1
|
Car C, Quevarec L, Gilles A, Réale D, Bonzom JM. Evolutionary approach for pollution study: The case of ionizing radiation. Environ Pollut 2024; 349:123692. [PMID: 38462194 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Estimating the consequences of environmental changes, specifically in a global change context, is essential for conservation issues. In the case of pollutants, the interest in using an evolutionary approach to investigate their consequences has been emphasized since the 2000s, but these studies remain rare compared to the characterization of direct effects on individual features. We focused on the study case of anthropogenic ionizing radiation because, despite its potential strong impact on evolution, the scarcity of evolutionary approaches to study the biological consequences of this stressor is particularly true. In this study, by investigating some particular features of the biological effects of this stressor, and by reviewing existing studies on evolution under ionizing radiation, we suggest that evolutionary approach may help provide an integrative view on the biological consequences of ionizing radiation. We focused on three topics: (i) the mutagenic properties of ionizing radiation and its disruption of evolutionary processes, (ii) exposures at different time scales, leading to an interaction between past and contemporary evolution, and (iii) the special features of contaminated areas called exclusion zones and how evolution could match field and laboratory observed effects. This approach can contribute to answering several key issues in radioecology: to explain species differences in the sensitivity to ionizing radiation, to improve our estimation of the impacts of ionizing radiation on populations, and to help identify the environmental features impacting organisms (e.g., interaction with other pollution, migration of populations, anthropogenic environmental changes). Evolutionary approach would benefit from being integrated to the ecological risk assessment process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Clément Car
- Laboratoire de Recherche sur Les Effets des Radionucléides sur L'écosystème (LECO), Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), Saint-Paul Lèz Durance, France
| | - Loïc Quevarec
- Laboratoire de Recherche sur Les Effets des Radionucléides sur L'écosystème (LECO), Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), Saint-Paul Lèz Durance, France.
| | - André Gilles
- UMR Risques, ECOsystèmes, Vulnérabilité, Environnement, Résilience (RECOVER), Aix-Marseille Université (AMU), Marseille, France
| | - Denis Réale
- Département des Sciences Biologiques, Université Du Québec à Montréal, (UQAM), Montréal, Canada
| | - Jean-Marc Bonzom
- Laboratoire de Recherche sur Les Effets des Radionucléides sur L'écosystème (LECO), Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), Saint-Paul Lèz Durance, France
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Aupiais J, Beccia MR, Monfort M, Den Auwer C. When radiochemistry meets radioecology (the marine environment). Sci Total Environ 2024:173247. [PMID: 38754516 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
After the first atomic bomb test in Alamogordo in July 1945, followed by the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombs in August 1945, radioecology became recognized as a branch of ecology in response to the radioactive fallout associated with the subsequent proliferation of atmospheric nuclear weapons testing which continued throughout the Cold War. In parallel, environmental radiochemistry emerged in the 70s to understand the chemical behavior of possible nuclear contaminants of the environment. In this discussion we stress the need to crosslink radioecology and chemical speciation, where radiochemistry and radioecology should meet to go beyond the present state of the art. Accordingly, we are seeking a methodology that calls for several angles of investigation: speciation (chemistry), toxicology (physiology and biology), accumulation data (environmental studies), distribution (geochemistry).
Collapse
|
3
|
Levchuk S, Howard B, Kashparov V, Yoschenko V, Hurtevent P. Uptake of technetium-99 by food crops under field conditions. J Environ Radioact 2024; 276:107442. [PMID: 38703691 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2024.107442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
Long-term field experiments have been carried out in the Chornobyl Exclusion zone to determine parameters describing technetium (99Tc) transfer into five food plants (Lettuce, Radish, Wheat, Bean, and Potato) from four types of soil, namely Podzoluvisol, Greyzem, Phaeozem, and Chernozem. Technetium was added to the soils under field conditions in a pertechnetate form. In the first two years, soil type had little effect on Tc uptake by plants. In the first and second years after contamination, the concentration ratios (CR), defined as 99Tc activity concentration in the crop (dry weight) divided by that in the soil (dry weight), for radish roots and lettuce leaves ranged from 60 to 210. For potato tubers, the CR was d 0.4-2.3, i.e., two orders of magnitude lower than for radish and lettuce, and for summer wheat grain it was lower at 0.6 ± 0.1. After 8-9 years, root uptake of 99Tc by wheat decreased by 3-7 fold (CR from 0.016 ± 0.005 to 0.12 ± 0.034) and only 13-22 % of the total 99Tc added remained in the upper 20 cm soil layers. The time taken for half of the added 99Tc to be removed from the 20-cm arable soil layer due to vertical migration and transfer to plants was short at c. 2-3 years.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sviatoslav Levchuk
- Ukrainian Institute of Agricultural Radiology (UIAR) of National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine (NUBiP of Ukraine), Mashynobudivnykiv Str.7, Chabany, Kyiv Region, 08162, Ukraine.
| | - Brenda Howard
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology - Lancaster (CEH), Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster, LA1 4AP, UK
| | - Valery Kashparov
- Ukrainian Institute of Agricultural Radiology (UIAR) of National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine (NUBiP of Ukraine), Mashynobudivnykiv Str.7, Chabany, Kyiv Region, 08162, Ukraine
| | - Vasyl Yoschenko
- Ukrainian Institute of Agricultural Radiology (UIAR) of National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine (NUBiP of Ukraine), Mashynobudivnykiv Str.7, Chabany, Kyiv Region, 08162, Ukraine
| | - Pierre Hurtevent
- French Institute of Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN), PRP-ENV/SERIS/L2BT, CE Cadarache bt 186, BP 3, 13115, Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, France
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Raj P, Almakrani M, Foulon F, Padiyath N, El-Naggar A, Voigt G, Semioshkina N. Field-based soil-plant uptake measurements of natural radionuclides for key vegetables and ghaf leaves in Abu Dhabi. J Environ Radioact 2024; 276:107415. [PMID: 38703692 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2024.107415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
With the thriving fossil fuel and nuclear based industries in the nation, radioecology has become necessary for the radiation safety and emergency-preparedness for the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Environmental radiation transport modelling in the UAE and the Arabian Peninsula are severely limited, as we discuss in this paper, due to lack of experiments specific to arid desert climates. To fill the missing gaps in the baseline arid region radioecological database, especially for the soil-plant uptake studies, rigorous field works have been conducted for the first time on the soil and plant in the farms and open fields of the UAE. We present Abu Dhabi based measurements of activity concentrations of radionuclides of natural origins, in soils, key vegetables (cucumber, tomato, and bell pepper), and leaves of ghaf - a prominent native tree. The empirical data are utilized to get the first published estimates of UAE-specific plant-soil concentration ratios (CR), measuring root uptake of radionuclides in nonleafy vegetables and native trees. Such systematic studies are very rare for arid sandy soils. For the 27 samples analyzed, the activity concentrations' (unit Bq kg-1) ranges are: 169-1746 for 40K, 12-19.5 for 226Ra, and 2.7-23.1 for 228Ra. Likewise, wide variability is seen in the averages of concentration ratios also, ranging in 1.05-4.94 for 40K, 0.14-1.82 for 226Ra, and 0.53-2.78 for 228Ra. A net bioaccumulation (concentration ratio >1) of some of these natural radionuclides is found in many samples, but no significant doses or hazard indices are found due to these three radionuclides in the UAE's soils and vegetations. The paper discusses the careful work through tens of field sampling exercises, well controlled sample processing, high resolution gamma spectrometry, and treatment of data from gamma counting rates to accumulated dose rate estimations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Prasoon Raj
- Emirates Nuclear Technology Center (ENTC), Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, Khalifa University, PO box: 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Commonwealth Fusion Systems, 117 Hospital Rd, Devens, MA 01434, Massachusetts, USA.
| | - Maryam Almakrani
- Emirates Nuclear Technology Center (ENTC), Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, Khalifa University, PO box: 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Francois Foulon
- Emirates Nuclear Technology Center (ENTC), Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, Khalifa University, PO box: 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Nemeer Padiyath
- Emirates Nuclear Technology Center (ENTC), Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, Khalifa University, PO box: 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ahmed El-Naggar
- Sustainable Natural Resources Management Section, International Center for Biosaline Agriculture, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Gabriele Voigt
- RadCon GmbH, Am Mittleren Moos, 46A, 86167, Augsburg, Germany
| | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Silva AE, Speakman RJ, Barnes BF, Coyle DR, Leaphart JC, Abernethy EF, Turner KL, Rhodes OE, Beasley JC, Gandhi KJK. Bioaccumulation of contaminants in Scarabaeidae and Silphidae beetles at sites polluted by coal combustion residuals and radiocesium. Sci Total Environ 2023; 904:166821. [PMID: 37678529 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
Anthropogenic contamination from coal-fired power plants and nuclear reactors is a pervasive issue impacting ecosystems across the globe. As a result, it is critical that studies continue to assess the accumulation and effects of trace elements and radionuclides in a diversity of biota. In particular, bioindicator species are a powerful tool for risk assessment of chemically contaminated habitats. Using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and auto-gamma counting, we analyzed trace element and radiocesium contaminant concentrations in Scarabaeidae and Silphidae beetles (Order: Coleoptera), important taxa in decomposition and nutrient cycling, at contaminated and reference sites on the Savannah River Site, South Carolina, U.S. Our results revealed variability in trace element concentrations between Scarabaeidae and Silphidae beetles at uncontaminated and contaminated sites. Compared to Scarabaeidae, Silphidae had higher levels of chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn). Unexpectedly, concentrations of Cr, Cu, and Ni were higher in both taxa at the uncontaminated sites. Scarabaeidae and Silphidae beetles at the coal combustion waste site consistently had high concentrations of arsenic (As), and Scarabaeidae had high concentrations of selenium (Se). Of the 50 beetles analyzed for radiocesium levels, two had elevated radioactivity concentrations, both of which were from a site contaminated with radionuclides. Our results suggest carrion beetles may be particularly sensitive to bioaccumulation of contaminants due to their trophic position and role in decomposition, and thus are useful sentinels of trace element and radionuclide contamination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ansley E Silva
- D.B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, 180 E Green Street, Athens 30602, GA, USA
| | - Robert J Speakman
- Center for Applied Isotopes Studies, University of Georgia, 120 River Bend Road, Athens 30602, GA, USA
| | - Brittany F Barnes
- D.B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, 180 E Green Street, Athens 30602, GA, USA
| | - David R Coyle
- D.B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, 180 E Green Street, Athens 30602, GA, USA; Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation, Clemson University, 121 Lehotsky Hall, Clemson 29634, SC, USA
| | - James C Leaphart
- D.B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, 180 E Green Street, Athens 30602, GA, USA; Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, PO Drawer E, Aiken 29802, SC, USA
| | - Erin F Abernethy
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, PO Drawer E, Aiken 29802, SC, USA; Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, 140 E. Green Street, Athens 30602, GA, USA
| | - Kelsey L Turner
- D.B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, 180 E Green Street, Athens 30602, GA, USA; Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, PO Drawer E, Aiken 29802, SC, USA
| | - Olin E Rhodes
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, PO Drawer E, Aiken 29802, SC, USA; Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, 140 E. Green Street, Athens 30602, GA, USA
| | - James C Beasley
- D.B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, 180 E Green Street, Athens 30602, GA, USA; Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, PO Drawer E, Aiken 29802, SC, USA
| | - Kamal J K Gandhi
- D.B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, 180 E Green Street, Athens 30602, GA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
de With G, Vives I Batlle J, Bezhenar R, Maderich V, Pérez FF, Tacu A. Comparison of methods for the radiological impact assessment of aquatic releases to the waters in the low countries. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity 2023; 270:107271. [PMID: 37586186 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2023.107271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Accurate assessment of the radiological impact of liquid discharges on the marine environment is challenging despite all developments in recent years. The lack of consensus on this type of assessment manifests itself even stronger when transborder issues are expected, such as in the Low Countries. Belgium and the Netherlands operate nuclear power plants with discharges in the shared estuary of the Western Scheldt, therefore if there are safety concerns, information on both sides of the border must be coherent. This work provides a comparison of two computational methods used for assessment of aquatic releases in the Western Scheldt estuary and the adjacent North Sea.The work demonstrates a fair degree of consistency in modelling the uptake and fate of key anthropogenic radionuclides. Nevertheless, there are also considerable differences found in sediment and sea species with concentrations ranging by over two orders of magnitude in some cases. These explainable differences are methodological in nature, occurring in codes that underwent extensive validation during development. Therefore, the outcomes of this work clearly demonstrate the need to produce explicit guidance that is specifically tailored to the (inter)national water system of concern. This should not be limited to releases from nuclear power plants, but also include other nuclear applications. For all these reasons, more intensive collaboration and model harmonisation across borders is essential, signalling the direction for future investigations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- G de With
- Nuclear Research and Consultancy Group (NRG), Utrechtseweg 310, NL-6800, ES Arnhem, the Netherlands.
| | - J Vives I Batlle
- Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, Boeretang 200, BE-2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - R Bezhenar
- Institute of Mathematical Machine and System Problems, Glushkov Av., 42, Kyiv, 03187, Ukraine
| | - V Maderich
- Institute of Mathematical Machine and System Problems, Glushkov Av., 42, Kyiv, 03187, Ukraine
| | | | - A Tacu
- Nuclear Research and Consultancy Group (NRG), Utrechtseweg 310, NL-6800, ES Arnhem, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
MacIntosh A, Dafforn K, Penrose B, Chariton A, Cresswell T. Assessing the ecological impacts of NORM-contaminated scale on marine infauna using sediment microcosms. Chemosphere 2023; 340:139939. [PMID: 37625489 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.139939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
Naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMs) can be found in decommissioned oil and gas infrastructure (e.g. pipelines), including scales. The effects of NORM contaminants from offshore infrastructure on benthic macroorganisms remain poorly understood. To test the potential ecological effects of NORM-contaminated scale, we exposed a marine amphipod, a clam and a polychaete to marine sediments spiked with low level concentrations of barium sulfate scale retrieved from a decommissioned subsea pipe. Only amphipods were included in further analysis due to treatment mortalities of the clam and polychaete. Barium (Ba) and copper (Cu) were elevated in the seawater overlying the spiked sediments, although no sediment metals exceeded guidelines. 210Po was the only NORM detected in the overlying waters while both 210Po and 226Ra were significantly elevated in the scale-contaminated sediments when compared with the control sediments. The whole-body burden of Ba and 226Ra were significantly higher in the scale-exposed amphipods. Using experiment- and scale-specific parameters in biota dose assessments suggested potential dose rates may elicit individual and population level effects. Future work is needed to assess the biological impacts and effects of NORM scale at elevated levels above background concentrations and the accumulation of NORM-associated contaminants by marine organisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amy MacIntosh
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), Lucas Heights, Locked Bag 2001, NSW, 2232, Australia; School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Katherine Dafforn
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Beth Penrose
- Charles Darwin University (CDU), Research Institute of Northern Agriculture and Drought Resilience (RINA), Charles Darwin University, Casuarina, 0810, NT, Australia
| | - Anthony Chariton
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Tom Cresswell
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), Lucas Heights, Locked Bag 2001, NSW, 2232, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Majlesi S, Roivainen P, Kasurinen A, Tuovinen T, Juutilainen J. Transfer of elements from soil to earthworms and ground beetles in boreal forest. Radiat Environ Biophys 2023:10.1007/s00411-023-01027-2. [PMID: 37067570 DOI: 10.1007/s00411-023-01027-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Data on the transfer of elements (such as heavy metals) and their radionuclides into organisms is needed for assessing environmental risks. The current data on many elements, species and environments is limited, but more information can be obtained both from field studies and experimental laboratory studies. However, it is essential to evaluate whether experimental studies adequately predict transfer in natural conditions. Moreover, because of the sparsity of species-specific empirical data, it is a common practice in current radioecological modelling to use data available for related species under the assumption that transfer into organisms is similar within broader taxonomic groups. Earthworms and ground beetles are examples of important invertebrates living near soil surface in terrestrial ecosystems. In this study, the transfer of 34 elements from soil to these organisms was studied in a field study conducted in boreal forest. The earthworm concentrations were compared to the values obtained in an experimental mesocosm study using soil from the field site and were found to be highly correlated. This indicates that the results of mesocosm studies can be used for predicting the transfer of elements from soil to fauna in natural conditions. Furthermore, concentrations in individual earthworm and beetle species were found to be similar to those observed in broader groups of related species, indicating that the generic approach used in current radioecological models may be useful for predicting uptake of elements into single species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Soroush Majlesi
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, 70211, Kuopio, Finland.
| | - Päivi Roivainen
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, 70211, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Anne Kasurinen
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, 70211, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Tiina Tuovinen
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, 70211, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Jukka Juutilainen
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, 70211, Kuopio, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Maringer FJ, Kadan R, Landstetter C, Lindner-Leschinski EM, Kleinrath L, Korner M, Redl A, Wiedner H. Radionuclide metrology methods and analysis of the Joint Danube Survey 4 sediment samples. Appl Radiat Isot 2023; 196:110780. [PMID: 36958079 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2023.110780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023]
Abstract
This low-level radionuclide metrology research work was carried out within the Joint Danube Survey 4 (JDS4), coordinated in 2018-2020 by the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR). The gamma-emitting radionuclides of the sediment samples were analysed by low-level gamma-ray spectrometry. The activity concentration of 90Sr was determined by liquid scintillation counting (LSC) after isolating the radio-strontium using a new radiochemical separation method. The results of the radiometric analysis of 90Sr, 137Cs and naturally occurring radionuclides 40K, 210Pb, 226Ra, 228Ra in recent riverbed sediment are presented and discussed focused on public health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Franz Josef Maringer
- BOKU - University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Peter Jordan Straße 82, 1190, Wien, Austria; TU Wien - University of Technology Vienna, Karlsplatz 13, 1040, Wien, Austria.
| | - Rainer Kadan
- AGES - Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, Spargelfeldstraße 191, 1220, Wien, Austria
| | - Claudia Landstetter
- AGES - Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, Spargelfeldstraße 191, 1220, Wien, Austria
| | | | - Lisa Kleinrath
- TU Wien - University of Technology Vienna, Karlsplatz 13, 1040, Wien, Austria
| | - Martin Korner
- AGES - Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, Spargelfeldstraße 191, 1220, Wien, Austria
| | - Alexander Redl
- TU Wien - University of Technology Vienna, Karlsplatz 13, 1040, Wien, Austria
| | - Hannah Wiedner
- Labor für Strahlenschutz, Magistratsabteilung 39, Stadt Wien, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1190, Wien, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Zakharikhina LV, Shevelev SG. Role of alkaline barriers in radionuclide distribution in river valley environments on the Russian Black Sea coast. J Environ Radioact 2022; 251-252:106952. [PMID: 35797903 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2022.106952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
This paper reports on the radioecological properties of environmental components in the Mzymta and Sochi River valleys on the Russian Black Sea coast. The environmental components covered are river sediments, alluvial soils, mosses, and fluvial water. Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to determine the distribution patterns of Th and U stemming from two geochemical alkaline barriers present in the river valleys. One is a calcium barrier resulting from the metamorphic transition from neutral mudstones to alkaline carbonate rocks. The other is a sodium barrier formed in estuaries under the influence of Na-rich tidal seawater. The sodium barrier was responsible for an increase in Th and U concentrations in river water, a slight decrease in soil and sediments, and strong sorption on mosses. The calcium barrier reduced Th and U concentrations in river water, but increased them in soil and mosses. In the Sochi River valley, the content of calcium in the components of the natural environment is higher compared to the Mzymta River valley and, on average, 4 times higher in the river water. This factor determines the relatively high Th and U content in the natural environment of the Sochi River valley, as these radionuclides are easily extracted from the mineral component of river water by carbonate solutions. On the whole, the radioecological status of the river valleys was recognized as favourable. Gamma radiation exposure dose rate near the surface (20-27 μR/h or less in mountainous areas and 9-17 μR/h in the lowlands) was below the natural level typical for open mountainous areas of central Russia. River sediments in both valleys had low radionuclide concentrations based on the specific activities of naturally occurring radionuclides 226Ra, 228Ra, 224Ra, 232Th, and 40K. In similar river basins that may be targeted for future development, accumulation of Th and U in soil and mosses on calcium barriers and elevated concentrations in river water on sodium barriers should be expected.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lalita V Zakharikhina
- Federal Research Centre the Subtropical Scientific Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 2/28 Jānis Fabriciuss, Krasnodar Krai, Sochi, 354002, Russia.
| | - Sergey G Shevelev
- Federal State Budgetary Institution "Caucasian State Biosphere Natural Reserve named after KH.G. Shaposhnikova, 8 Karl Marx Street, Krasnodar Krai, Sochi, Adler district, 354340, Russia.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Raj P, Padiyath N, Semioshkina N, Addad Y, Foulon F, Francis D, Voigt G. Conceptualization of arid region radioecology strategies for agricultural ecosystems of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Sci Total Environ 2022; 832:154965. [PMID: 35381239 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Since the last decade, ambitious nuclear power programmes have begun maturing in the Arab countries, most importantly in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The region's environment and population, therefore, are prone to adverse, long-term impacts of radionuclide discharges. To calculate the associated exposure scenarios, to estimate doses and their consequences, and finally, to lay out a radiological emergency management plan, arid region radioecology is taking shape in the UAE as a major field of research. Geography, demography, food habits, weather, soil, water, flora, and fauna of the desert-marine regions are quite distinct from their temperate counterparts. This results in the need to increase the knowhows of environmental migration and bioaccumulation of radionuclides in the region's agricultural ecosystems. In this paper, we present a detailed review of the measured data from the UAE and nearby nations, generating insights for the soil radioactivity and soil-to-plant transfer phenomena under local arid conditions. In the literature, the radionuclide activity concentrations (in Bq kg-1) vary over five orders of magnitude depending on nuclide type, sample type, and locality. Variabilities over six orders of magnitude are observed for transfer parameters too, and in-depth studies on the transfer mechanisms are usually scarce. We discuss the recent progresses made in root and foliar uptake studies with methods relatively new to sandy soils, like controlled potting, and soil Kd measurements. Showing the serious gaps in the data and interpretations, we provide a justification for the immediate experimentation in the understudied aspects of radioecology in the UAE and in arid lands in general.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Prasoon Raj
- Emirates Nuclear Technology Center (ENTC), Department of Nuclear Engineering, Khalifa University, PO box: 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Nemeer Padiyath
- Emirates Nuclear Technology Center (ENTC), Department of Nuclear Engineering, Khalifa University, PO box: 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | | | - Yacine Addad
- Emirates Nuclear Technology Center (ENTC), Department of Nuclear Engineering, Khalifa University, PO box: 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Francois Foulon
- Emirates Nuclear Technology Center (ENTC), Department of Nuclear Engineering, Khalifa University, PO box: 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Diana Francis
- Emirates Nuclear Technology Center (ENTC), Department of Nuclear Engineering, Khalifa University, PO box: 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Gabriele Voigt
- Cognitive Radioecology, r.e.m. GbR, Liebigstr. 3, 80538 Munich, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Roivainen P, Muurinen SM, Sorvari J, Juutilainen J, Naarala J, Salomaa S. Transfer of elements into boreal forest ants at a former uranium mining site. Environ Pollut 2022; 304:119231. [PMID: 35358630 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Ants can influence ecological processes, such as the transfer of elements or radionuclides, in several ways. For example, they redistribute materials while foraging and maintaining their nests and have an important role in terrestrial food webs. Quantitative data of the transfer of elements into ants is needed, e.g., for developing improved radioecological models. In this study, samples of red wood ants (genus Formica), nest material, litter and soil were collected from a former uranium mining site in Eastern Finland. Concentrations of 33 elements were analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectroscopy/Optical Emission Spectroscopy. Estimated element concentrations in spruce needles were used as a proxy for studying the transfer of elements into ants via aphids because spruces host the most important aphid farms in boreal forests. Empirically determined organism/medium concentration ratios (CRs) are commonly used in radioecological models. Ant/soil CRs were calculated and the validity of the fundamental assumption behind the of use of CRs (linear transfer) was evaluated. Elements that accumulated in ants in comparison to other compartments were cadmium, potassium, phosphorus, sulfur, and zinc. Ant uranium concentrations were low in comparison to soil, litter, or nest material but slightly elevated in comparison to spruce needles. Ant element concentrations were quite constant regardless of the soil concentrations. Non-linear transfer models could therefore describe the soil-to-ant transfer better than conventional CRs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Päivi Roivainen
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland; Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK), P.O. Box 14, 00811 Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Saara-Maria Muurinen
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland; Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK), P.O. Box 14, 00811 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jouni Sorvari
- Department of Biology, University of Turku, 20014 Turku, Finland
| | - Jukka Juutilainen
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Jonne Naarala
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Sisko Salomaa
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland; Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK), P.O. Box 14, 00811 Helsinki, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Majlesi S, Akkanen J, Roivainen P, Tuovinen TS, Sorvari J, Naarala J, Juutilainen J. Transfer of elements relevant to radioactive waste into chironomids and fish in boreal freshwater bodies. Sci Total Environ 2021; 791:148218. [PMID: 34119794 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Information on transfer of elements and their radionuclides is essential for radioecological modeling. In the present study, we investigated the transfer of Cl, Co, Mo, Ni, Se, Sr, U and Zn in a boreal freshwater food chain. These elements were selected on the basis that they have important radionuclides that might be released into the biosphere from various stages of the nuclear fuel cycle. Water, sediment, chironomid larvae (Chironomus sp.), roach (Rutilus rutilus) and perch (Perca fluviatilis) were sampled from two ponds near a former uranium mine and one reference pond located further away from the mining area. Concentrations measured in water, sediment and the three animal species indicated the importance of sediment as a source of uptake for most of the elements (but not Cl). This should be considered in radioecological models, which conventionally predict concentration in aquatic organisms from concentration in water. The results also show that the assumption of linear transfer (constant concentration ratio) may not be valid for elements into fish. The results of this study show that further basic research is needed to understand the fundamental processes involved in transfer of elements into freshwater organisms in order to develop radioecological models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Soroush Majlesi
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, PO Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland.
| | - Jarkko Akkanen
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, PO Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland
| | - Päivi Roivainen
- Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, PO Box 14, FI-00811 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tiina S Tuovinen
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, PO Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Jouni Sorvari
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, PO Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland; Department of Biology, University of Turku, FI-20014 Turku, Finland
| | - Jonne Naarala
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, PO Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Jukka Juutilainen
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, PO Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Monte L. A few considerations on some current modelling approaches to assess the impact of radiation on the population size of wildlife species. J Environ Radioact 2021; 237:106686. [PMID: 34171791 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2021.106686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
This note outlines some features of current state-of-the-art models aimed at assessing the radiological impact on wildlife. Such models can be interpreted as particular realisations of an archetypal model from which they can be derived on the basis of specific hypotheses described and analysed here. A stressor can influence, to varying degrees, on the one hand, the inherent biological mortality of a species and, on the other hand, the actual mortality of a species competing for survival in the ecosystem. Generally, the actual mortality rate of a species impacted by a stressor is linked through complicated mathematical relationships to the excess biological mortality caused by the stressor. Such relationships may depend on the particular type of model. The models can be of help to select criteria for the assessment of the radiological impact and to identify suitable parameters for its evaluation.
Collapse
|
15
|
Holmerin I, Kiel Jensen L, Hevrøy T, Bradshaw C. Trophic Transfer of Radioactive Micronutrients in a Shallow Benthic Food Web. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021; 40:1694-1705. [PMID: 33620102 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Revised: 08/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The Baltic Sea is one of the most polluted seas in the world, with widespread eutrophication and radionuclide contamination. Using key species of the Baltic Sea, the effects of eutrophication on uptake and trophic transfer of the radioactive micronutrients commonly found in nuclear power plant effluents were investigated experimentally using the brown macroalgae Fucus vesiculosus and the grazers Idotea balthica and Theodoxus fluviatilis in a controlled environment. Rapid uptake of 54 Mn, 57 Co, and 65 Zn from water was observed in all biota; and eutrophication combined with grazing pressure strongly influenced the uptake in F. vesiculosus. Uptake of 54 Mn, 57 Co, and 65 Zn to I. balthica and T. fluviatilis grazing on F. vesiculosus were also observed. The results indicate that ecosystems could be open for further trophic transfer as radionuclides accumulate quickly in the producers and are transferred to primary consumers. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:1694-1705. © 2021 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isak Holmerin
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm, Stockholm University, Sweden
| | | | - Tanya Hevrøy
- Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, Oslo, Norway
- CERAD Center of Excellence in Environmental Radioactivity, Ås, Norway
| | - Clare Bradshaw
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm, Stockholm University, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Majlesi S, Juutilainen J, Trubnikova T, Biasi C. Content of soil-derived carbon in soil biota and fauna living near soil surface: Implications for radioactive waste. J Environ Radioact 2020; 225:106450. [PMID: 33096276 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2020.106450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
14C is known as one of the radionuclides that have potential to be released into the biosphere from radioactive waste repositories and taken up by organisms. In this study, we used a novel approach to investigate the proportion of soil organic carbon (SOC) in invertebrates and microbial biomass. The study was conducted on a peatland site after the end of peat extraction. There was a large difference in the isotopic abundance of 14C between the 8000-year-old peat and air. We used a two-pool isotope mixing model to reveal the fraction of soil-derived C in the organisms and in dissolved organic carbon in soil water. The contribution of soil-derived C was found to be highest in microbial biomass (61%) and earthworms (22%). Some contribution of soil-derived C was detected in fungus gnats (2%), but not in other insects or in spiders. These findings are important for developing evidence-based radioecological models based on correct understanding of the relative contributions of atmospheric C vs. SOC in organisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Soroush Majlesi
- University of Eastern Finland, Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211, Kuopio, Finland.
| | - Jukka Juutilainen
- University of Eastern Finland, Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Tatiana Trubnikova
- University of Eastern Finland, Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Christina Biasi
- University of Eastern Finland, Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211, Kuopio, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Rhodes OE, Bréchignac F, Bradshaw C, Hinton TG, Mothersill C, Arnone JA, Aubrey DP, Barnthouse LW, Beasley JC, Bonisoli-Alquati A, Boring LR, Bryan AL, Capps KA, Clément B, Coleman A, Condon C, Coutelot F, DeVol T, Dharmarajan G, Fletcher D, Flynn W, Gladfelder G, Glenn TC, Hendricks S, Ishida K, Jannik T, Kapustka L, Kautsky U, Kennamer R, Kuhne W, Lance S, Laptyev G, Love C, Manglass L, Martinez N, Mathews T, McKee A, McShea W, Mihok S, Mills G, Parrott B, Powell B, Pryakhin E, Rypstra A, Scott D, Seaman J, Seymour C, Shkvyria M, Ward A, White D, Wood MD, Zimmerman JK. Integration of ecosystem science into radioecology: A consensus perspective. Sci Total Environ 2020; 740:140031. [PMID: 32559536 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
In the Fall of 2016 a workshop was held which brought together over 50 scientists from the ecological and radiological fields to discuss feasibility and challenges of reintegrating ecosystem science into radioecology. There is a growing desire to incorporate attributes of ecosystem science into radiological risk assessment and radioecological research more generally, fueled by recent advances in quantification of emergent ecosystem attributes and the desire to accurately reflect impacts of radiological stressors upon ecosystem function. This paper is a synthesis of the discussions and consensus of the workshop participant's responses to three primary questions, which were: 1) How can ecosystem science support radiological risk assessment? 2) What ecosystem level endpoints potentially could be used for radiological risk assessment? and 3) What inference strategies and associated methods would be most appropriate to assess the effects of radionuclides on ecosystem structure and function? The consensus of the participants was that ecosystem science can and should support radiological risk assessment through the incorporation of quantitative metrics that reflect ecosystem functions which are sensitive to radiological contaminants. The participants also agreed that many such endpoints exit or are thought to exit and while many are used in ecological risk assessment currently, additional data need to be collected that link the causal mechanisms of radiological exposure to these endpoints. Finally, the participants agreed that radiological risk assessments must be designed and informed by rigorous statistical frameworks capable of revealing the causal inference tying radiological exposure to the endpoints selected for measurement.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olin E Rhodes
- Savannah River Ecology Lab, Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802, United States of America.
| | - Francois Bréchignac
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, International Union of Radioecology, Center of Cadarache, Bldg 159, BP 1, 13115 St Paul-lez-Durance cedex, France
| | - Clare Bradshaw
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Thomas G Hinton
- Institute of Environmental Radioactivity, 1 Kanayagawa, Fukushima University, Fukushima 960-1296, Japan
| | | | - John A Arnone
- Division of Earth and Ecosystem Sciences Desert Research Institute, 2215 Raggio Parkway, Reno, NV 89512, United States of America
| | - Doug P Aubrey
- Savannah River Ecology Lab, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802, United States of America
| | - Lawrence W Barnthouse
- LWB Environmental Services, Inc., 1620 New London Rd., Hamilton, OH 45013, United States of America
| | - James C Beasley
- Savannah River Ecology Lab, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802, United States of America
| | - Andrea Bonisoli-Alquati
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, Pomona, CA 91768, United States of America
| | - Lindsay R Boring
- Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center, #988 Jones Center Dr., Newton, GA 39870, United States of America
| | - Albert L Bryan
- Savannah River Ecology Lab, Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802, United States of America
| | - Krista A Capps
- Savannah River Ecology Lab, Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802, United States of America; Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States of America
| | - Bernard Clément
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, ENTPE, UMR5023 LEHNA, F-69518, rue Maurice Audin, Vaulx-en-Velin, France
| | - Austin Coleman
- Savannah River Ecology Lab, Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802, United States of America
| | - Caitlin Condon
- School of Nuclear Science and Engineering, 100 Radiation Center, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, United States of America
| | - Fanny Coutelot
- Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, 342 Computer Ct., Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29625, United States of America
| | - Timothy DeVol
- Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, 342 Computer Ct., Clemson University, Anderson, SC 29625-6510, United States of America
| | - Guha Dharmarajan
- Savannah River Ecology Lab, Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802, United States of America
| | - Dean Fletcher
- Savannah River Ecology Lab, Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802, United States of America
| | - Wes Flynn
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, 715 W State Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907, United States of America
| | - Garth Gladfelder
- School of Nuclear Science and Engineering, 100 Radiation Center, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, United States of America
| | - Travis C Glenn
- Department of Environmental Health Science, Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States of America
| | - Susan Hendricks
- Hancock Biological Station, 561 Emma Dr., Murray State University, Murray, KY 42071, United States of America
| | - Ken Ishida
- The University of Tokyo, Yokoze, 6632-12, Yokoze-town, Chichibu-gun, 368-0072, Japan
| | - Tim Jannik
- Savannah River National Laboratory, SRS Bldg. 999-W, Room 312, Aiken, SC 29808, United States of America
| | - Larry Kapustka
- LK Consultancy, P.O Box 373, 100 202 Blacklock Way SW, Turner Valley, Alberta T0L 2A0, Canada
| | - Ulrik Kautsky
- Svensk Kärnbränslehantering AB, PO Box 3091, SE-169 03 Solna, Sweden
| | - Robert Kennamer
- Savannah River Ecology Lab, Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802, United States of America
| | - Wendy Kuhne
- Savannah River National Laboratory, 735-A, B-102, Aiken, SC 29808, United States of America
| | - Stacey Lance
- Savannah River Ecology Lab, Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802, United States of America
| | - Gennadiy Laptyev
- Ukrainian HydroMeteorological Institute, 37 Prospekt Nauki, Kiev 02038, Ukraine
| | - Cara Love
- Savannah River Ecology Lab, Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802, United States of America
| | - Lisa Manglass
- Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, 342 Computer Ct., Clemson University, Anderson, SC 29625-6510, United States of America
| | - Nicole Martinez
- Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, 342 Computer Ct., Clemson University, Anderson, SC 29625-6510, United States of America
| | - Teresa Mathews
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory, One Bethel Valley Rd., Oak Ridge, TN 37831, United States of America
| | - Arthur McKee
- Flathead Lake Biological Station, 32125 Bio Station Lane, Polson, MT 59860, United States of America
| | - William McShea
- Smithsonian's Conservation Biology Institute, 1500 Remount Rd., Front Royal, VA 22630, United States of America
| | - Steve Mihok
- Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, P.O. Box 1046, Station B, 280 Slater St., Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5S9, Canada
| | - Gary Mills
- Savannah River Ecology Lab, Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802, United States of America
| | - Ben Parrott
- Savannah River Ecology Lab, Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802, United States of America
| | - Brian Powell
- Department of Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, 342 Computer Ct., Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29625, United States of America; Savannah River National Laboratory, Aiken, SC 29808, United States of America
| | - Evgeny Pryakhin
- Urals Research Center for Radiation Medicine, Vorovsky Str., 68a, Chelyabinsk 454141, Russia
| | - Ann Rypstra
- Ecology Research Center, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, United States of America
| | - David Scott
- Savannah River Ecology Lab, Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802, United States of America
| | - John Seaman
- Savannah River Ecology Lab, Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802, United States of America
| | - Colin Seymour
- Dept. of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Maryna Shkvyria
- Kyiv zoological park of national importance, prosp. Peremohy, 32, Kyiv 04116, Ukraine
| | - Amelia Ward
- Department of Biological Sciences, PO Box 870344, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, United States of America
| | - David White
- Hancock Biological Station, 561 Emma Dr., Murray State University, Murray, KY 42071, United States of America
| | - Michael D Wood
- School of Science, Engineering & Environment, University of Salford, Salford M5 4WT. United Kingdom
| | - Jess K Zimmerman
- University of Puerto Rico, #17 Ave Universidad, San Juan 00925, Puerto Rico
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Khomutinin Y, Fesenko S, Levchuk S, Zhebrovska K, Kashparov V. Optimising sampling strategies for emergency response: Soil sampling. J Environ Radioact 2020; 222:106344. [PMID: 32892902 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2020.106344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Revised: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The novel approach for optimising soil sampling strategies in areas affected by radionuclides is suggested. Major factors influencing the efficiency of soil sampling strategies, including (number of samples, sampling area size, sampling depth and spatial resolution of the sample sites are examined to provide optimisation of the soil sampling plan. The experimental field studies to validate the suggested approach were performed in 25 sampling units ranging from 1.2 × 1.2 m to 60 × 60 m size. The sampling units were selected on arable farmlands, natural meadow and former agricultural land), as well as coniferous and deciduous forests with contamination density of 137Cs ranging from 2.8 kBq·m-2 to 24.5 MBq·m-2. The studied areas were contaminated by both the global fallout and the Chernobyl radioactive particles of different types. To determine the values of standard deviation of the log of the soil contamination density of 137Cs, 25 to 256 soil samples were collected with an increment of 0.07-10 m within each sampling unit. It was found that the values of standard deviation of the log of the soil contamination density of 137Cs were not dependent on the mean contamination density, the type of radioactive deposition and the landscape features. The mean value of standard deviation calculated for all sites studied was estimated as 0.44 ± 0.15 and 0.30 ± 0.10 for the sampling area 0.001 m2 (∅37 mm) and 0.005 m2 (∅80 mm) at the relative measurement uncertainties lower than 10% (CI = 95%). Concentrations of 137Cs in the soil samples were statistically independent when sampling points were situated at a distance larger than 1 m one from each other. A simple method was developed for assessing minimum sample sizes required for estimation of the median or the geometric mean of radionuclide soil contamination with a relative uncertainty set by the user. The approach was also suggested for estimation of the uncertainty of soil contamination for the case of composite samples. The approach was implemented in the Ukrainian national requirements for assessment of quality of the soil.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu Khomutinin
- Institute of Agricultural Radiology, National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - S Fesenko
- Russian Institute of Radiology and Agroecology, Obninsk, Russian Federation
| | - S Levchuk
- Institute of Agricultural Radiology, National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine.
| | - K Zhebrovska
- State Institution «Institute of Environmental Geochemistry of NAS of Ukraine», Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - V Kashparov
- Institute of Agricultural Radiology, National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine; CERAD CoE Environmental Radioactivity/Department of Environmental Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 1432, Aas, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Babić D, Skoko B, Franić Z, Senčar J, Šoštarić M, Petroci L, Avdić M, Kovačić M, Branica G, Petrinec B, Bituh T, Franulović I, Marović G. Baseline radioecological data for the soil and selected bioindicator organisms in the temperate forest of Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2020; 27:21040-21056. [PMID: 32266621 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-08369-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to provide baseline radioecological data for the temperate forest ecosystem in Plitvice Lakes National Park. Emphasis was placed on the determination of naturally occurring radionuclides since there is an acknowledged lack of data for these radionuclides in non-accident conditions in wildlife, even for bioindicator organisms. Activity concentrations of 238U, 226Ra, 210Pb, 232Th, 40K, 134Cs, and 137Cs were measured by gamma spectrometry in soil and bioindicators: earthworms, conifer needles, mosses, and lichens. From the measured activity concentrations, concentration ratios were calculated to quantify the transfer of these radionuclides from soil to bioindicators. Our results show that soil activity concentrations are biased toward results from other studies conducted within the Dinaric mountain region. However, in moss and lichen samples, we measured higher activity concentrations of 226Ra and lower activity concentrations of 40K and 137Cs in comparison to similar studies. Also, we estimated lower concentration ratios for all radionuclides from soil to these organisms, except for 210Pb, in comparison to generic values. The transfer of 238U was generally low for all of the bioindicator organisms. For conifer needles, a correlation was found between activity concentrations of 226Ra and 137Cs in soil and related concentration ratios. Correlation was also found between the activity concentration of 40K in soil and transfer of 40K and 137Cs to mosses and lichens. A comparison with literature data highlighted the lack of 226Ra related concentration ratios for conifer trees and especially for earthworms. Therefore, the results of this study could supplement the sparse data currently available on radionuclide background data in similar ecosystems and related soil-to-wildlife transfer of radionuclides. Dose rate assessments, performed by the ERICA Tool, estimated that 96% of the overall exposure of wildlife in the Park area is due to the background dose rates, while 0.06 μGy h-1 on average can be attributed as an incremental dose rate from 134Cs and 137Cs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dinko Babić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Božena Skoko
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Zdenko Franić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Jasminka Senčar
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Marko Šoštarić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ljerka Petroci
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Mak Avdić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Milica Kovačić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Gina Branica
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Branko Petrinec
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Tomislav Bituh
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Iva Franulović
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Gordana Marović
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Kashirsky V, Shatrov A, Zvereva I, Lukashenko S. Development of a method for studying 241Pu/ 241Am activity ratio in the soil of the main Semipalatinsk test site areas. J Environ Radioact 2020; 216:106181. [PMID: 32056789 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2020.106181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Revised: 01/25/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The methodology for determination of 241Pu in soils of the main test sites of the Semipalatinsk Test Site (STS) has been developed. The results of 241Am and 241Pu activity determination in soil samples sampled at the main testing sites of the STS are presented. 241Pu/241Am activity ratio is calculated. In most cases, on local sites, 241Pu/241Am activity ratio is in a rather narrow range, which makes it possible to estimate 241Pu activity based on the results of 241Am gamma-spectrometric analysis. The accuracy of 241Pu activity estimation using this method will be about 50%, which is quite enough in most cases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir Kashirsky
- Institute of Radiation Safety and Ecology of the National Nuclear Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kurchatov, Kazakhstan, Russia
| | - Anton Shatrov
- Institute of Radiation Safety and Ecology of the National Nuclear Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kurchatov, Kazakhstan, Russia
| | - Irina Zvereva
- Institute of Radiation Safety and Ecology of the National Nuclear Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kurchatov, Kazakhstan, Russia.
| | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
Kashparova E, Levchuk S, Morozova V, Kashparov V. A dose rate causes no fluctuating asymmetry indexes changes in silver birch (Betula pendula (L.) Roth.) leaves and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) needles in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. J Environ Radioact 2020; 211:105731. [PMID: 29880300 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2018.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2017] [Revised: 01/18/2018] [Accepted: 05/16/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The assessment of the fluctuating asymmetry based on measurement of the parameters of left and right parts of silver birch (Betula pendula (L.) Roth.) leaves and relative sizes of pairs of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) needles from the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone (ChEZ) was carried out. Twelve samples of both birch leaves and pairs of needles were collected from 10 trees at 5 sites in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone and also at one control site located outside the ChEZ. Values of gamma dose rate in the air varied between the sites from 0.1 to 40 μGy h-1. Activity concentrations of 90Sr and 137Cs in the birch leaves varied over the range of 0.9÷2460 kBq kg-1 and 0.1÷339 kBq·kg-1 (DW), respectively. In addition to the above, in the Scots pine needles, these ranges were 0.7 ÷1970 kBq kg-1f for 90Sr and 0.1÷78 kBq kg-1 (DW) for 137Cs. From the values of the radionuclides activity concentrations in the plants, the internal dose rate is estimated to be in the range of 0.1 ÷ 274 μGy h-1. The main sources of the internal dose rate were radiation of 90Sr and 90Y. Indices of fluctuating asymmetry of silver birch leaves and Scots pine needles varied over the range of 0.048 ± 0.007 ÷ 0.060 ± 0.009 and 0.014 ± 0.002 ÷ 0.018 ± 0.002, respectively, and did not statistically differ for all experimental sites. The indices also did not depend on the external or internal dose rate of ionizing radiation for plants. The above findings seem to be consistent with other research effort in terms of understanding the response of organisms to chronic pollutant exposure and the long-term effects of large scale nuclear accidents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elena Kashparova
- Ukrainian Institute of Agricultural Radiology of National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, Mashinobudivnykiv str. 7, Chabany, Kyiv region, 08162, Ukraine
| | - Sviatoslav Levchuk
- Ukrainian Institute of Agricultural Radiology of National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, Mashinobudivnykiv str. 7, Chabany, Kyiv region, 08162, Ukraine
| | - Valeriia Morozova
- Ukrainian Institute of Agricultural Radiology of National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, Mashinobudivnykiv str. 7, Chabany, Kyiv region, 08162, Ukraine.
| | - Valery Kashparov
- Ukrainian Institute of Agricultural Radiology of National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, Mashinobudivnykiv str. 7, Chabany, Kyiv region, 08162, Ukraine
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Takahashi J, Onda Y, Hihara D, Tamura K. Six-year monitoring of the vertical distribution of radiocesium in three forest soils after the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident. J Environ Radioact 2019; 210:105811. [PMID: 30377022 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2018.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2017] [Revised: 05/31/2018] [Accepted: 06/22/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
After the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident on March 2011, several studies showed that the downward migration of 137Cs from litter to mineral soil is more rapid in forests in Fukushima than in forests affected by the Chernobyl accident. Therefore, the downward migration within mineral soil layers is more important for predicting long-term dynamics of 137Cs in forest ecosystems in Fukushima. In the present study, we monitored the detailed vertical distribution of 137Cs in litter and soil layers for 6 y (2011-2017) following the previous study (2011-2012), and found that temporal changes in those distributions were different among mixed forest (MF), mature cedar (MC) and young cedar (YC) forests. The 137Cs concentrations and inventories in the litter layer exponentially decreased with time for all sites, with more than 80-95% of the deposited 137Cs on the forest floor distributed in mineral soil layers by 2017. The percentage of 137Cs inventory in the litter layer to the total 137Cs inventory in litter and mineral soil layers was well fitted by a single exponential equation with decreasing rate of 0.22-0.44 y-1. The slower migration was observed in the YC site, probably because of higher initial interception of 137Cs fallout by dense canopy. As the downward migration from litter to mineral soil progressed, the 137Cs concentration in the first few cm of mineral soil surface gradually increased and became higher than the 137Cs concentration in the litter within 2-3 y of the accident. The 137Cs concentration in mineral soil layers exponentially decreased with depth throughout survey period, and an exponential equation fitted well. The relaxation depth of 137Cs concentration in mineral soil layers estimated by the exponential equation were constantly increasing in the MC and YC sites with 0.08 cm y-1. In contrast, there was no temporal increase in the relaxation depth in the MF site, indicating little migration to subsurface soil layer from not only litter layer but also surface soil layer. Further studies are necessary to identify the forests prone to the downward migration of 137Cs and its factors regarding both forest and soil characteristics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Junko Takahashi
- Center for Research in Isotopes and Environmental Dynamics, University of Tsukuba, Japan.
| | - Yuichi Onda
- Center for Research in Isotopes and Environmental Dynamics, University of Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Daichi Hihara
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Kenji Tamura
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Newbold LK, Robinson A, Rasnaca I, Lahive E, Soon GH, Lapied E, Oughton D, Gashchak S, Beresford NA, Spurgeon DJ. Genetic, epigenetic and microbiome characterisation of an earthworm species (Octolasion lacteum) along a radiation exposure gradient at Chernobyl. Environ Pollut 2019; 255:113238. [PMID: 31655460 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2019] [Revised: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The effects of exposure to different levels of ionising radiation were assessed on the genetic, epigenetic and microbiome characteristics of the "hologenome" of earthworms collected at sites within the Chernobyl exclusion zone (CEZ). The earthworms Aporrectodea caliginosa (Savigny, 1826) and Octolasion lacteum (Örley, 1881) were the two species that were most frequently found at visited sites, however, only O. lacteum was present at sufficient number across different exposure levels to enable comparative hologenome analysis. The identification of morphotype O. lacteum as a probable single clade was established using a combination of mitochondrial (cytochrome oxidase I) and nuclear genome (Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) using MspI loci). No clear site associated differences in population genetic structure was found between populations using the AFLP marker loci. Further, no relationship between ionising radiation exposure levels and the percentage of methylated loci or pattern of distribution of DNA methylation marks was found. Microbiome structure was clearly site dependent, with gut microbiome community structure and diversity being systematically associated with calculated site-specific earthworm dose rates. There was, however, also co-correlation between earthworm dose rates and other soil properties, notably soil pH; a property known to affect soil bacterial community structure. Such co-correlation means that it is not possible to attribute microbiome changes unequivocally to radionuclide exposure. A better understanding of the relationship between radionuclide exposure soil properties and their interactions on bacterial microbiome community response is, therefore, needed to establish whether these the observed microbiome changes are attributed directly to radiation exposure, other soil properties or to an interaction between multiple variables at sites within the CEZ.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay K Newbold
- Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, MacLean Building, Benson Lane, Wallingford, Oxon, OX10 8BB, UK
| | - Alex Robinson
- Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, MacLean Building, Benson Lane, Wallingford, Oxon, OX10 8BB, UK
| | - I Rasnaca
- Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, MacLean Building, Benson Lane, Wallingford, Oxon, OX10 8BB, UK
| | - Elma Lahive
- Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, MacLean Building, Benson Lane, Wallingford, Oxon, OX10 8BB, UK
| | - Gweon H Soon
- Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, MacLean Building, Benson Lane, Wallingford, Oxon, OX10 8BB, UK; School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading, Berkshire, RG6 6AH, UK
| | - Emmanuel Lapied
- Centre for Environmental Radioactivity, Norwegian University of Life Science, 1430 As, Norway
| | - Deborah Oughton
- Centre for Environmental Radioactivity, Norwegian University of Life Science, 1430 As, Norway
| | - Sergey Gashchak
- Chornobyl Center for Nuclear Safety, Radioactive Waste and Radioecology, Slavutych, Kiev Region, Ukraine
| | - Nicholas A Beresford
- NERC Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Center, Library Av., Bailrigg, Lancaster, LA14AP, UK
| | - David J Spurgeon
- Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, MacLean Building, Benson Lane, Wallingford, Oxon, OX10 8BB, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Johansen MP, Child DP, Cresswell T, Harrison JJ, Hotchkis MAC, Howell NR, Johansen A, Sdraulig S, Thiruvoth S, Young E, Whiting SD. Plutonium and other radionuclides persist across marine-to-terrestrial ecotopes in the Montebello Islands sixty years after nuclear tests. Sci Total Environ 2019; 691:572-583. [PMID: 31325857 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.06.531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2019] [Revised: 06/29/2019] [Accepted: 06/30/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Since the 1956 completion of nuclear testing at the Montebello Islands, Western Australia, this remote uninhabited island group has been relatively undisturbed (no major remediations) and currently functions as high-value marine and terrestrial habitat within the Montebello/Barrow Islands Marine Conservation Reserves. The former weapons testing sites, therefore, provide a unique opportunity for assessing the fate and behaviour of Anthropocene radionuclides subjected to natural processes across a range of shallow-marine to island-terrestrial ecological units (ecotopes). We collected soil, sediment and biota samples and analysed their radionuclide content using gamma and alpha spectrometry, photostimulated luminescence autoradiography and accelerator mass spectrometry. We found the activity levels of the fission and neutron-activation products have decreased by ~hundred-fold near the ground zero locations. However, Pu concentrations remain elevated, some of which are high relative to most other Australian and international sites (up to 25,050 Bq kg-1 of 239+240+241Pu). Across ecotopes, Pu ranked from highest to lowest in the following order: island soils > dunes > foredunes > marine sediments > and beach intertidal zone. Low values of Pu and other radionuclides were detected in all local wildlife tested including endangered species. Activity concentrations ranked (highest to lowest) terrestrial arthropods > terrestrial mammal and reptile bones > algae > oyster flesh > whole crab > sea turtle bone > stingray and teleost fish livers > sea cucumber flesh > sea turtle skin > teleost fish muscle. The three detonations (one from within a ship and two from 30 m towers) resulted in differing contaminant forms, with the ship detonation producing the highest activity concentrations and finer more inhalable particulate forms. The three sites are distinct in their 240/239Pu and 241/239Pu atom ratios, including the Pu transported by natural process or within migratory living organisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - S Sdraulig
- Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency, Yallambie, Australia
| | | | | | - S D Whiting
- Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Kensington, WA, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Horemans N, Spurgeon DJ, Lecomte-Pradines C, Saenen E, Bradshaw C, Oughton D, Rasnaca I, Kamstra JH, Adam-Guillermin C. Current evidence for a role of epigenetic mechanisms in response to ionizing radiation in an ecotoxicological context. Environ Pollut 2019; 251:469-483. [PMID: 31103007 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.04.125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2019] [Revised: 04/14/2019] [Accepted: 04/27/2019] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The issue of potential long-term or hereditary effects for both humans and wildlife exposed to low doses (or dose rates) of ionising radiation is a major concern. Chronic exposure to ionising radiation, defined as an exposure over a large fraction of the organism's lifespan or even over several generations, can possibly have consequences in the progeny. Recent work has begun to show that epigenetics plays an important role in adaptation of organisms challenged to environmental stimulae. Changes to so-called epigenetic marks such as histone modifications, DNA methylation and non-coding RNAs result in altered transcriptomes and proteomes, without directly changing the DNA sequence. Moreover, some of these environmentally-induced epigenetic changes tend to persist over generations, and thus, epigenetic modifications are regarded as the conduits for environmental influence on the genome. Here, we review the current knowledge of possible involvement of epigenetics in the cascade of responses resulting from environmental exposure to ionising radiation. In addition, from a comparison of lab and field obtained data, we investigate evidence on radiation-induced changes in the epigenome and in particular the total or locus specific levels of DNA methylation. The challenges for future research and possible use of changes as an early warning (biomarker) of radiosensitivity and individual exposure is discussed. Such a biomarker could be used to detect and better understand the mechanisms of toxic action and inter/intra-species susceptibility to radiation within an environmental risk assessment and management context.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nele Horemans
- Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, Boeretang 200, B-2400, Mol, Belgium; Centre for Environmental Research, University of Hasselt, Agoralaan, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium.
| | - David J Spurgeon
- Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, MacLean Building, Benson Lane, Wallingford, Oxon, OX10 8BB, UK
| | - Catherine Lecomte-Pradines
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, PSE-ENV/SRTE/LECO, Cadarache, Saint Paul Lez Durance, France
| | - Eline Saenen
- Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, Boeretang 200, B-2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - Clare Bradshaw
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Deborah Oughton
- Centre for Environmental Radioactivity (CERAD), Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 1430, Aas, Norway
| | - Ilze Rasnaca
- Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, MacLean Building, Benson Lane, Wallingford, Oxon, OX10 8BB, UK
| | - Jorke H Kamstra
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Christelle Adam-Guillermin
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, PSE-SANTE, Cadarache, Saint Paul Lez Durance, France
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Metian M, Pouil S, Fowler SW. Radiocesium accumulation in aquatic organisms: A global synthesis from an experimentalist's perspective. J Environ Radioact 2019; 198:147-158. [PMID: 30611082 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2018.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Revised: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/22/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
A better understanding of the fate of radiocesium in aquatic organisms is essential for making accurate assessments of potential impacts of radiocesium contamination on ecosystems and human health. Studies of the accumulation of 134Cs, 136Cs and 137Cs in diverse biota have been the subject of many field investigations; however, it may often be difficult to understand all the mechanisms underlying the observations reported. To complement field investigations, laboratory experiments allow better understanding the observations and predicting dynamics of Cs within aquatic ecosystems by accurately assessing bioaccumulation of Cs in living organisms. The present review summarizes selected relevant laboratory studies carried out on Cs bioaccumulation in aquatic organisms over a period of more than 60 years. To date, 125 experimental studies have been carried out on 227 species of aquatic organisms since 1957. The present review provides a synthesis of the existing literature by highlighting major findings and identifying gaps of key information that need to be further addressed in future works on this topic. Thus, influences of some environmental parameters such as water chemistry both for marine and freshwater ecosystems, and biotic factors such as the life-stages and size of the organisms on radiocesium bioaccumulation should be examined and become priority topics for future research on Cs accumulation in aquatic organisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marc Metian
- International Atomic Energy Agency, Environment Laboratories, 4a Quai Antoine Ier, MC-98000, Monaco.
| | - Simon Pouil
- International Atomic Energy Agency, Environment Laboratories, 4a Quai Antoine Ier, MC-98000, Monaco
| | - Scott W Fowler
- Institute Bobby, 8 Allée des Orangers, 06320, Cap d'Ail, France
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Mothersill C, Abend M, Bréchignac F, Copplestone D, Geras'kin S, Goodman J, Horemans N, Jeggo P, McBride W, Mousseau TA, O'Hare A, Papineni RVL, Powathil G, Schofield PN, Seymour C, Sutcliffe J, Austin B. The tubercular badger and the uncertain curve:- The need for a multiple stressor approach in environmental radiation protection. Environ Res 2019; 168:130-140. [PMID: 30296640 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2018.09.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2018] [Revised: 09/23/2018] [Accepted: 09/24/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
This article presents the results of a workshop held in Stirling, Scotland in June 2018, called to examine critically the effects of low-dose ionising radiation on the ecosphere. The meeting brought together participants from the fields of low- and high-dose radiobiology and those working in radioecology to discuss the effects that low doses of radiation have on non-human biota. In particular, the shape of the low-dose response relationship and the extent to which the effects of low-dose and chronic exposure may be predicted from high dose rate exposures were discussed. It was concluded that high dose effects were not predictive of low dose effects. It followed that the tools presently available were deemed insufficient to reliably predict risk of low dose exposures in ecosystems. The workshop participants agreed on three major recommendations for a path forward. First, as treating radiation as a single or unique stressor was considered insufficient, the development of a multidisciplinary approach is suggested to address key concerns about multiple stressors in the ecosphere. Second, agreed definitions are needed to deal with the multiplicity of factors determining outcome to low dose exposures as a term can have different meanings in different disciplines. Third, appropriate tools need to be developed to deal with the different time, space and organisation level scales. These recommendations permit a more accurate picture of prospective risks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carmel Mothersill
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8S 4K1.
| | - Michael Abend
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Neuherbergstrasse 11, 80937 Munich, Germany.
| | - Francois Bréchignac
- Institute for Radioprotection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN) & International Union of Radioecology, Centre du Cadarache, Bldg 229, St Paul-lez-Durance, France.
| | - David Copplestone
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, Scotland, UK.
| | - Stanislav Geras'kin
- Russian Institute of Radiology & Agroecology, Kievskoe shosse, 109km, Obninsk 249020, Russia.
| | - Jessica Goodman
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, Scotland, UK.
| | - Nele Horemans
- Belgian Nuclear Research Centre SCK CEN, Biosphere Impact Studies, Boeretang 200, B-2400 Mol, Belgium.
| | - Penny Jeggo
- Genome Damage and Stability Centre, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9RQ, UK.
| | - William McBride
- University of California Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine, Department of Radiation Oncology, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
| | - Timothy A Mousseau
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA.
| | - Anthony O'Hare
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, Scotland, UK.
| | - Rao V L Papineni
- Department of Surgery, University of Kansas Medical Center - KUMC (Adjunct), and PACT & Health, Branford, CT, USA.
| | - Gibin Powathil
- Department of Mathematics, College of Science, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, Wales SA2 8PP, UK.
| | - Paul N Schofield
- Dept of Physiology Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK.
| | - Colin Seymour
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8S 4K1.
| | - Jill Sutcliffe
- Low Level Radiation and Health Conference, Ingrams Farm Fittleworth Road, Wisborough Green RH14 0JA, West Sussex, UK.
| | - Brian Austin
- Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, Scotland, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Takahashi J, Onda Y, Hihara D, Tamura K. Six-year monitoring of the vertical distribution of radiocesium in three forest soils after the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident. J Environ Radioact 2018; 192:172-180. [PMID: 29982001 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2018.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2017] [Revised: 05/31/2018] [Accepted: 06/22/2018] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
After the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident on March 2011, several studies showed that the downward migration of 137Cs from litter to mineral soil is more rapid in forests in Fukushima than in forests affected by the Chernobyl accident. Therefore, the downward migration within mineral soil layers is more important for predicting long-term dynamics of 137Cs in forest ecosystems in Fukushima. In the present study, we monitored the detailed vertical distribution of 137Cs in litter and soil layers for 6 y (2011-2017) following the previous study (2011-2012), and found that temporal changes in those distributions were different among mixed forest (MF), mature cedar (MC) and young cedar (YC) forests. The 137Cs concentrations and inventories in the litter layer exponentially decreased with time for all sites, with more than 80-95% of the deposited 137Cs on the forest floor distributed in mineral soil layers by 2017. The percentage of 137Cs inventory in the litter layer to the total 137Cs inventory in litter and mineral soil layers was well fitted by a single exponential equation with decreasing rate of 0.22-0.44 y-1. The slower migration was observed in the YC site, probably because of higher initial interception of 137Cs fallout by dense canopy. As the downward migration from litter to mineral soil progressed, the 137Cs concentration in the first few cm of mineral soil surface gradually increased and became higher than the 137Cs concentration in the litter within 2-3 y of the accident. The 137Cs concentration in mineral soil layers exponentially decreased with depth throughout survey period, and an exponential equation fitted well. The relaxation depth of 137Cs concentration in mineral soil layers estimated by the exponential equation were constantly increasing in the MC and YC sites with 0.08 cm y-1. In contrast, there was no temporal increase in the relaxation depth in the MF site, indicating little migration to subsurface soil layer from not only litter layer but also surface soil layer. Further studies are necessary to identify the forests prone to the downward migration of 137Cs and its factors regarding both forest and soil characteristics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Junko Takahashi
- Center for Research in Isotopes and Environmental Dynamics, University of Tsukuba, Japan.
| | - Yuichi Onda
- Center for Research in Isotopes and Environmental Dynamics, University of Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Daichi Hihara
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Kenji Tamura
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Nishina K, Hashimoto S, Imamura N, Ohashi S, Komatsu M, Kaneko S, Hayashi S. Calibration of forest 137Cs cycling model "FoRothCs" via approximate Bayesian computation based on 6-year observations from plantation forests in Fukushima. J Environ Radioact 2018; 193-194:82-90. [PMID: 30218793 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2018.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2018] [Revised: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Predicting the environmental fate of 137Cs in forest ecosystems along with the concentrations of 137Cs in tree parts are important for the managements of radioactively contaminated forests. In this study, we calibrate the Forest RothC and Cs model (FoRothCs), a forest ecosystem 137Cs dynamics model, using observational data obtained over six years from four forest sites with different levels of 137Cs contamination from Fukushima Prefecture. To this end, we applied an approximate Bayesian computation (ABC) technique based on the observed 137Cs concentrations (Bq kg-1) of five compartments (leaf, branch, stem, litter, and soil) in a Japanese cedar plantation. The environmental decay (increment) constants of the five compartments were used as the summary statistics (i.e., the metric for model performance) to infer the five parameters related to 137Cs transfer processes in FoRothCs. The ABC technique successfully reconciled the model outputs with the observed trends in 137Cs concentrations at all sites during the study period. Furthermore, the estimated parameters are in agreement with the literature values (e.g., the root uptake rates of 137Cs). Our study demonstrates that model calibration with ABC based on the trends in 137Cs concentrations of multi compartments is useful for reducing the prediction uncertainty of 137Cs dynamics in forest ecosystems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kazuya Nishina
- Center for Regional Environmental Research, National Institute for Environmental Studies, 305-8506, 16-2, Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
| | - Shoji Hashimoto
- Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, 305-8687, 1, Matsunosato, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan; The University of Tokyo, 113-8657, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Naohiro Imamura
- Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, 305-8687, 1, Matsunosato, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Shinta Ohashi
- Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, 305-8687, 1, Matsunosato, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Masabumi Komatsu
- Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, 305-8687, 1, Matsunosato, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Shinji Kaneko
- Kansai Research Center, Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, 612-0855, 68, Nagaikyutaro, Momoyama, Fushimi, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Seiji Hayashi
- Fukushima Branch, National Institute for Environmental Studies, 963-7700, 10-2, Fukasaku, Miharu, Fukushima, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Pouil S, Oberhänsli F, Swarzenski PW, Bustamante P, Metian M. The role of salinity in the trophic transfer of 137Cs in euryhaline fish. J Environ Radioact 2018; 189:255-260. [PMID: 29734101 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2018.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2017] [Revised: 03/29/2018] [Accepted: 03/30/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
In order to better understand the influence of changing salinity conditions on the trophic transfer of 137Cs in marine fish that live in dynamic coastal environments, its depuration kinetics was investigated in controlled aquaria. The juvenile turbot Scophthalmus maximus was acclimated to three distinct salinity conditions (10, 25 and 38) and then single-fed with compounded pellets that were radiolabelled with 137Cs. At the end of a 21-d depuration period, assimilation efficiencies (i.e. AEs = proportion of 137Cs ingested that is actually assimilated by turbots) were determined from observational data acquired over the three weeks. Our results showed that AEs of 137Cs in the turbots acclimated to the highest salinity condition were significantly lower than for the other conditions (p < 0.05). Osmoregulation likely explains the decreasing AE observed at the highest salinity condition. Indeed, observations indicate that fish depurate ingested 137Cs at a higher rate when they increase ion excretion, needed to counterbalance the elevated salinity. Such data confirm that ambient salinity plays an important role in trophic transfer of 137Cs in some fish species. Implications for such findings extend to seafood safety and climate change impact studies, where the salinity of coastal waters may shift in future years in response to changing weather patterns.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simon Pouil
- International Atomic Energy Agency, Environment Laboratories, 4a Quai Antoine Ier, MC-98000, Monaco, Monaco; Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS-Université de La Rochelle, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, F-17000, La Rochelle, France.
| | - François Oberhänsli
- International Atomic Energy Agency, Environment Laboratories, 4a Quai Antoine Ier, MC-98000, Monaco, Monaco
| | - Peter W Swarzenski
- International Atomic Energy Agency, Environment Laboratories, 4a Quai Antoine Ier, MC-98000, Monaco, Monaco
| | - Paco Bustamante
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS-Université de La Rochelle, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, F-17000, La Rochelle, France
| | - Marc Metian
- International Atomic Energy Agency, Environment Laboratories, 4a Quai Antoine Ier, MC-98000, Monaco, Monaco
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Abstract
Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) provides with an excellent sensitivity for the determination of radionuclides in the environment. In fact, conventional radiometric techniques can hardly compete with AMS in the solution of many problems involving the measurement of very low levels of radioactivity in Nature. For that reason, during the last years AMS has become a powerful tool for Radioecology studies. In this paper a review is done on the evolution of AMS applications to the measurement of environmental radioactivity and, therefore, its contribution to the understanding of radionuclide behavior in Nature. For that, the advantages of using AMS to determine key nuclides as 129I, 14C, Pu-isotopes and others in different natural compartments will be discussed. The content of the paper is illustrated with the contributions to these studies of the Spanish National Center for Accelerators (CNA) AMS systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M García-León
- Universidad de Sevilla, Centro Nacional de Aceleradores, Avda. T. A. Edison, 7, 41092 Sevilla, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Garcia-Tenorio R, Holm E. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity special issue: II International Conference on Radioecological Concentration Processes. (50 years later). J Environ Radioact 2018; 186:1-2. [PMID: 28801188 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2017.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2017] [Accepted: 07/26/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
An international conference on Radioecological Concentration Processes was held in Seville, Spain, 6-9 November 2016 at the Centro Nacional de Aceleradores. It was attended by 160 participants from 35 different countries. This was the 2nd conference on this item since 1966, 50 years ago. The conference covered aspects of radiological important radionuclides on terrestrial, marine and freshwater environments and has allowed obtaining a clear picture of the status of the Radioecology as a consolidated discipline in the 21st century.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Garcia-Tenorio
- Centro Nacional de Aceleradores, University of Sevilla-Junta de Andalucía-CSIC, Avda. Thomas Alva Edison 7, Isla de la Cartuja, 41092 Seville, Spain.
| | - Elis Holm
- Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, 41345 Gothenburg, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Mothersill C, Abend M, Bréchignac F, Iliakis G, Impens N, Kadhim M, Møller AP, Oughton D, Powathil G, Saenen E, Seymour C, Sutcliffe J, Tang FR, Schofield PN. When a duck is not a duck; a new interdisciplinary synthesis for environmental radiation protection. Environ Res 2018; 162:318-324. [PMID: 29407763 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2018.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2017] [Revised: 01/18/2018] [Accepted: 01/19/2018] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
This consensus paper presents the results of a workshop held in Essen, Germany in September 2017, called to examine critically the current approach to radiological environmental protection. The meeting brought together participants from the field of low dose radiobiology and those working in radioecology. Both groups have a common aim of identifying radiation exposures and protecting populations and individuals from harmful effects of ionising radiation exposure, but rarely work closely together. A key question in radiobiology is to understand mechanisms triggered by low doses or dose rates, leading to adverse outcomes of individuals while in radioecology a key objective is to recognise when harm is occurring at the level of the ecosystem. The discussion provided a total of six strategic recommendations which would help to address these questions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carmel Mothersill
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8S 4K1.
| | - Michael Abend
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Neuherbergstr. 11, 80937 Munich, Germany.
| | - François Bréchignac
- Institute for Radioprotection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN) & International Union of Radioecology (IUR), Centre du Cadarache, Bldg 229, St Paul-lez-Durance, France.
| | - George Iliakis
- Institute of Medical Radiation Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Medical School, Hufeland Str. 55, 45122 Essen, Germany.
| | - Nathalie Impens
- Institute of Environment, Health and Safety, Biosphere Impact Studies, SCK•CEN, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium.
| | - Munira Kadhim
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK.
| | - Anders Pape Møller
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution, Equipe Diversité, Ecologie et Evolution Microbiennes Université Paris-Sud, CNRS, and AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, F-91405 Orsay Cedex, France.
| | - Deborah Oughton
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Campus Ås, Universitetstunet 3, 1432 Ås, Norway.
| | - Gibin Powathil
- Department of Mathematics, College of Science, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea Wales SA2 8PP, UK.
| | - Eline Saenen
- Institute of Environment, Health and Safety, Biosphere Impact Studies, SCK•CEN, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium.
| | - Colin Seymour
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8S 4K1.
| | - Jill Sutcliffe
- Low Level Radiation and Health Group, Ingrams Farm Fittleworth Road, Wisborough Green RH14 0JA, West Sussex, UK.
| | - Fen-Ru Tang
- National University of Singapore, Radiobiology Research Laboratory, Singapore Nuclear, Research and Safety Initiative, Singapore.
| | - Paul N Schofield
- Dept of Physiology Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Hurem S, Martín LM, Lindeman L, Brede DA, Salbu B, Lyche JL, Aleström P, Kamstra JH. Parental exposure to gamma radiation causes progressively altered transcriptomes linked to adverse effects in zebrafish offspring. Environ Pollut 2018; 234:855-863. [PMID: 29248853 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.12.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2017] [Revised: 11/29/2017] [Accepted: 12/06/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Ionizing radiation causes a variety of effects, including DNA damage associated to cancers. However, the effects in progeny from irradiated parents is not well documented. Using zebrafish as a model, we previously found that parental exposure to ionizing radiation is associated with effects in offspring, such as increased hatching rates, deformities, increased DNA damage and reactive oxygen species. Here, we assessed short (one month) and long term effects (one year) on gene expression in embryonic offspring (5.5 h post fertilization) from zebrafish exposed during gametogenesis to gamma radiation (8.7 or 53 mGy/h for 27 days, total dose 5.2 or 31 Gy) using mRNA sequencing. One month after exposure, a global change in gene expression was observed in offspring from the 53 mGy/h group, followed by embryonic death at late gastrula, whereas offspring from the 8.7 mGy/h group was unaffected. Interestingly, one year after exposure newly derived embryos from the 8.7 mGy/h group exhibited 2390 (67.7% downregulated) differentially expressed genes. Overlaps in differentially expressed genes and enriched biological pathways were evident between the 53 mGy/h group one month and 8.7 mGy/h one year after exposure, but were oppositely regulated. Pathways could be linked to effects in adults and offspring, such as DNA damage (via Atm signaling) and reproduction (via Gnrh signaling). Comparison with gene expression analysis in directly exposed embryos indicate transferrin a and cytochrome P450 2x6 as possible biomarkers for radiation response in zebrafish. Our results indicate latent effects following ionizing radiation exposure from the lower dose in parents that can be transmitted to offspring and warrants monitoring effects over subsequent generations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Selma Hurem
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Food Safety and Infection Biology, CoE CERAD, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 8146 Dep., 0033 Oslo, Norway
| | - Leonardo Martín Martín
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Basic Sciences and Aquatic Medicine, CoE CERAD, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 8146 Dep., 0033 Oslo, Norway; Faculty of Agropecuary Sciences, Department of Morphophysiology, University of Camagüey, 74 650 Camagüey, Cuba
| | - Leif Lindeman
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Basic Sciences and Aquatic Medicine, CoE CERAD, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 8146 Dep., 0033 Oslo, Norway; Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Institute of Environmental Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 1433 Ås, Norway
| | - Dag Anders Brede
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Institute of Environmental Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 1433 Ås, Norway
| | - Brit Salbu
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Institute of Environmental Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 1433 Ås, Norway
| | - Jan Ludvig Lyche
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Food Safety and Infection Biology, CoE CERAD, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 8146 Dep., 0033 Oslo, Norway
| | - Peter Aleström
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Basic Sciences and Aquatic Medicine, CoE CERAD, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 8146 Dep., 0033 Oslo, Norway
| | - Jorke H Kamstra
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Basic Sciences and Aquatic Medicine, CoE CERAD, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 8146 Dep., 0033 Oslo, Norway.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Viner BJ, Jannik T, Hepworth A, Adetona O, Naeher L, Eddy T, Doman E, Blake J. Predicted cumulative dose to firefighters and the offsite public from natural and anthropogenic radionuclides in smoke from wildland fires at the Savannah River Site, South Carolina USA. J Environ Radioact 2018; 182:1-11. [PMID: 29175006 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2017.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2017] [Revised: 10/26/2017] [Accepted: 10/27/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The contaminated ground surface at Savannah River Site (SRS) is a result of the decades of work that has been performed maintaining the country's nuclear stockpile and performing research and development on nuclear materials. The volatilization of radionuclides during wildfire results in airborne particles that are dispersed within the smoke plume and may result in doses to downwind firefighters and the public. To better understand the risk that these smoke plumes present, we have characterized four regions at SRS in terms of their fuel characteristics and radiological contamination on the ground. Combined with general meteorological conditions describing typical and extreme burn conditions, we have simulated potential fires in these regions and predicted the potential radiological dose that could be received by firefighting personnel and the public surrounding the SRS. In all cases, the predicted cumulative dose was a small percent of the US Department of Energy regulatory limit (0.25 mSv). These predictions were conservative and assumed that firefighters would be exposed for the duration of their shift and the public would be exposed for the entire day over the duration of the burn. Realistically, firefighters routinely rotate off the firefront during their shift and the public would likely remain indoors much of the day. However, we show that even under worst-case conditions the regulatory limits are not exceeded. We can infer that the risks associated with wildfires would not be expected to cause cumulative doses above the level of concern to either responding personnel or the offsite public.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Luke Naeher
- University of Georgia School of Public Health, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
36
|
Stark K, Goméz-Ros JM, Vives I Batlle J, Lindbo Hansen E, Beaugelin-Seiller K, Kapustka LA, Wood MD, Bradshaw C, Real A, McGuire C, Hinton TG. Dose assessment in environmental radiological protection: State of the art and perspectives. J Environ Radioact 2017; 175-176:105-114. [PMID: 28505478 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2017.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2016] [Revised: 04/09/2017] [Accepted: 05/01/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to radiation is a potential hazard to humans and the environment. The Fukushima accident reminded the world of the importance of a reliable risk management system that incorporates the dose received from radiation exposures. The dose to humans from exposure to radiation can be quantified using a well-defined system; its environmental equivalent, however, is still in a developmental state. Additionally, the results of several papers published over the last decade have been criticized because of poor dosimetry. Therefore, a workshop on environmental dosimetry was organized by the STAR (Strategy for Allied Radioecology) Network of Excellence to review the state of the art in environmental dosimetry and prioritize areas of methodological and guidance development. Herein, we report the key findings from that international workshop, summarise parameters that affect the dose animals and plants receive when exposed to radiation, and identify further research needs. Current dosimetry practices for determining environmental protection are based on simple screening dose assessments using knowledge of fundamental radiation physics, source-target geometry relationships, the influence of organism shape and size, and knowledge of how radionuclide distributions in the body and in the soil profile alter dose. In screening model calculations that estimate whole-body dose to biota the shapes of organisms are simply represented as ellipsoids, while recently developed complex voxel phantom models allow organ-specific dose estimates. We identified several research and guidance development priorities for dosimetry. For external exposures, the uncertainty in dose estimates due to spatially heterogeneous distributions of radionuclide contamination is currently being evaluated. Guidance is needed on the level of dosimetry that is required when screening benchmarks are exceeded and how to report exposure in dose-effect studies, including quantification of uncertainties. Further research is needed to establish whether and how dosimetry should account for differences in tissue physiology, organism life stages, seasonal variability (in ecology, physiology and radiation field), species life span, and the proportion of a population that is actually exposed. We contend that, although major advances have recently been made in environmental radiation protection, substantive improvements are required to reduce uncertainties and increase the reliability of environmental dosimetry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Stark
- Department of Ecology, Environment, and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - José M Goméz-Ros
- Spanish Research Centre in Energy, Environment and Technology, CIEMAT, Avenida Complutense 40, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Jordi Vives I Batlle
- Biosphere Impact Studies Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre SCK•CEN, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - Elisabeth Lindbo Hansen
- Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority, Department of Research, P.O. Box 55, NO-1332 Østerås, Norway; CERAD Centre of Excellence in Environmental Radioactivity, P.O. Box 5003, No-1432 Ås, Norway
| | - Karine Beaugelin-Seiller
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, IRSN, PRP-ENV, SERIS, LRTE, Cadarache, 13115 Saint Paul Lez Durance Cedex, France
| | | | - Michael D Wood
- School of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Salford, Manchester M5 4WT, UK
| | - Clare Bradshaw
- Department of Ecology, Environment, and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Almudena Real
- Spanish Research Centre in Energy, Environment and Technology, CIEMAT, Avenida Complutense 40, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Corynne McGuire
- Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Strathallan House, Castle Business Park, Stirling FK9 4TZ, UK
| | - Thomas G Hinton
- Institute of Environmental Radioactivity, Fukushima University, 1 Kanayagawa, Fukushima 960-1296, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Araújo Dos Santos Júnior J, Dos Santos Amaral R, Simões Cezar Menezes R, Reinaldo Estevez Álvarez J, Marques do Nascimento Santos J, Herrero Fernández Z, Dias Bezerra J, Antônio da Silva A, Francys Rodrigues Damascena K, de Almeida Maciel Neto J. Influence of terrestrial radionuclides on environmental gamma exposure in a uranium deposit in Paraíba, Brazil. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2017; 141:154-159. [PMID: 28342327 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2017.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2016] [Revised: 01/31/2017] [Accepted: 02/06/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
One of the main natural uranium deposits in Brazil is located in the municipality of Espinharas, in the State of Paraíba. This area may present high levels of natural radioactivity due to the presence of these radionuclides. Since this is a populated area, there is need for a radioecological dosimetry assessment to investigate the possible risks to the population. Based on this problem, the objective of this study was to estimate the environmental effective dose outdoors in inhabited areas influenced by the uranium deposit, using the specific activities of equivalent uranium, equivalent thorium and 40K and conversion factors. The environmental assessment was carried using gamma spectroscopy in sixty-two points within the municipality, with a high-resolution gamma spectrometer with HPGe semiconductor detector and Be window. The results obtained ranged from 0.01 to 19.11 mSv y-1, with an average of 2.64 mSv y-1. These levels are, on average, 23 times higher than UNSCEAR reference levels and up to 273 times the reference value of the earth's crust for primordial radionuclides. Therefore, given the high radioactivity levels found, we conclude that there is need for further investigation to evaluate the levels of radioactivity in indoor environments, which will reflect more closely the risks of the local population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Rômulo Simões Cezar Menezes
- Grupo de Radioecologia (RAE), Brazil; Grupo de Biomassa, Departamento de Energia Nuclear (DEN), Centro de Tecnologia e Geociências (CTG), Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE). Avenida Professor Luiz Freire, 1000, Cidade Universitária, 50740-540, Recife/PE, Brazil
| | | | | | - Zahily Herrero Fernández
- Grupo de Radioecologia (RAE), Brazil; Centro de Aplicaciones Tecnológicas y Desarrollo Nuclear (CEADEN), Rua 30, 502, Havana 6122, Cuba.
| | | | - Alberto Antônio da Silva
- Grupo de Radioecologia (RAE), Brazil; Instituto Federal de Educação Ciência e Tecnologia de Pernambuco (IFPE), Departamento de Química. Fazenda Sapé, s/n, Zona Rural, 55560-000, Barreiros/PE, Brazil.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
38
|
Pouil S, Warnau M, Oberhänsli F, Teyssié JL, Bustamante P, Metian M. Comparing single-feeding and multi-feeding approaches for experimentally assessing trophic transfer of metals in fish. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017; 36:1227-1234. [PMID: 27704601 DOI: 10.1002/etc.3646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2016] [Revised: 07/05/2016] [Accepted: 10/03/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Diet is an important pathway for metal uptake in marine organisms, and assimilation efficiency is one of the most relevant parameters to quantify trophic transfer of metals along aquatic food webs. The most commonly used method to estimate this parameter is pulse-chase feeding using radiolabeled food. This approach is, however, based on several assumptions that are not always tested in an experimental context. The present study aimed to validate the approach by assessing single-feeding and multiple-feeding approaches, using a model species (the turbot Scophthalmus maximus). Using the kinetic data obtained from the single-feeding experiment, the reconstruction of a multi-feeding experiment was tested for consistency with data provided by an actual multi-feeding performed under the same experimental conditions. The results validated the single-feeding approach. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:1227-1234. © 2016 SETAC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simon Pouil
- International Atomic Energy Agency-Environment Laboratories (IAEA-EL), Principality of Monaco
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), French National Center for Scientific Research, University of La Rochelle, La Rochelle, France
| | - Michel Warnau
- International Atomic Energy Agency-Environment Laboratories (IAEA-EL), Principality of Monaco
| | - François Oberhänsli
- International Atomic Energy Agency-Environment Laboratories (IAEA-EL), Principality of Monaco
| | - Jean-Louis Teyssié
- International Atomic Energy Agency-Environment Laboratories (IAEA-EL), Principality of Monaco
| | - Paco Bustamante
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), French National Center for Scientific Research, University of La Rochelle, La Rochelle, France
| | - Marc Metian
- International Atomic Energy Agency-Environment Laboratories (IAEA-EL), Principality of Monaco
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Sudbrock F, Schomäcker K, Drzezga A. The effectiveness of wastewater treatment in nuclear medicine: Performance data and radioecological considerations. J Environ Radioact 2017; 166:202-207. [PMID: 27094379 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2016.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2015] [Revised: 03/10/2016] [Accepted: 04/03/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
For planned and ongoing storage of liquid radioactive waste in a designated plant for a nuclear medicine therapy ward (decontamination system/decay system), detailed knowledge of basic parameters such as the amount of radioactivity and the necessary decay time in the plant is required. The design of the plant at the Department of Nuclear Medicine of the University of Cologne, built in 2001, was based on assumptions about the individual discharge of activity from patients, which we can now retrospectively validate. The decontamination factor of the plant is at present in the order of 10-9 for 131I. The annual discharges have been continuously reduced over the period of operation and are now in the region of a few kilobecquerels. This work emphasizes the high efficacy of the decontamination plant to reduce the amount of radioactivity released from the nuclear medicine ward into the environment to almost negligible levels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- F Sudbrock
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital of Cologne, Germany.
| | - K Schomäcker
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital of Cologne, Germany
| | - A Drzezga
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital of Cologne, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Panitskiy АV, Lukashenko SN, Kadyrova NZ. 137Cs and 90Sr IN lizards of Semipalatinsk test site. J Environ Radioact 2017; 166:91-96. [PMID: 27157298 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2016.04.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2015] [Revised: 04/18/2016] [Accepted: 04/25/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The paper provides research results of 137Cs and 90Sr radionuclides concentrations in bodies of Lacertidae family lizards, inhabiting different parts of Semipalatinsk Test Site, and the parameters of these radionuclides' transfer into lizards' bodies. It shows that high activity concentration of radionuclides in lizards' bodies can be noticed if they live directly at locally contaminated areas. Since the distance from contaminated spots exceeds home range of the studied animals, no increased values of radionuclides' activity were found in the animal bodies. At some individual radioactively contaminated spots, very high activity concentrations of 90Sr radionuclide up to 7.8 × 105 Bq kg-1 were found in lizards. So under certain conditions, lizards can significantly contribute to radionuclides redistribution in the natural environment. Mean concentration ratios (CR) of radionuclides were as follows: 137Cs-6.2 × 10-3, 90Sr-1.1 × 10-2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- А V Panitskiy
- Institute of Radiation Safety and Ecology of the NNC RK, Kurchatov, Kazakhstan.
| | - S N Lukashenko
- Institute of Radiation Safety and Ecology of the NNC RK, Kurchatov, Kazakhstan
| | - N Zh Kadyrova
- Institute of Radiation Safety and Ecology of the NNC RK, Kurchatov, Kazakhstan
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Doering C, Bollhöfer A. A tool for calculating concentration ratios from large environmental datasets. J Environ Radioact 2016; 165:32-34. [PMID: 27579895 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2016.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2016] [Revised: 08/19/2016] [Accepted: 08/19/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
This paper presents a tool for calculating concentration ratios from a large and structured environmental dataset of radionuclide activity and metal concentrations. The tool has been developed in MS Excel™ and includes a simple user interface for setting up queries. The tool is capable of matching environmental media samples to biota samples based on user-defined spatial and temporal criteria to derive a representative estimate of the environmental exposure conditions of an organism and its accumulation. Some potential benefits and uses of the tool are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Che Doering
- Environmental Research Institute of the Supervising Scientist (ERISS), GPO Box 461, Darwin, NT, 0801, Australia.
| | - Andreas Bollhöfer
- Environmental Research Institute of the Supervising Scientist (ERISS), GPO Box 461, Darwin, NT, 0801, Australia; Federal Office for Radiation Protection (Bundesamt für Strahlenschutz, BfS), 79098, Freiburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Prihatiningsih WR, Suseno H, Zamani NP, Soedharma D. Bioaccumulation and retention kinetics of cesium in the Milkfish Chanos chanos from Jakarta Bay. Mar Pollut Bull 2016; 110:647-653. [PMID: 27184130 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.04.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2015] [Revised: 02/18/2016] [Accepted: 04/29/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Wahyu Retno Prihatiningsih
- Marine Radioecology Group, Center for Technology of Radiation Safety and Metrology, National Nuclear Energy Agency, Jl. Lebak Bulus Raya No. 49, Kotak Pos 7043 JKSKL, Jakarta Selatan 12070, Indonesia; Marine Technology and Sciences, Bogor Agricultural University, Gd. Marine Center lt. 3 FPIK Kampus IPB Darmaga, Bogor, West Java, Indonesia
| | - Heny Suseno
- Marine Radioecology Group, Center for Technology of Radiation Safety and Metrology, National Nuclear Energy Agency, Jl. Lebak Bulus Raya No. 49, Kotak Pos 7043 JKSKL, Jakarta Selatan 12070, Indonesia.
| | - Neviaty P Zamani
- Marine Technology and Sciences, Bogor Agricultural University, Gd. Marine Center lt. 3 FPIK Kampus IPB Darmaga, Bogor, West Java, Indonesia
| | - Dedy Soedharma
- Marine Technology and Sciences, Bogor Agricultural University, Gd. Marine Center lt. 3 FPIK Kampus IPB Darmaga, Bogor, West Java, Indonesia
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Kautsky U, Saetre P, Berglund S, Jaeschke B, Nordén S, Brandefelt J, Keesmann S, Näslund JO, Andersson E. The impact of low and intermediate-level radioactive waste on humans and the environment over the next one hundred thousand years. J Environ Radioact 2016; 151 Pt 2:395-403. [PMID: 26183806 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2015.06.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2015] [Revised: 06/23/2015] [Accepted: 06/25/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
In order to assess the potential radiological risk to humans and the environment from a geological repository for radioactive waste, a safety assessment must be performed. This implies that the release and transfer of radionuclides from the repository into the surface environment are calculated and that the effects in the biosphere are evaluated for an assessment period up to one hundred thousand years according to Swedish regulations. This paper discusses the challenges associated with the modelling of surface ecosystems over such long time scales, using the recently completed assessment for the extension of the existing repository for the low- and intermediate-level nuclear waste (called SFR) in Forsmark, Sweden as an applied example. In the assessment, natural variation and uncertainties in climate during the assessment period were captured by using a set of climate cases, primarily reflecting different expectations on the effects of global warming. Development of the landscape at the site, due to post-glacial isostatic rebound, was modelled, and areas where modelling indicated that radionuclides could discharge into the biosphere were identified. Transfers of surface water and groundwater were described with spatially distributed hydrological models. The projected release of radionuclides from the bedrock was then fed into a biosphere radionuclide transport model, simulating the transport and fate of radionuclides within and between ecosystems in the landscape. Annual doses for human inhabitants were calculated by combining activity concentrations in environmental media (soil, water, air and plants) with assumptions on habits and land-use of future human inhabitants. Similarly, dose rates to representative organisms of non-human biota were calculated from activity concentrations in relevant habitats, following the ERICA methodology. In the main scenario, the calculated risk for humans did not exceed the risk criteria or the screening dose rate for non-human biota, indicating that the repository design is sufficient to protect future populations and the environment. Although the combination of radionuclides, land-uses/habitats, type of most exposed population and area of exposure that contribute most to the total dose shifts over time, the total calculated dose shows limited variability. Significant reductions in the dose only occur during submerged periods and under periglacial climate conditions. As several different water and food pathways were equally important for endpoint results, it is concluded that it would be difficult to represent the biosphere with one or a set of simplified models. Instead, we found that it is important to maintain a diversity of food and water pathways, as key pathways for radionuclide accumulation and exposure partly worked in parallel.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ulrik Kautsky
- SKB, Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Mngmt. Co., POB 250, SE-101 24 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Peter Saetre
- SKB, Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Mngmt. Co., POB 250, SE-101 24 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sten Berglund
- SKB, Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Mngmt. Co., POB 250, SE-101 24 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ben Jaeschke
- SKB, Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Mngmt. Co., POB 250, SE-101 24 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sara Nordén
- SKB, Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Mngmt. Co., POB 250, SE-101 24 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jenny Brandefelt
- SKB, Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Mngmt. Co., POB 250, SE-101 24 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sven Keesmann
- SKB, Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Mngmt. Co., POB 250, SE-101 24 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jens-Ove Näslund
- SKB, Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Mngmt. Co., POB 250, SE-101 24 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Eva Andersson
- SKB, Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Mngmt. Co., POB 250, SE-101 24 Stockholm, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Martinez NE, Johnson TE, Pinder JE. Application of computational models to estimate organ radiation dose in rainbow trout from uptake of molybdenum-99 with comparison to iodine-131. J Environ Radioact 2016; 151 Pt 2:468-479. [PMID: 26048012 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2015.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2014] [Revised: 05/20/2015] [Accepted: 05/24/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
This study compares three anatomical phantoms for rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) for the purpose of estimating organ radiation dose and dose rates from molybdenum-99 ((99)Mo) uptake in the liver and GI tract. Model comparison and refinement is important to the process of determining accurate doses and dose rates to the whole body and the various organs. Accurate and consistent dosimetry is crucial to the determination of appropriate dose-effect relationships for use in environmental risk assessment. The computational phantoms considered are (1) a geometrically defined model employing anatomically relevant organ size and location, (2) voxel reconstruction of internal anatomy obtained from CT imaging, and (3) a new model utilizing NURBS surfaces to refine the model in (2). Dose Conversion Factors (DCFs) for whole body as well as selected organs of O. mykiss were computed using Monte Carlo modeling and combined with empirical models for predicting activity concentration to estimate dose rates and ultimately determine cumulative radiation dose (μGy) to selected organs after several half-lives of (99)Mo. The computational models provided similar results, especially for organs that were both the source and target of radiation (less than 30% difference between all models). Values in the empirical model as well as the 14 day cumulative organ doses determined from (99)Mo uptake are compared to similar models developed previously for (131)I. Finally, consideration is given to treating the GI tract as a solid organ compared to partitioning it into gut contents and GI wall, which resulted in an order of magnitude difference in estimated dose for most organs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- N E Martinez
- Department of Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, Clemson University, 342 Computer Ct, Anderson, SC 29625, USA.
| | - T E Johnson
- Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, 1681 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - J E Pinder
- Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, 1681 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Duffa C, Bailly du Bois P, Caillaud M, Charmasson S, Couvez C, Didier D, Dumas F, Fievet B, Morillon M, Renaud P, Thébault H. Development of emergency response tools for accidental radiological contamination of French coastal areas. J Environ Radioact 2016; 151 Pt 2:487-494. [PMID: 26032189 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2015.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2015] [Revised: 04/24/2015] [Accepted: 04/29/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The Fukushima nuclear accident resulted in the largest ever accidental release of artificial radionuclides in coastal waters. This accident has shown the importance of marine assessment capabilities for emergency response and the need to develop tools for adequately predicting the evolution and potential impact of radioactive releases to the marine environment. The French Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN) equips its emergency response centre with operational tools to assist experts and decision makers in the event of accidental atmospheric releases and contamination of the terrestrial environment. The on-going project aims to develop tools for the management of marine contamination events in French coastal areas. This should allow us to evaluate and anticipate post-accident conditions, including potential contamination sites, contamination levels and potential consequences. In order to achieve this goal, two complementary tools are developed: site-specific marine data sheets and a dedicated simulation tool (STERNE, Simulation du Transport et du transfert d'Eléments Radioactifs dans l'environNEment marin). Marine data sheets are used to summarize the marine environment characteristics of the various sites considered, and to identify vulnerable areas requiring implementation of population protection measures, such as aquaculture areas, beaches or industrial water intakes, as well as areas of major ecological interest. Local climatological data (dominant sea currents as a function of meteorological or tidal conditions) serving as the basis for an initial environmental sampling strategy is provided whenever possible, along with a list of possible local contacts for operational management purposes. The STERNE simulation tool is designed to predict radionuclide dispersion and contamination in seawater and marine species by incorporating spatio-temporal data. 3D hydrodynamic forecasts are used as input data. Direct discharge points or atmospheric deposition source terms can be taken into account. STERNE calculates Eulerian radionuclide dispersion using advection and diffusion equations established offline from hydrodynamic calculations. A radioecological model based on dynamic transfer equations is implemented to evaluate activity concentrations in aquatic organisms. Essential radioecological parameters (concentration factors and single or multicomponent biological half-lives) have been compiled for main radionuclides and generic marine species (fish, molluscs, crustaceans and algae). Dispersion and transfer calculations are performed simultaneously on a 3D grid. Results can be plotted on maps, with possible tracking of spatio-temporal evolution. Post-processing and visualization can then be performed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Céline Duffa
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sureté Nucléaire (IRSN), PRP-ENV/SESURE/LERCM, Antenne de Radioécologie Marine, Centre Ifremer, Zone portuaire de Brégaillon, 13507 La Seyne sur Mer, France.
| | - Pascal Bailly du Bois
- IRSN/PRP-ENV/SERIS/LRC, BP 10, Rue Max Pol Fouchet, 50130 Cherbourg-Octeville, France
| | | | - Sabine Charmasson
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sureté Nucléaire (IRSN), PRP-ENV/SESURE/LERCM, Antenne de Radioécologie Marine, Centre Ifremer, Zone portuaire de Brégaillon, 13507 La Seyne sur Mer, France
| | - Céline Couvez
- IRSN/PRP-ENV/SESURE/EC, 31 rue de l'écluse, BP 40035, 78116 Le Vésinet Cedex, France
| | - Damien Didier
- IRSN/PRP-CRI/SESUC/BMTA, 31, avenue de la Division Leclerc, BP 17, 92260 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Franck Dumas
- IFREMER - Centre Bretagne, ZI de la Pointe du Diable, CS 10070, 29280 Plouzané, France
| | - Bruno Fievet
- IRSN/PRP-ENV/SERIS/LRC, BP 10, Rue Max Pol Fouchet, 50130 Cherbourg-Octeville, France
| | - Mehdi Morillon
- IRSN/PRP-ENV/SERIS/LRC, BP 10, Rue Max Pol Fouchet, 50130 Cherbourg-Octeville, France
| | - Philippe Renaud
- IRSN/PRP-ENV/SESURE/EC, 31 rue de l'écluse, BP 40035, 78116 Le Vésinet Cedex, France
| | - Hervé Thébault
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sureté Nucléaire (IRSN), PRP-ENV/SESURE/LERCM, Antenne de Radioécologie Marine, Centre Ifremer, Zone portuaire de Brégaillon, 13507 La Seyne sur Mer, France
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Tuovinen TS, Kasurinen A, Häikiö E, Tervahauta A, Makkonen S, Holopainen T, Juutilainen J. Transfer of elements relevant to nuclear fuel cycle from soil to boreal plants and animals in experimental meso- and microcosms. Sci Total Environ 2016; 539:252-261. [PMID: 26363398 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.08.157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2015] [Revised: 08/31/2015] [Accepted: 08/31/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Uranium (U), cobalt (Co), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), thorium (Th) and zinc (Zn) occur naturally in soil but their radioactive isotopes can also be released into the environment during the nuclear fuel cycle. The transfer of these elements was studied in three different trophic levels in experimental mesocosms containing downy birch (Betula pubescens), narrow buckler fern (Dryopteris carthusiana) and Scandinavian small-reed (Calamagrostis purpurea ssp. Phragmitoides) as producers, snails (Arianta arbostorum) as herbivores, and earthworms (Lumbricus terrestris) as decomposers. To determine more precisely whether the element uptake of snails is mainly via their food (birch leaves) or both via soil and food, a separate microcosm experiment was also performed. The element uptake of snails did not generally depend on the presence of soil, indicating that the main uptake route was food, except for U, where soil contact was important for uptake when soil U concentration was high. Transfer of elements from soil to plants was not linear, i.e. it was not correctly described by constant concentration ratios (CR) commonly applied in radioecological modeling. Similar nonlinear transfer was found for the invertebrate animals included in this study: elements other than U were taken up more efficiently when element concentration in soil or food was low.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tiina S Tuovinen
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland.
| | - Anne Kasurinen
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Elina Häikiö
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Arja Tervahauta
- Department of Biology, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box FI-70211, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Sari Makkonen
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Toini Holopainen
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Jukka Juutilainen
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Pryakhin EA, Mokrov YG, Tryapitsina GA, Ivanov IA, Osipov DI, Atamanyuk NI, Deryabina LV, Shaposhnikova IA, Shishkina EA, Obvintseva NA, Egoreichenkov EA, Styazhkina EV, Osipova OF, Mogilnikova NI, Andreev SS, Tarasov OV, Geras'kin SA, Trapeznikov AV, Akleyev AV. Characterization of biocenoses in the storage reservoirs of liquid radioactive wastes of Mayak PA. Initial descriptive report. J Environ Radioact 2016; 151 Pt 2:449-460. [PMID: 26094572 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2015.05.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2014] [Revised: 05/17/2015] [Accepted: 05/26/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
As a result of operation of the Mayak Production Association (Mayak PA), Chelyabinsk Oblast, Russia, an enterprise for production and separation of weapon-grade plutonium in the Soviet Union, ecosystems of a number of water bodies have been radioactively contaminated. The article presents information about the current state of ecosystems of 6 special industrial storage reservoirs of liquid radioactive waste from Mayak PA: reservoirs R-3, R-4, R-9, R-10, R-11 and R-17. At present the excess of the radionuclide content in the water of the studied reservoirs and comparison reservoirs (Shershnyovskoye and Beloyarskoye reservoirs) is 9 orders of magnitude for (90)Sr and (137)Cs, and 6 orders of magnitude for alpha-emitting radionuclides. According to the level of radioactive contamination, the reservoirs of the Mayak PA could be arranged in the ascending order as follows: R-11, R-10, R-4, R-3, R-17 and R-9. In 2007-2012 research of the status of the biocenoses of these reservoirs in terms of phytoplankton, zooplankton, bacterioplankton, zoobenthos, aquatic plants, ichthyofauna, avifauna parameters was performed. The conducted studies revealed decrease in species diversity in reservoirs with the highest levels of radioactive and chemical contamination. This article is an initial descriptive report on the status of the biocenoses of radioactively contaminated reservoirs of the Mayak PA, and is the first article in a series of publications devoted to the studies of the reaction of biocenoses of the fresh-water reservoirs of the Mayak PA to a combination of natural and man-made factors, including chronic radiation exposure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E A Pryakhin
- Urals Research Center for Radiation Medicine, Chelyabinsk, Russia
| | | | - G A Tryapitsina
- Urals Research Center for Radiation Medicine, Chelyabinsk, Russia; Chelyabinsk State University, Chelyabinsk, Russia
| | - I A Ivanov
- Ozersk Institute of Technology NRNU MEPhI, Ozersk, Russia
| | - D I Osipov
- Urals Research Center for Radiation Medicine, Chelyabinsk, Russia
| | - N I Atamanyuk
- Urals Research Center for Radiation Medicine, Chelyabinsk, Russia
| | | | | | - E A Shishkina
- Urals Research Center for Radiation Medicine, Chelyabinsk, Russia
| | - N A Obvintseva
- Urals Research Center for Radiation Medicine, Chelyabinsk, Russia
| | | | - E V Styazhkina
- Urals Research Center for Radiation Medicine, Chelyabinsk, Russia
| | - O F Osipova
- Urals Research Center for Radiation Medicine, Chelyabinsk, Russia
| | - N I Mogilnikova
- Urals Research Center for Radiation Medicine, Chelyabinsk, Russia
| | - S S Andreev
- Urals Research Center for Radiation Medicine, Chelyabinsk, Russia
| | | | - S A Geras'kin
- Russian Institute of Agricultural Radiobiology and Agricultural Ecology, Obninsk, Russia
| | - A V Trapeznikov
- Institute of Plant and Animal Ecology UrB RAS, Yekaterinburg, Russia
| | - A V Akleyev
- Urals Research Center for Radiation Medicine, Chelyabinsk, Russia; Chelyabinsk State University, Chelyabinsk, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Aliyu AS, Mousseau TA, Ramli AT, Bununu YA. Radioecological impacts of tin mining. Ambio 2015; 44:778-87. [PMID: 26093469 PMCID: PMC4646856 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-015-0677-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2015] [Revised: 04/06/2015] [Accepted: 06/03/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The tin mining activities in the suburbs of Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria, have resulted in technical enhancement of the natural background radiation as well as higher activity concentrations of primordial radionuclides in the topsoil of mining sites and their environs. Several studies have considered the radiological human health risks of the mining activity; however, to our knowledge no documented study has investigated the radiological impacts on biota. Hence, an attempt is made to assess potential hazards using published data from the literature and the ERICA Tool. This paper considers the effects of mining and milling on terrestrial organisms like shrubs, large mammals, small burrowing mammals, birds (duck), arthropods (earth worm), grasses, and herbs. The dose rates and risk quotients to these organisms are computed using conservative values for activity concentrations of natural radionuclides reported in Bitsichi and Bukuru mining areas. The results suggest that grasses, herbs, lichens, bryophytes and shrubs receive total dose rates that are of potential concern. The effects of dose rates to specific indicator species of interest are highlighted and discussed. We conclude that further investigation and proper regulations should be set in place in order to reduce the risk posed by the tin mining activity on biota. This paper also presents a brief overview of the impact of mineral mining on biota based on documented literature for other countries.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu
- Department of Physics, Nasarawa State University, P.M.B 1022, Keffi, Nigeria.
- Department of Physics, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310, Johor, Malaysia.
| | - Timothy Alexander Mousseau
- Department of Biological Sciences and the Environment and Sustainability Program, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
| | - Ahmad Termizi Ramli
- Department of Physics, Nasarawa State University, P.M.B 1022, Keffi, Nigeria
| | - Yakubu Aliyu Bununu
- Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor, Malaysia
- Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Aliyu AS, Evangeliou N, Mousseau TA, Wu J, Ramli AT. An overview of current knowledge concerning the health and environmental consequences of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident. Environ Int 2015; 85:213-28. [PMID: 26425805 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2015.09.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2015] [Revised: 09/15/2015] [Accepted: 09/17/2015] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Since 2011, the scientific community has worked to identify the exact transport and deposition patterns of radionuclides released from the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) in Japan. Nevertheless, there still remain many unknowns concerning the health and environmental impacts of these radionuclides. The present paper reviews the current understanding of the FDNPP accident with respect to interactions of the released radionuclides with the environment and impacts on human and non-human biota. Here, we scrutinize existing literature and combine and interpret observations and modeling assessments derived after Fukushima. Finally, we discuss the behavior and applications of radionuclides that might be used as tracers of environmental processes. This review focuses on (137)Cs and (131)I releases derived from Fukushima. Published estimates suggest total release amounts of 12-36.7PBq of (137)Cs and 150-160PBq of (131)I. Maximum estimated human mortality due to the Fukushima nuclear accident is 10,000 (due to all causes) and the maximum estimates for lifetime cancer mortality and morbidity are 1500 and 1800, respectively. Studies of plants and animals in the forests of Fukushima have recorded a range of physiological, developmental, morphological, and behavioral consequences of exposure to radioactivity. Some of the effects observed in the exposed populations include the following: hematological aberrations in Fukushima monkeys; genetic, developmental and morphological aberrations in a butterfly; declines in abundances of birds, butterflies and cicadas; aberrant growth forms in trees; and morphological abnormalities in aphids. These findings are discussed from the perspective of conservation biology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu
- Department of Physics, Nasarawa State University Keffi, P.M.B 1022 Keffi, Nigeria; Department of Physics, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Johor Baru, Malaysia.
| | - Nikolaos Evangeliou
- Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU), Department of Atmospheric and Climate Research (ATMOS), Kjeller, Norway
| | - Timothy Alexander Mousseau
- Environment and Sustainability Program, and Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, United States; Faculty of Biotechnology, Chubu University, Kasugai, Japan
| | - Junwen Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Ahmad Termizi Ramli
- Department of Physics, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Johor Baru, Malaysia
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Hinton TG, Byrne ME, Webster S, Beasley JC. Quantifying the spatial and temporal variation in dose from external exposure to radiation: a new tool for use on free-ranging wildlife. J Environ Radioact 2015; 145:58-65. [PMID: 25863721 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2015.03.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2014] [Revised: 03/21/2015] [Accepted: 03/22/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Inadequate dosimetry is often the fundamental problem in much of the controversial research dealing with radiation effects on free-ranging wildlife. Such research is difficult because of the need to measure dose from several potential pathways of exposure (i.e., internal contamination, external irradiation, and inhalation). Difficulties in quantifying external exposures can contribute significantly to the uncertainties of dose-effect relationships. Quantifying an animal's external exposure due to spatial-temporal use of habitats that can vary by orders of magnitude in radiation levels is particularly challenging. Historically, wildlife dosimetry studies have largely ignored or been unable to accurately quantify variability in external dose because of technological limitations. The difficulties of quantifying the temporal-spatial aspects of external irradiation prompted us to develop a new dosimetry instrument for field research. We merged two existing technologies [Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and electronic dosimeters] to accommodate the restrictive conditions of having a combined unit small enough to be unobtrusively worn on the neck of a free-ranging animal, and sufficiently robust to withstand harsh environmental conditions. The GPS-dosimeter quantifies the spatial and temporal variation in external dose as wildlife traverse radioactively contaminated habitats and sends, via satellites, an animal's location and short term integrated dose to the researcher at a user-defined interval. Herein we describe: (1) the GPS-dosimeters; (2) tests to compare their uniformity of response to external irradiation under laboratory conditions; (3) field tests of their durability when worn on wildlife under natural conditions; and (4) a field application of the new technology at a radioactively contaminated site. Use of coupled GPS-dosimetry will allow, for the first time, researchers to better understand the relationship of animals to their contaminated habitats and better assess animal responses to the stress of radiological exposures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas G Hinton
- Institute of Radioprotection and Nuclear Safety, Cadarache, France.
| | - Michael E Byrne
- University of Georgia, Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, Athens, GA, USA.
| | - Sarah Webster
- University of Georgia, Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, Athens, GA, USA.
| | - James C Beasley
- University of Georgia, Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, Athens, GA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|