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Ujwal P, Yashodhara I, Sudeep Kumara K, Ravi PM, Karunakara N. Environmental transfer parameters of strontium for soil to cow milk pathway for tropical monsoonal climatic region of the Indian subcontinent. Sci Rep 2022; 12:7528. [PMID: 35534517 PMCID: PMC9085734 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-11388-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The radionuclide transfer between compartments is commonly described by transfer parameters representing the ratio of concentrations of an element in two compartments for equilibrium conditions. This is a comprehensive study on the soil-to-grass transfer factor (Fv) and grass-to-cow milk transfer coefficient (Fm) for stable strontium (Sr) for soil-grass (pasture)-cow (Bos taurus) milk environmental pathway under field conditions for a high rainfall tropical monsoonal climatic region of the Indian subcontinent. The study was conducted in the vicinity of the Kaiga nuclear power plant (NPP), situated ~ 58 km inland of the West Coast of the Indian subcontinent. A grass field was developed exclusively for this study, and two cows of the native breed were raised to graze on it. The soil, grass, and milk were analyzed to evaluate the Fv and the Fm values for the stable Sr. For comparison, several pasture lands and the cows raised by the villagers and a dairy farm were also studied. The Fv values were in the range 0.18-8.6, the geometric mean (GM) being 1.8. The correlations of Fv values with a range of physicochemical parameters are presented. The GM values for Fm were 2.2 × 10-3 d L-1 and 7.2 × 10-3 d L-1 for the two cows raised for this study, 2.6 × 10-3 d L-1 for those raised by the villagers, and 4.2 × 10-3 d L-1 for the dairy farm. The site-specific Fm value for the region was determined as 3.2 × 10-3 d L-1. The concentration ratio (CR), defined as the ratio of Sr concentration in milk to that in feed under equilibrium conditions, exhibited less variability (1.8 × 10-2-5.4 × 10-2) among the three categories of cows.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Ujwal
- Centre for Advanced Research in Environmental Radioactivity (CARER), Mangalore University, Mangalagangothri, 574199, India
- Department of Science and Humanities, Rajarambapu Institute of Technology, Sangli, Maharastra, 415414, India
| | - I Yashodhara
- Centre for Advanced Research in Environmental Radioactivity (CARER), Mangalore University, Mangalagangothri, 574199, India
| | - K Sudeep Kumara
- Centre for Advanced Research in Environmental Radioactivity (CARER), Mangalore University, Mangalagangothri, 574199, India
| | - P M Ravi
- Centre for Advanced Research in Environmental Radioactivity (CARER), Mangalore University, Mangalagangothri, 574199, India
| | - N Karunakara
- Centre for Advanced Research in Environmental Radioactivity (CARER), Mangalore University, Mangalagangothri, 574199, India.
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Rea MAD, Johansen MP, Payne TE, Hirth G, Hondros J, Pandelus S, Tucker W, Duff T, Stopic A, Green L, Pring A, Lenehan CE, Popelka-Filcoff RS. Radionuclides and stable elements in vegetation in Australian arid environments: Concentration ratios and seasonal variation. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2021; 234:106627. [PMID: 33964669 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2021.106627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Data on the uptake of elements and radionuclides by flora from soils in arid environments are underrepresented in international databases, especially when comparing across seasons. This study improved the understanding on the uptake of natural uranium-series radionuclides, as well as more than 30 elements, in a range of Australian native flora species that are internationally representative of an arid/semi-arid zone (e.g. Acacia, Astrebla, Atriplex, and Dodonea). Results indicate that the soil-to-plant uptake ratios were generally higher when compared with international data for grasses and shrubs from more temperate environments. The majority of the elemental concentrations in grasses were higher in winter than in summer and the opposite trend was found in shrubs, which suggests that the season of collection potentially introduces variability in the reported concentration ratios. The data also suggest that grasses, being dominant and widespread species in arid zones, may be effective as a reference organism to ensure comparative assessment across sites of interest. The results of this study will improve the confidence of environmental assessments in arid zones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Angelica D Rea
- Flinders University, College of Science and Engineering, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia.
| | - Mathew P Johansen
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights, NSW, 2234, Australia.
| | - Timothy E Payne
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights, NSW, 2234, Australia.
| | - Gillian Hirth
- Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA), 619 Lower Plenty Road, Yallambie, VIC, 3085, Australia.
| | - Jim Hondros
- JRHC Enterprises Pty. Ltd., Stirling, SA, 5152, Australia.
| | - Samantha Pandelus
- Flinders University, College of Science and Engineering, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia.
| | - William Tucker
- Flinders University, College of Science and Engineering, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia
| | - Tim Duff
- National Energy Resources Australia, Kensington, WA, 6151, Australia.
| | - Attila Stopic
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights, NSW, 2234, Australia.
| | - Liesel Green
- Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA), 619 Lower Plenty Road, Yallambie, VIC, 3085, Australia.
| | - Allan Pring
- Flinders University, College of Science and Engineering, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia.
| | - Claire E Lenehan
- Flinders University, College of Science and Engineering, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia.
| | - Rachel S Popelka-Filcoff
- Flinders University, College of Science and Engineering, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia; University of Melbourne, School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia.
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Sotiropoulou M, Florou H. Radiological risk assessment in the terrestrial ecosystem: comparative study of two software tools used for dose rate calculations. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 27:18488-18497. [PMID: 32193736 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-08186-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
In this study, two software tools, namely the ERICA Assessment Tool and the RESRAD-BIOTA code, are used for the calculation of the radiological exposure of non-human organisms. For the purposes of the analysis, data retrieved from field studies are used. The site-specific measurements were performed on organisms (mammals-sheep and goats of Bovidae spp.) collected from free-ranged grazing regions in Greece. Plants (grass) of Poaceae spp. and soil samples were also collected from these regions. Natural radionuclides (226Ra, 228Ra, and 228Th) of lithogenic origin and 137Cs, resulted from human activities (Chernobyl and Fukushima nuclear power plant accidents and global fallout), were detected in all samples. The measured activity concentrations were used as input to the two software tools, the ERICA Assessment Tool and the RESRAD-BIOTA code. The results of the simulations provided the external, internal, and total dose rates received by the organisms due to the exposure to the radionuclides. The assessments indicated that out of all detected radionuclides, 228Th is the main contributor to the external dose and 226Ra and 228Ra are the main contributors to the internal dose. The comparative analysis of the two tools revealed significant differences in the calculated doses. In fact, external and internal doses calculated by RESRAD-BIOTA are higher than the values calculated by the ERICA Tool, due to the dose conversion coefficients (DCCs) used for the dose calculation. RESRAD-BIOTA provides more conservative values, but ERICA Tool provides lower uncertainty due to the higher flexibility in the design of the phantom organism. On a risk assessment basis, there is no significant impact, due to organisms' exposure to radioactivity. However, further consideration of the exposure levels is required due to the potential effects of protracted low-level ionizing radiation on the various levels of life's organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Sotiropoulou
- Environmental Radioactivity Laboratory (ERL), I.N.RA.S.T.E.S, National Centre for Scientific Research 'Demokritos' (NCSR'D'), Agia Paraskevi, Greece.
| | - Heleny Florou
- Environmental Radioactivity Laboratory (ERL), I.N.RA.S.T.E.S, National Centre for Scientific Research 'Demokritos' (NCSR'D'), Agia Paraskevi, Greece
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Hirth GA, Johansen MP, Carpenter JG, Bollhöfer A, Beresford NA. Whole-organism concentration ratios in wildlife inhabiting Australian uranium mining environments. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2017; 178-179:385-393. [PMID: 28457640 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2017.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2017] [Revised: 03/12/2017] [Accepted: 04/10/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Wildlife concentration ratios for 226Ra, 210Pb, 210Po and isotopes of Th and U from soil, water, and sediments were evaluated for a range of Australian uranium mining environments. Whole-organism concentration ratios (CRwo-media) were developed for 271 radionuclide-organism pairs within the terrestrial and freshwater wildlife groups. Australian wildlife often has distinct physiological attributes, such as the lower metabolic rates of macropod marsupials as compared with placental mammals. In addition, the Australian CRswo-media originate from tropical and semi-arid climates, rather than from the temperate-dominated climates of Europe and North America from which most (>90%) of internationally available CRwo-media values originate. When compared, the Australian and non-Australian CRs are significantly different for some wildlife categories (e.g. grasses, mammals) but not others (e.g. shrubs). Where differences exist, the Australian values were higher, suggesting that site-, or region-specific CRswo-media should be used in detailed Australian assessments. However, in screening studies, use of the international mean values in the Wildlife Transfer Database (WTD) appears to be appropriate, as long as the values used encompass the Australian 95th percentile values. Gaps in the Australian datasets include a lack of marine parameters, and no CR data are available for freshwater phytoplankton, zooplankton, insects, insect larvae or amphibians; for terrestrial environments, there are no data for amphibians, annelids, ferns, fungi or lichens & bryophytes. The new Australian specific parameters will aide in evaluating remediation plans and ongoing operations at mining and waste sites within Australia. They have also substantially bolstered the body of U- and Th-series CRwo-media data for use internationally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gillian A Hirth
- Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA), 619 Lower Plenty Rd, Yallambie, 3085, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Mathew P Johansen
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Locked Bag 2001, Kirrawee, DC, NSW 2232, Australia
| | - Julia G Carpenter
- Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA), 619 Lower Plenty Rd, Yallambie, 3085, Victoria, Australia
| | - Andreas Bollhöfer
- Environmental Research Institute of the Supervising Scientist, GPO Box 461, Darwin, 0801 Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Nicholas A Beresford
- Natural Environment Research Council - Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4AP, United Kingdom
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Sotiropoulou M, Florou H, Kitis G. Calculating the radiological parameters used in non-human biota dose assessment tools using ERICA Tool and site-specific data. RADIATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOPHYSICS 2017; 56:443-451. [PMID: 28776193 DOI: 10.1007/s00411-017-0703-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2016] [Accepted: 07/15/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The substantial complexity in ecosystem-radionuclide interactions is difficult to be represented in terms of radiological doses. Thus, radiological dose assessment tools use typical exposure situations for generalized organisms and ecosystems. In the present study, site-specific data and radioactivity measurements of terrestrial organisms (grass and herbivore mammals) and abiotic components (soil) are provided. The retrieved data are used in combination with the ERICA Assessment Tool for calculation of radiological parameters. The process of radionuclide transfer within ecosystem components is represented using concentration ratios (CRs), while for the calculation of dose rates the dose conversion coefficient (DCC) methodology is applied. Comparative assessments are performed between the generic and assessment-specific radiological parameters and between the resulting dose rates. Significant differences were observed between CRs calculated in this study and those reported in the literature for cesium and thorium, which can easily be explained. On the other hand, CRs calculated for radium are in very good agreement with those reported in the literature. The DCCs exhibited some small differences between the reference and the assessment-specific organism due to mass differences. The differences were observed for internal and external dose rates, but they were less pronounced for total dose rates which are typically used in the assessment of radiological impact. The results of the current work can serve as a basis for further studies of the radiological parameters in environments that have not been studied yet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Sotiropoulou
- Environmental Radioactivity Laboratory, INRASTES, NCSR "Demokritos", Agia Paraskevi, 15310, Athens, Greece.
- Atomic and Nuclear Physics Laboratory, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Heleny Florou
- Environmental Radioactivity Laboratory, INRASTES, NCSR "Demokritos", Agia Paraskevi, 15310, Athens, Greece
| | - Georgios Kitis
- Atomic and Nuclear Physics Laboratory, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Narayan EJ, Williams M. Understanding the dynamics of physiological impacts of environmental stressors on Australian marsupials, focus on the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus). BMC ZOOL 2016. [DOI: 10.1186/s40850-016-0004-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
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Johansen MP, Child DP, Caffrey EA, Davis E, Harrison JJ, Hotchkis MAC, Payne TE, Ikeda-Ohno A, Thiruvoth S, Twining JR, Beresford NA. Accumulation of plutonium in mammalian wildlife tissues following dispersal by accidental-release tests. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2016; 151 Pt 2:387-394. [PMID: 25910926 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2015.03.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2014] [Revised: 03/20/2015] [Accepted: 03/26/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
We examined the distribution of plutonium (Pu) in the tissues of mammalian wildlife inhabiting the relatively undisturbed, semi-arid former Taranaki weapons test site, Maralinga, Australia. The accumulation of absorbed Pu was highest in the skeleton (83% ± 6%), followed by muscle (10% ± 9%), liver (6% ± 6%), kidneys (0.6% ± 0.4%), and blood (0.2%). Pu activity concentrations in lung tissues were elevated relative to the body average. Foetal transfer was higher in the wildlife data than in previous laboratory studies. The amount of Pu in the gastrointestinal tract was highly elevated relative to that absorbed within the body, potentially increasing transfer of Pu to wildlife and human consumers that may ingest gastrointestinal tract organs. The Pu distribution in the Maralinga mammalian wildlife generally aligns with previous studies related to environmental exposure (e.g. Pu in humans from worldwide fallout), but contrasts with the partitioning models that have traditionally been used for human worker-protection purposes (approximately equal deposition in bone and liver) which appear to under-predict the skeletal accumulation in environmental exposure conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- M P Johansen
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Locked Bag 2001, Kirrawee DC, NSW, 2232, Australia.
| | - D P Child
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Locked Bag 2001, Kirrawee DC, NSW, 2232, Australia.
| | - E A Caffrey
- Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA.
| | - E Davis
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Locked Bag 2001, Kirrawee DC, NSW, 2232, Australia.
| | - J J Harrison
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Locked Bag 2001, Kirrawee DC, NSW, 2232, Australia.
| | - M A C Hotchkis
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Locked Bag 2001, Kirrawee DC, NSW, 2232, Australia.
| | - T E Payne
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Locked Bag 2001, Kirrawee DC, NSW, 2232, Australia.
| | - A Ikeda-Ohno
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Locked Bag 2001, Kirrawee DC, NSW, 2232, Australia; Institute of Resource Ecology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany.
| | - S Thiruvoth
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Locked Bag 2001, Kirrawee DC, NSW, 2232, Australia.
| | | | - N A Beresford
- NERC Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Lancaster, LA1 4AP, UK.
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Johansen MP, Child DP, Davis E, Doering C, Harrison JJ, Hotchkis MAC, Payne TE, Thiruvoth S, Twining JR, Wood MD. Plutonium in wildlife and soils at the Maralinga legacy site: persistence over decadal time scales. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2014; 131:72-80. [PMID: 24238919 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2013.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2013] [Revised: 10/17/2013] [Accepted: 10/18/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The mobility of plutonium (Pu) in soils, and its uptake into a range of wildlife, were examined using recent and ∼25 year old data from the Taranaki area of the former Maralinga weapons test site, Australia. Since its initial deposition in the early 1960s, the dispersed Pu has been incorporated into the soil profile and food chain through natural processes, allowing for the study of Pu sequestration and dynamics in relatively undisturbed semi-arid conditions. The data indicate downward mobility of Pu in soil at rates of ∼0.2-0.3 cm per year for the most mobile fraction. As a result, while all of the Pu was initially deposited on the ground surface, approximately 93% and 62% remained in the top 0-2 cm depth after 25- and 50-years respectively. No large-scale lateral spreading of the Taranaki plume was observed. Pu activity concentrations in 0-1 cm soils with biotic crusts were not elevated when compared with nearby bare soils, although a small number of individual data suggest retention of Pu-containing particles may be occurring in some biotic crusts. Soil-to-animal transfer, as measured by concentration ratios (CRwo-soil), was 4.1E-04 (Geometric Mean (GM)) in mammals, which aligns well with those from similar species and conditions (such as the Nevada Test Site, US), but are lower than the GM of the international mammal data reported in the Wildlife Transfer Database (WTD). These lower values are likely due to the presence of a low-soluble, particulate form of the Pu in Maralinga soils. Arthropod concentration ratios (3.1E-03 GM), were similar to those from Rocky Flats, US, while values for reptiles (2.0E-02 GM) were higher than the WTD GM value which was dominated by data from Chernobyl. Comparison of uptake data spanning approximately 30 years indicates no decrease over time for mammals, and a potential increase for reptiles. The results confirm the persistence of bioavailable Pu after more than 50 years since deposition, and also the presence of larger-sized particles which currently affect CRwo-soil calculations, and which may serve as an ongoing source of bioavailable Pu as they are subjected to weathering into the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- M P Johansen
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Locked Bag 2001, Kirrawee, DC, NSW 2232, Australia.
| | - D P Child
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Locked Bag 2001, Kirrawee, DC, NSW 2232, Australia.
| | - E Davis
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Locked Bag 2001, Kirrawee, DC, NSW 2232, Australia.
| | - C Doering
- Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency, Yallambie, Australia.
| | - J J Harrison
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Locked Bag 2001, Kirrawee, DC, NSW 2232, Australia.
| | - M A C Hotchkis
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Locked Bag 2001, Kirrawee, DC, NSW 2232, Australia.
| | - T E Payne
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Locked Bag 2001, Kirrawee, DC, NSW 2232, Australia.
| | - S Thiruvoth
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Locked Bag 2001, Kirrawee, DC, NSW 2232, Australia.
| | | | - M D Wood
- University of Salford, Manchester, UK.
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Knibbs LD, Sly PD. Indigenous health and environmental risk factors: an Australian problem with global analogues? Glob Health Action 2014; 7:23766. [PMID: 24802385 PMCID: PMC4007027 DOI: 10.3402/gha.v7.23766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2014] [Revised: 03/19/2014] [Accepted: 04/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Indigenous people experience poorer health than non-Indigenous people, and this well-described inequality has been observed in many countries. The contribution of different risk factors to the health ‘gap’ has understandably focussed on those factors for which there are sufficient data. However, this has precluded environmental risk factors – those present in air, water, food, and soil – due to a lack of data describing exposures and outcomes. These risk factors are demonstrably important at the global scale, as highlighted by the 2010 Global Burden of Disease study. Here, we describe how a greater focus on environmental risk factors is required in order to define their role in the Indigenous health gap. We use the Australian context as a case study of an issue we feel has global analogues and relevance. Suggestions for how and why this situation should be remedied are presented and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke D Knibbs
- School of Population Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia;
| | - Peter D Sly
- Children's Health and Environment Program, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
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Copplestone D, Beresford NA, Brown JE, Yankovich T. An international database of radionuclide concentration ratios for wildlife: development and uses. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2013; 126:288-298. [PMID: 23815858 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2013.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2012] [Revised: 05/12/2013] [Accepted: 05/13/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
A key element of most systems for assessing the impact of radionuclides on the environment is a means to estimate the transfer of radionuclides to organisms. To facilitate this, an international wildlife transfer database has been developed to provide an online, searchable compilation of transfer parameters in the form of equilibrium-based whole-organism to media concentration ratios. This paper describes the derivation of the wildlife transfer database, the key data sources it contains and highlights the applications for the data.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Copplestone
- Biological and Environmental Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, United Kingdom.
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11
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Howard BJ, Beresford NA, Copplestone D, Telleria D, Proehl G, Fesenko S, Jeffree RA, Yankovich TL, Brown JE, Higley K, Johansen MP, Mulye H, Vandenhove H, Gashchak S, Wood MD, Takata H, Andersson P, Dale P, Ryan J, Bollhöfer A, Doering C, Barnett CL, Wells C. The IAEA handbook on radionuclide transfer to wildlife. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2013; 121:55-74. [PMID: 22513215 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2012.01.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2011] [Revised: 01/30/2012] [Accepted: 01/30/2012] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
An IAEA handbook presenting transfer parameter values for wildlife has recently been produced. Concentration ratios (CRwo-media) between the whole organism (fresh weight) and either soil (dry weight) or water were collated for a range of wildlife groups (classified taxonomically and by feeding strategy) in terrestrial, freshwater, marine and brackish generic ecosystems. The data have been compiled in an on line database, which will continue to be updated in the future providing the basis for subsequent revision of the Wildlife TRS values. An overview of the compilation and analysis, and discussion of the extent and limitations of the data is presented. Example comparisons of the CRwo-media values are given for polonium across all wildlife groups and ecosystems and for molluscs for all radionuclides. The CRwo-media values have also been compared with those currently used in the ERICA Tool which represented the most complete published database for wildlife transfer values prior to this work. The use of CRwo-media values is a pragmatic approach to predicting radionuclide activity concentrations in wildlife and is similar to that used for screening assessments for the human food chain. The CRwo-media values are most suitable for a screening application where there are several conservative assumptions built into the models which will, to varying extents, compensate for the variable data quality and quantity, and associated uncertainty.
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Affiliation(s)
- B J Howard
- Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4AP, UK.
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12
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Johansen MP, Barnett CL, Beresford NA, Brown JE, Černe M, Howard BJ, Kamboj S, Keum DK, Smodiš B, Twining JR, Vandenhove H, Vives i Batlle J, Wood MD, Yu C. Assessing doses to terrestrial wildlife at a radioactive waste disposal site: inter-comparison of modelling approaches. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2012; 427-428:238-246. [PMID: 22578842 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2012.04.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2011] [Revised: 04/05/2012] [Accepted: 04/10/2012] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Radiological doses to terrestrial wildlife were examined in this model inter-comparison study that emphasised factors causing variability in dose estimation. The study participants used varying modelling approaches and information sources to estimate dose rates and tissue concentrations for a range of biota types exposed to soil contamination at a shallow radionuclide waste burial site in Australia. Results indicated that the dominant factor causing variation in dose rate estimates (up to three orders of magnitude on mean total dose rates) was the soil-to-organism transfer of radionuclides that included variation in transfer parameter values as well as transfer calculation methods. Additional variation was associated with other modelling factors including: how participants conceptualised and modelled the exposure configurations (two orders of magnitude); which progeny to include with the parent radionuclide (typically less than one order of magnitude); and dose calculation parameters, including radiation weighting factors and dose conversion coefficients (typically less than one order of magnitude). Probabilistic approaches to model parameterisation were used to encompass and describe variable model parameters and outcomes. The study confirms the need for continued evaluation of the underlying mechanisms governing soil-to-organism transfer of radionuclides to improve estimation of dose rates to terrestrial wildlife. The exposure pathways and configurations available in most current codes are limited when considering instances where organisms access subsurface contamination through rooting, burrowing, or using different localised waste areas as part of their habitual routines.
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Affiliation(s)
- M P Johansen
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Locked Bag 2001, Kirrawee DC, NSW, 2232, Australia.
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Beresford NA. The transfer of radionuclides to wildlife. RADIATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOPHYSICS 2010; 49:505-508. [PMID: 20711840 DOI: 10.1007/s00411-010-0325-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2010] [Accepted: 07/29/2010] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
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Wood MD, Beresford NA, Semenov DV, Yankovich TL, Copplestone D. Radionuclide transfer to reptiles. RADIATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOPHYSICS 2010; 49:509-530. [PMID: 20725838 DOI: 10.1007/s00411-010-0321-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2010] [Accepted: 07/29/2010] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Reptiles are an important, and often protected, component of many ecosystems but have rarely been fully considered within ecological risk assessments (ERA) due to a paucity of data on contaminant uptake and effects. This paper presents a meta-analysis of literature-derived environmental media (soil and water) to whole-body concentration ratios (CRs) for predicting the transfer of 35 elements (Am, As, B, Ba, Ca, Cd, Ce, Cm, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, La, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, Pb, Po, Pu, Ra, Rb, Sb, Se, Sr, Th, U, V, Y, Zn, Zr) to reptiles in freshwater ecosystems and 15 elements (Am, C, Cs, Cu, K, Mn, Ni, Pb, Po, Pu, Sr, Tc, Th, U, Zn) to reptiles in terrestrial ecosystems. These reptile CRs are compared with CRs for other vertebrate groups. Tissue distribution data are also presented along with data on the fractional mass of bone, kidney, liver and muscle in reptiles. Although the data were originally collected for use in radiation dose assessments, many of the CR data presented in this paper will also be useful for chemical ERA and for the assessments of dietary transfer in humans for whom reptiles constitute an important component of the diet, such as in Australian aboriginal communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D Wood
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, Merseyside, UK.
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Yankovich TL, Beresford NA, Wood MD, Aono T, Andersson P, Barnett CL, Bennett P, Brown JE, Fesenko S, Fesenko J, Hosseini A, Howard BJ, Johansen MP, Phaneuf MM, Tagami K, Takata H, Twining JR, Uchida S. Whole-body to tissue concentration ratios for use in biota dose assessments for animals. RADIATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOPHYSICS 2010; 49:549-565. [PMID: 20931337 DOI: 10.1007/s00411-010-0323-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2010] [Accepted: 07/29/2010] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Environmental monitoring programs often measure contaminant concentrations in animal tissues consumed by humans (e.g., muscle). By comparison, demonstration of the protection of biota from the potential effects of radionuclides involves a comparison of whole-body doses to radiological dose benchmarks. Consequently, methods for deriving whole-body concentration ratios based on tissue-specific data are required to make best use of the available information. This paper provides a series of look-up tables with whole-body:tissue-specific concentration ratios for non-human biota. Focus was placed on relatively broad animal categories (including molluscs, crustaceans, freshwater fishes, marine fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals) and commonly measured tissues (specifically, bone, muscle, liver and kidney). Depending upon organism, whole-body to tissue concentration ratios were derived for between 12 and 47 elements. The whole-body to tissue concentration ratios can be used to estimate whole-body concentrations from tissue-specific measurements. However, we recommend that any given whole-body to tissue concentration ratio should not be used if the value falls between 0.75 and 1.5. Instead, a value of one should be assumed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara L Yankovich
- Environment and Forestry, Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC), Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
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