Meguro, 152-8550, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Carole Bresson
- CEA, Service d'Etudes Analytiques et de Réactivité des Surfaces, Université Paris-Saclay, 91191, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Marta Garcia Cortes
- CEA, Service d'Etudes Analytiques et de Réactivité des Surfaces, Université Paris-Saclay, 91191, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Pier Lorenzo Solari
- Synchrotron SOLEIL, L'Orme des Merisiers, Saint Aubin, 91192, Gif-sur-Yvette, Cedex, France
| | - Aurélie Jeanson
- CNRS, Institut de Chimie de Nice, Université Côte d'Azur, 06108, Nice, France
| | - Gaëlle Creff
- CNRS, Institut de Chimie de Nice, Université Côte d'Azur, 06108, Nice, France
| | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
Aaseth J, Nurchi VM, Andersen O. Clinical therapy of patients contaminated with Polonium or Plutonium. Curr Med Chem 2020; 28:7238-7246. [PMID: 33081668 DOI: 10.2174/0929867327666201020152253] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Although most of the harmful radionuclides are of anthropogenic origin and released from military or industrial processes, radioactive substances also occur naturally in the environment, e.g. uranium. Low standards of nuclear facilities can lead to contamination of employees with radionuclides due to inhalation of gases or dust, or contamination of skin or wounds. Various sources for radionuclide exposure may represent concerns for radioactive polonium or plutonium exposure, for instance terrorist actions on the infrastructure such as on drinking water basins. Early health effects after extensive radiation exposure may be vomiting, headaches, and fatigue, followed by bone marrow depression, fever, and diarrhea. The main purpose of radionuclide mobilization is to minimize the radiation dose. Since some of the important radionuclides such as polonium and plutonium have very long biological half-times after their deposition in bone, liver or kidneys, rapid initiation of chelation treatment is usually imperative after a contamination event. The antidote DMPS (dimercaptopropanesulfonate is considered the drug of choice for polonium decorporation. DTPA (diethylenetriamine pentaacetate) is a potent chelator especially approved for radionuclide mobilization, including polonium and other actinides. Other chelators and drugs are under investigation as potential chelators of transuranic elements.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jan Aaseth
- Research Department, Innlandet Hospital Trust, 2381 Brumunddal. Norway
| | - Valeria Marina Nurchi
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, 09042 Monserrato. Italy
| | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
Abstract
The Trinity test device contained about 6 kg of plutonium as its fission source, resulting in a fission yield of 21 kT. However, only about 15% of the Pu actually underwent fission. The remaining unfissioned plutonium eventually was vaporized in the fireball and after cooling, was deposited downwind from the test site along with the various fission and activation products produced in the explosion. Using data from radiochemical analyses of soil samples collected postshot (most many years later), supplemented by model estimates of plutonium deposition density estimated from reported exposure rates at 12 h postshot, we have estimated the total activity and geographical distribution of the deposition density of this unfissioned plutonium in New Mexico. A majority (about 80%) of the unfissioned plutonium was deposited within the state of New Mexico, most in a relatively small area about 30-100 km downwind (the Chupadera Mesa area). For most of the state, the deposition density was a small fraction of the subsequent deposition density of Pu from Nevada Test Site tests (1951-1958) and later from global fallout from the large US and Russian thermonuclear tests (1952-1962). The fraction of the total unfissioned Pu that was deposited in New Mexico from Trinity was greater than the fraction of fission products deposited. Due to plutonium being highly refractory, a greater fraction of the Pu was incorporated into large particles that fell out closer to the test site as opposed to more volatile fission products (such as Cs and I) that tend to deposit on the surface of smaller particles that travel farther before depositing. The plutonium deposited as a result of the Trinity test was unlikely to have resulted in significant health risks to the downwind population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Anna Romanyukha
- Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, School of Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Romanchuk AY, Vlasova IE, Kalmykov SN. Speciation of Uranium and Plutonium From Nuclear Legacy Sites to the Environment: A Mini Review. Front Chem 2020; 8:630. [PMID: 32903456 PMCID: PMC7434977 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2020.00630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [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: 03/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The row of 15 chemical elements from Ac to Lr with atomic numbers from 89 to 103 are known as the actinides, which are all radioactive. Among them, uranium and plutonium are the most important as they are used in the nuclear fuel cycle and nuclear weapon production. Since the beginning of national nuclear programs and nuclear tests, many radioactively contaminated nuclear legacy sites, have been formed. This mini review covers the latest experimental, modeling, and case studies of plutonium and uranium migration in the environment, including the speciation of these elements and the chemical reactions that control their migration pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Stepan N. Kalmykov
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Ray D, Xie J, White J, Sigmon GE, Gagliardi L, Hixon AE. Experimental and Quantum Mechanical Characterization of an Oxygen-Bridged Plutonium(IV) Dimer. Chemistry 2020; 26:8115-8120. [PMID: 32176819 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202000638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [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: 02/05/2020] [Revised: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
We report the synthesis and characterization of K4 {[PuCl2 (NO3 )3 ]2 (μ2 -O)}⋅H2 O, which contains the first known μ2 -oxo bridge between two PuIV metal centers. Adding to its uniqueness is the Pu-(μ2 -O) bond length of 2.04 Å, which is the shortest of other analogous compounds. The Pu-(μ2 -O)-Pu bridge is characterized by the mixing of s-, d-, and p-orbitals from Pu with the p-orbitals of O; the 5f-orbitals do not participate in bonding. Natural bond orbital analysis indicates that Pu and O interact through one 3c-2e σPu-O-Pu and two 3c-2e πPu-O-Pu bonding orbitals and that the electron density is highly polarized on the μ2 -O. Bond topology properties analysis indicates that the Pu-(μ2 -O) bond shares both ionic and covalent character. Quantum mechanical calculations also show that the dimer has multiconfigurational ground states, where the nonet, septet, quintet, triplet, and singlet are close in energy. This work demonstrates the interplay between experimental and computational efforts that is required to understand the chemical bonding of Pu compounds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Debmalya Ray
- Department of Chemistry, Minnesota Supercomputing Institute and Chemical Theory Center, University of Minnesota, 207 Pleasant Street SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455-0431, USA
| | - Jing Xie
- Department of Chemistry, Minnesota Supercomputing Institute and Chemical Theory Center, University of Minnesota, 207 Pleasant Street SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455-0431, USA.,Current address: Key Laboratory of Cluster Science of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100031, P. R. China
| | - Jacob White
- Department of Chemistry, Minnesota Supercomputing Institute and Chemical Theory Center, University of Minnesota, 207 Pleasant Street SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455-0431, USA
| | - Ginger E Sigmon
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering & Earth Sciences, University of Notre Dame, 301 Stinson-Remick Hall, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
| | - Laura Gagliardi
- Department of Chemistry, Minnesota Supercomputing Institute and Chemical Theory Center, University of Minnesota, 207 Pleasant Street SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455-0431, USA
| | - Amy E Hixon
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering & Earth Sciences, University of Notre Dame, 301 Stinson-Remick Hall, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Jeong K, Jeong HJ, Woo SM, Bae S. Prediction of Binding Stability of Pu(IV) and PuO 2(VI) by Nitrogen Tridentate Ligands in Aqueous Solution. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21082791. [PMID: 32316430 PMCID: PMC7216098 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21082791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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: 03/15/2020] [Revised: 04/12/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Plutonium has potential applications in energy production in well-controlled nuclear reactors. Since nuclear power plants have great merit as environmentally friendly energy sources with a recyclable system, a recycling system for extracting Pu from spent fuels using suitable extractants has been proposed. Pu leakage is a potential environmental hazard, hence the need for chemical sensor development. Both extractants and chemical sensors involve metal–ligand interactions and to develop efficient extractants and chemical sensors, structural information about Pu ligands must be obtained by quantum calculations. Herein, six representative nitrogen tridentate ligands were introduced, and their binding stabilities were evaluated. The tridentate L6, which contains tri-pyridine chelate with benzene connectors, showed the highest binding energies for Pu(IV) and PuO2(VI) in water. Analysis based on the quantum theory of atoms in molecular analysis, including natural population analysis and electron density studies, provided insight into the bonding characteristics for each structure. We propose that differences in ionic bonding characteristics account for the Pu-ligand stability differences. These results form a basis for designing novel extractants and organic Pu sensors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Keunhong Jeong
- Department of Chemistry, Nuclear & WMD Protection Research Center, Korea Military Academy, Seoul 01805, Korea;
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +82+2-2197-2823
| | - Hye Jin Jeong
- Department of Chemistry, Nuclear & WMD Protection Research Center, Korea Military Academy, Seoul 01805, Korea;
| | - Seung Min Woo
- Department of Nuclear and Energy Engineering, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Korea;
| | - Sungchul Bae
- Department of Architectural Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea;
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Savosina J, Agafonova-Moroz M, Yaroshenko I, Ashina J, Babain V, Lumpov A, Legin A, Kirsanov D. Plutonium (IV) Quantification in Technologically Relevant Media Using Potentiometric Sensor Array. Sensors (Basel) 2020; 20:E1604. [PMID: 32183104 DOI: 10.3390/s20061604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Revised: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The quantification of plutonium in technological streams during spent nuclear fuel (SNF) reprocessing is an important practical task that has to be solved to ensure the safety of the process. Currently applied methods are tedious, time-consuming and can hardly be implemented in on-line mode. A fast and simple quantitative plutonium (IV) analysis using a potentiometric sensor array based on extracting agents is suggested in this study. The response of the set of specially designed PVC-plasticized membrane sensors can be related to plutonium content in solutions simulating real SNF-reprocessing media through multivariate regression modeling, providing 30% higher precision of plutonium quantification than optical spectroscopy.
Collapse
|
27
|
Abstract
A long-standing mystery in the material science of actinides concerns the question of why the bulk modulus of plutonium metal undergoes an anomalously large softening with increasing temperature compared to other metals. We show that a crucial step to understanding this phenomenon is taking into consideration the compressibility of thermally excited electronic configurations. We find this to lead to a previously unknown electronic softening contribution to the bulk modulus and a collapse of the bulk modulus when there exists a large partial pressure between different configurations. Plutonium metal exhibits an anomalously large softening of its bulk modulus at elevated temperatures that is made all the more extraordinary by the finding that it occurs irrespective of whether the thermal expansion coefficient is positive, negative, or zero—representing an extreme departure from conventional Grüneisen scaling. We show here that the cause of this softening is the compressibility of plutonium’s thermally excited electronic configurations, which has thus far not been considered in thermodynamic models. We show that when compressible electronic configurations are thermally activated, they invariably give rise to a softening of the bulk modulus regardless of the sign of their contribution to the thermal expansion. The electronically driven softening of the bulk modulus is shown to be in good agreement with elastic moduli measurements performed on the gallium-stabilized δ phase of plutonium over a range of temperatures and compositions and is shown to grow rapidly at small concentrations of gallium and at high temperatures, where it becomes extremely sensitive to hydrostatic pressure.
Collapse
|
28
|
Abstract
In 1966, about 1,600 US military men-mostly Air Force-participated in a cleanup of plutonium dispersed from two nuclear bombs in Palomares, Spain. As a base for future analyses, we provide a history of the Palomares incident, including the dosimetry and risk analyses carried out to date and the compensation assessments made for veterans. By law, compensation for illnesses attributed to ionizing radiation is based on maximum estimated doses and standard risk coefficients, with considerable benefit of the doubt given to claimants when there is uncertainty. In the Palomares case, alpha activity in urine fell far faster than predicted by plutonium biokinetic excretion models used at the time. Most of the measurements were taken on-site but were disqualified on the grounds that they were "unreasonably high" and because there was a possibility of environmental contamination. Until the end of 2013, the Air Force used low dose estimates derived from environmental measurements carried out well after the cleanup. After these estimates were questioned by Congress, the Air Force adopted higher dose estimates based on plutonium concentration measurements in urine samples collected from 26 veterans after they left Palomares. The Air Force assumed that all other cleanup veterans received lower doses and therefore assigned to them maximum organ doses based on the individual among the 26 with the lowest urine measurements. These resulting maximum organ doses appear to be sufficient to justify compensation to all Palomares veterans with lung and bone cancer and early-onset liver cancer and leukemia but not other radiogenic cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jan Beyea
- Consulting in the Public Interest, Lambertville, NJ
| | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Smith KF, Morris K, Law GTW, Winstanley EH, Livens FR, Weatherill JS, Abrahamsen-Mills LG, Bryan ND, Mosselmans JFW, Cibin G, Parry S, Blackham R, Law KA, Shaw S. Plutonium(IV) Sorption during Ferrihydrite Nanoparticle Formation. ACS Earth Space Chem 2019; 3:2437-2442. [PMID: 32064412 PMCID: PMC7011701 DOI: 10.1021/acsearthspacechem.9b00105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Revised: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Understanding interactions between iron (oxyhydr)oxide nanoparticles and plutonium is essential to underpin technology to treat radioactive effluents, in cleanup of land contaminated with radionuclides, and to ensure the safe disposal of radioactive wastes. These interactions include a range of adsorption, precipitation, and incorporation processes. Here, we explore the mechanisms of plutonium sequestration during ferrihydrite precipitation from an acidic solution. The initial 1 M HNO3 solution with Fe(III)(aq) and 242Pu(IV)(aq) underwent controlled hydrolysis via the addition of NaOH to pH 9. The majority of Fe(III)(aq) and Pu(IV)(aq) was removed from solution between pH 2 and 3 during ferrihydrite formation. Analysis of Pu-ferrihydrite by extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy showed that Pu(IV) formed an inner-sphere tetradentate complex on the ferrihydrite surface, with minor amounts of PuO2 present. Best fits to the EXAFS data collected from Pu-ferrihydrite samples aged for 2 and 6 months showed no statistically significant change in the Pu(IV)-Fe oxyhydroxide surface complex despite the ferrihydrite undergoing extensive recrystallization to hematite. This suggests the Pu remains strongly sorbed to the iron (oxyhydr)oxide surface and could be retained over extended time periods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kurt F. Smith
- Research
Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular
Environmental Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Katherine Morris
- Research
Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular
Environmental Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Gareth T. W. Law
- Centre
for Radiochemistry Research, School of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, United
Kingdom
- Radiochemistry
Unit, Department of Chemistry, The University
of Helsinki, A.I. Virtasen Aukio 1 (PL 55), 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ellen H. Winstanley
- Research
Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular
Environmental Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Francis R. Livens
- Research
Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular
Environmental Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom
- Centre
for Radiochemistry Research, School of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, United
Kingdom
| | - Joshua S. Weatherill
- Research
Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular
Environmental Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | | | - Nicholas D. Bryan
- National
Nuclear Laboratory, Chadwick House, Warrington, WA3 6AE, United
Kingdom
| | - J. Frederick W. Mosselmans
- Diamond
Light Source Ltd, Diamond House,
Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0DE, United Kingdom
| | - Giannantonio Cibin
- Diamond
Light Source Ltd, Diamond House,
Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0DE, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen Parry
- Diamond
Light Source Ltd, Diamond House,
Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0DE, United Kingdom
| | | | - Kathleen A. Law
- Centre
for Radiochemistry Research, School of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, United
Kingdom
| | - Samuel Shaw
- Research
Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular
Environmental Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom
- E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Pirot F. The link between salt and neurological disorders: the mediation of alpha emitting nanoparticulates as simple explanation. Porto Biomed J 2019; 4:e55. [PMID: 33501397 DOI: 10.1097/j.pbj.0000000000000055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
|
31
|
Kulikova SA, Vinokurov SE. The Influence of Zeolite (Sokyrnytsya Deposit) on the Physical and Chemical Resistance of a Magnesium Potassium Phosphate Compound for the Immobilization of High-Level Waste. Molecules 2019; 24:E3421. [PMID: 31547080 PMCID: PMC6804266 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24193421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2019] [Revised: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 09/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The manuscript presents the results of the development of new material for high-level waste (HLW) management: the magnesium potassium phosphate (MKP) compound. The possibility of using zeolite (Sokyrnytsya deposit) to increase the mechanical, thermal, and hydrolytic resistance of this compound with immobilized HLW was studied. The main component of the used natural zeolite is a mineral of the clinoptilolite-heulandite series, and quartz, microcline, and clay minerals (illite, sepiolite, and smectite) are present as impurities. The compressive strength of the compound, containing at least 4.2 wt % zeolite, is about 25 MPa. Compound containing 28.6 wt % zeolite retains high compressive strength (at least 9.0 MPa), even after heat treatment at 450 °C. The adding of zeolite to the composition of the compound increases its hydrolytic stability, while the leaching rate of the mobile nuclides 137Cs and 90Sr decreases up to one order of values. Differential leaching rate of radionuclides from the compound containing 28.6 wt % zeolite is 2.6 × 10-7 for 137Cs, 2.9 × 10-6 for 90Sr, 1.7 × 10-9 for 239Pu, and 2.9 × 10-9 g/(cm2∙day) for 241Am. Thus, the properties of the resulting compound correspond to the requirements for solidified HLW in Russia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Svetlana A Kulikova
- Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 19 Kosygin st., Moscow 119991, Russia.
| | - Sergey E Vinokurov
- Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 19 Kosygin st., Moscow 119991, Russia.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Hughes EW, Molina MR, Abella MKIL, Nikolić-Hughes I, Ruderman MA. Radiation maps of ocean sediment from the Castle Bravo crater. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:15420-4. [PMID: 31308235 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1903478116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
High-yield thermonuclear explosions cause enormous radioactive contamination to the environment. These “hydrogen bombs,” when tested on small islands in the ocean, vaporize the land and produce radionuclides that settle in the ocean sediment. Even decades later, significant contamination may remain in the sediment surface and deep into the sediment layers. Measuring the radioactive contamination of the crater sediment is a first step in assessing the overall impact of nuclear weapons testing on the ocean ecosystems. We find radiation levels orders of magnitude above background for plutonium-(239,240), americium-241, and bismuth-207 in the top 25 cm of sediment across the entire Bravo bomb crater, the location of the largest aboveground US nuclear weapons test. On March 1, 1954, the United States conducted its largest thermonuclear weapon test in Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands; the detonation was code-named “Castle Bravo.” Radioactive deposits in the ocean sediment at the bomb crater are widespread and high levels of contamination remain today. One hundred thirty cores were collected from the top 25 cm of surface sediment at ocean depths approaching 60 m over a ∼2-km2 area, allowing for a presentation of radiation maps of the Bravo crater site. Radiochemical analyses were performed on the following radionuclides: plutonium-(239,240), plutonium-238, americium-241, bismuth-207, and cesium-137. Large values of plutonium-(239,240), americium-241, and bismuth-207 are found. Comparisons are made to core sample results from other areas in the northern Marshall Islands.
Collapse
|
33
|
Abella MKIL, Molina MR, Nikolić-Hughes I, Hughes EW, Ruderman MA. Background gamma radiation and soil activity measurements in the northern Marshall Islands. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:15425-34. [PMID: 31308236 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1903421116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
From 1946 to 1958, the United States tested 67 nuclear weapons in the Marshall Islands, a remote constellation of atolls in the Pacific Ocean that was then a US trust territory. Two atolls, Bikini and Enewetak, were used as ground zero for the tests, which caused unprecedented environmental contamination and, for the indigenous peoples of the islands, long-term adverse health effects. In addition to the populations of Bikini and Enewetak, the people of Rongelap and Utirik were also affected by radioactive fallout from the largest nuclear test the United States has ever conducted, the Bravo test held March 1, 1954. This article presents a picture of current radiological conditions by examining external gamma radiation and soil radionuclide activity concentrations. We report on measurements of external gamma radiation on 9 islands in 4 atolls in the northern Marshall Islands, all of which were affected by the US nuclear testing program from 1946 to 1958 (Enjebi, Ikuren, and Japtan in Enewetak Atoll; Bikini and Enyu in Bikini Atoll; Naen in Rongelap Atoll; and Aon, Elluk, and Utirik in Utirik Atoll). We also report americium-241, cesium-137, plutonium-238, and plutonium-239,240 activity concentrations in the soil samples for 11 islands in 4 northern atolls (Enewetak, Japtan, Medren, and Runit in Enewetak Atoll; Bikini and Enyu in Bikini Atoll; Naen and Rongelap in Rongelap Atoll; and Aon, Elluk, and Utirik in Utirik Atoll) and from Majuro Island, Majuro Atoll in the southern Marshall Islands. Our results show low external gamma radiation levels on some islands in the Enewetak Atoll and Utirik Atoll, and elevated levels on Enjebi Island in the Enewetak Atoll, on Bikini Atoll, and on Naen Island in the Rongelap Atoll. We perform ordinary kriging on external gamma radiation measurements to provide interpolated maps. We find that radionuclides are absent from all Majuro soil samples, and that they are present at highest activity concentrations in samples from Runit and Enjebi islands (Enewetak Atoll), Bikini Island (Bikini Atoll), and Naen Island (Rongelap Atoll). We contextualize all results by making comparisons between islands and to various standards, as well as to regions of the world affected by nuclear accidents. We also discuss implications for informed decision-making by the Marshallese and local atoll governments and their people on issues pertaining to island resettlement.
Collapse
|
34
|
Abstract
Recent developments and results from the organometallic chemistry of the actinides are reviewed. In the last one and a half years the structural data of about 15 organometallic complexes of transuranium actinides (Np or Pu) have been published, all involving π-ligands in the coordination sphere of the metal ion. On the basis of these data, a comparison of these molecules is presented. Depending on the steric demands of the ligands, effects like the actinide contraction seem to be stronger or weaker in the structural features. This indicates that the interplay between the actinide ion and the π-ligand is rather flexible, enabling the formation of stable bonds over a broad range of actinide ion oxidation states.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olaf Walter
- European Commission–Joint Research CentreDirectorate for Nuclear Safety and Security–G. I. 5Postfach 234076125KarlsruheGermany
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Vinokurov SE, Kulikova SA, Myasoedov BF. Magnesium Potassium Phosphate Compound for Immobilization of Radioactive Waste Containing Actinide and Rare Earth Elements. Materials (Basel) 2018; 11:ma11060976. [PMID: 29890693 PMCID: PMC6025553 DOI: 10.3390/ma11060976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2018] [Revised: 06/04/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The problem of effective immobilization of liquid radioactive waste (LRW) is key to the successful development of nuclear energy. The possibility of using the magnesium potassium phosphate (MKP) compound for LRW immobilization on the example of nitric acid solutions containing actinides and rare earth elements (REE), including high level waste (HLW) surrogate solution, is considered in the research work. Under the study of phase composition and structure of the MKP compounds that is obtained by the XRD and SEM methods, it was established that the compounds are composed of crystalline phases—analogues of natural phosphate minerals (struvite, metaankoleite). The hydrolytic stability of the compounds was determined according to the semi-dynamic test GOST R 52126-2003. Low leaching rates of radionuclides from the compound are established, including a differential leaching rate of 239Pu and 241Am—3.5 × 10−7 and 5.3 × 10−7 g/(cm²∙day). As a result of the research work, it was concluded that the MKP compound is promising for LRW immobilization and can become an alternative material combining the advantages of easy implementation of the technology, like cementation and the high physical and chemical stability corresponding to a glass-like compound.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sergey E Vinokurov
- Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 19 Kosygin st., Moscow 119991, Russia.
| | - Svetlana A Kulikova
- Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 19 Kosygin st., Moscow 119991, Russia.
| | - Boris F Myasoedov
- Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 19 Kosygin st., Moscow 119991, Russia.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Abstract
The organometallic tris-cyclopentadienide actinide(III) (AnCp3 ) complexes were first reported about 50 years ago. However, up until now, only the NpCp3 solid state structure has been studied. Here we report on the solid state structures of UCp3 and PuCp3 which are isostructural to the Np analogue. The structural models are supported by theoretical calculations and compared to their lanthanide analogues. The observed trends in changes of bond lengths might be indicator for an increased covalency in the bonding in the tris-cyclopentadienide actinide(III) complexes (AnCp3 ) compared to their lanthanide homologues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christos Apostolidis
- European Commission–Joint Research CentreDirectorate for Nuclear Safety and Security–G.I.5, Postfach 234076125KarlsruheGermany
| | - Michał S. Dutkiewicz
- European Commission–Joint Research CentreDirectorate for Nuclear Safety and Security–G.I.5, Postfach 234076125KarlsruheGermany
- EaStCHEM School of ChemistryUniversity of Edinburgh, The King's BuildingsEdinburghEH9 3FJUK
| | - Attila Kovács
- European Commission–Joint Research CentreDirectorate for Nuclear Safety and Security–G.I.5, Postfach 234076125KarlsruheGermany
| | - Olaf Walter
- European Commission–Joint Research CentreDirectorate for Nuclear Safety and Security–G.I.5, Postfach 234076125KarlsruheGermany
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Lascola R, O'Rourke PE, Kyser EA. A Piecewise Local Partial Least Squares (PLS) Method for the Quantitative Analysis of Plutonium Nitrate Solutions. Appl Spectrosc 2017; 71:2579-2594. [PMID: 28884597 DOI: 10.1177/0003702817734000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
We have developed a piecewise local (PL) partial least squares (PLS) analysis method for total plutonium measurements by absorption spectroscopy in nitric acid-based nuclear material processing streams. Instead of using a single PLS model that covers all expected solution conditions, the method selects one of several local models based on an assessment of solution absorbance, acidity, and Pu oxidation state distribution. The local models match the global model for accuracy against the calibration set, but were observed in several instances to be more robust to variations associated with measurements in the process. The improvements are attributed to the relative parsimony of the local models. Not all of the sources of spectral variation are uniformly present at each part of the calibration range. Thus, the global model is locally overfitting and susceptible to increased variance when presented with new samples. A second set of models quantifies the relative concentrations of Pu(III), (IV), and (VI). Standards containing a mixture of these species were not at equilibrium due to a disproportionation reaction. Therefore, a separate principal component analysis is used to estimate of the concentrations of the individual oxidation states in these standards in the absence of independent confirmatory analysis. The PL analysis approach is generalizable to other systems where the analysis of chemically complicated systems can be aided by rational division of the overall range of solution conditions into simpler sub-regions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert Lascola
- 1 1073 Science and Technology Directorate, Savannah River National Laboratory, Aiken, SC, United States
| | - Patrick E O'Rourke
- 1 1073 Science and Technology Directorate, Savannah River National Laboratory, Aiken, SC, United States
| | - Edward A Kyser
- 2 Environmental Stewardship Directorate, Savannah River National Laboratory, Aiken, SC, United States
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Vázquez-Campos X, Kinsela AS, Bligh MW, Harrison JJ, Payne TE, Waite TD. Response of Microbial Community Function to Fluctuating Geochemical Conditions within a Legacy Radioactive Waste Trench Environment. Appl Environ Microbiol 2017; 83:e00729-17. [PMID: 28667104 DOI: 10.1128/AEM.00729-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2017] [Accepted: 06/20/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
During the 1960s, small quantities of radioactive materials were codisposed with chemical waste at the Little Forest Legacy Site (Sydney, Australia) in 3-meter-deep, unlined trenches. Chemical and microbial analyses, including functional and taxonomic information derived from shotgun metagenomics, were collected across a 6-week period immediately after a prolonged rainfall event to assess the impact of changing water levels upon the microbial ecology and contaminant mobility. Collectively, results demonstrated that oxygen-laden rainwater rapidly altered the redox balance in the trench water, strongly impacting microbial functioning as well as the radiochemistry. Two contaminants of concern, plutonium and americium, were shown to transition from solid-iron-associated species immediately after the initial rainwater pulse to progressively more soluble moieties as reducing conditions were enhanced. Functional metagenomics revealed the potentially important role that the taxonomically diverse microbial community played in this transition. In particular, aerobes dominated in the first day, followed by an increase of facultative anaerobes/denitrifiers at day 4. Toward the mid-end of the sampling period, the functional and taxonomic profiles depicted an anaerobic community distinguished by a higher representation of dissimilatory sulfate reduction and methanogenesis pathways. Our results have important implications to similar near-surface environmental systems in which redox cycling occurs. IMPORTANCE The role of chemical and microbiological factors in mediating the biogeochemistry of groundwaters from trenches used to dispose of radioactive materials during the 1960s is examined in this study. Specifically, chemical and microbial analyses, including functional and taxonomic information derived from shotgun metagenomics, were collected across a 6-week period immediately after a prolonged rainfall event to assess how changing water levels influence microbial ecology and contaminant mobility. Results demonstrate that oxygen-laden rainwater rapidly altered the redox balance in the trench water, strongly impacting microbial functioning as well as the radiochemistry. Two contaminants of concern, plutonium and americium, were shown to transition from solid-iron-associated species immediately after the initial rainwater pulse to progressively more soluble moieties as reducing conditions were enhanced. Functional metagenomics revealed the important role that the taxonomically diverse microbial community played in this transition. Our results have important implications to similar near-surface environmental systems in which redox cycling occurs.
Collapse
|
39
|
Apostolidis C, Walter O, Vogt J, Liebing P, Maron L, Edelmann FT. A Structurally Characterized Organometallic Plutonium(IV) Complex. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2017; 56:5066-5070. [PMID: 28371148 PMCID: PMC5485009 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201701858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [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: 02/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The blood-red plutonocene complex Pu(1,3-COT'')(1,4-COT'') (4; COT''=η8 -bis(trimethylsilyl)cyclooctatetraenyl) has been synthesized by oxidation of the anionic sandwich complex Li[Pu(1,4-COT'')2 ] (3) with anhydrous cobalt(II) chloride. The first crystal structure determination of an organoplutonium(IV) complex revealed an asymmetric sandwich structure for 4 where one COT'' ring is 1,3-substituted while the other retains the original 1,4-substitution pattern. The electronic structure of 4 has been elucidated by a computational study, revealing a probable cause for the unexpected silyl group migration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christos Apostolidis
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Directorate G-Nuclear Safety and Security, P.O. Box 2340, 76125, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Olaf Walter
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Directorate G-Nuclear Safety and Security, P.O. Box 2340, 76125, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Jochen Vogt
- Chemisches Institut der Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Phil Liebing
- Chemisches Institut der Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Laurent Maron
- Laboratoire de Physique et Chimie des Nanoobjets (LPCNO), Université de Toulouse/INSA/CNRS (UMR5215), 135 avenue de Rangueil, 31077, Toulouse cedex 4, France
| | - Frank T Edelmann
- Chemisches Institut der Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106, Magdeburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Arnold PL, Dutkiewicz MS, Zegke M, Walter O, Apostolidis C, Hollis E, Pécharman AF, Magnani N, Griveau JC, Colineau E, Caciuffo R, Zhang X, Schreckenbach G, Love JB. Subtle Interactions and Electron Transfer between U(III) , Np(III) , or Pu(III) and Uranyl Mediated by the Oxo Group. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2016; 55:12797-801. [PMID: 27628291 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201607022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [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: 07/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
A dramatic difference in the ability of the reducing An(III) center in AnCp3 (An=U, Np, Pu; Cp=C5 H5 ) to oxo-bind and reduce the uranyl(VI) dication in the complex [(UO2 )(THF)(H2 L)] (L="Pacman" Schiff-base polypyrrolic macrocycle), is found and explained. These are the first selective functionalizations of the uranyl oxo by another actinide cation. At-first contradictory electronic structural data are explained by combining theory and experiment. Complete one-electron transfer from Cp3 U forms the U(IV) -uranyl(V) compound that behaves as a U(V) -localized single molecule magnet below 4 K. The extent of reduction by the Cp3 Np group upon oxo-coordination is much less, with a Np(III) -uranyl(VI) dative bond assigned. Solution NMR and NIR spectroscopy suggest Np(IV) U(V) but single-crystal X-ray diffraction and SQUID magnetometry suggest a Np(III) -U(VI) assignment. DFT-calculated Hirshfeld charge and spin density analyses suggest half an electron has transferred, and these explain the strongly shifted NMR spectra by spin density contributions at the hydrogen nuclei. The Pu(III) -U(VI) interaction is too weak to be observed in THF solvent, in agreement with calculated predictions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Polly L Arnold
- EaStCHEM School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, The King's Buildings, Edinburgh, EH9 3FJ, UK.
| | - Michał S Dutkiewicz
- EaStCHEM School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, The King's Buildings, Edinburgh, EH9 3FJ, UK.,European Commission, Directorate for Nuclear Safety and Security, Joint Research Centre, Postfach 2340, 76125, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Markus Zegke
- EaStCHEM School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, The King's Buildings, Edinburgh, EH9 3FJ, UK
| | - Olaf Walter
- European Commission, Directorate for Nuclear Safety and Security, Joint Research Centre, Postfach 2340, 76125, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Christos Apostolidis
- European Commission, Directorate for Nuclear Safety and Security, Joint Research Centre, Postfach 2340, 76125, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Emmalina Hollis
- EaStCHEM School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, The King's Buildings, Edinburgh, EH9 3FJ, UK
| | | | - Nicola Magnani
- European Commission, Directorate for Nuclear Safety and Security, Joint Research Centre, Postfach 2340, 76125, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Jean-Christophe Griveau
- European Commission, Directorate for Nuclear Safety and Security, Joint Research Centre, Postfach 2340, 76125, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Eric Colineau
- European Commission, Directorate for Nuclear Safety and Security, Joint Research Centre, Postfach 2340, 76125, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Roberto Caciuffo
- European Commission, Directorate for Nuclear Safety and Security, Joint Research Centre, Postfach 2340, 76125, Karlsruhe, Germany.
| | - Xiaobin Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Georg Schreckenbach
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 2N2, Canada.
| | - Jason B Love
- EaStCHEM School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, The King's Buildings, Edinburgh, EH9 3FJ, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Xian L, Tian G, Beavers CM, Teat SJ, Shuh DK. Glutarimidedioxime: A Complexing and Reducing Reagent for Plutonium Recovery from Spent Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2016; 55:4671-3. [PMID: 26970221 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201510712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [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: 11/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Efficient separation processes for recovering uranium and plutonium from spent nuclear fuel are essential to the development of advanced nuclear fuel cycles. The performance characteristics of a new salt-free complexing and reducing reagent, glutarimidedioxime (H2A), are reported for recovering plutonium in a PUREX process. With a phase ratio of organic to aqueous of up to 10:1, plutonium can be effectively stripped from 30% tributyl phosphate (TBP) in kerosene into 1 M HNO3 with H2A. The complexation-reduction mechanism is illustrated with the combination of UV/Vis absorption spectra and the crystal structure of a Pu(IV) complex with the reagent. The fast stripping rate and the high efficiency for stripping Pu(IV), through the complexation-reduction mechanism, is suitable for use in centrifugal contactors with very short contact/resident times, thereby offering significant advantages over conventional processes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liang Xian
- Radiochemistry Department, China Institute of Atomic Energy, P. O. Box 275-26, Beijing, 102413, China
| | - Guoxin Tian
- Radiochemistry Department, China Institute of Atomic Energy, P. O. Box 275-26, Beijing, 102413, China. .,Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA.
| | - Christine M Beavers
- Advanced Light Source, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Simon J Teat
- Advanced Light Source, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA.
| | - David K Shuh
- Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Deltour I, Tretyakov F, Tsareva Y, Azizova TV, Schüz J. Mortality of populations potentially exposed to ionising radiation, 1953-2010, in the closed city of Ozyorsk, Southern Urals: a descriptive study. Environ Health 2015; 14:91. [PMID: 26613590 PMCID: PMC4661994 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-015-0078-8] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2015] [Accepted: 11/18/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The city of Ozyorsk (Southern Urals) was created as a secret city in 1945 and is a closed city until today. It housed workers of the earliest and one of the country's largest nuclear facilities. Workers of the nuclear reactors, radiochemical or reprocessing plants were exposed to high levels of ionising radiation in the early years of operation and possibly further exposed from inhalation of plutonium aerosols. METHODS The cause-of-death registry of Ozyorsk received paper copies of original death certificates of all deaths of residents of the city. Data were analysed for recent mortality rates (1998-2010) and time trends in age-standardised mortality rates between 1953 and 2010 of main groups of causes of deaths, in particular cancer. RESULTS Comparing workers of the three main plant types with the remainder of the Ozyorsk residents, and with national figures, all-cause mortality rates were lowest among workers, with ratios compared to national figures of 0.65 (men) and 0.56 (women), and compared to the other residents of 0.77 (men) and of 0.74 (women). For cancer overall, the differences were smaller in men (ratio between workers and national figures of 0.86) and there were no differences in women (ratio of 1.00), but ratios differed by cancer type. Most cancer deaths were however least common in the workers, including leukaemia. Over the last 60 years, all-cause mortality has gradually increased among men in all three groups but was stable among women, whereas cancer death rates have slightly declined in both sexes. CONCLUSIONS Healthy worker effect, relatively better living conditions in Ozyorsk and healthier lifestyles may explain the lower mortality rates in Ozyorsk. Overall mortality time trends in Ozyorsk were similar to the entire country. No apparent radiation-related effects were seen in this population-level analysis, but the radiation-related risks can be better addressed in individual-level studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Deltour
- Section of Environment and Radiation, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), 150 cours Albert Thomas, F-69372, Lyon, France.
| | - Fyodor Tretyakov
- Clinical Department Southern Urals Biophysics Institute (SUBI), Ozyorsk, Russian Federation.
| | - Yulia Tsareva
- Epidemiology Laboratory, Southern Urals Biophysics Institute (SUBI), Ozyorsk, Russian Federation.
| | - Tamara V Azizova
- Clinical Department Southern Urals Biophysics Institute (SUBI), Ozyorsk, Russian Federation.
| | - Joachim Schüz
- Section of Environment and Radiation, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), 150 cours Albert Thomas, F-69372, Lyon, France.
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Marsh JW, Harrison JD, Laurier D, Birchall A, Blanchardon E, Paquet F, Tirmarche M. Doses and lung cancer risks from exposure to radon and plutonium. Int J Radiat Biol 2015; 90:1080-7. [PMID: 25066877 DOI: 10.3109/09553002.2014.942919] [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: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Epidemiological studies of the French uranium miners and the plutonium workers at the Mayak nuclear facility have provided excess relative risk (ERR) estimates per unit absorbed lung dose from alpha radiation. The aim of this paper was to review these two studies and to derive values of the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of alpha particles for the induction of lung cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS We examined and compared the dosimetry assumptions and methodology used in the epidemiological studies of uranium miners and the plutonium workers. Values of RBE were obtained by comparing risk coefficients including comparison of lifetime risks for a given population. To do this, preliminary calculations of lifetime risks following inhalation of plutonium were carried out. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Published values of risk per unit dose following inhalation of radon progeny and plutonium were in agreement despite the very different dose distributions within the lungs and the different ways the doses were calculated. Values of RBE around 10-20 were obtained by comparing ERR values, but with wide uncertainty ranges. Comparing lifetime risks gave similar values (10, 19 and 21). This supports the use of a radiation weighting factor of 20 for alpha particles for radiation protection purposes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James W Marsh
- Public Health England, Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards , Chilton, Didcot, Oxon , UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
45
|
An DD, Villalobos JA, Morales-Rivera JA, Rosen CJ, Bjornstad KA, Gauny SS, Choi TA, Sturzbecher-Hoehne M, Abergel RJ. (238)Pu elimination profiles after delayed treatment with 3,4,3LI(1,2HOPO) in female and male Swiss-Webster mice. Int J Radiat Biol 2014; 90:1055-61. [PMID: 24937372 DOI: 10.3109/09553002.2014.925150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [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] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To characterize the dose-dependent and sex-related efficacy of the hydroxypyridinonate decorporation agent 3,4,3-LI(1,2-HOPO) at enhancing plutonium elimination when post-exposure treatment is delayed. MATERIALS AND METHODS Six parenteral dose levels of 3,4,3-LI(1,2-HOPO) from 1-300 μmol/kg were evaluated for decorporating plutonium in female and male Swiss-Webster mice administered a soluble citrate complex of (238)Pu and treated 24 hours later. Necropsies were scheduled at four time-points (2, 4, 8, and 15 days post-contamination) for the female groups and at three time-points (2, 4, and 8 days post-contamination) for the male groups. RESULTS Elimination enhancement was dose-dependent in the 1-100 μmol/kg dose range at all necropsy time-points, with some significant reductions in full body and tissue content for both female and male animals. The highest dose level resulted in slight toxicity, with a short recovery period, which delayed excretion of the radionuclide. CONCLUSIONS While differences were noted between the female and male cohorts in efficacy range and recovery times, all groups displayed sustained dose-dependent (238)Pu elimination enhancement after delayed parenteral treatment with 3,4,3-LI(1,2-HOPO), the actinide decorporation agent under development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dahlia D An
- Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory , Berkeley, California , USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
46
|
Hudry D, Apostolidis C, Walter O, Janssen A, Manara D, Griveau JC, Colineau E, Vitova T, Prüssmann T, Wang D, Kübel C, Meyer D. Ultra-small plutonium oxide nanocrystals: an innovative material in plutonium science. Chemistry 2014; 20:10431-8. [PMID: 25042621 DOI: 10.1002/chem.201402008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [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: 02/01/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Apart from its technological importance, plutonium (Pu) is also one of the most intriguing elements because of its non-conventional physical properties and fascinating chemistry. Those fundamental aspects are particularly interesting when dealing with the challenging study of plutonium-based nanomaterials. Here we show that ultra-small (3.2±0.9 nm) and highly crystalline plutonium oxide (PuO2 ) nanocrystals (NCs) can be synthesized by the thermal decomposition of plutonyl nitrate ([PuO2 (NO3 )2 ]⋅3 H2 O) in a highly coordinating organic medium. This is the first example reporting on the preparation of significant quantities (several tens of milligrams) of PuO2 NCs, in a controllable and reproducible manner. The structure and magnetic properties of PuO2 NCs have been characterized by a wide variety of techniques (powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS), X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES), TEM, IR, Raman, UV/Vis spectroscopies, and superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometry). The current PuO2 NCs constitute an innovative material for the study of challenging problems as diverse as the transport behavior of plutonium in the environment or size and shape effects on the physics of transuranium elements.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Damien Hudry
- Institute for Transuranium Elements, European Commission-Joint Research Center, P.O. Box 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe (Germany).
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
47
|
Griffiths NM, Coudert S, Renault D, Wilk JC, Van der Meeren A. Actinide handling after wound entry with local or systemic decorporation therapy in the rat. Int J Radiat Biol 2014; 90:989-95. [PMID: 24456546 DOI: 10.3109/09553002.2014.886797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [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] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Treatment of actinide-contaminated wounds may be problematic because of contaminant physicochemical properties, dissemination and anatomical localization. This study investigates different chelation/resection protocols after contamination of rats with americium (Am) or plutonium (Pu) nitrate or mixed oxide (MOX; uranium (U), Pu oxide). METHODS Anesthetized rats were contaminated with Am or Pu nitrate (moderately soluble) or MOX (insoluble) following wounding of hind leg muscle. DTPA (diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid) treatment (30 μmol/kg) was immediate or delayed, systemic or local and combined or not with wound resection. Actinide urinary and tissue levels were measured. RESULTS Comparison of Pu nitrate and MOX dissemination at the wound site indicated a more heterogeneous localization of MOX particles. In all cases DTPA treatment reduced target tissue (bone, liver) activity levels even if DTPA treatment was started 7 days after contamination. Surgery alone increased urinary excretion suggesting release from the wound site but no subsequent increases in organ retention (bone, liver) were observed. The combination of surgery and DTPA increased Pu excretion and reduced tissue levels markedly. CONCLUSION This rodent model of actinide wound contamination has been used to test different treatments. It provides evidence of activity release as a result of surgery that seems not to lead to increased organ retention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nina M Griffiths
- Laboratoire de RadioToxicologie , CEA/DSV/iRCM, Bruyères le Châtel, 91297 Arpajon , France
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Lee T, Baskes MI, Lawson AC, Chen SP, Valone SM. Atomistic Modeling of the Negative Thermal Expansion in δ- Plutonium Based on the Two-State Description. Materials (Basel) 2012; 5:1040-1054. [PMID: 28817023 PMCID: PMC5448972 DOI: 10.3390/ma5061040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2012] [Revised: 05/03/2012] [Accepted: 06/01/2012] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The δ phase of plutonium with the fcc structure exhibits an unusual negative thermal expansion (NTE) over its narrow temperature range of stability, 593–736 K. An accurate description of the anomalous high-temperature volume effect of plutonium goes beyond the current capability of electronic-structure calculations. We propose an atomistic scheme to model the thermodynamic properties of δ-Pu based on the two-state model of Weiss for the Invar alloys, inspired by the simple free-energy analysis previously conducted by Lawson et al. The two-state mechanism is incorporated into the atomistic description of a many-body interacting system. Two modified embedded atom method potentials are employed to represent the binding energies of two competing electronic states in δ-Pu. We demonstrate how the NTE takes place in δ-Pu by means of Monte Carlo simulations implemented with the two-state mechanism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tongsik Lee
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA.
| | - Michael I Baskes
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA.
- Jacobs School of Engineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
| | - A C Lawson
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA.
| | - Shao Ping Chen
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA.
| | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
Lyovkina YV, Miller SC, Romanov SA, Krahenbuhl MP, Belosokhov MV. Quantitative plutonium microdistribution in bone tissue of vertebra from a Mayak worker. Health Phys 2010; 99:464-470. [PMID: 20838087 PMCID: PMC2941237 DOI: 10.1097/hp.0b013e3181cb840f] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to obtain quantitative data on plutonium microdistribution in different structural elements of human bone tissue for local dose assessment and dosimetric models validation. A sample of the thoracic vertebra was obtained from a former Mayak worker with a rather high plutonium burden. Additional information was obtained on occupational and exposure history, medical history, and measured plutonium content in organs. Plutonium was detected in bone sections from its fission tracks in polycarbonate film using neutron-induced autoradiography. Quantitative analysis of randomly selected microscopic fields on one of the autoradiographs was performed. Data included fission fragment tracks in different bone tissue and surface areas. Quantitative information on plutonium microdistribution in human bone tissue was obtained for the first time. From these data, the quantitative relationships of plutonium decays in bone volume to decays on bone surface in cortical and trabecular fractions were defined as 2.0 and 0.4, correspondingly. The measured quantitative relationship of decays in bone volume to decays on bone surface does not coincide with recommended models for the cortical bone fraction by the International Commission on Radiological Protection. Biokinetic model parameters of extrapulmonary compartments might need to be adjusted after expansion of the data set on quantitative plutonium microdistribution in other bone types in humans as well as other cases with different exposure patterns and types of plutonium.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sergey A. Romanov
- Southern Ural Biophysics Institute, Ozyorsk, Chelabinsk Region, 456780, Russia;
| | | | - Maxim V. Belosokhov
- Southern Ural Biophysics Institute, Ozyorsk, Chelabinsk Region, 456780, Russia;
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Yantasee W, Sangvanich T, Creim JA, Pattamakomsan K, Wiacek RJ, Fryxell GE, Addleman RS, Timchalk C. Functional sorbents for selective capture of plutonium, americium, uranium, and thorium in blood. Health Phys 2010; 99:413-9. [PMID: 20699706 PMCID: PMC2921963 DOI: 10.1097/hp.0b013e3181ce5f3e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [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] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Self-assembled monolayer on mesoporous supports (SAMMS) are hybrid materials created from attachment of organic moieties onto very high surface area mesoporous silica. SAMMS with surface chemistries including three isomers of hydroxypyridinone, diphosphonic acid, acetamide phosphonic acid, glycinyl urea, and diethylenetriamine pentaacetate (DTPA) analog were evaluated for chelation of actinides ((239)Pu, (241)Am, uranium, thorium) from blood. Direct blood decorporation using sorbents does not have the toxicity or renal challenges associated with traditional chelation therapy and may have potential applications for critical exposure cases, reduction of nonspecific dose during actinide radiotherapy, and for sorbent hemoperfusion in renal insufficient patients, whose kidneys clear radionuclides at a very slow rate. Sorption affinity (K(d)), sorption rate, selectivity, and stability of SAMMS were measured in batch contact experiments. An isomer of hydroxypyridinone (3,4-HOPO) on SAMMS demonstrated the highest affinity for all four actinides from blood and plasma and greatly outperformed the DTPA analog on SAMMS and commercial resins. In batch contact, a fifty percent reduction of actinides in blood was achieved within minutes, and there was no evidence of protein fouling or material leaching in blood after 24 h. The engineered form of SAMMS (bead format) was further evaluated in a 100-fold scaled-down hemoperfusion device and showed no blood clotting after 2 h. A 0.2 g quantity of SAMMS could reduce 50 wt.% of 100 ppb uranium in 50 mL of plasma in 18 min and that of 500 dpm mL(-1) in 24 min. 3,4-HOPO-SAMMS has a long shelf-life in air and at room temperature for at least 8 y, indicating its feasibility for stockpiling in preparedness for an emergency. The excellent efficacy and stability of SAMMS materials in complex biological matrices suggest that SAMMS can also be used as orally administered drugs and for wound decontamination. By changing the organic groups of SAMMS, they can be used not only for actinides but also for other radionuclides. By using the mixture of these SAMMS materials, broad spectrum decorporation of radionuclides is very feasible.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wassana Yantasee
- Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|