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Lai JL, Li ZG, Han MW, Huang Y, Xi HL, Luo XG. Analysis of environmental biological effects and OBT accumulation potential of microalgae in freshwater systems exposed to tritium pollution. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 250:121013. [PMID: 38118252 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.121013] [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: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/22/2023]
Abstract
The ecological risk of tritiated wastewater into the environment has attracted much attention. Assessing the ecological risk of tritium-containing pollution is crucial by studying low-activity tritium exposure's environmental and biological effects on freshwater micro-environment and the enrichment potential of organically bound tritium (OBT) in microalgae and aquatic plants. The impact of tritium-contaminated wastewater on the microenvironment of freshwater systems was analyzed using microcosm experiments to simulate tritium pollution in freshwater systems. Low activity tritium pollution (105 Bq/L) induced differences in microbial abundance, with Proteobacteria, Bacteroidota, and Desulfobacterota occupying important ecological niches in the water system. Low activity tritium (105-107 Bq/L) did not affect the growth of microalgae and aquatic plants, but OBT was significantly enriched in microalgae and two aquatic plants (Pistia stratiotes, Spirodela polyrrhiza), with the enrichment coefficients of 2.08-3.39 and 1.71-2.13, respectively. At the transcriptional level, low-activity tritium (105 Bq/L) has the risk of interfering with gene expression in aquatic plants. Four dominant cyanobacterial strains (Leptolyngbya sp., Synechococcus elongatus, Nostoc sp., and Anabaena sp.) were isolated and demonstrated good environmental adaptability to tritium pollution. Environmental factors can modify the tritium accumulation potential in cyanobacteria and microalgae, theoretically enhancing food chain transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Long Lai
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, 621010, China; State Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Beijing, 102205, China
| | - Zhan-Guo Li
- State Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Beijing, 102205, China
| | - Meng-Wei Han
- State Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Beijing, 102205, China
| | - Yan Huang
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, 621010, China
| | - Hai-Ling Xi
- State Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Beijing, 102205, China.
| | - Xue-Gang Luo
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, 621010, China.
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Yamada R, Hasegawa H, Akata N, Kakiuchi H, Ochiai S, Kuwata H, Kheamsiri K, Tokonami S, Ueda S. Temporal variation of tritium concentration in monthly precipitation collected at a Difficult-to-Return Zone in Namie Town, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:7818-7827. [PMID: 38170359 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-31652-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
This article discusses tritium concentrations in monthly precipitation in part of the Difficult-to-Return Zone in Namie Town during 2012-2021. The tritium concentrations, which were measured with a low background liquid scintillation counter after carrying out an enrichment procedure, fluctuated seasonally from 0.10 ± 0.02 to 0.85 ± 0.02 Bq L-1. This range of concentrations is concluded to not be unusual based on comparisons with the concentrations at other sites and estimates of the past range of the concentrations. Moreover, no significant variations in observed tritium concentrations were observed due to decommissioning work at the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant. These results contribute to understanding the background level of tritium concentration in precipitation before the oceanic discharge of treated water from the Fukushima plant. In addition, this article evaluates the amount of tritium supplied to the ocean by terrestrial rainwater pouring into the Pacific Ocean via Ukedo River, which flows through Namie Town; this information will contribute to the discussion on the impact of the oceanic discharge of treated water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryohei Yamada
- Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-Cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8564, Japan
| | - Hidenao Hasegawa
- Department of Radioecology, Institute for Environmental Sciences, 1-7 Ienomae, Obuchi, Rokkasho, Kamikita, Aomori, 039-3212, Japan
| | - Naofumi Akata
- Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-Cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8564, Japan.
| | - Hideki Kakiuchi
- Department of Radioecology, Institute for Environmental Sciences, 1-7 Ienomae, Obuchi, Rokkasho, Kamikita, Aomori, 039-3212, Japan
| | - Shinya Ochiai
- Low Level Radioactivity Laboratory, Institute of Nature and Environmental Technology, Kanazawa University, O24 Wake, Nomi, Ishikawa, 923-1224, Japan
| | - Haruka Kuwata
- Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-Cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8564, Japan
- Hirosaki University Graduate School of Health Science, 66-1 Hon-Cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8564, Japan
| | - Khemruthai Kheamsiri
- Hirosaki University Graduate School of Health Science, 66-1 Hon-Cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8564, Japan
| | - Shinji Tokonami
- Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-Cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8564, Japan
| | - Shinji Ueda
- Department of Radioecology, Institute for Environmental Sciences, 1-7 Ienomae, Obuchi, Rokkasho, Kamikita, Aomori, 039-3212, Japan
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