Journal of environmental radioactivity最新文献

{"title":"Thermodynamic controls on plutonium(Pu) speciation in deep groundwater: Implications for HLW disposal safety at Beishan, China","authors":"Nan Li ,&nbsp;Xianzhe Duan ,&nbsp;Jiale Dou ,&nbsp;Wenting Bi ,&nbsp;Peng Wu ,&nbsp;Nadia Cheemaa ,&nbsp;Hafiza Tasneem Nazish ,&nbsp;Guowen Peng","doi":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107728","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107728","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The safe disposal of high-level radioactive wastes (HLWs) is a critical concern due to the environmental risks posed by radionuclides like plutonium (Pu), which is highly radiotoxic and has a long half-life. Deep geological disposal, such as at the Beishan site in Gansu Province, China, is considered a viable solution for isolating HLWs from the biosphere. However, the potential for tectonic disturbances and fracture networks raises concerns about the migration of radionuclides, making it essential to understand the speciation and mobility of Pu in deep groundwater. Previous studies have largely focused on surface environments, with limited attention to Pu behavior under deep geological conditions. This study employs thermodynamic simulations using PHREEQC to examine Pu speciation in deep groundwater of Beishan, evaluating the effects of pH, redox potential (pe), temperature, and ionic concentrations. Results demonstrate that Pu predominantly exists as Pu(OH)₄ at neutral to alkaline pH, with significant changes in speciation under varying conditions. At acidic pH (2–2.5), Pu exists as a free ion in the +III oxidation state, while at higher pH (&gt;7), Pu(OH)₄ becomes dominant. Redox potential influences Pu speciation, with Pu(III) and Pu(IV) species forming at low and high pe values, respectively. Temperature influences the concentration of Pu(OH)₄ but has a minimal effect on other species. Additionally, sulfate (SO₄²⁻) concentration significantly alters Pu speciation, while changes in bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻), chloride (Cl⁻), and fluoride (F⁻) concentrations have minimal effects. The findings highlight the importance of considering local hydrogeochemical conditions in the design of HLW disposal facilities to optimize safety and minimize potential radionuclide migration.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15667,"journal":{"name":"Journal of environmental radioactivity","volume":"287 ","pages":"Article 107728"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144222231","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":"Evaluation of the sample preparation method for environmental reference matrices suitable for organically-bound tritium interlaboratory comparison exercises","authors":"Simona Zaharov ,&nbsp;A.E. Nedelcu ,&nbsp;D. Dupleac","doi":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107730","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107730","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The measurements for tritium in the environmental samples are usually related to the tissue-free water tritium (TFWT). Research studies for the complex behavior of tritium were performed over the years due to the increased probability of elevated tritium concentrations to be released in the environment. Laboratory methods that enable to accurately determine the various forms of tritium, including organically-bound tritium (OBT) were developed and validated through inter-laboratory comparison (ILC) exercises, by the Environmental Control Laboratory of the Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) from Romania. Furthermore, sample preparation methods for OBT determinations were evaluated to develop different types of reference materials of environmental samples to be tested through ILC exercises. This paper describes the international Organically-Bound Tritium (OBT) intercomparison exercise, organized by the Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) in 2024–2025, using fruit sample (grapes) from Cernavoda town and the result evaluation for the participating laboratories performed using robust analysis (Algorithm A) method described in the ISO 13528:2022 standard. The results obtained are encouraging as most of the participating laboratories did not change the observed dispersion of the results for activity concentration level around 80 Bq/L of combustion water, although they performed different methods for sample preparation and different measurement systems for tritium counting.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15667,"journal":{"name":"Journal of environmental radioactivity","volume":"287 ","pages":"Article 107730"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144212362","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":"CFD simulations and control of radon migration in tunnels with fracture-pore covered layers","authors":"Xuanli Yao ,&nbsp;Yongjun Ye ,&nbsp;Daijia Chen ,&nbsp;Yufei Hong","doi":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107729","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107729","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In underground engineering, a covered layer is usually established to provide certain support and protection for underground tunnels. At the same time, the covered layer can also inhibit radon exhalation from surrounding rock. To study radon exhalation in the covered layer and surrounding rock of a tunnel, and to control radon migration in tunnels with fracture-pore covered layers, a specific underground tunnel was chosen for analysis. A radon migration and dynamics model in the fracture-pore medium was developed, and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were performed to analyze the radon exhalation from the covered layer and surrounding rock. The impact of factors like pressure difference, diffusion coefficient, and permeability on the radon exhalation rate was examined. The results indicated that adjusting these parameters could effectively manage the radon exhalation rate, with a particular focus on the proposed active depressurization (AD) method, which can significantly reduce the radon exhalation rate and provide scientific basis for radon pollution control in underground engineering.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15667,"journal":{"name":"Journal of environmental radioactivity","volume":"287 ","pages":"Article 107729"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144196457","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":"Adsorption and fixation of radiocesium compared to properties, landuse and sampling location of contrasting soils from Taiwan","authors":"Staunton Siobhan ,&nbsp;Chih-Yu Chiu","doi":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107727","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107727","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Adsorption and desorption of radiocesium has been measured on 57 soils from different climates, landuses and altitudes in Taiwan, and compared to soil properties. A large range in radiocesium adsorption (assessed by the distribution coefficient, Kd) was found. Largest values of Kd were observed for arable soils. These were sampled near sea-level, tended to have neutral to alkaline pH, and to be depleted in water-extractable potassium and organic matter. Kd values of soil from undisturbed and secondary forests fell in a smaller range, and were on average smaller than those of arable soils, and decreased with increasing altitude. Kd was not significantly related to clay content. A fraction of adsorbed radiocesium was not readily desorbed in a solution containing stable cesium. This fixed fraction, denoted f_fixed, tended to increase with increasing Kd, and was greater in arable soils. The f_fixed tended to decrease with increasing altitude for soils from undisturbed forests. Fixation increased with pH and was inversely related to carbon, extractable potassium and clay contents. We conclude that content of clay-sized fraction is a poor predictor of radiocesium dynamics, because small amounts of mineral clay are sufficient to adsorb trace amounts of radiocesium. Mineral weathering, controlled by landuse and climate, determines both affinity and fixation of radiocesium.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15667,"journal":{"name":"Journal of environmental radioactivity","volume":"287 ","pages":"Article 107727"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144169431","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":"Symbiosis with Astraeus hygrometricus upregulates cesium and potassium uptake by Pinus densiflora seedlings","authors":"Sumika Ogo ,&nbsp;Keiko Akama ,&nbsp;Noritaka Nakamura ,&nbsp;Takuya Manaka ,&nbsp;Takashi Yamanaka","doi":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107722","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107722","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>After the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident in March 2011 in Japan, high activity levels of radiocesium have been reported in wild mushrooms of ectomycorrhizal (EM) fungi. As EM fungal species form symbiotic associations with woody plants, we examined the effect of symbiosis by <em>Astraeus hygrometricu</em>s, an EM fungus, on the uptake of cesium (Cs) and potassium (K) by <em>Pinus densiflora</em> seedlings under different levels of K and Cs in the soil in a pot culture. The pine seedlings exhibited enhanced growth due to the symbiosis with <em>A. hygrometricus</em>. The symbiosis with <em>A. hygrometricus</em> significantly increased the Cs and K concentrations of pine seedlings. Cultivating EM seedlings lowered exchangeable K in the soil, although exchangeable Cs did not significantly change. Furthermore, K addition suppresses the Cs absorption of <em>P</em>. <em>densiflora</em> seedlings irrespective of their association with EM fungi.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15667,"journal":{"name":"Journal of environmental radioactivity","volume":"287 ","pages":"Article 107722"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144105343","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":"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}