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Huang Y, Qin M, Lai J, Liang J, Luo X, Li C. Assessing OBT formation and enrichment: ROS signaling is involved in the radiation hormesis induced by tritium exposure in algae. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 443:130159. [PMID: 36283218 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.130159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Tritium is the main component of radioactive wastewater from nuclear power plants and can be migrated into organisms to form organically bound tritium (OBT), which may pose a potential risk to aquatic ecosystem. Hence, it is essential to monitor OBT conversion in the presence of tritium exposure. In this study, the effects of pretreatment methods such as digestion on the recovery of tritium were discussed. It was found that microwave digestion pretreatment could improve the recovery of tritium by up to 90 % and allow OBT measurement with a small sample size equivalent to about 60 mg (dry weight). In addition, the efficiency of OBT transformation was different among biological samples, and the radiation hormesis phenomenon was induced by tritium exposure (3.7 × 106 Bq/L) in microalgae Chlorella vulgaris(C. vulgaris). The tritium exposure may induce radiation hormesis through the reactive oxygen species (ROS) signaling pathway, thus improving the photosynthetic capacity and metabolism level of C. vulgaris. Furthermore, enhancement of photorespiration metabolism and the antioxidation system may be important means for C. vulgaris to balance damage by tritium radiation. This study provides insights for further investigating OBT behavior, and will contribute to understanding the equilibrium damage mechanism of algae exposed to tritium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Huang
- School of Life Sciences, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621010, China
| | - Min Qin
- National Institute of Metrolggy, Beijing 100013, China; Engineering Research Center of Biomass Materials, Ministry of Education, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621010, China
| | - Jinlong Lai
- School of Life Sciences, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621010, China; Engineering Research Center of Biomass Materials, Ministry of Education, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621010, China
| | | | - Xuegang Luo
- School of Life Sciences, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621010, China; Engineering Research Center of Biomass Materials, Ministry of Education, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621010, China.
| | - Chen Li
- College of Chemical and Environment Science, Shaanxi University of Technology, Hanzhong 723000, China
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2
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Brigmon RL, McLeod KW, Doman E, Seaman JC. The impact of tritium phytoremediation on plant health as measured by fluorescence. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2022; 255:107018. [PMID: 36150321 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2022.107018] [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: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Phytoremediation, using plants for soil, sediment, or water contaminant clean-up, is an established technology dependent on plant health. Tritium (3H), a radioactive isotope of hydrogen that is generally found in the environment as tritiated water (HTO), is a low-level beta emitter with a half-life of 12.32 years. Chlorophyll fluorescence (CF) for monitoring risk assessment of tritium to plant health was conducted at the Tritium Irrigation Facility (TIF) located on the US Department of Energy's Savannah River Site (SRS) near Aiken, SC. Two fluorometers were evaluated in conjunction with phytoremediation at the 25 -acre TIF where tritiated groundwater is being spray-irrigated on a mixed coniferous/deciduous forested watershed as a means of reducing tritium release to a nearby stream that serves as a tributary to the Savannah River. Tritium activity in irrigated water averaged 104 + 42 pCi mL-1 during the 2003 project. Fluorescence parameters measured by the two fluorometers were well correlated with each other (p < 0.0001). Tritium in water respired from oak leaves ranged up to 1845.13 pCi ml-1 and 2138.22 pCi ml-1 in pine needles. Trees in both the test and control sites were approximately 15 years old. Here we demonstrated that fluorescence parameters provide an effective way to estimate the impact of HTO on plant health in a noninvasive, extremely rapid, and cost-effective manner. In the current study applying fluorometry, plants within the TIF phytoremediation site exposed to the site tritiated water were not significantly impacted by the tritium phytoremediation based on CF parameters as compared to the control, a nascent non-irrigated site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin L Brigmon
- Savannah River National Laboratory, Aiken, SC, 29808, United States.
| | - Kenneth W McLeod
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Aiken, SC, 29802, United States
| | - Eric Doman
- Savannah River National Laboratory, Aiken, SC, 29808, United States
| | - John C Seaman
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Aiken, SC, 29802, United States
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3
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Tanaka M, Iwata C, Nakada M, Kato A, Akata N. LEVELS OF ATMOSPHERIC TRITIUM IN THE SITE OF FUSION TEST FACILITY. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2022; 198:1084-1089. [PMID: 36083758 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncac059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In the deuterium plasma experiment using Large Helical Device at the National Institute for Fusion Science (NIFS), a small amount of tritium is produced by the D-D fusion reaction. Then, a part of produced tritium is discharged into the environment via a stack. Thus, the atmospheric tritium in the site of NIFS has been monitored before starting the deuterium plasma experiment. The atmospheric tritium concentrations at NIFS were indicated to be background levels in Japan. To investigate the impact of tritium discharged from the stack, the correlation between the atmospheric tritium concentration and the tritium concentration observed in the stack was evaluated, and no significant correlation was found. In addition, the atmospheric tritium concentration at NIFS ranged within the background levels in Japan. Therefore, the impact of discharged tritium from the stack would be negligible in the environment at NIFS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahiro Tanaka
- Departament of Helical Plasma Research, National Institute for Fusion Science, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Toki, Gifu, Japan
| | - Chie Iwata
- Department of Engineering and Technical Services, National Institute for Fusion Science, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Toki, Gifu, Japan
| | - Miki Nakada
- Department of Engineering and Technical Services, National Institute for Fusion Science, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Toki, Gifu, Japan
| | - Akemi Kato
- Department of Engineering and Technical Services, National Institute for Fusion Science, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Toki, Gifu, Japan
| | - Naofumi Akata
- Department of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki, Aomori, Japan
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Kang KJ, Byun J, Kim HR. Tritium extraction in aluminum metal by heating method without melting. NUCLEAR ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.net.2021.10.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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5
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Rashmi NS, D'Souza RS, Kamath SS, Mohan MP, Bharath S, Narayana B, Ravi PM, Karunakara N. Experimental database on water equivalent factor (WEQ p) and organically bound tritium activity for tropical monsoonal climate region of South West Coast of India. Appl Radiat Isot 2020; 166:109390. [PMID: 33091858 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2020.109390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Tritium in the form of tritiated water is easily incorporated into terrestrial biota as tissue free water tritium (TFWT). A part of TFWT is converted into organically bound tritium (OBT) through metabolic processes. For the computation of NE-OBT activity (expressed as Bq L-1 of combustion water) in terrestrial plants, knowledge on 'water equivalent factor (WEQp)', defined as the volume of water produced from the combustion of 1 kg of the dry sample, is essential. On a global scenario, experimental data are not available on this parameter. This paper presents (i) a method for determination of WEQp by combustion method using a tube furnace system, (ii) a large database (N = 294) on WEQp parameter for samples of tropical monsoonal climate region of the Indian subcontinent, and (iii) NE-OBT activity in terrestrial biota samples (N = 186) collected from the vicinity of a PHWR nuclear power plant of India. The data generated in this study on WEQp serves for the validation of the data compiled in IAEA (2009 and 2010), which are estimated based on the hydrogen content of protein, fat and carbohydrates, and the fractions of protein, fat and carbohydrates. The WEQp varied in the ranges of 0.492-0.678 L kg-1 (GM = 0.569 Bq L-1, GSD = 1.06), 0.520-0.630 L kg-1 (GM = 0.557 Bq L-1, GSD = 1.02) 0.473-0.633 L kg-1 (GM = 0.562 Bq L-1, GSD = 1.02) for non-leafy vegetables, leafy vegetables, and fruits, respectively. A comparison between the experimental WEQp data with those compiled in the IAEA report revealed that the maximum deviation between the two data sets is <10%. The NE-OBT activity in the food samples collected from 2.3 to 20 km zone around NPP had a geometric mean (GM) value of 25.4 Bq L-1 (GSD = 1.6, N = 186). Variations in NE-OBT activity with different seasons of the year are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nayak S Rashmi
- Centre for Advanced Research in Environmental Radioactivity (CARER), Mangalore University, Mangalagangothri, 574199, India
| | - Renita Shiny D'Souza
- Centre for Advanced Research in Environmental Radioactivity (CARER), Mangalore University, Mangalagangothri, 574199, India
| | - Srinivas S Kamath
- Centre for Advanced Research in Environmental Radioactivity (CARER), Mangalore University, Mangalagangothri, 574199, India
| | - M P Mohan
- Centre for Advanced Research in Environmental Radioactivity (CARER), Mangalore University, Mangalagangothri, 574199, India
| | - S Bharath
- Centre for Advanced Research in Environmental Radioactivity (CARER), Mangalore University, Mangalagangothri, 574199, India
| | - B Narayana
- 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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Tanaka M, Akata N, Iwata C. ENVIRONMENTAL TRITIUM AROUND A FUSION TEST FACILITY. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2019; 184:324-327. [PMID: 31038693 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncz105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Deuterium plasma operations using a large fusion test device have been carried out since 2017 at the National Institute for Fusion Science. A small amount of tritium was produced by the fusion reaction, d(d, p)t. Then, a part of the tritium was released into the environment. Thus, monitoring the level of tritium in the environment around the fusion test facility is important. This is done before starting the deuterium plasma experiment. The environmental tritium concentrations indicated that they are at background levels in Japan. After starting the deuterium plasma experiment, the environmental tritium around the fusion test facility was within the range of environmental variation. This suggests that there was no impact of tritium on the environment during the first deuterium plasma experimental campaign.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahiro Tanaka
- Department of Helical Plasma Research, National Institute for Fusion Science, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 322-6 Oroshi-cho, Toki, Gifu, Japan
- Department of Fusion Science, School of Physical Sciences, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), 322-6 Oroshi-cho, Toki, Gifu, Japan
| | - Naofumi Akata
- Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1, Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, Japan
| | - Chie Iwata
- Department of Engineering and Technical Services, National Institute for Fusion Science, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 322-6 Oroshi-cho, Toki, Gifu, Japan
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7
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HTO activity concentrations in soil and plants in the vicinity of Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant Base. Appl Radiat Isot 2019; 153:108804. [PMID: 31306863 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2019.108804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Revised: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
To explore the distributions of tritiated water (HTO) in soil and plants after routine release of tritium, this study focused on the Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant Base(QNPPB) using both soil samples at different depths (0-2 cm, 0-5 cm, 5-10 cm, 10-15 cm, 15-20 cm, and 20-25 cm) and vegetation samples (including leaves and grasses) from eight sampling points. Then, HTO activity concentrations were measured in all samples. The results showed that the range in HTO activity concentrations in the leaves was 24-39.5 Bq/L and in the grasses was 27-85.5 Bq/L.HTO activity concentrations in the topsoil sample (0-2 cm) from the Qinshan Phase III were greatest. At a same sampling point, the HTO activity concentration was the greatest in the topsoil sample. In most case, except for the top soil layer, HTO activity concentration in different depth soil layer differed slightly. Overall, the HTO activity concentration in leaves and grasses were lower than that in the soil at the same site, and the ratios of HTO activity concentration in plant to soil were found to vary between 0.38 and 2.1, with a mean value of 0.79. This result suggests that some parameters used in the specific activity model proposed to predict tritium activities provide a conservative estimate for the QNPPB site; it should be revisited to better account for the behavior of HTO in the actual environment.
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Zhang Q, Ma YH, Deng K, Ma ZW, Yang G, Gu SZ, Liu W. Distribution of non-exchangeable organically bound tritium activities at the surface soil around Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-018-6325-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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9
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Zhang Q, Du L, Dai ZQ, Ma YH, Qin LL, Deng K, Ma ZW, Yang G, Liu JY, Liu W. Studies of particle size distribution of Non-Exchangeable Organically Bound Tritium activities in the soil around Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2018; 192:362-367. [PMID: 30036776 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2018.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2017] [Revised: 06/06/2018] [Accepted: 07/05/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The NE-OBT (Non-Exchangeable Organically Bound Tritium) in the soil plays a significant role in tritium migration and transformation. In order to further understand the NE-OBT activity in the soil, the particle size, vertical profile and spatial distribution of the NE-OBT activities in the soil were determined around the Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) in China. The experimental results indicated that the NE-OBT preferred to concentrate in the soil particle sizes of 53-250 μm within the soil depth of 5 cm-25 cm. The NE-OBT activity showed significantly vertical variations, however, its largest activity did not appear at the surface soil (0-5 cm). Meanwhile, the NE-OBT had a significant spatial distribution, its activity decreased with the increasing distance from the NPP, especially from the HWRs. In this study, the NE-OBT activities have no significant relationship to the organic matter content in the soil. But the vertical profile distribution of the NE-OBT activity has a strong correlation with the NE-OBT/HTO ratio in the soil, which reflect the capability of living organisms converting HTO into NE-OBT. According to these analyses, we supposed that the NE-OBT in the soil may be derived from the microbial transformation of HTO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Zhang
- Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai, 201800, China; University of Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Lin Du
- Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai, 201800, China
| | | | - Yu-Hua Ma
- Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai, 201800, China; Shanghai Tech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Lai-Lai Qin
- Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai, 201800, China; University of Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Ke Deng
- Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai, 201800, China; University of Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Zhao-Wei Ma
- Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai, 201800, China; University of Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Guo Yang
- Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai, 201800, China; University of Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jia-Yu Liu
- Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai, 201800, China; University of Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai, 201800, China; University of Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, 100049, China.
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10
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Chae JS, Kim G. Dispersion and removal characteristics of tritium originated from nuclear power plants in the atmosphere. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2018; 192:524-531. [PMID: 30121498 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2018.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2018] [Revised: 07/29/2018] [Accepted: 08/08/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The activities of tritium in water-vapor (n = 649) and precipitation (n = 2404) samples were measured from 1998 to 2015 around the Wolsong nuclear power plant (NPP) site where four pressurized heavy water reactors and two pressurized water reactors operated. The activity concentrations of tritium in the water-vapor and precipitation samples were in the ranges of 2.2-2200 Bq/L and 0.3-1090 Bq/L, respectively. The concentrations of tritium in the water-vapor in spring were approximately 7 times higher than those in fall and winter, mainly owing to the wind directions at the power plant location. The annual geometric mean activities of tritium in the water-vapor and precipitation samples varied within 56% and 83% from the average, respectively, depending primarily on the annual discharge amount of tritium to the atmosphere. The activities of tritium in the water-vapor and precipitation samples rapidly decreased away from the power plant. Approximately 0.5-30% of tritium discharged from the NPP site was removed by precipitation to the ground within an area with a radius of 30 km from the NPP site, which linearly depended on the precipitation amount. Our results suggest that the wind direction and precipitation, in addition to the amount of discharge, are important factors that control the tritium concentrations in air near the NPP site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jung-Seok Chae
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences/RIO, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826, South Korea; Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety, 62 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34142, South Korea
| | - Guebuem Kim
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences/RIO, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826, South Korea.
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11
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Jean-Baptiste P, Fontugne M, Fourré E, Marang L, Antonelli C, Charmasson S, Siclet F. Tritium and radiocarbon levels in the Rhône river delta and along the French Mediterranean coastline. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2018; 187:53-64. [PMID: 29433756 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2018.01.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2017] [Revised: 01/25/2018] [Accepted: 01/31/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The Rhône is characterised by a heavy concentration of nuclear-based industries including nuclear power stations and nuclear sites housing civilian and military facilities. Here, we report the results of a four-year survey (2010-2013) of tritium and radiocarbon levels in a variety of matrices within the Rhône delta and along the French Mediterranean coastline. The aim of the study is to create a spatial reference framework of environmental levels of these two radionuclides, which are the most prevalent in radioactive effluents from nuclear power stations. Although both tritium and radiocarbon levels in the samples analysed are very low and can only be detected using ultra-sensitive analytical techniques, they clearly show the influence of the tritium and radiocarbon discharges carried by the Rhône plume along the Mediterranean coast. The tritium content of suspended matter and sediments of the Rhône is a special case, which shows elevated tritium values not seen in other French rivers with similar nuclear facilities. The north-south spatial distribution of this tritium anomaly shows that these trace values are at their highest in the upper Rhône, close to the Swiss border and upstream of Creys Malville, the northernmost nuclear power station on the Rhône. This points to a legacy of past tritium releases by the watchmaking industry. A dedicated study would be needed to clearly identify the source and the exact nature of this contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Jean-Baptiste
- CEA-CNRS-UVSQ, Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l'Environnement, Centre de Saclay, 91191, Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
| | - M Fontugne
- CEA-CNRS-UVSQ, Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l'Environnement, Centre de Saclay, 91191, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - E Fourré
- CEA-CNRS-UVSQ, Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l'Environnement, Centre de Saclay, 91191, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - L Marang
- EDF-R&D, Laboratoire National Hydraulique et Environnement, 6 Quai Wattier, 78401, Chatou, France
| | - C Antonelli
- IRSN, PSE-ENV, Laboratoire d'Études Radioécologiques en milieu Continental et Marin, SESURE/LERCM, 13115, Saint Paul Lez Durance, France
| | - S Charmasson
- IRSN, PSE-ENV/SRTE, Laboratoire de Recherche sur les Transferts des radionucléides au sein des écosystèmes Aquatiques (LRTA), Centre IFREMER, 83507, La Seyne-sur-mer, France
| | - F Siclet
- EDF-R&D, Laboratoire National Hydraulique et Environnement, 6 Quai Wattier, 78401, Chatou, France
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12
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Visser A, Thaw M, Esser B. Analysis of air mass trajectories to explain observed variability of tritium in precipitation at the Southern Sierra Critical Zone Observatory, California, USA. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2018; 181:42-51. [PMID: 29096152 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2017.10.008] [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: 06/24/2017] [Revised: 09/15/2017] [Accepted: 10/12/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the behavior of tritium, a radioactive isotope of hydrogen, in the environment is important to evaluate the exposure risk of anthropogenic releases, and for its application as a tracer in hydrology and oceanography. To understand and predict the variability of tritium in precipitation, HYSPLIT air mass trajectories were analyzed for 16 aggregate precipitation samples collected over a 2 year period at irregular intervals at a research site located at 2000 m elevation in the southern Sierra Nevada (California, USA). Attributing the variation in tritium to specific source areas confirms the hypothesis that higher latitude or inland sources bring higher tritium levels in precipitation than precipitation originating in the lower latitude Pacific Ocean. In this case, the source of precipitation accounts for 79% of the variation observed in tritium concentrations. Air mass trajectory analysis is a promising tool to improve the predictions of tritium in precipitation at unmonitored locations and thoroughly understand the processes controlling transport of tritium in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ate Visser
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Nuclear and Chemical Sciences Division, 7000 East Ave, Livermore, CA 94550, United States.
| | - Melissa Thaw
- University of California - Merced, Sierra Nevada Research Institute, 5200 North Lake Rd. Merced, CA 95343, United States
| | - Brad Esser
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Nuclear and Chemical Sciences Division, 7000 East Ave, Livermore, CA 94550, United States
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Eyrolle F, Ducros L, Le Dizès S, Beaugelin-Seiller K, Charmasson S, Boyer P, Cossonnet C. An updated review on tritium in the environment. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2018; 181:128-137. [PMID: 29149670 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2017.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2017] [Revised: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 11/01/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Various studies indicated more or less recently that organically bound tritium (OBT) formed from gaseous or liquid tritium releases into the environment potentially accumulates in organisms contradicting hypotheses associated to methods used to assess the biological impact of tritium on humans (ASN, 2010). Increasing research works were then performed during the last decade in order to gain knowledge on this radionuclide expected to be increasingly released by nuclear installations in the near future within the environment. This review focusses on publications of the last decade. New unpublished observations revealing the presence of technogenic tritium in a sedimentary archive collected in the upper reaches of the Rhône river and findings from the Northwestern Mediterranean revealing in all likelihood the impact of terrigenous tritium inputs on OBT levels recorded in living organisms are also presented. Identifying and understanding the physicochemical forms of tritium and the processes leading to its persistence in environmental compartments would explain most observations regarding OBT concentrations in organisms and definitively excludes that tritium would "bio accumulate" within living organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frédérique Eyrolle
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sureté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV, SRTE, BP 3, 13115 Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, France.
| | - Loïc Ducros
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sureté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV, SRTE, BP 3, 13115 Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, France
| | - Séverine Le Dizès
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sureté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV, SRTE, BP 3, 13115 Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, France
| | - Karine Beaugelin-Seiller
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sureté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV, SRTE, BP 3, 13115 Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, France
| | - Sabine Charmasson
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sureté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV, SRTE, BP 3, 13115 Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, France
| | - Patrick Boyer
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sureté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV, SRTE, BP 3, 13115 Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, France
| | - Catherine Cossonnet
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sureté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV, SAME, Bois des Rames, Bat 501, 91400 Orsay, France
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Le Dizès S, Aulagnier C, Maro D, Rozet M, Vermorel F, Hébert D, Voiseux C, Solier L, Godinot C, Fievet B, Laguionie P, Connan O, Cazimajou O, Morillon M. The VATO project: Development and validation of a dynamic transfer model of tritium in grassland ecosystem. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2017; 171:83-92. [PMID: 28199861 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2016.11.028] [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: 09/20/2016] [Revised: 11/25/2016] [Accepted: 11/25/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, a dynamic compartment model with a high temporal resolution has been investigated to describe tritium transfer in grassland ecosystems exposed to atmospheric 3H releases from nuclear facilities under normal operating or accidental conditions. TOCATTA-χ model belongs to the larger framework of the SYMBIOSE modelling and simulation platform that aims to assess the fate and transport of a wide range of radionuclides in various environmental systems. In this context, the conceptual and mathematical models of TOCATTA-χ have been designed to be relatively simple, minimizing the number of compartments and input parameters required. In the same time, the model achieves a good compromise between easy-to-use (as it is to be used in an operational mode), explicative power and predictive accuracy in various experimental conditions. In the framework of the VATO project, the model has been tested against two-year-long in situ measurements of 3H activity concentration monitored by IRSN in air, groundwater and grass, together with meteorological parameters, on a grass field plot located 2 km downwind of the AREVA NC La Hague nuclear reprocessing plant, as was done in the past for the evaluation of transfer of 14C in grass. By considering fast exchanges at the vegetation-air canopy interface, the model correctly reproduces the observed variability in TFWT activity concentration in grass, which evolves in accordance with spikes in atmospheric HTO activity concentration over the previous 24 h. The average OBT activity concentration in grass is also correctly reproduced. However, the model has to be improved in order to reproduce punctual high concentration of OBT activity, as observed in December 2013. The introduction of another compartment with a fast kinetic (like TFWT) - although outside the model scope - improves the predictions by increasing the correlation coefficient from 0.29 up to 0.56 when it includes this particular point. Further experimental investigation will be undertaken by IRSN and EDF next year to better evaluate (and properly model) other aspects of tritium transfer where knowledge gaps have been identified in both experimental and modelling areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Le Dizès
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PRP-ENV/SERIS/LRTE, Laboratoire de Recherche sur les Transferts de radionucléides dans l'Environnement, CEN Cadarache, 13115 Saint-Paul-Lez-Durance, France.
| | - C Aulagnier
- Electricité de France, DIPDE, 154 Avenue Thiers, 69458 Lyon, Cedex 06 France
| | - D Maro
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PRP-ENV/SERIS/LRC, Laboratoire de Radioécologie de Cherbourg Octeville, Rue Max-Pol Fouchet B.P.10, 50130 Cherbourg-Octeville, France
| | - M Rozet
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PRP-ENV/SERIS/LRC, Laboratoire de Radioécologie de Cherbourg Octeville, Rue Max-Pol Fouchet B.P.10, 50130 Cherbourg-Octeville, France
| | - F Vermorel
- Electricité de France, DIPDE, 154 Avenue Thiers, 69458 Lyon, Cedex 06 France
| | - D Hébert
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PRP-ENV/SERIS/LRC, Laboratoire de Radioécologie de Cherbourg Octeville, Rue Max-Pol Fouchet B.P.10, 50130 Cherbourg-Octeville, France
| | - C Voiseux
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PRP-ENV/SERIS/LRC, Laboratoire de Radioécologie de Cherbourg Octeville, Rue Max-Pol Fouchet B.P.10, 50130 Cherbourg-Octeville, France
| | - L Solier
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PRP-ENV/SERIS/LRC, Laboratoire de Radioécologie de Cherbourg Octeville, Rue Max-Pol Fouchet B.P.10, 50130 Cherbourg-Octeville, France
| | - C Godinot
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PRP-ENV/SERIS/LRC, Laboratoire de Radioécologie de Cherbourg Octeville, Rue Max-Pol Fouchet B.P.10, 50130 Cherbourg-Octeville, France
| | - B Fievet
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PRP-ENV/SERIS/LRC, Laboratoire de Radioécologie de Cherbourg Octeville, Rue Max-Pol Fouchet B.P.10, 50130 Cherbourg-Octeville, France
| | - P Laguionie
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PRP-ENV/SERIS/LRC, Laboratoire de Radioécologie de Cherbourg Octeville, Rue Max-Pol Fouchet B.P.10, 50130 Cherbourg-Octeville, France
| | - O Connan
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PRP-ENV/SERIS/LRC, Laboratoire de Radioécologie de Cherbourg Octeville, Rue Max-Pol Fouchet B.P.10, 50130 Cherbourg-Octeville, France
| | - O Cazimajou
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PRP-ENV/SERIS/LRC, Laboratoire de Radioécologie de Cherbourg Octeville, Rue Max-Pol Fouchet B.P.10, 50130 Cherbourg-Octeville, France
| | - M Morillon
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PRP-ENV/SERIS/LRC, Laboratoire de Radioécologie de Cherbourg Octeville, Rue Max-Pol Fouchet B.P.10, 50130 Cherbourg-Octeville, France
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15
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Tamari T, Kakiuchi H, Momoshima N, Baglan N, Sugihara S, Uda T. OBT Measurement of Vegetation by Mass Spectrometry and Radiometry. FUSION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 2017. [DOI: 10.13182/fst11-a12657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- T. Tamari
- Kyushu Environmental Evaluation Association, Matsukadai 1-10-1, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 813-0004 Japan
| | - H. Kakiuchi
- Insutitue for Environmental Sciences, Ienomae 1-7, Obuchi, Rokkasho-mura, Kamikita-gun, Aomori 039-3212 Japan
| | - N. Momoshima
- Radioisotope Center, Kyushu University, Hakozaki 6-10-1, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8581 Japan
| | - N. Baglan
- CEA/DIF/DASE/SRCE, 91297 Arpajon Cédex France
| | - S. Sugihara
- Radioisotope Center, Kyushu University, Hakozaki 6-10-1, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8581 Japan
| | - T. Uda
- National Institute for Fusion Science, Oroshi-cho 322-6, Toki, Gifu 509-5292 Japan
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16
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Baglan N, Alanic G. Contribution of Elemental Analysis and UV-Vis Spectrophotometry to the Understanding of E-OBT Elimination Stage. FUSION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 2017. [DOI: 10.13182/fst11-a12572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- N. Baglan
- CEA, DAM/DIF, Bruyères le Châtel, F-91 297 Arpajon, France
| | - G. Alanic
- CEA, DAM/DIF, Bruyères le Châtel, F-91 297 Arpajon, France
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17
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Moran J, Alexander T, Aalseth C, Back H, Mace E, Overman C, Seifert A, Freeburg W. Improvements to sample processing and measurement to enable more widespread environmental application of tritium. Appl Radiat Isot 2017; 126:61-65. [PMID: 28161105 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2017.01.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2016] [Revised: 12/28/2016] [Accepted: 01/25/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Previous measurements have demonstrated the wealth of information that tritium (T) can provide on environmentally relevant processes. We present modifications to sample preparation approaches that enable T measurement by proportional counting on small sample sizes equivalent to 120mg of water and demonstrate the accuracy of these methods on a suite of standardized water samples. We identify a current quantification limit of 92.2 TU which, combined with our small sample sizes, correlates to as little as 0.00133Bq of total T activity. This enhanced method should provide the analytical flexibility needed to address persistent knowledge gaps in our understanding of both natural and artificial T behavior in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Moran
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, Richland, WA 99352, USA.
| | - Thomas Alexander
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, Richland, WA 99352, USA
| | - Craig Aalseth
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, Richland, WA 99352, USA
| | - Henning Back
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, Richland, WA 99352, USA
| | - Emily Mace
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, Richland, WA 99352, USA
| | - Cory Overman
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, Richland, WA 99352, USA
| | - Allen Seifert
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, Richland, WA 99352, USA
| | - Wilcox Freeburg
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, Richland, WA 99352, USA
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18
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Simek P, Kořínková T, Svetlik I, Povinec PP, Fejgl M, Malátová I, Tomaskova L, Stepan V. The valley system of the Jihlava river and Mohelno reservoir with enhanced tritium activities. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2017; 166:83-90. [PMID: 26944878 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2016.02.016] [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: 11/04/2015] [Revised: 02/12/2016] [Accepted: 02/16/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The Dukovany nuclear power plant (NPP Dukovany) releases liquid effluents, including HTO, to the Mohelno reservoir, located in a deep valley. Significantly enhanced tritium activities were observed in the form of non-exchangeable organically bound tritium in the surrounding biota which lacks direct contact with the water body. This indicates a tritium uptake by plants from air moisture and haze, which is, besides the uptake by roots from soil, one of the most important mechanisms of tritium transfer from environment to plants. Results of a pilot study based on four sampling campaigns in 2011-2015 are presented and discussed, with the aim to provide new information on tritium transport in the Mohelno reservoir - Jihlava River - plants ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Simek
- Department of Radiation Dosimetry, Nuclear Physics Institute CAS, Prague, CZ-180 86, Czech Republic
| | - T Kořínková
- Department of Radiation Dosimetry, Nuclear Physics Institute CAS, Prague, CZ-180 86, Czech Republic
| | - I Svetlik
- Department of Radiation Dosimetry, Nuclear Physics Institute CAS, Prague, CZ-180 86, Czech Republic; National Radiation Protection Institute, Prague, CZ-140 00, Czech Republic.
| | - P P Povinec
- Department of Nuclear Physics and Biophysics, Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, Comenius University, Bratislava, SK-842 48, Slovak Republic
| | - M Fejgl
- National Radiation Protection Institute, Prague, CZ-140 00, Czech Republic; Department of Radiation Dosimetry, Nuclear Physics Institute CAS, Prague, CZ-180 86, Czech Republic
| | - I Malátová
- National Radiation Protection Institute, Prague, CZ-140 00, Czech Republic
| | - L Tomaskova
- Department of Radiation Dosimetry, Nuclear Physics Institute CAS, Prague, CZ-180 86, Czech Republic
| | - V Stepan
- Department of Radiation Dosimetry, Nuclear Physics Institute CAS, Prague, CZ-180 86, Czech Republic
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19
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Du L, Shan J, Ma YH, Wang L, Qin LL, Pi L, Zeng YS, Xia ZH, Wang GH, Liu W. An improved combustion apparatus for the determination of organically bound tritium in environmental samples. Appl Radiat Isot 2016; 110:218-223. [PMID: 26868274 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2015.12.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2015] [Revised: 11/25/2015] [Accepted: 12/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
This paper reports an improved combustion apparatus for the determination of organically bound tritium in environmental samples. The performance of this apparatus including the recovery rate and reproducibility was investigated by combusting lettuce and pork samples. To determine the factors for the different recovery rates of lettuce and pork and investigate whether the samples were completely oxidized, the ashes and exhaust gases produced by the combustion were analyzed. The results indicate that the apparatus showed an excellent performance in the combustion of environmental samples. Thus, the improvements conducted in this study were effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Du
- Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jian Shan
- Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Yu-Hua Ma
- Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ling Wang
- Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Lai-Lai Qin
- Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Li Pi
- Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - You-Shi Zeng
- Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, China
| | - Zheng-Hai Xia
- CNNC Nuclear Power Operations Management Co., Ltd., Haiyan 314300, China
| | - Guang-Hua Wang
- Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, China.
| | - Wei Liu
- Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, China.
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20
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Thompson PA, Kwamena NOA, Ilin M, Wilk M, Clark ID. Levels of tritium in soils and vegetation near Canadian nuclear facilities releasing tritium to the atmosphere: implications for environmental models. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2015; 140:105-113. [PMID: 25461522 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2014.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2014] [Revised: 11/06/2014] [Accepted: 11/07/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Concentrations of organically bound tritium (OBT) and tritiated water (HTO) were measured over two growing seasons in vegetation and soil samples obtained in the vicinity of four nuclear facilities and two background locations in Canada. At the background locations, with few exceptions, OBT concentrations were higher than HTO concentrations: OBT/HTO ratios in vegetation varied between 0.3 and 20 and values in soil varied between 2.7 and 15. In the vicinity of the four nuclear facilities OBT/HTO ratios in vegetation and soils deviated from the expected mean value of 0.7, which is used as a default value in environmental transfer models. Ratios of the OBT activity concentration in plants ([OBT]plant) to the OBT activity concentration in soils ([OBT]soil) appear to be a good indicator of the long-term behaviour of tritium in soil and vegetation. In general, OBT activity concentrations in soils were nearly equal to OBT activity concentrations in plants in the vicinity of the two nuclear power plants. [OBT]plant/[OBT]soil ratios considerably below unity observed at one nuclear processing facility represents historically higher levels of tritium in the environment. The results of our study reflect the dynamic nature of HTO retention and OBT formation in vegetation and soil during the growing season. Our data support the mounting evidence suggesting that some parameters used in environmental transfer models approved for regulatory assessments should be revisited to better account for the behavior of HTO and OBT in the environment and to ensure that modelled estimates (e.g., plant OBT) are appropriately conservative.
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Affiliation(s)
- P A Thompson
- Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, 280 Slater Street, P.O. Box 1046, Station B, Ottawa, Ontario, K1P 5S9, Canada.
| | - N-O A Kwamena
- Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, 280 Slater Street, P.O. Box 1046, Station B, Ottawa, Ontario, K1P 5S9, Canada
| | - M Ilin
- Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, 280 Slater Street, P.O. Box 1046, Station B, Ottawa, Ontario, K1P 5S9, Canada
| | - M Wilk
- Department of Earth Science, 140 Louis-Pasteur, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - I D Clark
- Department of Earth Science, 140 Louis-Pasteur, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 6N5, Canada
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21
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Svetlik I, Fejgl M, Malátová I, Tomaskova L. Enhanced activities of organically bound tritium in biota samples. Appl Radiat Isot 2014; 93:82-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2014.01.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2013] [Revised: 09/27/2013] [Accepted: 01/27/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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22
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Huang YJ, Zeng F, Zhang B, Chen CF, Qin HJ, Wu LS, Guo GY, Yang LT, Shang-Guan ZH. Method validation and uncertainty evaluation of organically bound tritium analysis in environmental sample. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2014; 134:83-88. [PMID: 24695278 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2014.03.010] [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: 08/14/2013] [Revised: 03/01/2014] [Accepted: 03/13/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The analytical method for organically bound tritium (OBT) was developed in our laboratory. The optimized operating conditions and parameters were established for sample drying, special combustion, distillation, and measurement on a liquid scintillation spectrometer (LSC). Selected types of OBT samples such as rice, corn, rapeseed, fresh lettuce and pork were analyzed for method validation of recovery rate reproducibility, the minimum detection concentration, and the uncertainty for typical low level environmental sample was evaluated. The combustion water recovery rate of different dried environmental sample was kept at about 80%, the minimum detection concentration of OBT ranged from 0.61 to 0.89 Bq/kg (dry weight), depending on the hydrogen content. It showed that this method is suitable for OBT analysis of environmental sample with stable recovery rate, and the combustion water yield of a sample with weight about 40 g would provide sufficient quantity for measurement on LSC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Jun Huang
- Suzhou Nuclear Power Research Institute, CGNPG, 215004, PR China.
| | - Fan Zeng
- Suzhou Nuclear Power Research Institute, CGNPG, 215004, PR China.
| | - Bing Zhang
- Suzhou Nuclear Power Research Institute, CGNPG, 215004, PR China.
| | - Chao-Feng Chen
- Suzhou Nuclear Power Research Institute, CGNPG, 215004, PR China.
| | - Hong-Juan Qin
- Suzhou Nuclear Power Research Institute, CGNPG, 215004, PR China.
| | - Lian-Sheng Wu
- Suzhou Nuclear Power Research Institute, CGNPG, 215004, PR China.
| | - Gui-Yin Guo
- Suzhou Nuclear Power Research Institute, CGNPG, 215004, PR China.
| | - Li-Tao Yang
- Suzhou Nuclear Power Research Institute, CGNPG, 215004, PR China.
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23
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Wakeford R. The risk of leukaemia in young children from exposure to tritium and carbon-14 in the discharges of German nuclear power stations and in the fallout from atmospheric nuclear weapons testing. RADIATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOPHYSICS 2014; 53:365-379. [PMID: 24477409 DOI: 10.1007/s00411-014-0516-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2013] [Accepted: 01/18/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Towards the end of 2007, the results were published from a case-control study (the "KiKK Study") of cancer in young children, diagnosed <5 years of age during 1980-2003 while resident near nuclear power stations in western Germany. The study found a tendency for cases of leukaemia to live closer to the nearest nuclear power station than their matched controls, producing an odds ratio that was raised to a statistically significant extent for residence within 5 km of a nuclear power station. The findings of the study received much publicity, but a detailed radiological risk assessment demonstrated that the radiation doses received by young children from discharges of radioactive material from the nuclear reactors were much lower than those received from natural background radiation and far too small to be responsible for the statistical association reported in the KiKK Study. This has led to speculation that conventional radiological risk assessments have grossly underestimated the risk of leukaemia in young children posed by exposure to man-made radionuclides, and particular attention has been drawn to the possible role of tritium and carbon-14 discharges in this supposedly severe underestimation of risk. Both (3)H and (14)C are generated naturally in the upper atmosphere, and substantial increases in these radionuclides in the environment occurred as a result of their production by atmospheric testing of nuclear weapons during the late 1950s and early 1960s. If the leukaemogenic effect of these radionuclides has been seriously underestimated to the degree necessary to explain the KiKK Study findings, then a pronounced increase in the worldwide incidence of leukaemia among young children should have followed the notably elevated exposure to (3)H and (14)C from nuclear weapons testing fallout. To investigate this hypothesis, the time series of incidence rates of leukaemia among young children <5 years of age at diagnosis has been examined from ten cancer registries from three continents and both hemispheres, which include registration data from the early 1960s or before. No evidence of a markedly increased risk of leukaemia in young children following the peak of above-ground nuclear weapons testing, or that incidence rates are related to level of exposure to fallout, is apparent from these registration rates, providing strong grounds for discounting the idea that the risk of leukaemia in young children from (3)H or (14)C (or any other radionuclide present in both nuclear weapons testing fallout and discharges from nuclear installations) has been grossly underestimated and that such exposure can account for the findings of the KiKK Study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Wakeford
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, Institute of Population Health, The University of Manchester, Ellen Wilkinson Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK,
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24
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Kim S, Bredlaw M, Korolevych V. Organically Bound Tritium (OBT) in Soil at Different Depths Around Chalk River Laboratories (CRL), Canada. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013. [DOI: 10.12943/anr.2013.00014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) Chalk River Laboratories (CRL) is a large nuclear research and test establishment with nuclear and non-nuclear facilities located in Chalk River, Ontario. The CRL Environmental Monitoring Program is designed to demonstrate that radiological exposure resulting from releases from the CRL site remain below the public dose limit specified in the regulations (1 mSv/year). This study was conducted to consolidate environmental effects following a continuous atmospheric tritium release observed at CRL. Soil samples were collected at depths of up to 20 cm using soil probes at the CRL site and surrounding areas. The samples were sectioned at 5 cm intervals, and HTO and OBT concentrations were measured in the samples. Prevailing winds at CRL are from NW and SE, which was suggested to be in close relationship with tritium distribution in environmental samples such as soils and plant leaves. The HTO concentration was the highest in surface soil water and plant leaves at a given sampling point. This result suggests that the concentration of tritium in surface soil water and in plants tissue free water essentially reflects the surrounding atmospheric tritium concentration. OBT concentrations in soil were measured at the historical HT release site, Plant Road, Mattawa Road and three background sites near CRL. The top layer of soil generally had the highest OBT concentration among collected soil samples. This result suggests that OBT concentrations are different from HTO concentrations at the same site and can be representative of previously released environmental tritium at the sampling point. The relationship between the OBT concentration in soil and the amount of tritium released into the environment will be useful for the evaluation of environmental tritium effects and the fate of tritium in the terrestrial ecosystem. The study points out that HTO shows shorter-term dynamic conditions, whereas OBT shows longer-term steady-state conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- S.B. Kim
- Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, Chalk River Laboratories, Chalk, River, ON Canada K0J 1J0
| | - M. Bredlaw
- Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, Chalk River Laboratories, Chalk, River, ON Canada K0J 1J0
| | - V.Y. Korolevych
- Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, Chalk River Laboratories, Chalk, River, ON Canada K0J 1J0
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25
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Le Dizès S, Aulagnier C, Henner P, Simon-Cornu M. TOCATTA: a dynamic transfer model of (3)H from the atmosphere to soil-plant systems. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2013; 124:191-204. [PMID: 23811129 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2013.04.015] [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: 07/31/2012] [Revised: 03/22/2013] [Accepted: 04/22/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
This paper describes a dynamic compartment model (TOCATTA) that simulates tritium transfer in agricultural plants of several categories including vegetables, pasture and annual crops, exposed to time-varying HTO concentrations of water vapour in the air and possibly in irrigation and rainwater. Consideration is also given to the transfer pathways of HTO in soil. Though the transfer of tritium is quite complex, from its release into the environment to its absorption and its incorporation within the organic material of living organisms, the TOCATTA model is relatively simple, with a limited number of compartments and input parameters appropriate to its use in an operational mode. In this paper, we took the opportunity to have data obtained on an ornamental plant - an indoor palm tree - within an industrial building where tritium was released accidentally over several weeks (or months). More specifically, the model's ability to provide hindsight on the chronology of the release scenario is discussed by comparing model predictions of TFWT and OBT activity concentrations in the plant leaves with measurements performed on three different leaves characterized by different developmental stages. The data-model comparison shows some limitations, mainly because of a lack of knowledge about the initial conditions of the accident and when it actually started and about the processes involved in the transfer of tritium. Efforts are needed in both experimental and modelling areas for future evaluation of tritium behaviour in agricultural soil and plants exposed to gaseous HTO releases and/or to irrigation with contaminated water.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Le Dizès
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PRP-ENV, SERIS, LM2E, 13015 Cadarache, France.
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26
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Réty C, Gilbin R, Gomez E. Induction of reactive oxygen species and algal growth inhibition by tritiated water with or without copper. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2012; 27:155-165. [PMID: 20607814 DOI: 10.1002/tox.20626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2010] [Revised: 04/20/2010] [Accepted: 04/24/2010] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Tritium ((3) H) is a radioactive element of ecological concern because of its release into aquatic ecosystems from nuclear power plants. However, the acute and chronic effects of tritiated water (HTO) on aquatic organisms are poorly documented, as are its effects on oxidative stress. In addition, the effects of HTO in combination with other contaminants remain largely unexamined. Herein, we document the effect of HTO on a primary aquatic producer (Chlamydomonas reinhardtii) by measuring growth and oxidative stress using fluorimetric (H(2) DCF-DA) determination of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) production. The maximum cell density of the alga (1.65 × 10(6) cells mL(-1) ) was reduced by 23% (1.27 × 10(6) cells mL(-1) ) at the highest exposure tested (59 MBq mL(-1) HTO), whereas cells exposed to 0.9 MBq mL(-1) showed a significantly enhanced maximum cell density of 1.90 × 10(6) cells mL(-1) , an increase of 15%. With regard to oxidative stress, exposure to HTO (0.04, 0.16, and 2.8 MBq mL(-1) ) induced an early dose-dependent peak in ROS production after 14-15 min of exposure, followed by a slow decrease in ROS which stabilized after 60 min. Moreover, this study showed that the presence of HTO may influence the impact of other conventional, nonradioactive contaminants, such as copper, a well known oxidizing trace metal for aquatic organisms. A significant synergic effect of copper and HTO on ROS production was observed. This synergic effect on oxidative stress was shown to be linked to an enhanced copper uptake rate measured in the presence of HTO (> 4 times). We conclude that HTO should be considered as a sensitizer when in a mixture with other contaminants, especially through interactions on the antioxidant system of algae.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Réty
- IRSN, Laboratory of Radioecology and Ecotoxicology, 13115 Saint Paul Lez Durance Cedex, France
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