Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Neptunium”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Bioaccumulation of nickel by intercalation into polycrystalline hydrogen uranyl phosphate deposited via an enzymatic mechanism.

A Citrobacter sp. accumulates uranyl ion (UO2(2+)) as crystalline HUO2PO4.4H2O (HUP), using enzymatically generated inorganic phosphate. Ni was not removed by this mechanism, but cells already loaded with HUP removed Ni2+ by intercalative ion-exchange, forming Ni(UO2PO4)2.7H2O, as concluded by x-ray diffraction (XRD) and proton induced x-ray emission (PIXE) analyses. The loaded biomass became saturated with Ni rapidly, with a molar ratio of Ni:U in the cellbound deposit of approx. 1:6; Ni penetration was probably surface-localized. Cochallenge of the cells with Ni2+ and UO2(2+), and glycerol 2-phosphate (phosphate donor for phosphate release and metal bioprecipitation) gave sustained removal of both metals in a flow through bioreactor, with more extensively accumulated Ni. We propose 'Microbially Enhanced Chemisorption of Heavy Metals' (MECHM) to describe this hybrid mechanism of metal bioaccumulation via intercalation into preformed, biogenic crystals, and note also that MECHM can promote the removal of the transuranic radionuclide neptunium, which is difficult to achieve by conventional methods.

Biomass↗
PubMed2003

A rapid and accurate method for the determination of plutonium in food using magnetic sector ICP-MS with an ultra-sonic nebuliser and ion chromatography.

In the event of a nuclear incident it is essential that analytical information on the distribution and level of contamination is available. An ICP-MS method is described which can provide data on plutonium contamination in food within 3 h of sample receipt without compromising detection limits or accuracy relative to traditional counting methods. The method can also provide simultaneous determinations of americium and neptunium. Samples were prepared by HNO3 closed-vessel microwave digestion, evaporated to dryness and diluted into a mobile phase comprising 1.5 M HNO3 and 0.1 mM 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid. A commercially available polystyrene-divinylbenzene ion chromatography column provides on-line separation of 239Pu and 238U reducing the impact of the 238U1H interference. Oxidation of the sample using H2O2 ensures all Pu is in the Pu(+4) state. The oxidation also displaces Np away from the solvent front by changing the oxidation state from Np(+3) to Np(+4) and produces the insoluble Am(+4) ion. Simultaneous Pu, Am and Np analyses therefore require omission of the oxidation stage and some loss of Pu data quality. Analyses were performed using a magnetic sector ICP-MS (Finnigan MAT Element). The sample is introduced to the plasma via an ultrasonic nebuliser-desolvation unit (Cetac USN 6000AT+). This combination achieves an instrumental sensitivity of 238U > 2 x 10(7) cps/ppb and removes hydrogen from the sample gas, which also inhibits the formation of 238U1H. The net effect of the improved sample introduction conditions is to achieve detection levels for Pu of 0.020 pg g(-1) (4.6 x 10(-2) Bq kg(-1)) which is significantly below 1/10th of the most stringent EU (European Union) legislation, currently 0.436 pg g(-1) (1 Bq kg(-1)) set for baby food. The new method was evaluated with a range of biological samples ranging from cabbage to milk and meat. Recovery of Pu agrees with published values (100% +/- 20%).

Chromatography, Ion Exchange↗
PubMed1975

A novel fast neutron dosemeter based on fission chambers. Part I: Principles of operation and theoretical response in neutron therapy radiation fields.

A novel method is proposed of accurately measuring fast neutron doses of interest in radiotherapy. The technique, which utilizes calculated neutron fluence-to-kerma conversion factors, is based upon the combination of measurements with calibrated neptunium-237 and uranium-238 pulse fission chambers to obtain a response which matches the variation of kerma with neutron energy. The theoretical performance of a practical instrument has been assessed for a variety of neutron spectra to evaluate the spectrum dependence of the dosemeter. The overall systematic uncertainty using this absolute method of determining the neutron dose under charged particle equilibrium conditions is comparable to that encountered with ionization chamber techniques.

Hot Temperature↗
PubMed1995

Potential effects of surface water components on actinide determinations conducted by ion chromatography.

An elution program for separating actinides (thorium, uranium, neptunium, plutonium, americium, and curium) on low hydrophobicity ion exchange columns was evaluated for solutions spiked with actinides and common surface water components. Potential interferences from dissolved ions (Na+, K+, Ca2+, Cl-, and SO(4)2-), humic acid, and radium were investigated. Sulfate levels greater than 0.25 mumol interfered with separation of americium, curium, and plutonium. Humic acid levels above 100 micrograms produced distinct widening of actinide peaks and reduced actinide recoveries. These interferences limit the range of useful sample volumes and create a need for sample pretreatment procedures. No interferences were produced by 0.025 to 2.5 mumol Ca2+, 0.045 to 4.5 mumol Na+, 0.015 to 1.5 mumol K+, and 0.025 to 4.5 mumol Cl-. In the absence of interferences, the program effectively separated radium from the actinides.

Actinoid Series Elements↗
PubMed1994

Enzymically accelerated biomineralization of heavy metals: application to the removal of americium and plutonium from aqueous flows.

A biological process for the removal of heavy metals from the aqueous flows is described. Metals are precipitated on the surface of immobilized cells of a Citrobacter sp. as cell-bound metal phosphates. This uses phosphate liberated by the activity of a cell-bound phosphatase. Some radionuclides (e.g. 241americium) form metal phosphates readily; efficient removal of 241Am on a continuous basis is demonstrated. At low phosphatase activities, the efficiency of uranium removal correlates with enzyme activity. High phosphatase activities are not realised as an increase in metal removal, suggesting that chemical events become rate-limiting. Studies have suggested that maximal metal uptake occurs only after nucleation and the formation of precipitation foci. A model is presented to illustrate how nucleation and crystallization processes could enhance the removal of plutonium and neptunium from dilute solutions.

Acrylic Resins↗
PubMed1990

[The effect of chronic internal irradiation from incorporated radionuclides on liver function].

On chronic supply to the body of a mixture of nuclear division products lanthanum-140, barium-140, tellurium-132, neodymium-147, neptunium-239, zirconium-95, niobium-95, iodine-131, cerium-141, -144, cesium-134, -137, and ruthenium-103 are detectable in liver tissue within the first months. In the 2 to 4 years following the disaster, liver tissue primarily accumulates cerium-144, radium-226, thorium-228, -232, ruthenium-106, antimony-125, and europium-154. Within the first periods the liver radionuclide content was 19 to 31% higher than that in the blood, and in the following years it was 24 to 38% higher. The radionuclides indicated were actively excreted with the bile into the gastrointestinal lumen. Within the first months after the chronic internal radiation the functional liver disorders were detectable in 30 to 40% of the patients. Later on diverse acute and chronic diseases of the liver, gallbladder and pancreas were detectable in 20 to 30% of the patients. The radionuclide content in the body was found to be in parallel with functional liver disorders. Acceleration of radionuclide excretion from the body results in liver function improvement.

Bile↗
PubMed1983

[Dosage fields of the "ANET-B" apparatus with 252Cf].

The paper is concerned with the results of the calculation of dose fields of neutron and gamma-radiation for an ANET-B unit. Experimental measurements were done in the tissue equivalent phantom by using photoluminescent and alumophosphate glasses, thermoluminescent and threshold detectors with neptunium foil. Divergences between calculated and all experimental data did not exceed 10-12%. It has been shown that the ratio of the contribution of neutron and gamma-components of 252Cf radiation for the ANET-B unit to the summary absorbed dose at an arbitrary point of a tissue equivalent phantom depends considerably on a distance between this point and the center of a source and changes from 2 (for a distance of 0.5 cm) to 1 (for a distance of 10 cm).

Brachytherapy↗
PubMed1976

Bone resorption measurement with unusual bone markers: critical evaluation of the method in phosphorus-deficient and calcium-deficient growing rats.

An in vivo method to evaluate bone resorption in rats, by using unusual bone seekers not dependent on renal tubular transfer, is described and a critical evaluation of the method is made. In our experimental conditions, 85Sr and 177Lu are virtually exclusively localized in bone whereas 237Np remains unchanged in different soft organs, so that the concomitant use of these markers can be used for measuring bone resorption. If osteolysis occurs 21 days after the injection of these markers, under our experimental conditions, any increase in the urinary excretion of 177Lu and 237Np represents a rise in bone resorption, whereas an increase in Sr excretion reflects both and renal tubular events. According to our bone localization studies, the enhancement of Lu and Np excretion reflects primarily an increase in cortical bone resorption localized at the endosteal (Lu) and at the periosteal (Np) surfaces respectively. In addition, strontium is considered to be the marker of mineral resorption whereas Lu and Np, under our experimental conditions, would reflect the organic bone resorption. This method is tested in phosphorus-deficient rats and in calcium-deficient rats which exhibit disturbances of calcium metabolism at both the bone and kidney levels. In agreement with previous investigations, the use of these bone markers to evaluate osteolysis shows: (a) after a 1-week phosphorus deficiency, a slight increase in cortical bone resorption with a simultaneous fall in calcium and strontium renal tubular reabsorption, and (b) after a 1-week calcium deficiency, a high rise in cortical bone resorption with a simultaneous increase in the renal tubular reabsorption of calcium and strontium.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Soft X-ray scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM) of actinide particles.

A descriptive account is given of our most recent research on the actinide dioxides with the Advanced Light Source Molecular Environmental Science (ALS-MES) Beamline 11.0.2 soft X-ray scanning transmission X-ray microscope (STXM) at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL). The ALS-MES STXM permits near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) and imaging with 30-nm spatial resolution. The first STXM spectromicroscopy NEXAFS spectra at the actinide 4d5/2 edges of the imaged transuranic particles, NpO2 and PuO2, have been obtained. Radiation damage induced by the STXM was observed in the investigation of a mixed oxidation state particle (Np(V,VI)) and was minimized during collection of the actual spectra at the 4d5/2 edge of the Np(V,VI) solid. A plutonium elemental map was obtained from an irregular PuO2 particle with the dimensions of 650 x 650 nm. The Pu 4d5/2 NEXAFS spectra were collected at several different locations from the PuO2 particle and were identical. A representative oxygen K-edge spectrum from UO2 was collected and resembles the oxygen K-edge from the bulk material. The unique and current performance of the ALS-MES STXM at extremely low energies (ca. 100 eV) that may permit the successful measurement of the actinide 5d edge is documented. Finally, the potential of STXM as a tool for actinide investigations is briefly discussed.

Actinoid Series Elements↗
PubMed2001

Considerations on the behavior of long-lived radionuclides in the soil.

The migration of radionuclides from waste repositories to the biosphere potentially leads to a contamination of soil. Due to the importance of food production, the mobilisation and accumulation behaviour of long-lived radionuclides in the soil plays a key role in performance assessment studies. In this paper, the main features and processes that control radionuclide behaviour in soil, such as pH, redox potential and sorption to organic and inorganic soil components, are discussed for the radionuclides 36Cl, 79Se, 129I, 99Tc, 237Np and 238U, that are usually most relevant in long-term safety assessments of nuclear waste. The interaction of radionuclide behaviour in soil with environmental factors, such as temperature and humidity as well as farming practices are discussed. The possible impact of future soil development on long-term behaviour in soil are taken into consideration. Due to the physiological constraints of plant growth, appropriate soil conditions for growth will probably not be substantially different from current requirements, bearing in mind that sustainable agriculture strives for optimal plant growth. Against this background, present-day parameters may in general be considered appropriate for roughly estimating the behaviour of radionuclides in the soil-plant system.

Chlorine↗
PubMed1991

The gastrointestinal absorption of the actinide elements.

The greatest uncertainty in dose estimates for the ingestion of long-lived, alpha-emitting isotopes of the actinide elements is in the values used for their fractional absorption from the gastrointestinal tract (f1 values). Recent years have seen a large increase in the available data on actinide absorption. Human data are reviewed here, together with animal data, to illustrate the effect on absorption of chemical form, incorporation into food materials, fasting and other dietary factors, and age at ingestion. The f1 values recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection, by an Expert Group of the Nuclear Energy Agency and by the National Radiological Protection Board are discussed.

Actinoid Series Elements↗