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Tserendorj D, Szabó KZ, Völgyesi P, Nguyen TC, Hatvani IG, Jánosi IM, Abbaszade G, Salazar-Yanez N, Szabó C. Activity concentration of 137Cs in undisturbed attic dust collected from Salgótarján and Ózd (northern Hungary). JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2022; 251-252:106950. [PMID: 35797906 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2022.106950] [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: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Due to the Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident, contaminated air masses, containing 137Cs, were widely propagated across all of Europe. Cesium-137 is easily adsorbed on aerosol particles as it returns to the lithosphere/pedosphere/via wet and dry deposition in the form of a radioactive fallout component. Following the nuclear accident, primary attention was paid to agricultural areas and less to urban environments. Our 137Cs activity study using undisturbed attic dust samples has been carried out from two residential areas (city of Salgótarján and Ózd) in northern Hungary, approx. 1000 km away from Chernobyl. A total of 61 attic dust samples were collected in 2016 and 2018 from houses (>30 years) functioning as family house, kindergarten, blockhouse and church. Activity concentration of 137Cs was determined for 1-2 g homogenized (<125 μm) attic dust samples in a low background iron chamber with a well-type HPGe detector. The mean 137Cs activity concentrations in attic dust samples are 88.5 ± 5.1 Bq kg-1 and 87.8 ± 4.5 Bq kg-1 in Salgótarján and Ózd, respectively. The dependence between 137Cs activities and the age of the houses was found to be significant (p=0.02), which could be explained by Chernobyl nuclear accident-causing elevated activity concentrations in location built prior to the accident. Three outliers in Ózd (>223 Bq kg-1), are probably related to the first rainfall event after the Chernobyl accident. Isotopic landscapes (isoscapes) of 137Cs were derived for both cities by means of kriging interpolation. In Salgótarján the 137Cs activity concentrations were higher than in Ózd which might have been due to redistribution loadings and local topographical features. We concluded that components of attic dust are highly useful indicators of home exposure to pollution events and remain detectable after several decades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davaakhuu Tserendorj
- Lithosphere Fluid Research Laboratory, Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Katalin Zsuzsanna Szabó
- Lithosphere Fluid Research Laboratory, Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; Nuclear Security Department, Centre for Energy Research, Konkoly-Thege Miklós út 29-33, 1121 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Péter Völgyesi
- Lithosphere Fluid Research Laboratory, Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; Nuclear Security Department, Centre for Energy Research, Konkoly-Thege Miklós út 29-33, 1121 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Tam Cong Nguyen
- Nuclear Security Department, Centre for Energy Research, Konkoly-Thege Miklós út 29-33, 1121 Budapest, Hungary
| | - István Gábor Hatvani
- Institute for Geological and Geochemical Research, Research Centre for Astronomy and Earth Sciences, Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH), Budaörsi út 45, 1112 Budapest, Hungary; CSFK, MTA Centre of Excellence, Budapest, Konkoly Thege Miklós út 15-17, 1121 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Imre Miklós Jánosi
- Department of Water and Environmental Policy, Faculty of Water Sciences, University of Public Service, Ludovika tér 2, 1083 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gorkhmaz Abbaszade
- Lithosphere Fluid Research Laboratory, Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Nelson Salazar-Yanez
- Lithosphere Fluid Research Laboratory, Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Csaba Szabó
- Lithosphere Fluid Research Laboratory, Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; Institute of Earth Physics and Space Science, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Csatkai E. u. 6-8, 9400, Sopron, Hungary.
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Kazakevičiūtė-Jakučiūnienė L, Druteikienė R, Maceika E, Lukšienė B, Juškėnas R, Pakštas V, Žukauskaitė Z, Gvozdaitė R, Tarasiuk N. Impact of soil organic matter on Pu migration in five Lithuanian surface soils. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2021; 237:106702. [PMID: 34284309 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2021.106702] [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: 07/18/2020] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Pu distribution coefficient Kd variation was experimentally determined and examined in natural soil samples considering the type of soil, particle size, pH, the concentration of macroelements and organic matter content. This research was carried out with sand, silty sand, peat, clayey sand and clayey loam samples by applying 236Pu tracer in flow-through column tests. Due to relatively short contact time of 0.5-40 h the tests are considered as have not reached equilibrium state and represent the fast-moving contaminants retardation processes closer to field conditions. Every soil sample was fractionated into two particle size fractions: ≤0.25 mm and 0.25 ÷ 0.5 mm. Analysis revealed that Kd of Pu is higher for the smaller soil particle fraction (≤0.25 mm). The experimental study with 1.6, 4, 6 and 9 pH tracer solution revealed a tendency of elevated Kd when 4 pH and 6 pH solutions were applied, but obtained Kd values were not correlated with initial soil pH due to high buffering capacity of soils. This study shows a very significant influence (r = 0.98) of organic matter content on the Pu distribution coefficient. The Kd of Pu for the fine fraction of peat soil with high organic matter content (67%) reached maximum values of 6597 L/kg and 6200 L/kg when tracer solution was applied of pH = 4 and pH = 6, respectively. In comparison, the minimum Kd value of 3.9 L/kg was obtained for the coarse silty sand fraction with the lowest organic matter content of 1.3% at tracer pH = 1.6. A statistically reliable high correlations of r = 0.95 and 0.94 were also observed between Kd and specific soil elements Mg and Pb content in soils, respectively. The content of Fe in soils was significantly correlated (r = 0.67) with the Kd values of plutonium as well. However, the organic matter content in soils appeared to be the governing factor determining good correlations and causing the highest Kd of Pu values.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rūta Druteikienė
- State Research Institute Center for Physical and Technological Sciences, Savanoriu av. 231, LT-02300, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Evaldas Maceika
- State Research Institute Center for Physical and Technological Sciences, Savanoriu av. 231, LT-02300, Vilnius, Lithuania.
| | - Benedikta Lukšienė
- State Research Institute Center for Physical and Technological Sciences, Savanoriu av. 231, LT-02300, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Remigijus Juškėnas
- State Research Institute Center for Physical and Technological Sciences, Savanoriu av. 231, LT-02300, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Vidas Pakštas
- State Research Institute Center for Physical and Technological Sciences, Savanoriu av. 231, LT-02300, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Zita Žukauskaitė
- State Research Institute Center for Physical and Technological Sciences, Savanoriu av. 231, LT-02300, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Rasa Gvozdaitė
- State Research Institute Center for Physical and Technological Sciences, Savanoriu av. 231, LT-02300, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Nikolaj Tarasiuk
- State Research Institute Center for Physical and Technological Sciences, Savanoriu av. 231, LT-02300, Vilnius, Lithuania
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Remeikis V, Grineviciute J, Duškesas G, Juodis L, Plukienė R, Plukis A. Review of modeling experience during operation and decommissioning of RBMK-1500 reactors. II. Radioactive waste management. NUCLEAR ENGINEERING AND DESIGN 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nucengdes.2021.111242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Shao Y, Yang G, Tazoe H, Ma L, Yamada M, Xu D. A review of measurement methodologies and their applications to environmental 90Sr. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2018; 192:321-333. [PMID: 30029206 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2018.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2018] [Revised: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 07/14/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The high fission yield product 90Sr has been released into the environment in large amounts due to nuclear weapon tests, nuclear power plant accidents, and nuclear fuel reprocessing industries. It is a long half-life radionuclide (28.9 y), with serious consequences to human health; hence, it is desirable to perform routine monitoring of 90Sr in environmental samples. Many 90Sr radiometric methods have been developed in the past decades, which generally require complicated separation and purification steps with a relatively long analytical time. Moreover, some nominally rapid methods usually have high method detection limits, making them unsuitable for the environmental samples with ultra-low 90Sr levels. In this review, some rapid and practical methods for 90Sr routine monitoring are summarized. Different sample pretreatments and major purification procedures for 90Sr developed in recent years, such as variable digestion methods and extraction chromatography using Sr resin or DGA resin, are especially described. Additionally, four conventional and widely used β spectrometric and mass spectrometric methods are demonstrated. Finally, 90Sr evaluations focusing on contaminated soil and seawater samples collected after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident, and 90Sr application as tracers for environmental behavior are also reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Shao
- Beijing Engineering Research Center of Radiographic Techniques and Equipment, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Department of Radiation Chemistry, Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8564, Japan; School of Nuclear Science and Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Guosheng Yang
- Department of Radiation Chemistry, Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8564, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Tazoe
- Department of Radiation Chemistry, Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8564, Japan
| | - Lingling Ma
- Beijing Engineering Research Center of Radiographic Techniques and Equipment, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Masatoshi Yamada
- Department of Radiation Chemistry, Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8564, Japan.
| | - Diandou Xu
- Beijing Engineering Research Center of Radiographic Techniques and Equipment, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
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Marčiulionienė D, Lukšienė B, Montvydienė D, Jefanova O, Mažeika J, Taraškevičius R, Stakėnienė R, Petrošius R, Maceika E, Tarasiuk N, Žukauskaitė Z, Kazakevičiūtė L, Volkova M. 137Cs and plutonium isotopes accumulation/retention in bottom sediments and soil in Lithuania: A case study of the activity concentration of anthropogenic radionuclides and their provenance before the start of operation of the Belarusian Nuclear Power Plant (NPP). JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2017; 178-179:253-264. [PMID: 28917181 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2017.07.024] [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: 01/11/2017] [Revised: 07/30/2017] [Accepted: 07/31/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Knowledge of the background activity concentrations of anthropogenic radionuclides before the start of operations of the new nuclear facilities in Belarus is of great value worldwide. Inland water bodies in Lithuania (specifically the Neris River, the Nemunas River and the Curonian Lagoon) are near the site of the Belarusian NPP under construction and, for this reason, sediments and flooded soils from these sensitive areas were analysed for radiocesium and plutonium isotopes (macrophytes were analysed only for 137Cs) in 2011-2012. The 137Cs and 239+240Pu activity concentrations in bottom sediments from the Nemunas River, sampled in 1995-1996 and re-calculated to the year 2016, were compared with those of 2011-2012. The obtained activity of 137Cs in bottom sediments of the Nemunas River and Curonian Lagoon varied from 1 Bq/kg to 47.0 Bq/kg. The activity of 137Cs in the tested soils ranged from 5.3 B g/kg to 32.9 Bq/kg. The 239+240Pu activity in bottom sediments of the studied sampling sites varied between 0.016 and 0.34 Bq/kg and in flooded soils from 0.064 to 0.55 Bq/kg. The 238Pu activity values were very low or lower than the detection limit. The activity of 137Cs in macrophytes varied from values lower than the detection limit to 6 Bq/kg. A strong positive linear correlation for bottom sediments was calculated between: 239+240Pu and total organic carbon (TOC), r = 0.86, p-value 0.01; 239+240Pu and silt, r = 0.80, p-value 0.029; 137Cs and silt, r = 0.78, p-value 0.04; and 137Cs and TOC, r = 0.85, p-value 0.015. The similar peculiarities of 137Cs and 239+240Pu accumulation in bottom sediments and flooded soil allow us to assume that 137Cs can be used as a tracer for 239+240Pu in the initial stage of searching for radionuclide accumulation zones. A remaining impact of the Chernobyl fallout in average comprised: in the Lower Nemunas River and Curonian Lagoon sediments - 51%, in the Middle Nemunas River -90% and in the floodplains of the Nemunas River - 59%, while the provenance of plutonium in studied bottom sediments and flooded soil was the global fallout.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Marčiulionienė
- State Research Institute Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, Vilnius, LT 08412, Lithuania.
| | - B Lukšienė
- State Research Institute Center for Physical Sciences and Technology, Savanorių ave. 231, Vilnius, LT 08412, Lithuania
| | - D Montvydienė
- State Research Institute Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, Vilnius, LT 08412, Lithuania
| | - O Jefanova
- State Research Institute Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, Vilnius, LT 08412, Lithuania
| | - J Mažeika
- State Research Institute Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, Vilnius, LT 08412, Lithuania
| | - R Taraškevičius
- State Research Institute Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, Vilnius, LT 08412, Lithuania
| | - R Stakėnienė
- State Research Institute Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, Vilnius, LT 08412, Lithuania
| | - R Petrošius
- State Research Institute Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, Vilnius, LT 08412, Lithuania
| | - E Maceika
- State Research Institute Center for Physical Sciences and Technology, Savanorių ave. 231, Vilnius, LT 08412, Lithuania
| | - N Tarasiuk
- State Research Institute Center for Physical Sciences and Technology, Savanorių ave. 231, Vilnius, LT 08412, Lithuania
| | - Z Žukauskaitė
- State Research Institute Center for Physical Sciences and Technology, Savanorių ave. 231, Vilnius, LT 08412, Lithuania
| | - L Kazakevičiūtė
- State Research Institute Center for Physical Sciences and Technology, Savanorių ave. 231, Vilnius, LT 08412, Lithuania
| | - M Volkova
- Klaipėda University, Herkaus Manto str. 84, Klaipėda, LT 92294, Lithuania
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Actinides input to the dose in the irradiated graphite of RBMK-1500 reactor. NUCLEAR ENGINEERING AND DESIGN 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nucengdes.2016.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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