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Chen L, Lin Q, Yuan D, Gong Z. Simultaneous Measurement of Trace Levels of Hg, As, Sb, and Bi in Coastal Seawater with a Multichannel Chemical Vapor Generation Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometer. Anal Chem 2023; 95:15621-15627. [PMID: 37816153 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c02755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/12/2023]
Abstract
Trace levels of Hg, As, Sb, and Bi in coastal seawater have been simultaneously detected by a laboratory-built multichannel chemical vapor generation coupled to an atomic fluorescence spectrometer. The system was configured with a built-in electrochemical H2 generator as the fuel supplier to replace chemical H2 produced by the oxidation of potassium borohydride under acidic conditions in traditional instruments. The electrochemical H2 generator not only isolated the atomization process from the chemical vapor injection process but also improved the stability of atomization, excitation, and fluorescence emission in the hydrogen flame, making it easier to optimize conditions for CVG while introducing evaporating multielement vapors. Calibrations were obtained using a mixed standard solution of Hg(II), As(III), Sb(III), and Bi(III). The addition of KBr to a 3% (v/v) HCl solution was selected as the preservative to ensure the stability of 0.10 μg/L Hg(II) in a multielement standard solution for at least 15 days while also preserving μg/L levels of As(III), Sb(III), and Bi(III) stable. The method detection limits (LOD, 3σ) were 0.001, 0.015, 0.010, and 0.005 μg/L for Hg, As, Sb, and Bi, respectively. The relative standard deviations (RSD, n = 7) of the standard spiked seawater samples were 3.2% (0.020 μg/L Hg), 1.2% (0.50 μg/L As), 1.0% (0.50 μg/L Sb), and 3.5% (0.050 μg/L Bi), respectively. The recoveries of seawater samples spiked with different salinities were in the range of 84.5%(Sb)-114%(Hg). The system has been successfully applied to the simultaneous analysis of the four elements in the seawater samples collected from Xiamen Bay, Southeast China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luodan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, PR China
- Center for Marine Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology, College of the Environment & Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, PR China
| | - Qinling Lin
- Tairui Science and Technology Co., Ltd., Quanzhou 362000, PR China
| | - Dongxing Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, PR China
| | - Zhenbin Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, PR China
- Center for Marine Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology, College of the Environment & Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, PR China
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Zhang L, Levy I, Vassileva E. Determination of uranium isotopes in marine sediments and seawaters by SF ICP-MS after rapid chemical separation using TK200 resin. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:44671-44683. [PMID: 36696061 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-25513-8] [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: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
This work provided a novel analytical procedure for rapid and precise uranium isotopic determination in marine sediment and seawater, using a new type of extraction resin, TK200 resin, in combination with microwave digestion (for marine sediments), Fe(OH)3 co-precipitation (for seawater), and single collector sector field-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SF ICP-MS) measurement. The removal ability of TK200 extraction chromatography for the interfering elements (IEs) Hg, Pb, Th, Pt, Tl, and the matrix rare earth elements (REEs) was carefully investigated. High decontamination factors (DFs) were obtained for IEs and REEs. Accurate quantification of uranium isotope ratios was accomplished based on a "double-cycle" ICP-MS measurement method. The analytical method was optimized and validated with isotopic standards (IRMM-187), matrix-containing certified reference marine sediments (IAEA-384, IAEA-385, and IAEA-412), and seawater reference material (IAEA-443). A stable chemical recovery of ~ 90% was obtained for both types of marine environmental samples, and the method showed great efficiency with a total analytical time of less than 6 h. The proposed procedure was validated following ISO/IEC 17025 guidelines. The important factors affecting the isotope ratio results (instrument background, procedural blank, memory effects, peak tailing, mass discrimination, dead time, and hydride interferences) were considered in the estimation of combined uncertainties. This work provides an alternative way for the determination of trace uranium isotope ratios and can be applied in the emergency monitoring of nuclear accidents and marine environmental analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Zhang
- International Atomic Energy Agency, Marine Environment Laboratories, 4 Quai Antoine 1er, 98000, Monaco, Principality of Monaco.
- Institute of Materials, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang, 621900, China.
| | - Isabelle Levy
- International Atomic Energy Agency, Marine Environment Laboratories, 4 Quai Antoine 1er, 98000, Monaco, Principality of Monaco
| | - Emilia Vassileva
- International Atomic Energy Agency, Marine Environment Laboratories, 4 Quai Antoine 1er, 98000, Monaco, Principality of Monaco
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3
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Morereau A, Jaegler H, Hain K, Steier P, Golser R, Beaumais A, Lepage H, Eyrolle F, Grosbois C, Cazala C, Gourgiotis A. Deciphering sources of U contamination using isotope ratio signatures in the Loire River sediments: Exploring the relevance of 233U/ 236U and stable Pb isotope ratios. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 307:135658. [PMID: 35835235 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.135658] [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: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
A broad range of contaminants has been recorded in sediments of the Loire River over the last century. Among a variety of anthropogenic activities of this nuclearized watershed, extraction of uranium and associated activities during more than 50 years as well as operation of several nuclear power plants led to industrial discharges, which could persist for decades in sedimentary archives of the Loire River. Highlighting and identifying the origin of radionuclides that transited during the last decades and were recorded in the sediments is challenging due to i) the low concentrations which are often close or below the detection limits of routine environmental surveys and ii) the mixing of different sources. The determination of the sources of anthropogenic radioactivity was performed using multi-isotopic fingerprints (236U/238U, 206Pb/207Pb and 208Pb/207Pb) and the newly developed 233U/236U tracer. For the first time 233U/236U data in a well-dated river sediment core in the French river Loire are reported here. Results highlight potential sources of contamination among which a clear signature of anthropogenic inputs related to two accidents of a former NUGG NPP that occurred in 1969 and 1980. The 233U and 236U isotopes were measured by recent high performance analytical methods due to their ultra-trace levels in the samples and show a negligible radiological impact on health and on the environment. The determination of mining activities by the use of stable Pb isotopes is still challenging probably owing to the limited dissemination of the Pb-bearing material marked by the U-ore signature downstream to the former U mines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amandine Morereau
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV/SRTE/LRTA, SEDRE/LELI, BP 3, 13115, Saint-Paul-Lez-Durance, France
| | - Hugo Jaegler
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV/SRTE/LRTA, SEDRE/LELI, BP 3, 13115, Saint-Paul-Lez-Durance, France
| | - Karin Hain
- Faculty of Physics, Isotope Physics, University of Vienna, Währinger Str. 17, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Steier
- Faculty of Physics, Isotope Physics, University of Vienna, Währinger Str. 17, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Robin Golser
- Faculty of Physics, Isotope Physics, University of Vienna, Währinger Str. 17, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Aurélien Beaumais
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV/SRTE/LRTA, SEDRE/LELI, BP 3, 13115, Saint-Paul-Lez-Durance, France
| | - Hugo Lepage
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV/SRTE/LRTA, SEDRE/LELI, BP 3, 13115, Saint-Paul-Lez-Durance, France
| | - Frédérique Eyrolle
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV/SRTE/LRTA, SEDRE/LELI, BP 3, 13115, Saint-Paul-Lez-Durance, France
| | - Cécile Grosbois
- Université de Tours, EA 6293 Géohydrosystèmes Continentaux (GéHCO), Parc de Grandmont, 37200, Tours, Cedex, France
| | - Charlotte Cazala
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV/SRTE/LRTA, SEDRE/LELI, BP 3, 13115, Saint-Paul-Lez-Durance, France
| | - Alkiviadis Gourgiotis
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV/SRTE/LRTA, SEDRE/LELI, BP 3, 13115, Saint-Paul-Lez-Durance, France.
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Shao Y, Zhang J, Luo M, Xu D, Ma L. A review of anthropogenic radionuclide 236U: Environmental application and analytical advances. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2022; 251-252:106944. [PMID: 35696882 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2022.106944] [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: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
236U is an anthropogenic radionuclide that is produced from nuclear reactions of 235U(n, γ) and 238U(n, 3n). It has gained extensive attention in the field of environment, geology, nuclear emergency, and nuclear forensics. Due to the unique physical and chemical character and the distinct fingerprint character from different sources, 236U has been successfully applied in the environmental tracer, nuclear material source appointment, and environmental assessment. Until now, few reviews were published about the database, application, and the latest analytical technology development of 236U. In this review, the 236U concentration and 236U/238U isotope ratio were summarized, and the data were classified into four categories, including soil and seawater samples affected by global fallout and nuclear incidents. Furthermore, the development of environmental application and pretreatment methods were also summarized. The advanced pretreatment technology using alkali fusion and flow injection was especially discussed to introduce the development of a rapid analytical method. Finally, the research challenge and direction of 236U were proposed for further research, such as the tracer application combining 236U with other radionuclides in the terrestrial environment and the precise analysis of minor isotopes in ultra-trace uranium samples. We hope this review will help scholars to have a deep research on the analysis and application of 236U.
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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
| | - Jilong Zhang
- State Nuclear Security Technology Center, Beijing, 102401, China
| | - Min Luo
- Beijing Engineering Research Center of Radiographic Techniques and Equipment, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Diandou Xu
- Beijing Engineering Research Center of Radiographic Techniques and Equipment, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Lingling Ma
- 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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Ferdous Alam M, Begum ZA, Furusho Y, Hasegawa H, Rahman IM. Selective separation of radionuclides from environmental matrices using proprietary solid-phase extraction systems: A review. Microchem J 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2022.107637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Ohno T, Sato N, Shikimori J, Ijichi Y, Fukami Y, Igarashi Y. Temporal change of 236U/ 238U and 235U/ 238U isotopic ratios in atmospheric deposition in Tokyo and Akita from 1963 to 1979. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 810:151292. [PMID: 34756899 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151292] [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: 08/14/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
We examine the temporal changes of 236U/238U and 235U/238U in atmospheric deposition from samples collected in Tokyo and Akita from 1963 to 1979 and elucidate the spatial distribution and historical changes of the anthropogenic sources of uranium in Japan. The 236U/238U ratio of atmospheric deposition in Tokyo peaked in 1963 and again during the 1970s, while the corresponding 235U/238U ratios of atmospheric deposition during the second peak period were lower than that of natural uranium. The 236U/238U ratios of atmospheric deposition in Akita samples peaked in 1963. The 235U/238U ratios in Akita samples were almost identical to that of the natural uranium ratios. These results suggest that the peak of 236U/238U in 1963 corresponds to what is recognized as representative for global fallout. The increase of 236U/238U and the decrease of 235U/238U observed simultaneously in the 1970s indicate that depleted uranium has subsequently been released into the environment around Tokyo. The cumulative deposition density of 236U for atmospheric fallout samples collected in Tokyo from 1968 to 1979 is an order of magnitude larger than that of the global fallout, suggesting that the depleted uranium in the 1970s is a major component of 236U in Tokyo and should be considered as an end-member when using 236U as an environmental tracer in the industrial city. This knowledge can facilitate future research using 236U as an effective environmental tracer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Ohno
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Gakushuin University, Mejiro 1-5-1, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 171-8588, Japan.
| | - Naoki Sato
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Gakushuin University, Mejiro 1-5-1, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 171-8588, Japan
| | - Junko Shikimori
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Gakushuin University, Mejiro 1-5-1, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 171-8588, Japan
| | - Yuta Ijichi
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Gakushuin University, Mejiro 1-5-1, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 171-8588, Japan
| | - Yusuke Fukami
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Gakushuin University, Mejiro 1-5-1, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 171-8588, Japan
| | - Yasuhito Igarashi
- Institute for Integrated Radiation and Nuclear Science, Kyoto University, 2-1010 Asashiro Nishi, Kumatori, Sennan, Osaka 590-0494, Japan
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Tazoe H, Amakawa H, Suzuki K, Nishioka J, Hara T, Obata H. Determination of Nd isotopic composition in seawater using newly developed solid phase extraction and MC-ICP-MS. Talanta 2021; 232:122435. [PMID: 34074420 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2021.122435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2020] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Determination of neodymium (Nd) isotopic composition in seawater is useful for tracing water masses and geochemical cycles for lithogenic elements in the ocean. A new separation procedure for determination of the Nd isotopic composition of in seawater samples was developed that offers enhanced sample throughput and improved measurement reliability. The procedure consists of conventional Fe hydroxide coprecipitation, solid phase extraction using DGA chelating resin column chromatography, and Ln Resin column chromatography to preconcentrate samples. High selectivity in HNO3 medium and elution by low concentration HCl medium for Nd are characteristics of extraction using DGA Resin®, and they allowed an evaporation step to be omitted between the chromatographic steps. These chromatographic steps, using DGA Resin to separate REEs and Ln Resin® to remove Sm, were refined from a previous study. The procedural blank value of Nd was obtained as 2 pg (n = 6) from 3 L of water samples. Chemical yield of Nd from 3 L of seawater ranged within 90-95%. The developed procedure was combined with multiple collector-ICP-MS and applied to analysis of vertical seawater samples obtained from the western subarctic gyre of the North Pacific Ocean, where εNd ranged from -1.29 ± 0.42 at the surface to -3.80 ± 0.41 at 4000 m depth. These results were validated by comparing them with results obtained by the conventional method verified in the GEOTRACES inter-calibration program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hirofumi Tazoe
- Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, Honcho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8153, Japan.
| | - Hiroshi Amakawa
- Project Team for Survey and Analysis of Marine Mineral Resources, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science Technology (JAMSTEC), 2-15 Natsushima-cho, Yokosuka, Kanagawa, 237-0061, Japan
| | - Katsuhiko Suzuki
- Submarine Resources Research Center, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science Technology (JAMSTEC), 2-15 Natsushima-cho, Yokosuka, Kanagawa, 237-0061, Japan
| | - Jun Nishioka
- Institute of Low Temperature Science, Hokkaido University, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0819, Japan
| | - Takuya Hara
- Project Team for Survey and Analysis of Marine Mineral Resources, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science Technology (JAMSTEC), 2-15 Natsushima-cho, Yokosuka, Kanagawa, 237-0061, Japan
| | - Hajime Obata
- Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, Japan
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First study on 236U in environmental samples from Bangladesh by ICP-MS/MS prior to the operation of its first nuclear power plant. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-021-07931-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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Wang W, Evans RD, Evans HE. A rapid, automated system for the separation, preconcentration and measurement of 90Sr, and U, Am and Pu isotopes. Talanta 2021; 233:122507. [PMID: 34215122 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2021.122507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
An online separation and preconcentration method, using an automated flow injection setup and solid phase extraction followed by ICP-MS/MS, was developed for the analysis of 90Sr, and U, Am and Pu isotopes in various liquid sample matrices. The radionuclide analytes were separated from interferences and complex matrices using DGA-branched resin and Sr resin, then specific gases were used in the reaction/collision cell in the ICP-MS/MS to measure the different analytes. The system requires smaller sample volumes (10 mL), less sample preparation and shorter processing time (46 min per sample) compared to traditional radiometric and other MS techniques. Based on a 10 mL sample, the limits of detection were 1.48 pg L-1 (8257 mBq L-1) for 90Sr, 1.75 pg L-1 (0.40 mBq L-1) for 234U, 0.65 pg L-1 (77.65 mBq L-1) for 241Am, and 0.56 pg L-1 (1.25 mBq L-1) for 239Pu when all target analytes were measured in one analysis. The analytical figures of merit were evaluated for a range of sample matrices including lake water, seawater and urine and were comparable to those reported in the literature. This online system thus provides a novel, fully automated analytical tool with faster analysis time, smaller sample requirements, minimum sample preparation, low detection limits and the flexibility to handle single and multiple measurements of various radionuclides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, 1600, West Bank Drive, Peterborough, Ontario, K9L 0G2, Canada.
| | - R Douglas Evans
- School of the Environment and Water Quality Center, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, Ontario, K9L 0G2, Canada
| | - Hayla E Evans
- School of the Environment and Water Quality Center, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, Ontario, K9L 0G2, Canada
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Shao Y, Yang G, Zhang J, Luo M, Ma L, Xu D. Progress and Application on the Analysis of Anthropogenic Radionuclide 236U. ACTA CHIMICA SINICA 2021. [DOI: 10.6023/a21020074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Shao Y, Yang G, Luo M, Xu D, Tazoe H, Yamada M, Ma L. Background and fingerprint characteristics of anthropogenic 236U and 137Cs in soil and road dust samples collected from Beijing and Zhangjiakou, China. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 263:127909. [PMID: 32822937 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.127909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/02/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
236U has attracted more attention as an environmental tracer in recent years. However, in-depth study of 236U in terrestrial environments is still rare in China. Data on 236U and 137Cs concentrations in soil and road dust samples collected from Beijing and Zhangjiakou, China were obtained to demonstrate the background and distinct characteristics of anthropogenic 236U and 137Cs. 236U and 137Cs were detected in the range of (1.10-7.90) × 107 atoms g-1 and below the method limits of detection to 5.30 Bq kg-1. A clear characteristic was observed in road dust, where 236U concentrations increased with decreasing of sample particle size. Soil samples showed an irregular characteristic, but the highest 236U concentrations were observed in particle size fraction of <0.053 mm in both samples. This phenomenon was caused by U chemical properties, higher specific surface areas and organic compounds in fine particles. Anthropogenic radionuclides fingerprint characteristics in <0.053 mm samples were specially discussed. 236U/238U atom ratios were detected in the range of (0.627-3.38) × 10-8. A weak correlation between anthropogenic 236U and natural U isotopes were observed. The intermediate correlation between 236U and 137Cs indicated somewhat distinct migration behavior of these two radionuclides in soil after release to the environment. The released amount of 236U from global fallout during the period of atmospheric nuclear weapons testing was roughly estimated to be 1300 ± 448 kg. These results could be used as fingerprint information for anthropogenic 236U migration behavior and tracer application in environment.
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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
| | - Guosheng Yang
- Department of Radiation Chemistry, Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8564, Japan; National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage, Chiba, 263-8555, Japan
| | - Min Luo
- Beijing Engineering Research Center of Radiographic Techniques and Equipment, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Diandou Xu
- Beijing Engineering Research Center of Radiographic Techniques and Equipment, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Hirofumi Tazoe
- Department of Radiation Chemistry, Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8564, Japan
| | - Masatoshi Yamada
- Department of Radiation Chemistry, Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8564, Japan; Central Laboratory, Marine Ecology Research Institute, 300 Iwawada, Onjuku, Isumi, Chiba, 299-5105, Japan.
| | - Lingling Ma
- 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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Wang Y, Hou X, Zhang W, Zhang L, Fan Y. Determination of ultra-low 236U in environment samples using ICP-MS/MS measurement and chemical separation. Talanta 2020; 224:121882. [PMID: 33379091 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2020.121882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
236U in the environment mainly originates from human nuclear activities. Based on the unique properties of uranium, 236U can be used as a powerful tracer for investigation of oceanographic and environmental processes. This requires sensitive measuement of 236U in various environmental samples. Due to the ultra-low radioactive level of 236U in the environment, its measurement is only possible by mass spectrometry. Because of the low atomic ratio of 236U/235U down to 10-7-10-5 in the environment, the interferences of 235U1H+ and peak tailings of 235U and 238U are critical challenges in the measurement of 236U by ICP-MS. This work developed a sensitive ICP-MS/MS method for measurement of ultra-low 236U by employing reaction cell technique and sequential quadrupole mass separators. By using 0.6 mL min-1 CO2 - 7 mL min-1 helium as collision/reaction gas to convert U+ and UH+ to UO+, the interferences of UH+ (UOH+/UO+ ratio) were significantly reduced to less than 2.4 × 10-7. A minimum detectable 236U/238U ratio of 3.0 × 10-10 was achieved, which is one order of magnitude better than reported values. By using collision focusing with helium in the reaction cell and APEX sample introduction system, the measurement sensitivity for 236U (236UO+) was improved to 7.5 × 106 cps ppb-1. In combination with an effective chemical separation of uranium from sample matrix and interferences using total borate fusion following extraction chromatography with UTEVA resin, a detection limit of 7.2 × 10-16 g g-1 for 236U was achieved. The developed method was verified by analysis of certified reference materials and by comparison with AMS measurement method. Soil samples collected from Northwest China were successfully analyzed. 236U/238U ratios down to 9 × 10-10 were measured in these samples, and the sources of 236U in different sits were discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyun Wang
- Xi'an AMS Center, State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of AMS Technology and Application, Institute of Earth Environment, CAS, Xi'an, 710061, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xiaolin Hou
- Xi'an AMS Center, State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of AMS Technology and Application, Institute of Earth Environment, CAS, Xi'an, 710061, China; Technical University of Denmark, Department of Environment Engineering, Risø Campus, Building 204, Frederiksborgvej 399, Roskilde, 4000, Denmark; CAS Center of Excellence in Quaternary Science and Global Change, Xi'an, 710061, China; Open Studio for Oceanic-Continental Climate and Environment Changes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao, 266061, China.
| | - Weichao Zhang
- Xi'an AMS Center, State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of AMS Technology and Application, Institute of Earth Environment, CAS, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Luyuan Zhang
- Xi'an AMS Center, State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of AMS Technology and Application, Institute of Earth Environment, CAS, Xi'an, 710061, China; CAS Center of Excellence in Quaternary Science and Global Change, Xi'an, 710061, China; Open Studio for Oceanic-Continental Climate and Environment Changes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao, 266061, China
| | - Yukun Fan
- Xi'an AMS Center, State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of AMS Technology and Application, Institute of Earth Environment, CAS, Xi'an, 710061, China
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Qiao J, Hain K, Steier P. First dataset of 236U and 233U around the Greenland coast: A 5-year snapshot (2012-2016). CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 257:127185. [PMID: 32497842 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.127185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
We report the first combined dataset of 236U and 233U in the Greenland marine environment during the period of 2012-2016. Results are discussed in terms of time evolution and spatial distribution of 236U concentration, and atomic ratios of 236U/238U and 233U/236U. 236U concentrations along the Greenland coast are distributed within a relatively narrow range of (0.7-12.9) × 107 atom/L, corresponding to 236U/238U atomic ratios of (1.1-15.5) × 10-9. The 233U/236U atomic ratios obtained vary from 0.12 × 10-2 to 1.16 × 10-2, with the majority distributed in the range of (0.2-0.7) × 10-2. We applied 233U/236U and 236U/238U atomic ratios in a binary mixing model to identify possible 236U source terms. The results indicate that anthropogenic 236U and 233U in Greenland surface seawater originated from the direct global fallout (DGF) and the Sellafield and La Hague reprocessing plants (RP) is diluted by a third endmember, mostly likely natural ocean water (NOW), containing marginal 236U and 233U. A preliminary estimation of the source terms of 236U using 233U/236U atomic ratios indicate that, for both eastern and western Greenland seawater, contributions from global fallout (GF) constitute about 30% of 236U. The dominating source for 236U, i.e. 70 %, is associated to reactor 236U including discharges from RP and local reactor input in the Arctic Ocean.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jixin Qiao
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark.
| | - Karin Hain
- VERA Laboratory, Faculty of Physics - Isotope Physics, University of Vienna, Währinger Straße 17, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Steier
- VERA Laboratory, Faculty of Physics - Isotope Physics, University of Vienna, Währinger Straße 17, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
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Jaegler H, Gourgiotis A, Steier P, Golser R, Diez O, Cazala C. Pushing Limits of ICP-MS/MS for the Determination of Ultralow 236U/ 238U Isotope Ratios. Anal Chem 2020; 92:7869-7876. [PMID: 32370491 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.0c01121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Determination of uranium isotope ratios is of great expedience for assessing its origin in environmental samples. In particular, the 236U/238U isotope ratio provides a powerful tool to discriminate between the different sources of uranium (uranium ore, geochemical background, and uranium from anthropogenic activities). However, in the environment, this ratio is typically below 10-8. This low abundance of 236U and the presence in large excess of major isotopes (mainly 238U and 235U) complicates the accurate detection of 236U signal by mass spectrometry and thus highly sensitive analytical instruments providing high abundance sensitivity are required. This work pushes the limits of triple quadrupole-based ICP-MS technology for accurate detection of 236U/238U isotope ratios down to 10-10, which is so far mainly achievable by AMS. Coupled with an efficient desolvating module, N2O was used as the reaction gas in the collision reaction cell of the ICP-MS/MS. This configuration allows a significant decrease of the uranium polyatomic interferences (235UH+ ions) and an accurate determination of low 236U/238U isotope ratios. This new methodology was successfully validated through measurements of certified reference material from 10-7 to 10-9 and then through comparisons with AMS measurement results for ratios down to 10-10. This is the first time that 236U/238U isotope ratios as low as 10-10 were determined by ICP-MS/MS. The possibility of measuring low 236U/238U isotope ratios can offer a large variety of geochemical applications in particular for the determination of uranium sources in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Jaegler
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV/SEDRE/LELI, 31 Avenue de la Division Leclerc, 92260 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Alkiviadis Gourgiotis
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV/SEDRE/LELI, 31 Avenue de la Division Leclerc, 92260 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Peter Steier
- University of Vienna, Faculty of Physics, Isotope Research and Nuclear Physics, Vienna Environmental Research Accelerator, Währinger Straße 17, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Robin Golser
- University of Vienna, Faculty of Physics, Isotope Research and Nuclear Physics, Vienna Environmental Research Accelerator, Währinger Straße 17, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Olivier Diez
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV/SEDRE/LELI, 31 Avenue de la Division Leclerc, 92260 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Charlotte Cazala
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV/SEDRE/LELI, 31 Avenue de la Division Leclerc, 92260 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
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15
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Diez-Fernández S, Jaegler H, Bresson C, Chartier F, Evrard O, Hubert A, Nonell A, Pointurier F, Isnard H. A new method for determining 236U/238U isotope ratios in environmental samples by means OF ICP-MS/MS. Talanta 2020; 206:120221. [DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2019.120221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Revised: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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16
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Yang G, Rahman MS, Tazoe H, Hu J, Shao Y, Yamada M. 236U and radiocesium in river bank soil and river sediment in Fukushima Prefecture, after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident. CHEMOSPHERE 2019; 225:388-394. [PMID: 30884300 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.03.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Revised: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/10/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Almost 8 years after the Japanese Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident, data for 236U and 236U/238U have mainly remained limited to only a few heavily contaminated samples. In the present study, activities of 236U, 134Cs, and 137Cs, along with 234U, 235U, 238U, in 15 river bank soil and 10 river sediment samples, were measured by ICP-MS/MS and γ spectrometry. The 134Cs activities and 134Cs/137Cs activity ratios (decay-corrected to March 11, 2011) in these 15 river bank soil samples were from 74.8 to 3.88 × 105 Bq kg-1 and from 0.944 to 1.02, respectively; and in these 10 river sediment samples were from 87.1 to 1.86 × 105 Bq kg-1 and from 0.904 to 0.990, respectively. The 236U activities and 236U/238U atom ratios in these soil samples were in the respective ranges of (0.139-17.6) × 10-5 Bq kg-1 and (0.259-3.83) × 10-8; and in these sediment samples were in the respective ranges of (0.884-27.0) × 10-5 Bq kg-1 and (1.12-5.04) × 10-8. For one river sediment core sample, 134Cs and 236U activities decreased with the depth indicating 134Cs and 236U accumulated in the river sediment with time. Unlike 134Cs, no clear evidence of FDNPP accident-derived 236U has been found in this study, although further monitoring is encouraged to establish the background database on 236U/238U for its potential application as a tracer in environmental studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guosheng Yang
- Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8564, Japan
| | - M Safiur Rahman
- Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8564, Japan; Atmospheric & Environmental Chemistry Lab, Chemistry Division, Atomic Energy Centre, Dhaka, 1000, Bangladesh
| | - Hirofumi Tazoe
- Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8564, Japan
| | - Jun Hu
- Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8564, Japan
| | - Yang Shao
- Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8564, Japan; Beijing Engineering Research Center of Radiographic Techniques and Equipment, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China; School of Nuclear Science and Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Masatoshi Yamada
- Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8564, Japan.
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17
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Jaegler H, Pointurier F, Diez-Fernández S, Gourgiotis A, Isnard H, Hayashi S, Tsuji H, Onda Y, Hubert A, Laceby JP, Evrard O. Reconstruction of uranium and plutonium isotopic signatures in sediment accumulated in the Mano Dam reservoir, Japan, before and after the Fukushima nuclear accident. CHEMOSPHERE 2019; 225:849-858. [PMID: 30904765 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.03.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2018] [Revised: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/10/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident in Japan resulted in a major release of radionuclides into the environment. Compared to other radionuclides, few studies have investigated the fate of actinides in the environment. Accordingly, this research investigates the Pu composition in soil samples collected in paddy fields before and after the accident. Furthermore, the vertical distributions of Pu and U isotopic signatures, along with 137Cs activities, were measured in a sediment core collected in the Mano Dam reservoir, in the Fukushima Prefecture. Changes in the relative contributions of the major actinide sources (global fallout or FDNPP derived fallout) were investigated in sediment deposited in the reservoir. The distinct peak observed for all Pu isotope ratios (240Pu/239Pu, 241Pu/239Pu and 242Pu/239Pu) and for 137Cs concentrations in the sediment core was attributed to the Fukushima fallout, and coincided with the maximum atomic contribution of only 4.8 ± 1.0% of Pu from the FDNPP. Furthermore, 236U/238U ratios measured in the sediment core remained close to the global fallout signature indicating there was likely no U from the FDNPP accident detected in the sediment core. More research is required on the environmental dynamics of trace actinides in landscapes closer to the FDNPP where there are likely to be greater abundances of FDNPP-derived Pu and U.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Jaegler
- Laboratoire des Sciences Du Climat et de L'Environnement, LSCE/IPSL, UMR 8212 (CEA-CNRS-UVSQ), Université Paris-Saclay, F-91198, Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France
| | | | - Silvia Diez-Fernández
- Den - Service D'Etudes Analytiques et de Réactivité des Surfaces (SEARS), CEA, Université Paris-Saclay, F-91191, Gif sur Yvette, France
| | - Alkiviadis Gourgiotis
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire - PSE/ENV - SEDRE/LELI BP 17, Fontenay-aux-Roses, 92262, France
| | - Hélène Isnard
- Den - Service D'Etudes Analytiques et de Réactivité des Surfaces (SEARS), CEA, Université Paris-Saclay, F-91191, Gif sur Yvette, France
| | - Seiji Hayashi
- National Institute for Environmental Science, Fukushima Branch, 10-2 Fukasaku, Miharu, Tamura, Fukushima, 963-7700 Japan
| | - Hideki Tsuji
- National Institute for Environmental Science, Fukushima Branch, 10-2 Fukasaku, Miharu, Tamura, Fukushima, 963-7700 Japan
| | - Yuichi Onda
- Center for Research in Isotopes and Environmental Dynamics (CRIED), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | | | - J Patrick Laceby
- Laboratoire des Sciences Du Climat et de L'Environnement, LSCE/IPSL, UMR 8212 (CEA-CNRS-UVSQ), Université Paris-Saclay, F-91198, Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France; Environmental Monitoring and Science Division, Alberta Environment and Parks, 3115 - 12 Street NE, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Olivier Evrard
- Laboratoire des Sciences Du Climat et de L'Environnement, LSCE/IPSL, UMR 8212 (CEA-CNRS-UVSQ), Université Paris-Saclay, F-91198, Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France.
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18
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Zhao L, Tanaka K, Tazoe H, Iizuka T, Kubota K, Murakami-Sugihara N, Shirai K. Determination of the geographical origin of marine mussels (Mytilus spp.) using 143Nd/ 144Nd ratios. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2019; 148:12-18. [PMID: 31077963 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2019.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2019] [Revised: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Geographical traceability of marine bivalves is critical to guarantee their quality and safeguard the interest of both consumers and producers. The neodymium isotopic ratio (143Nd/144Nd) of the coastal water mainly reflects the geology of its neighboring watershed, displaying the distinct and systematic variability at high level of geographical detail and thereby shedding light on its potential as a geochemical tracer. For the first time, the present study investigated the utility and robustness of 143Nd/144Nd archived in mytilid mussel shells for geographical traceability purposes. The reproducibility of 143Nd/144Nd ratios maintained in mussels shells from the same cohort demonstrates that the Nd isotopic ratio meets the major requirement for an ideal geochemical tracer, i.e., the biologically induced variation should be rather minimal. The distribution and variability of mussel shell 143Nd/144Nd patterns were subsequently mapped along the Japanese and Chinese coastal waters. Neodymium isotopes of mussel shells record 143Nd/144Nd variations among local regions and between the two countries, which are rather compatible with the ages and lithology of the continental bedrocks. These findings highlight the great potential of 143Nd/144Nd for tracing the geographical origin of marine bivalves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liqiang Zhao
- Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, Chiba, 277-8564, Japan.
| | - Kentaro Tanaka
- Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, Chiba, 277-8564, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Tazoe
- Department of Radiation Chemistry, Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, Aomori, 036-8564, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Iizuka
- Department of Earth and Planetary Science, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Kaoru Kubota
- Kochi Institute for Core Sample Research, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, Nankoku, 783-8502, Japan
| | | | - Kotaro Shirai
- Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, Chiba, 277-8564, Japan
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19
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Method for detecting and characterising actinide-bearing micro-particles in soils and sediment of the Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-019-06575-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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20
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Shao Y, Yang G, Xu D, Yamada M, Tazoe H, Luo M, Cheng H, Yang K, Ma L. First report on global fallout 236U and uranium atom ratios in soils from Hunan Province, China. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2019; 197:1-8. [PMID: 30463028 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2018.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2018] [Revised: 11/13/2018] [Accepted: 11/13/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
More nuclear power plants continue to be built in China. Due to its long half-life, radiotoxicity and potential application as an environmental tracer, 236U is one of the most important artificial radionuclides deserving more study since activity data are important for risk assessment. However, the ultra-trace activity of 236U and its dilution by natural uranium isotopes make it difficult to distinguish its sources and there are only limited global fallout 236U data for present in Chinese environmental samples. In order to understand the background levels for uranium isotopes, especially 236U, and clarify their sources, inductively coupled plasma tandem mass spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS) was applied to analyze uranium isotopes in 48 soil samples from Hunan Province, China. The 234U, 235U, 238U and 236U concentrations were measured as 9.91-33.7, 0.312-1.43, 6.63-28.7 Bq kg-1 and (1.61-21.3) × 107 atoms g-1, while, the 236U/238U, 234U/238U and 235U/238U atom ratios were (0.470-4.91) × 10-8, (5.10-9.31) × 10-5, and (7.11-7.82) × 10-3, respectively. The uranium isotopic fractionation may be due to irrigation of the agricultural lands where the samples were collected. Considering the facts that neither previous nuclear tests nor nuclear accidents had occurred in Hunan Province and the present 236U/238U atom ratios were included in the range of global fallout values in other areas, it may be concluded that 236U in soils from Hunan Province is mainly from global fallout. To the best of the authors' knowledge, the presence of global fallout 236U in soil samples from China has been confirmed for the first time, and these values may be useful as background data for risk assessment in the future.
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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
| | - Diandou Xu
- 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.
| | - Hirofumi Tazoe
- Department of Radiation Chemistry, Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8564, Japan
| | - Min Luo
- Beijing Engineering Research Center of Radiographic Techniques and Equipment, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Hangxin Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Geochemical Cycling of Carbon and Mercury in the Earth's Critical Zone, Institute of Geophysical and Geochemical Exploration, Chinese Academy of Geological Science, Langfang, 065000, China
| | - Ke Yang
- Key Laboratory of Geochemical Cycling of Carbon and Mercury in the Earth's Critical Zone, Institute of Geophysical and Geochemical Exploration, Chinese Academy of Geological Science, Langfang, 065000, China
| | - Lingling Ma
- 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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21
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Chen F, Hu J, Takahashi Y, Yamada M, Rahman MS, Yang G. Application of synchrotron radiation and other techniques in analysis of radioactive microparticles emitted from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident-A review. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2019; 196:29-39. [PMID: 30388426 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2018.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/21/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
During the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident, large amounts of radioactive materials were released into the environment. Among them, a large proportion of the radionuclides, such as Cs, entered into the environment as radioactive microparticles (RMs). In recent years, the characterization of RMs based on synchrotron radiation (SR) techniques has been reported, since their physical and chemical properties played an important role in evaluating the chemical reactions and physical changes that occurred when the nuclear material meltdowns took place. In this review, we summarize separation and measurement technologies used in studies of RMs, and we emphasize the application of SR-based techniques in the characterization of RMs. We report research progress, including information for elemental composition, isotopic distribution, radioactivity, and formation processes. Also, we compare the RMs from the FDNPP and the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant accidents. The SR-based technologies offer great improvement in the resolution and precision compared to conventional technologies, such as X-ray fluorescence and X-ray diffraction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Chen
- Key Laboratory of Radiological Protection and Nuclear Emergency, National Institute for Radiological Protection, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 100088, China
| | - Jun Hu
- Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8564, Japan
| | - Yoshio Takahashi
- Department of Earth and Planetary Science, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Masatoshi Yamada
- Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8564, Japan
| | - M Safiur Rahman
- Atmospheric & Environmental Chemistry Lab. Chemistry Division, Atomic Energy Centre, Dhaka, 1000, Bangladesh
| | - Guosheng Yang
- Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8564, Japan.
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22
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Salmani-Ghabeshi S, Chamizo E, Christl M, Miró C, Pinilla-Gil E, Cereceda-Balic F. Presence of 236U and 239,240Pu in soils from Southern Hemisphere. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2018; 192:478-484. [PMID: 30096706 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2018.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2018] [Revised: 08/01/2018] [Accepted: 08/05/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
236U, 239Pu and 240Pu are present in soils mainly as a result of the local- and global-fallout from the atmospheric nuclear weapons tests carried out mainly in the 1950's and 1960's. In this work we provide new data on the presence of 236U and 239,240Pu in surface soils (i.e. up to 5 cm depth) from Chile and Africa. The results were obtained by low-energy Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS). In the case of the Chilean samples, 236U/239Pu atom ratios show a high variability and are in general higher than the reported value for the global fallout in the Northern Hemisphere, ranging from 0.2 to 1.5. The 236U atomic concentrations range from 3.5 × 106 to 9.1 × 106 atoms/g, and are at least two orders of magnitude lower than the reported values in the Northern Hemisphere. The measured 240Pu/239Pu atom ratio in soils from South-Africa and Mozambique are of about 0.17, in agreement with the expected one for global-fallout at those coordinates. To best knowledge of the authors the present work is the first publication on 236U concentrations and 236U/239Pu atom ratios in soils from South-America and Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Salmani-Ghabeshi
- Departamento de Química Analítica e IACYS, Universidad de Extremadura Avda. de Elvas, s/n, E-06006 Badajoz, Spain
| | - E Chamizo
- Centro Nacional de Aceleradores, Avda. Thomas Alba Edison, 7, 41092 Sevilla, Spain
| | - M Christl
- Laboratory of Ion Beam Physics, ETH Zurich, Otto Stern Weg 5, CH-8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - C Miró
- Departamento de Física Aplicada, Avda. de la Universidad s/n E-10071 Cáceres, Spain.
| | - E Pinilla-Gil
- Departamento de Química Analítica e IACYS, Universidad de Extremadura Avda. de Elvas, s/n, E-06006 Badajoz, Spain
| | - F Cereceda-Balic
- Laboratorio de Química Ambiental, Centro de Tecnologías Ambientales (CETAM), Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Casilla 110-V, Valparaíso, Chile
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23
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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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Yang G, Tazoe H, Yamada M. Improved approach for routine monitoring of 129I activity and 129I/127I atom ratio in environmental samples using TMAH extraction and ICP-MS/MS. Anal Chim Acta 2018; 1008:66-73. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2017.12.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2017] [Revised: 12/28/2017] [Accepted: 12/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Development and application of mass spectrometric techniques for ultra-trace determination of 236U in environmental samples-A review. Anal Chim Acta 2017; 995:1-20. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2017.09.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2017] [Revised: 08/23/2017] [Accepted: 09/19/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
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Yang G, Tazoe H, Yamada M. Can 129I track 135Cs, 236U, 239Pu, and 240Pu apart from 131I in soil samples from Fukushima Prefecture, Japan? Sci Rep 2017; 7:15369. [PMID: 29133826 PMCID: PMC5684215 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-15714-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
In the present study, 129I activities and 129I/127I atom ratios were measured in 60 soil samples contaminated by the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident. The 127I concentrations, 129I activities, and 129I/127I atom ratios in dry-weight were observed to be 0.121–23.6 mg kg−1, 0.962–275 mBq kg−1, and (0.215–79.3) × 10−7, respectively. The maximum values of both 129I activities and 129I/127I atom ratios in Japanese soil increased about three orders of magnitude due to this accident. The equation logy = 0.877logx + 0.173 (Pearson’s r = 0.936; x, 129I concentration; y, 131I concentration; decay-corrected to March 11, 2011) instead of a simple constant may be a better way to express the relationship between 129I and 131I in Japanese soil affected by both global fallout and FDNPP accident fallout. In addition, a moderate correlation was observed between 129I and 135Cs (logy = 0.624logx + 1.01, Pearson’s r = 0.627; x, 129I activity; y, 135Cs activity). However, 129I presented larger fractionations with less volatile radionuclides, such as 236U, 239Pu, and 240Pu. These findings indicated 135Cs could be roughly estimated from 129I or 131I; this is advantageous as fewer 135Cs data are available and 135Cs/137Cs is being considered a promising tracer during radiocesium source identification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guosheng Yang
- Department of Radiation Chemistry, Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8564, Japan.,Division of Nuclear Technology and Applications, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Beijing Engineering Research Center of Radiographic Techniques and Equipment, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Hirofumi Tazoe
- Department of Radiation Chemistry, Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8564, Japan
| | - Masatoshi Yamada
- Department of Radiation Chemistry, Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8564, Japan.
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Isotopic compositions of 236U, 239Pu, and 240Pu in soil contaminated by the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident. Sci Rep 2017; 7:13619. [PMID: 29051607 PMCID: PMC5648813 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-13998-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2017] [Accepted: 10/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Six years after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident, data for 236U and 236U/238U have remained limited to a few heavily contaminated samples. In the present study, activities of 236U, 239Pu, and 240Pu, along with other U isotopes in 46 soil samples both heavily and lightly contaminated by this accident were measured by inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and triple-quadrupole ICP-MS. The 236U activities and 236U/238U atom ratios in these soil samples were in the range of (0.469–24.4) × 10−5 Bq kg−1 and ((0.099–1.35) × 10−7), respectively. Higher 240Pu/239Pu atom ratios (0.245–0.312) and 238Pu/239+240Pu activity ratios (0.859–1.62) indicated Pu contamination originated from this accident and global fallout in some samples. For those soil samples along with black substances collected along roads in Fukushima Prefecture, high linear correlations were presented between 236U activities and 239+240Pu activities (Pearson’s r = 0.755, p < 0.01), and between 236U activities and 238Pu activities (Pearson’s r = 0.844, p < 0.01). The analysis of these soil samples confirmed the release of 236U, although in trace amounts, during the FDNPP accident.
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Qiao J, Steier P, Nielsen S, Hou X, Roos P, Golser R. Anthropogenic 236U in Danish Seawater: Global Fallout versus Reprocessing Discharge. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2017; 51:6867-6876. [PMID: 28505439 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b00504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
This work focuses on the occurrence of 236U in seawater along Danish coasts, which is the sole water-exchange region between the North Sea-Atlantic Ocean and the Baltic Sea. Seawater collected in 2013 and 2014 were analyzed for 236U (as well as 238U and 137Cs). Our results indicate that 236U concentrations in Danish seawater are distributed within a relatively narrow range of (3.6-8.2) × 107 atom/L and, to a certain extent, independent of salinity. 236U/238U atomic ratios in Danish seawater are more than 4 times higher than the estimated global fallout value of 1× 10-9. The levels of 236U/238U atomic ratios obtained are comparable to those reported for the open North Sea and much higher than several other open oceans worldwide. This indicates that besides the global fallout input, the discharges from the two major European nuclear reprocessing plants are dominating sources of 236U in Danish seawater. However, unexpectedly high 236U/238U ratios as well as high 236U concentrations were observed at low-salinity locations of the Baltic Sea. While this feature might be interpreted as a clue for another significant 236U input in the Baltic Sea, it may also be caused by the complexity of water currents or slow turnover rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jixin Qiao
- Center for Nuclear Technologies, Technical University of Denmark , DTU Risø Campus, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Peter Steier
- VERA Laboratory, Faculty of Physics, Isotope Research, University of Vienna , Währinger Straße 17, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Sven Nielsen
- Center for Nuclear Technologies, Technical University of Denmark , DTU Risø Campus, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Xiaolin Hou
- Center for Nuclear Technologies, Technical University of Denmark , DTU Risø Campus, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Per Roos
- Center for Nuclear Technologies, Technical University of Denmark , DTU Risø Campus, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Robin Golser
- VERA Laboratory, Faculty of Physics, Isotope Research, University of Vienna , Währinger Straße 17, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
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