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PubMed2005

137Cs, 239+240Pu and 240Pu/239Pu atom ratios in the surface waters of the western North Pacific Ocean, eastern Indian Ocean and their adjacent seas.

Surface seawater samples were collected along the track of the R/V Hakuho-Maru cruise (KH-96-5) from Tokyo to the Southern Ocean. The (137)Cs activities were determined for the surface waters in the western North Pacific Ocean, the Sulu and Indonesian Seas, the eastern Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal, the Andaman Sea, and the South China Sea. The (137)Cs activities showed a wide variation with values ranging from 1.1 Bq m(-3) in the Antarctic Circumpolar Region of the Southern Ocean to 3 Bq m(-3) in the western North Pacific Ocean and the South China Sea. The latitudinal distributions of (137)Cs activity were not reflective of that of the integrated deposition density of atmospheric global fallout. The removal rates of (137)Cs from the surface waters were roughly estimated from the two data sets of Miyake et al. [Miyake Y, Saruhashi K, Sugimura Y, Kanazawa T, Hirose K. Contents of (137)Cs, plutonium and americium isotopes in the Southern Ocean waters. Pap Meteorol Geophys 1988;39:95-113] and this study to be 0.016 yr(-1) in the Sulu and Indonesian Seas, 0.033 yr(-1) in the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea, and 0.029 yr(-1) in the South China Sea. These values were much lower than that in the coastal surface water of the western Northwest Pacific Ocean. This was likely due to less horizontal and vertical mixing of water masses and less scavenging. (239+240)Pu activities and (240)Pu/(239)Pu atom ratios were also determined for the surface waters in the western North Pacific Ocean, the Sulu and Indonesian Seas and the South China Sea. The (240)Pu/(239)Pu atom ratios ranged from 0.199+/-0.026 to 0.248+/-0.027 on average, and were significantly higher than the global stratospheric fallout ratio of 0.18. The contributions of the North Pacific Proving Grounds close-in fallout Pu were estimated to be 20% for the western North Pacific Ocean, 39% for the Sulu and Indonesian Seas and 42% for the South China Sea by using the two end-member mixing model. The higher (240)Pu/(239)Pu atom ratios could be attributed to close-in fallout Pu delivered from the Enewetak and Bikini Atolls by ocean currents of branches of the North Equatorial Current to the Southeast Asian seas.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2006

Manmade and natural radionuclides in north east Atlantic shelf and slope sediments: Implications for rates of sedimentary processes and for contaminant dispersion.

Results are presented for a study of manmade and natural radionuclides in north east Atlantic continental shelf and slope sediments to the west of Scotland. The data are interpreted in the context of sediment mixing and accumulation processes and are used to establish the westward extent of contamination of the sediment system. Offshore shelf and slope sediments were found to have post-glacial sedimentation rates of the order of 1 cm ky(-1) but nearshore sediments had much higher accumulation rates of the order of 0.1 cm y(-1). Surface mixed layer depths of up to 6 cm were observed and non-local mixing affected most of the slope sediments, resulting in advective transport of surface sediment to depths of up to 10 cm. Biodiffusion coefficients for offshore shelf and slope sediments were dominantly in the range 10(-8) to 10(-9) cm2 s(-1). The study confirmed that seawater contaminated with Sellafield waste radionuclides is dominantly entrained to the east of 7 degrees W and, consistent with this, higher levels of Sellafield derived radionuclides were confined to nearshore sediments, with lower levels to the west of 7 degrees W. 238Pu/(239,240)Pu data indicated that Sellafield contributed 75-91% of the total plutonium in coastal sediment but only about 4-8% of the total in slope sediments. By analogy, it can be concluded that a similar situation will apply to other contaminants in seawater entering the north east Atlantic via the North Channel.

Atlantic Ocean↗

PubMed2006

Biological consequences of Chernobyl: 20 years on.

The disaster at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in 1986 released 80 petabecquerel of radioactive caesium, strontium, plutonium and other radioactive isotopes into the atmosphere, polluting 200 000 km(2) of land in Europe. As we discuss here, several studies have since shown associations between high and low levels of radiation and the abundance, distribution, life history and mutation rates of plants and animals. However, this research is the consequence of investment by a few individuals rather than a concerted research effort by the international community, despite the fact that the effects of the disaster are continent-wide. A coordinated international research effort is therefore needed to further investigate the effects of the disaster, knowledge that could be beneficial if there are further nuclear accidents, including the threat of a "dirty bomb".

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Cytogenetic study on children living in Southern Urals contaminated areas (nuclear incidents 1948-1967).

As a result of the activities of the first Soviet plutonium production reactor, large territories of the Southern Urals were exposed to radioactive contamination. Three different incidents occurring between 1948 and 1967 lead to major exposure. A total of 280,000 people residing on the contaminated territories were exposed both to external and internal contamination particularly due to the long-lived radionuclides 137Cs and 90Sr. The highest doses were received by 28,000 people living on the Techa riverside villages. In the present paper 15 presumably exposed children coming from the Muslyumovo village on the Techa river have been analyzed using conventional cytogenetic procedure in order to assess a radiation-induced damage. The data obtained have been compared to a group of matched unexposed controls. The results show a statistical difference between the two cohorts which suggests a possible residual contamination representing a continuous hazard for the new generations.

Blood Cells↗

PubMed1991

8th Duncan Memorial Lecture. Childhood cancer and nuclear installations.

So where are we now? I think the first thing to say is that there is a well-established excess around Sellafield of childhood leukaemia, although excesses around other nuclear sites are of a lower magnitude. The excess near Sellafield is strongly associated with fathers having high exposure to external whole-body penetrating radiation while working at the installation before their child's conception. But is this association pointing towards a causal mechanism? One possibility is genetic damage, but most geneticists and radiobiologists would consider that the levels of occupational exposure, even at Sellafield, are too low for this to be a plausible pathway on current knowledge. This is based to some extent on the lack of any similar effect among children born subsequently to Japanese survivors of the atomic bombs--however, the scenario is somewhat different contrasting a high short-term exposure with a lower long-term exposure. As well, some workers at Sellafield will also be exposed to radionuclides, such as plutonium, which we have not yet been able to analyse for. In addition, there are other exposures in a complex environment which may or may not be relevant. One experimental study in the laboratory using animals supports the idea that a pathway through irradiation of the parents is plausible, although this one result needs replication. Other causes have been suggested for the excess childhood leukaemia levels in particular around nuclear establishments--these include population movement, implicating viruses that have long been considered to be associated with childhood leukaemia, high rates in isolated communities, and also selection of areas for nuclear sites that have a natural propensity to high rates.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Transport of radionuclides from the Mururoa and Fangataufa atolls through the marine environment.

A dispersion of radionuclides (3H, 90Sr, 137Cs, 239Pu) potentially released from the Mururoa and Fangataufa atolls through the South Pacific Ocean has been studied by means of computer models. The models used consisted of three differently structured compartmental models for the regional field and a hydrodynamic world ocean model for the far-field simulations. The outcome of regional modelling is predicted activity concentrations with time in different regions of French Polynesia (over up to 10,000 years for plutonium). The far-field model simulates large-scale dispersion in the South Pacific Ocean over periods of up to 50 years. The overall result suggests that there will not be radioactive contamination of any radiological interest at inhabited sites in French Polynesia or anywhere else in the ocean at present or in the future.

Models, Chemical↗

PubMed1994

Alpha-particle-induced chromosomal instability in human bone marrow cells.

alpha-particles, which are ionising radiation of high linear-energy-transfer emitted, for example, from radon or plutonium, pass through tissue as highly structured tracks. Single target cells in the path of the tracks might be damaged by even low-dose alpha-irradiation. We found non-clonal cytogenetic aberrations, characterised by a high frequency of chromatid aberrations with chromosome aberrations, in clonal descendants of haemopoietic stem cells after exposure to alpha-particles of bone marrow cells from two of four haematologically normal individuals (up to 25% abnormal metaphases). The data are consistent with a transmissible genetic instability induced in a stem cell resulting in a diversity of aberrations in its clonal progeny many cell divisions later.

Alpha Particles↗

PubMed2002

Transuranic biokinetic parameters for marine invertebrates--a review.

A catalogue of biokinetic parameters for the transuranic elements plutonium, americium, curium, neptunium, and californium in marine invertebrates is presented. The parameters considered are: the seawater-animal concentration factor (CF); the sediment-animal concentration ratio (CR); transuranic assimilation efficiency; transuranic tissue distribution and transuranic elimination rates. With respect to the seawater-animal CF, authors differ considerably on how they define this parameter and a seven-point reporting system is suggested. Transuranic uptake from sediment by animals is characterised by low CRs. The assimilation efficiencies of transuranic elements in marine invertebrates are high compared to vertebrates and mammals in general and the distribution of transuranics within the body tissue of an animal is dependent on the uptake path. The elimination of transuranics from most species examined conformed to a standard biphasic exponential model though some examples with three elimination phases were identified.

Animals↗

PubMed1980

Actinide transport across cell membranes.

Protactinium uptake into the normal liver does not exceed 3%, but when the phospholipid levels in the liver are elevated by administration of thioacetamide this uptake increases to 31%. Phosphatidic acid, which is absent from the normal liver, has been shown to extract protactinium into organic solvents. However, phosphatidylserine, a component of normal liver cell membranes, does not extract protactinium. It might be conjectured that this is why so little protactinium is taken up by the normal liver. The hypothesis is advanced that phosphatidylserine, which is known to complex plutonium, americium and curium, may regulate the uptake of these elements by liver.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Modeling colloid transport for performance assessment.

The natural system is expected to contribute to isolation at the proposed high-level nuclear waste (HLW) geologic repository at Yucca Mountain, NV (YM). In developing performance assessment (PA) computer models to simulate long-term behavior at YM, colloidal transport of radionuclides has been proposed as a critical factor because of the possible reduced interaction with the geologic media. Site-specific information on the chemistry and natural colloid concentration of saturated zone groundwaters in the vicinity of YM is combined with a surface complexation sorption model to evaluate the impact of natural colloids on calculated retardation factors (RF) for several radioelements of concern in PA. Inclusion of colloids into the conceptual model can reduce the calculated effective retardation significantly. Strongly sorbed radionuclides such as americium and thorium are most affected by pseudocolloid formation and transport, with a potential reduction in RF of several orders of magnitude. Radioelements that are less strongly sorbed under YM conditions, such as uranium and neptunium, are not affected significantly by colloid transport, and transport of plutonium in the valence state is only moderately enhanced. Model results showed no increase in the peak mean annual total effective dose equivalent (TEDE) within a compliance period of 10,000 years, although this is strongly dependent on container life in the base case scenario. At longer times, simulated container failures increase and the TEDE from the colloidal models increased by a factor of 60 from the base case. By using mechanistic models and sensitivity analyses to determine what parameters and transport processes affect the TEDE, colloidal transport in future versions of the TPA code can be represented more accurately.

Adsorption↗

PubMed2001

Radionuclide transfer from soil to fruit.

The available literature on the transfer of radionuclides from soil to fruit has been reviewed with the aim of identifying the main variables and processes affecting the behaviour of radionuclides in fruit plants. Where available, data for transfer of radionuclides from soil to other components of fruit plant have also been collected, to help in understanding the processes of translocation and storage in perennial plants. Soil-to-fruit transfer factors were derived from agricultural ecosystems, both from temperate and subtropical or tropical zones. Aggregated transfer factors have also been collected from natural or semi-natural ecosystems. The data concern numerous fruits and various radionuclides. Soil-to-fruit transfer is nuclide specific. The variability for a given radionuclide is first of all ascribable to the different properties of soils. Fruit plant species are very heterogeneous, varying from woody trees and shrubs to herbaceous plants. In temperate areas the soil-to-fruit transfer is higher in woody trees for caesium and in shrubs for strontium. Significant differences between the values obtained in temperate and subtropical and tropical regions do not necessarily imply that they are ascribable to climate. Transfer factors for caesium are higher in subtropical and tropical fruits, while those for strontium, as well as for plutonium and americium, in the same fruits, are lower; these results can be interpreted taking into account different soil characteristics.

Climate↗

PubMed2004

90Sr, 238U, 234U, 137Cs, 40K and 239/240Pu in Emmental type cheese produced in different regions of Western Europe.

A method is presented for the determination of (90)Sr and uranium in Emmental type cheese collected in dairy plants from different European countries. Results display a significant correlation (r = 0.708 Student t-test = 6.02) between the (90)Sr content of the cheese and the altitude of grazing. The highest (90)Sr activity is 1.13 Bq kg(-1) of cheese and the lowest is 0.29 Bq kg(-1). Uranium activity is very low with a highest (238)U value of 27 mBq kg(-1). In addition, (234)U/(238)U ratio shows a large enrichment in (234)U for every location. Without any significant indication of the geographic origin of the cheese, this enrichment is believed to be due to the geological features of the pasture, soil and underground water. These results tend to prove that the contamination of milk by uranium originates principally from the water that the cows drink instead of the forage. This finding may have a great importance in models dealing with dairy food contamination by radionuclides following a nuclear accident. Also, the (90)Sr content and to a lesser extent the (234)U/(238)U ratio could be used to trace the authenticity of the origin of the cheese. (137)Cs activity is lower than the detection limit of 0.1 Bq kg(-1) in all the samples collected (n = 20). Based on natural (40)K activity in cheese (15-21 Bq kg(-1)), the decontamination factor for the alkaline cations from milk to cheese is about 20. Plutonium activity stays below the detection limit of 0.3 mBq kg(-1).

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Oncogenic transformation of mammalian cells by ultrasoft X-rays and alpha particles.

For a better understanding of oncogenic cell transformation by ionizing radiation, we conducted experiments with ultrasoft X rays and low energy alpha particles. Confluent C3H10T1/2 cells were irradiated by Al-K (1.5 keV) X rays or alpha particles from plutonium through a thin mylar sheet, on which the cells attached and grew. Our results indicated that Al-K X rays were more effective in causing cell inactivation and oncogenic transformation than 60Co gamma rays but less effective than 1.0 and 3.7 MeV alpha particles. There was no significant difference between 1.0 and 3.7 MeV alpha particles in transforming cells although the latter were slightly more effective than the former in producing lethal effect. These results indicated that track structure is important in causing biological effects by ionizing radiation.

Alpha Particles↗

PubMed2003

Identification of plu genes and cis-acting elements of PCNA in the Drosophila genus using conservation of gene order.

In Drosophila melanogaster, the cell cycle control gene, plutonium (plu), is located between the PCNA and RpS18 genes at position 56F on chromosome arm 2R. We have used a comparative genomic approach to investigate the evolution of the plu gene and to locate conserved cis-acting elements for plu, RpS18 and PCNA. Using primers within coding regions of PCNA and RpS18, we amplified and sequenced the intervening region from twelve Drosophila species. In each species, this region contains a plu gene resembling the D. melanogaster gene in size and in the number and position of introns. The predicted Plu sequence from the different species demonstrates that the first two ankyrin repeats are conserved. Of the transcriptional control elements of D. melanogaster PCNA, we found that three motifs 5' to the PCNA transcription unit are conserved in Drosophila species.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2000

The development of a sequential method for the determination of actinides and 90Sr in power station effluent using extraction chromatography

Determination of the actinides and 90Sr in power station effluent requires their radiochemical isolation prior, to measurement. Historically, techniques such as precipitation, ion exchange and solvent extraction have been used but these methods can be complex, time consuming and produce large amounts of chemical waste. A more environmental friendly sequential scheme for their determination in power station effluent using extraction chromatography has been developed. This is a simplified method which minimises chemical waste and makes use of commercially available pre-packed chromatography columns. An Eichrom TRU.Spec column was used for the separation of isotopes of plutonium from americium and curium followed in sequence by an Eichrom Sr.Spec column for the separation of 90Sr. The isolated actinides were prepared for alpha spectrometry analysis by electrodeposition and 90Sr was analysed by liquid-scintillation counting. The tracers 242Pu, 243Am and 85Sr were used to measure chemical yields. Method evaluation was carried out on water samples spiked with certified radionuclide standards to determine precision, accuracy, detection limits and chemical recoveries. Finally, testing and evaluation of the method was carried out on power station effluent.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1998

Level of natural and artificial radioactivity in Algeria.

A national environmental sampling program was carried out during 1993 to determine natural and artificial radionuclides contents in the (0-15 cm) upper layer of the soil. The main objective was to establish a radioactive reference level in the whole territory, since 131I, 134Cs and 137Cs were detected in most of the analysed samples collected right after the Chernobyl accident (May 1986). Soil samples were analysed by direct counting by gamma-ray spectrometry. In addition, terrestrial gamma-ray dose rates in air have been measured out of doors throughout Algeria. In each of the 48 administrative divisions of the country selected sites were chosen to collect soil samples and measure gamma-ray dose rates. The gamma-emitting radionuclides resulting from the radioactive decay of 238U and 232Th, 40K and 137Cs were detected in most of the analysed samples. Radioactivity concentrations in Bq kg-1 dry mass in soil samples of 226Ra, 214Pb, 214Bi, 212Pb, 228Ac, 40K and 137Cs range between (5-176), (2-107), (3-65), (2-97), (3-144), (36-1405) and (0.3-41) respectively. In addition, six selected soil samples were analysed to determine plutonium isotopes contents. Radioactivity concentrations in Bq kg-1 dry mass of 238Pu and 239 + 240Pu vary between (0.012-0.013) and (0.24-0.61) respectively. The dose rates in air measured over the whole country were found to range between 20 and 133 nGy h-1. Presence of 137Cs has been clearly observed. An approach has been made to determine its origin, considering the global fallout, the Chernobyl accident and the French nuclear bomb tests in the 60s as the main potential sources. It is concluded that Algeria has indeed been affected by the Chernobyl accident.

Algeria↗

PubMed1998

Isolation and analysis of UV and radio-resistant bacteria from Chernobyl.

The accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power station in 1986 led to the dispersal of large amounts of a variety of radioactive materials, most importantly uranium, plutonium, 137Cs, 131I and 90Sr, over very large distances estimated to reach as far as Sweden, Norway, Turkey and possibly the USA. As a consequence, the soil on which the radioactive materials fell was contaminated and the degree of contamination varied with distance from the station, the direction and strength of the wind and the amount of atmospheric scavenging by rainfall at that time. Some of the radioactive materials have left a significant impact on mankind in the form of chromosomal aberrations including trisomy, various forms of cancers and death, whilst others are still in the ground where they will remain for a prolonged period to continue to exert their effects. Likewise, microbes living in the soil and exposed to radioactive materials may have been affected in a number of ways; some perished, and others survived due to the acquisition of advantageous mutation. Six years after the accident, soil samples contaminated with different levels of radioactivity were obtained from five regions within a 30 km radius of the nuclear power plant. From these soil samples spore-forming bacilli were isolated, quantified, identified and tested for resistance to X-rays, UVC and 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4NQO). As a control, spore-forming bacilli were obtained from 'Zeleny mys' (an area 50 km south-east of the power station and emitting basal levels of radioactivity). A mutant of Escherichia coli hyper-resistant to a variety of DNA-damaging agents and its parent strain were also included in the study. Analysis of results reveals that a proportion of isolates of the same species from near the power station and the E. coli mutant SA236 were more resistant to X-rays, UVC and 4NQO compared with isolates from the control site and the E. coli parent strain, KL14, respectively.

4-Nitroquinoline-1-oxide↗

PubMed2002

Simultaneous separation and detection of actinides in acidic solutions using an extractive scintillating resin.

An extractive scintillating resin was evaluated for the simultaneous separation and detection of actinides in acidic solutions. The transuranic extractive scintillating (TRU-ES) resin is composed of an inert macroporous polystyrene core impregnated with organic fluors (diphenyloxazole and 1,4-bis-(4-methyl-5-phenyl-2-oxazolyl)benzene) and an extractant (octyl(phenyl)-N,N-diisobutylcarbamoylmethylphosphine oxide in tributyl phosphate). The TRU-ES resin was packed into FEP Teflon tubing to produce a flow cell (0.2-mL free column volume), which is placed into a scintillation detection system to obtain pulse height spectra and time series data during loading and elution of actinides onto/from the resin. The alpha-particle absolute detection efficiencies ranged from 77% to 96.5%, depending on the alpha energy and quench. In addition to the on-line analyses, off-line analyses of the effluent can be conducted using conventional detection methods. The TRU-ES resin was applied to the quantification of a mixed radionuclide solution and two actual waste samples. The on-line characterization of the mixed radionuclide solution was within 10% of the reported activities whereas the agreement with the waste samples was not as good due to sorption onto the sample container walls and the oxidation state of plutonium. Agreement between the on-line and off-line analyses was within 35% of one another for both waste samples.

Acids↗