Journal of environmental radioactivity最新文献

{"title":"In situ observation and theoretical study of temporal variations in radon exhalation rates from the gypsum board of a cavity wall: a comparison with a solid concrete wall","authors":"Akihiro Sakoda ,&nbsp;Yuu Ishimori ,&nbsp;Md. Mahamudul Hasan ,&nbsp;Qianhao Jin ,&nbsp;Takeshi Iimoto","doi":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107703","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107703","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Building materials are one of the most important indoor radon sources, prompting research into their radon exhalation rate (<em>J</em>_Rn). Most previous studies have relied on laboratory tests using pieces or blocks of materials such as concrete and brick. However, creating samples that mimic real cavity walls, defined as walls with a cavity between the two panels of the associated building material, has been challenging owing to structural complexities. In this study, we conducted the first long-term in situ measurement of <em>J</em>_Rn from the interior board of a common Japanese cavity wall comprising a thin gypsum board (interior wall), air/insulation, and concrete (exterior wall). Results indicated clear diurnal and seasonal variations in the observed <em>J</em>_Rn data. In general, the highest and lowest <em>J</em>_Rn values were observed in summer and winter, respectively, exhibiting the same pattern as that observed for thick solid concrete walls analyzed in our previous in situ study. Interestingly, <em>J</em>_Rn values increased during the day in summer and at night in winter, contrasting with the stable <em>J</em>_Rn value observed for the thick solid concrete walls over several days. Theoretical calculations indicated that in this case study, <em>J</em>_Rn was predominantly driven by diffusion, not by advection. These results could be explained by considering the wall thickness, diffusivity, and boundary conditions of radon activity concentrations. Our findings can help the selection and refinement of input parameters for radon sources when modeling the spatiotemporal dynamics of indoor radon in buildings. More in situ tests in diverse buildings are essential in the future.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15667,"journal":{"name":"Journal of environmental radioactivity","volume":"287 ","pages":"Article 107703"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144069497","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Bentonite-goethite composite Colloids: Unraveling the mechanisms of strontium adsorption inhibition in claystone for nuclear waste geologic repositories","authors":"Rui Zuo ,&nbsp;Zuorong Xu ,&nbsp;Guanlan Wu ,&nbsp;Jun Liu ,&nbsp;Shida Zheng ,&nbsp;Jun Xu ,&nbsp;Jingchao Liu ,&nbsp;Jiawei Liu ,&nbsp;Weihai Cai","doi":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107724","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107724","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The management and disposal of radioactive waste, especially strontium (Sr), is a critical aspect of sustainable nuclear energy utilization. This study examines the adsorption of Sr onto the surrounding rock of a high-radioactivity geological repository, with a specific emphasis on the Suhongtu claystone and its interaction with bentonite‒goethite composite colloids. By utilizing a sequence of static adsorption experiments, adsorption kinetic models, and diverse spectroscopic methods, this research aims to shed light on the adsorption mechanism of Sr influenced by these composite colloids. These results indicate that the claystone adsorption capacity for Sr is considerably affected by pH and that the adsorption rates are elevated in alkaline environments. The bentonite–goethite composite colloid formed a protective layer on the surface of the plagioclase in the claystone, hindering ion exchange between the strontium and the surface of the plagioclase and thus inhibiting strontium adsorption by the claystone. This study offers profound insights into the function of composite colloids in the adsorption process and has potential implications for the design and safety evaluation of radioactive waste repositories.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15667,"journal":{"name":"Journal of environmental radioactivity","volume":"287 ","pages":"Article 107724"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144069498","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Dynamics of radionuclide movement in forests: A review of Chernobyl and Fukushima impact studies","authors":"Olanrewaju Ajanaku ,&nbsp;Abiola Olawale Ilori ,&nbsp;Thompson Faraday Ediagbonya","doi":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107723","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107723","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Chernobyl (1986) and Fukushima (2011) nuclear accidents have left lasting environmental impacts, particularly in forest ecosystems. Radioactive contamination in these areas has persisted for decades, influencing not only the landscape but also the biological cycles within these ecosystems. This review focuses on the long-term dynamics of radionuclide movement in forest environments, specifically examining the case studies of Chernobyl and Fukushima. We explore how radionuclides are transported through forest soil, water, plants, and wildlife, highlighting key factors such as soil type, climate, and forest structure. The review synthesizes research on the bioaccumulation of radioactive materials in trees, mushrooms, and wildlife, and discusses the interactions between radionuclides and biotic components. By comparing the two sites, this review identifies common trends and region-specific dynamics, offering insights into the broader implications for forest management and environmental remediation in post-nuclear accident landscapes. The paper concludes by identifying knowledge gaps and suggesting directions for future research into radionuclide behavior in forest ecosystems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15667,"journal":{"name":"Journal of environmental radioactivity","volume":"287 ","pages":"Article 107723"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144069496","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Quantifying fission gas adsorption onto natural clinoptilolite in the presence of environmental air and water","authors":"Matthew D. Powell ,&nbsp;Matthew J. Paul ,&nbsp;Guangping Xu ,&nbsp;Jeffery A. Greathouse ,&nbsp;Scott T. Broome","doi":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107709","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107709","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Adsorption of noble gas fission products onto naturally occurring minerals is of interest for its potential to retain or retard emissions from nuclear fuel reprocessing operations or underground nuclear explosions. However, experimental studies of trace noble gas adsorption in the presence of air and water have largely focused on synthetic materials, such as activated carbon or metal-organic frameworks. Here, adsorption of Kr and Xe onto the naturally occurring zeolitic mineral clinoptilolite is studied in the presence of nitrogen and water. By varying the composition of the gas phase and monitoring the change in the combined adsorbate mass, the adsorbed concentration of noble gas is calculated gravimetrically. For dry clinoptilolite, the concentration of adsorbed Kr and Xe is linearly correlated with noble gas pressure and Henry's Law appears satisfactory, despite the presence of nitrogen at atmospheric pressures. However, the presence of water significantly reduces the adsorbed concentration of both Kr and Xe, which is typical in nanoporous sorbents. Here, an empirical bivariate model is presented, combining the Henry's Law adsorption model for a dry adsorbent with the exponential reduction in the presence of water, as reported by Lungu and Underhill in 1999. This model provides a means to estimate the adsorbate concentration at the trace partial pressures and higher water contents relevant to field-scale modeling of fission gas transport through the vadose zone.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15667,"journal":{"name":"Journal of environmental radioactivity","volume":"287 ","pages":"Article 107709"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143943049","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparisons of sediment mass accumulation rates in different regions of Dongting Lake and their environmental indications: Based on 239+240Pu, 137Cs, and 210Pbex","authors":"Mengting Chen,&nbsp;Anguo Peng,&nbsp;Mengxing Wu,&nbsp;Xuebin Li,&nbsp;Husheng He","doi":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107702","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107702","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In this study, 24 sediment cores collected from Dongting Lake were detected by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry and HPGe γ-spectrometer for ^239+240Pu, ¹³⁷Cs, ²²⁶Ra, and ²¹⁰Pb, respectively. Based on the vertical profiles of ²¹⁰Pb_ex, ^239+240Pu, and ¹³⁷Cs, sediment mass accumulation rates (MAR) were calculated, and the responses to major environmental events and anthropogenic activities were discussed. The vertical profiles of ¹³⁷Cs and ^239+240Pu exhibit bimodal distribution, the secondary peaks most probably indicated the fallout from a series of Chinese nuclear tests (CNT) during the 1970s. Comparisons of the Constant Initial Concentration (CIC) model, the Constant Flux Constant Sedimentation (CFCS) model, and the Constant Rate of Supply (CRS) model reveal that some sites in Dongting Lake are unsuitable for ²¹⁰Pb_ex dating. The MARs derived from different methods show the spatial distribution characteristics in the order of West Dongting Lake (WDL) &gt; South Dongting Lake (SDL) &gt; East Dongting Lake (EDL). Comparisons of the three methods confirm that the ²¹⁰Pb_ex method is a valuable tool for evaluating the impact of environmental changes and human activities in different periods. In this study, the MARs derived from the ²¹⁰Pb_ex method show significant correlations with hydrological data and accurately reflect key environmental change events in Dongting Lake, including the widespread drought in 2011, the operation of the Three Gorges Dam in 2006, the major flood in 1998, and localized flooding events in the Yuan River and Xiangjiang River.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15667,"journal":{"name":"Journal of environmental radioactivity","volume":"287 ","pages":"Article 107702"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143935517","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Using radioactive waste for targeted alpha therapy: Advancing a sovereign Australian supply of 225Ac and 212Pb","authors":"Grant B. Douglas ,&nbsp;Darren J. Koppel ,&nbsp;Tom Cresswell ,&nbsp;Simon Puttick ,&nbsp;John Phalen","doi":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107683","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107683","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This review outlines an opportunity to convert radioactive waste into nuclear medicine cancer treatments. Whilst focussed on Australia, parallels can be drawn to the identification and exploitation of radioactive waste internationally. Targeted Alpha (α) Therapy treatments (TATs) are emerging as a ‘game changer’ in the efficacy of nuclear medicine treatments in terms of cancer regression and remission, patient survival and quality of life. Clinically, TATs have demonstrated unprecedented efficacy in patients who have failed all other lines of radiotherapy treatment using beta-emitting isotopes. By 2030, ∼60 % of all radiotherapy treatment will be administered as TATs. Unfortunately, few cancer patients receive this treatment due to a limited sovereign and global supply of precursor radionuclides. This review focusses on the identification of radioactive waste streams that may allow the separation of ²²⁸Ra and ²²⁶Ra isotopes. Radionuclide transmutation allows production of ²²⁵Ac and ²¹²Pb as key therapeutic TATs. Key findings indicate that the viability of creating theranostic isotopes from radioactive waste will depend on; identifying suitable sources to eliminate sovereign supply risk; securing access to, or ownership of, suitable sources; radionuclide activity within source; composition and mineralogy influencing extraction and selectivity for target radionuclides; safe residue disposal; volume/mass of current or legacy sources; regulatory and policy guidance; risk profile; advocacy from peak medical associations; and, investment capital to establish infrastructure and pilot production facilities. Prospective sources for the target ²²⁸Ra and ²²⁶Ra isotopes include; reverse osmosis brine reject, barren lixiviant or tailings derived from uranium mining; oil and gas industry scales or produced waters, critical mineral processing solutes and solids; and legacy research sources.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15667,"journal":{"name":"Journal of environmental radioactivity","volume":"287 ","pages":"Article 107683"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143935516","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Presence, distribution, and origin of radioisotopes in rock, soil, and groundwater in Central Mexico: implications of ionizing radiation for health","authors":"Adrián Ortega-Guerrero","doi":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107701","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107701","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Several sources of environmental radioactivity in central Mexico were investigated for their potential association with health by assessing gamma dose rates, trace elements in rocks, gamma ray energy spectra, radon and thoron activity in groundwater, soil-air, and dwellings, and previously unpublished data on uranium, thorium, and enriched-tritium concentrations dissolved in groundwater. Results of the screening studies show that the predominant rocks are ignimbrites of rhyolitic composition contain ²³⁸U and ²³²Th. These rocks outcrop in hills and surrounding mountains and extend to depth where they constitute a fractured aquifer, which underlies a granular one, whose constituents and permeable soils also contain ²³⁸U and ²³²Th and their decay series. Gross Alfa Activity and ²²²Rn are present in groundwater for human consumption above the Maximum Contaminant Level suggested by the US Environmental Protection Agency, reaching the lower threshold for uranium ores and mining in northern Mexico. ²²²Rn and ²²⁰Rn were also measured in soil-air and in dwellings. Rhyolitic-ignimbrites have been used in industrial applications since the 1960s, and milling and tailing operations contain radionuclides that can be transported by air or leached into groundwater. The combined exposure to various sources of radioactivity and metals, primarily the use and ingestion of groundwater and dust may impact the human health in the study area, in addition to the inhalation of ²²²Rn-²²⁰Rn and dust. Additional and detailed research should be done for long-term measurements and risk assessment for radiological protection, also considering the evaluation and combined exposure to industrial and agricultural contaminants.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15667,"journal":{"name":"Journal of environmental radioactivity","volume":"287 ","pages":"Article 107701"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143922645","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Lead-210 in environmental samples –a review on the status and progress on its determination","authors":"Josephine T. Kristensen ,&nbsp;Xiaolin Hou","doi":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107705","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107705","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Lead-210 (²¹⁰Pb) is an integral component of the uranium-238 decay series and distributed throughout the environment. The interest for determining ²¹⁰Pb comes from many tracer applications of the radionuclide, where one of the most useful applications is sediment dating. Meanwhile, the radiation risk through internal exposure is another concern due to its high radiotoxic daughters. The conventional approaches for ²¹⁰Pb quantification have relied upon radiometric methods, an interest in using mass spectrometry for its measurement has been increased in the recent years. This article aims to present a critical review on different aspects for the determination of ²¹⁰Pb, including preconcentration and separation of lead from environmental samples, followed by a comparison of the conventional radiometric methods to the mass spectrometry for its measurement.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15667,"journal":{"name":"Journal of environmental radioactivity","volume":"287 ","pages":"Article 107705"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143921971","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sorption of Se(IV) on Gaomiaozi bentonite: Batch and spectroscopic studies","authors":"Wanqiang Zhou ,&nbsp;Fan Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107721","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107721","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Se-79 is regarded as one of the scarce radionuclides with a protracted half-life. Exploring the sorption behaviors of selenium on bentonite is critical for the safe disposal of radioactive waste. The sorption of Se(IV) on Gaomiaozi bentonite at a low concentration (7 × 10⁻⁸ M) was systematically studied to set reliable parameters in this work by batch sorption method and spectroscopic techniques. The factor of pH, ionic strength, initial Se(IV) concentrations, solid-to-liquid ratio and the addition of uranyl ions were investigated. The sorption results indicate that Gaomiaozi bentonite exhibited remarkable sorption capacity towards selenium under conditions of acidic pH and high ionic strength. The XPS spectra reveal that Se(IV) remains stable on bentonite surface and there is no redox reaction observed between Se(IV) and bentonite. The possible sorption mechanism is interpreted based on species calculation and photon correlation spectroscopy. In detail, the positively charged electric double layer surrounding the surface of the lamellae will “spill over” when the ionic strength is low, thereby encircling the edge site area of bentonite. Therefore, the selenium anion is difficult to enter, leading to a low sorption capacity. The aggregation state of bentonite particles does not primarily govern the sorption behavior of Se(IV). Overall, this work may provide valuable information on sorption mechanism of Se(IV) at the bentonite/water interface and help us understand the geochemical behaviors of Se(IV) in repository environments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15667,"journal":{"name":"Journal of environmental radioactivity","volume":"287 ","pages":"Article 107721"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143921972","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Radiocaesium soil-to-plant transfer: a meta-analysis of key variables and data gaps on a global scale","authors":"Margot Vanheukelom ,&nbsp;Mark Mng'ong'o ,&nbsp;Floris Abrams ,&nbsp;Surya Gupta ,&nbsp;Talal Almahayni ,&nbsp;Lieve Sweeck (deceased) ,&nbsp;Jos Van Orshoven ,&nbsp;Erik Smolders","doi":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107704","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107704","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A harmonized, publicly accessible database of worldwide observations and experiments on radiocaesium transfer from soil to plants is lacking. Such a database is needed for evaluating and establishing transfer models, especially for regions with limited research but operational or planned nuclear reactors. Therefore, we systematically screened the literature for radiocaesium soil-to-plant transfer factors (CR, i.e., concentration ratios), extracted data that met the criteria for experimental soundness, relevance, and traceability, and compiled a harmonized database. The database included 7,182 CR data points and associated variables from 139 source documents. The CRs ranged from 0.000028 to 380 kg kg⁻¹, with the highest CR observed with soils from tropical climates and the lowest with soils from temperate climates. However, data from tropical (<em>N</em> = 411) and arid climates (<em>N</em> = 335) remained limited. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that CRs were most influenced by the specific study (methods and designs) in which the data were obtained, followed by soil properties and plant species-based categories. On a subset (<em>N</em> = 199) that contained all variables required for semi-mechanistic models, it was found that these models fitted the CR data rather well (R² = 0.42–0.50). Slightly better predictions with the same data were found with a random forest model (R² = 0.51) or a statistical mixed-effects model (R² = 0.58). More adequate machine learning models could not yet be created due to insufficient reliable data. The harmonized database in this study can be further completed and analyzed to support machine learning applications and improve impact assessments of food chain contamination following accidental radiocaesium deposition on agricultural land.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15667,"journal":{"name":"Journal of environmental radioactivity","volume":"287 ","pages":"Article 107704"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143905961","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}