Pub Date : 2025-12-19DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107881
Carlos Pinto Fracalossi , Peter Christian Hackspacher , Daniel Marcos Bonotto
This paper describes a novel database for the dissolved uranium concentration and 234U/238U activity ratio (AR) in groundwater samples (16), with a focus on those occurring in the Itararé Group in São Paulo State, Brazil. Such a geological unit takes a major role in the multilayered Tubarão Aquifer System (TAS), which has been extensively exploited, primarily due to water use for industrial purposes, agriculture, and human consumption, which has resulted in a drastic lowering of the groundwater static level. As a consequence, efforts have been made by the use of different approaches to understand the processes related to the groundwater flow after infiltration in the recharge area, inclusive by the use of the natural U-isotopes 238U and 234U as reported in this paper. Therefore, hydrogeochemical diagrams utilizing both parameters (dissolved U concentration and AR) were constructed from data obtained by alpha spectrometry, aiming to find trends associated with the groundwater flow direction, as well as with processes involving the mixture of different water sources.
{"title":"238U and 234U relationships in groundwater of Itararé Group, São Paulo State, Brazil","authors":"Carlos Pinto Fracalossi , Peter Christian Hackspacher , Daniel Marcos Bonotto","doi":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107881","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107881","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This paper describes a novel database for the dissolved uranium concentration and <sup>234</sup>U/<sup>238</sup>U activity ratio (AR) in groundwater samples (16), with a focus on those occurring in the Itararé Group in São Paulo State, Brazil. Such a geological unit takes a major role in the multilayered Tubarão Aquifer System (TAS), which has been extensively exploited, primarily due to water use for industrial purposes, agriculture, and human consumption, which has resulted in a drastic lowering of the groundwater static level. As a consequence, efforts have been made by the use of different approaches to understand the processes related to the groundwater flow after infiltration in the recharge area, inclusive by the use of the natural U-isotopes <sup>238</sup>U and <sup>234</sup>U as reported in this paper. Therefore, hydrogeochemical diagrams utilizing both parameters (dissolved U concentration and AR) were constructed from data obtained by alpha spectrometry, aiming to find trends associated with the groundwater flow direction, as well as with processes involving the mixture of different water sources.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15667,"journal":{"name":"Journal of environmental radioactivity","volume":"292 ","pages":"Article 107881"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145787106","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}
Pub Date : 2025-12-17DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107875
Sofie Liljegren , J. Ole Ross , Sofia Brander
Between late November and early December 2022, large airborne activity concentrations of radioxenon were detected by multiple stations in the CTBT International Monitoring System (IMS) and the Swedish radioxenon array, which consisted of four operational radioxenon measurement units at the time. Over 100 samples containing were recorded during this period, with Xe found concurrently in about a dozen samples. The consistent Xe to activity ratio, and investigations with backward atmospheric transport models (ATM), suggests a sustained release of radioxenon from a single source for about two weeks. A grid of forward ATMs was computed, and model results were matched with observations to identify potential source regions and estimate the source term. We compare locating power of the sparse, globally distributed IMS network with the compact, local Swedish radioxenon array. In this specific case, the use of the array data both significantly improved the source localization area, and helped exclude local sources, when compared to exclusively using IMS observations. Additionally the Xe to activity ratio was investigated for source characterization, and was found to be consistent with the start of a nuclear reactor cycle.
{"title":"Origin of an elevated radioxenon episode: A comparative study between the Swedish radioxenon array and the CTBT International Monitoring System","authors":"Sofie Liljegren , J. Ole Ross , Sofia Brander","doi":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107875","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107875","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Between late November and early December 2022, large airborne activity concentrations of radioxenon were detected by multiple stations in the CTBT International Monitoring System (IMS) and the Swedish radioxenon array, which consisted of four operational radioxenon measurement units at the time. Over 100 samples containing <span><math><mrow><msup><mrow></mrow><mrow><mn>133</mn></mrow></msup><mtext>Xe</mtext></mrow></math></span> were recorded during this period, with <span><math><msup><mrow></mrow><mrow><mn>133</mn><mtext>m</mtext></mrow></msup></math></span>Xe found concurrently in about a dozen samples. The consistent <span><math><msup><mrow></mrow><mrow><mn>133</mn><mtext>m</mtext></mrow></msup></math></span>Xe to <span><math><mrow><msup><mrow></mrow><mrow><mn>133</mn></mrow></msup><mtext>Xe</mtext></mrow></math></span> activity ratio, and investigations with backward atmospheric transport models (ATM), suggests a sustained release of radioxenon from a single source for about two weeks. A grid of forward ATMs was computed, and model results were matched with observations to identify potential source regions and estimate the source term. We compare locating power of the sparse, globally distributed IMS network with the compact, local Swedish radioxenon array. In this specific case, the use of the array data both significantly improved the source localization area, and helped exclude local sources, when compared to exclusively using IMS observations. Additionally the <span><math><msup><mrow></mrow><mrow><mn>133</mn><mtext>m</mtext></mrow></msup></math></span>Xe to <span><math><mrow><msup><mrow></mrow><mrow><mn>133</mn></mrow></msup><mtext>Xe</mtext></mrow></math></span> activity ratio was investigated for source characterization, and was found to be consistent with the start of a nuclear reactor cycle.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15667,"journal":{"name":"Journal of environmental radioactivity","volume":"292 ","pages":"Article 107875"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145781247","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}
This research aimed to establish current baseline level of tritium in precipitation in Osaka, Japan, and to investigate their seasonal behavior in relation to stable hydrogen and oxygen isotope compositions and major chemical components. Monthly precipitation samples were collected from January 2020 to December 2024 and tritium and stable isotope analyses were conducted with high analytical precision. The tritium concentration ranged from 0.19 ± 0.03 to 0.53 ± 0.05 Bq L−1 with a mean concentration of 0.32 ± 0.08 Bq L−1, showing a clear seasonal trend with higher concentrations in spring and lower in summer. The isotope ratios of δD and δ18O ranged from −91.98 to −16.95 ‰ and from −12.71 to −3.50 ‰, respectively, both following a similar seasonal pattern of higher values in spring and lower in summer. The d-excess value ranged from 2.0 to 30.2 ‰, exhibiting a clear seasonal trend of higher values in winter and lower in summer. The most common ions found in the rainwater were Cl−, Na+, and Ca2+, with mean concentrations of 30.58 ± 33.86, 30.47 ± 32.88, and 27.80 ± 23.89 μeq L−1, respectively. The new findings of this study provide updated baseline data on tritium concentrations and stable hydrogen and oxygen isotope compositions in Osaka precipitation, establish Local Meteoric Water Lines (LMWLs) for the region, and offer important hydrological information for assessing the environmental impact of routine nuclear activities and potential accidental releases.
{"title":"Tritium baseline concentration and the origins of water and solute in precipitation elucidated from monthly data in Osaka, Japan","authors":"Chonlada Pitakchaianan , Kanyanan Kosinarkaranun , Pantiwa Kumsut , Ryuta Hazama , Anawat Rittirong , Koichi Sakakibara , Koki Kashiwaya , Yoshimune Ogata , Yuka Kato , Naofumi Akata , Wanwisa Sudprasert","doi":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107878","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107878","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This research aimed to establish current baseline level of tritium in precipitation in Osaka, Japan, and to investigate their seasonal behavior in relation to stable hydrogen and oxygen isotope compositions and major chemical components. Monthly precipitation samples were collected from January 2020 to December 2024 and tritium and stable isotope analyses were conducted with high analytical precision. The tritium concentration ranged from 0.19 ± 0.03 to 0.53 ± 0.05 Bq L<sup>−1</sup> with a mean concentration of 0.32 ± 0.08 Bq L<sup>−1</sup>, showing a clear seasonal trend with higher concentrations in spring and lower in summer. The isotope ratios of δD and δ<sup>18</sup>O ranged from −91.98 to −16.95 ‰ and from −12.71 to −3.50 ‰, respectively, both following a similar seasonal pattern of higher values in spring and lower in summer. The d-excess value ranged from 2.0 to 30.2 ‰, exhibiting a clear seasonal trend of higher values in winter and lower in summer. The most common ions found in the rainwater were Cl<sup>−</sup>, Na<sup>+</sup>, and Ca<sup>2+</sup>, with mean concentrations of 30.58 ± 33.86, 30.47 ± 32.88, and 27.80 ± 23.89 μeq L<sup>−1</sup>, respectively. The new findings of this study provide updated baseline data on tritium concentrations and stable hydrogen and oxygen isotope compositions in Osaka precipitation, establish Local Meteoric Water Lines (LMWLs) for the region, and offer important hydrological information for assessing the environmental impact of routine nuclear activities and potential accidental releases.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15667,"journal":{"name":"Journal of environmental radioactivity","volume":"292 ","pages":"Article 107878"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145734196","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}
Pub Date : 2025-12-11DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107876
Olivier Evrard , Naoya Takahashi , Hotaka Sato , Ryoga Ohta , Anthony Foucher , Thomas Chalaux-Clergue , Pierre-Alexis Chaboche
Significant deposition of radiocesium including 134Cs and 137Cs occurred in March 2011 following the Fukushima nuclear accident across vast regions of Northeastern Japan. However, as most studies focused on fallout that took place in the Fukushima Prefecture, much less information is available on the situation that prevails further to the North, in other parts of the Tohoku Region of Japan. In this context, the current research investigated the occurrence of fallout radionuclides (including natural 210Pbxs as well as artificial 134Cs and 137Cs) in burned and unburned soil profiles as well as in a range of surface soil and sediment samples collected in the region of Kamaishi (Iwate Prefecture, Tohoku Region, Japan) affected by wildfires in 2017. Results show that 210Pbxs and 137Cs may be used as tracers of sediment sources across landscapes affected by wildfires in this region. Furthermore, the soil profile analysis demonstrated that all analysed fallout radionuclides were found enriched in the burned vs. unburned profiles, due to the incorporation of radionuclides trapped by vegetation into the ash after the fire. The detection of 134Cs in the uppermost 0–5 cm depth layer in all investigated soil profiles also allowed to demonstrate the occurrence of significant Fukushima fallout of 134Cs and 137Cs in this region (roughly of the same order of magnitude as the fallout associated with the nuclear atmospheric tests in the 1960s). In the future, both sources of fallout should be considered to provide relevant interpretations when examining radionuclide data found in environmental samples collected in vast regions of Northeastern Japan. The analysis of 134Cs should also be encouraged to document the sources of fallout in these regions as long as this short-lived radionuclide remains detectable (i.e., theoretically by 2031).
{"title":"Evidence of Fukushima fallout in the area affected by wildfires in Kamaishi (Iwate Prefecture, Tohoku Region, Japan): Implications for future environmental research using radionuclide tracers","authors":"Olivier Evrard , Naoya Takahashi , Hotaka Sato , Ryoga Ohta , Anthony Foucher , Thomas Chalaux-Clergue , Pierre-Alexis Chaboche","doi":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107876","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107876","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Significant deposition of radiocesium including <sup>134</sup>Cs and <sup>137</sup>Cs occurred in March 2011 following the Fukushima nuclear accident across vast regions of Northeastern Japan. However, as most studies focused on fallout that took place in the Fukushima Prefecture, much less information is available on the situation that prevails further to the North, in other parts of the Tohoku Region of Japan. In this context, the current research investigated the occurrence of fallout radionuclides (including natural <sup>210</sup>Pb<sub>xs</sub> as well as artificial <sup>134</sup>Cs and <sup>137</sup>Cs) in burned and unburned soil profiles as well as in a range of surface soil and sediment samples collected in the region of Kamaishi (Iwate Prefecture, Tohoku Region, Japan) affected by wildfires in 2017. Results show that <sup>210</sup>Pb<sub>xs</sub> and <sup>137</sup>Cs may be used as tracers of sediment sources across landscapes affected by wildfires in this region. Furthermore, the soil profile analysis demonstrated that all analysed fallout radionuclides were found enriched in the burned vs. unburned profiles, due to the incorporation of radionuclides trapped by vegetation into the ash after the fire. The detection of <sup>134</sup>Cs in the uppermost 0–5 cm depth layer in all investigated soil profiles also allowed to demonstrate the occurrence of significant Fukushima fallout of <sup>134</sup>Cs and <sup>137</sup>Cs in this region (roughly of the same order of magnitude as the fallout associated with the nuclear atmospheric tests in the 1960s). In the future, both sources of fallout should be considered to provide relevant interpretations when examining radionuclide data found in environmental samples collected in vast regions of Northeastern Japan. The analysis of <sup>134</sup>Cs should also be encouraged to document the sources of fallout in these regions as long as this short-lived radionuclide remains detectable (i.e., theoretically by 2031).</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15667,"journal":{"name":"Journal of environmental radioactivity","volume":"292 ","pages":"Article 107876"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145734195","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}
The distribution of ambient radiation dose rates and radionuclide activity concentrations in soil was clarified over a wide area of Fukuoka Prefecture, located in western Japan, as of 2019. Locations with ambient radiation dose rates exceeding 100 nGy/h were identified. In areas with high ambient radiation dose rates, elevated activity concentrations of natural radionuclides (40K, 226Ra, and 232Th) were observed. The activity concentration of 90Sr in surface soil (0–5 cm) ranged from 0.15 to 2.0 Bq/kg dw, and 137Cs activity concentrations ranged from ND to 8.4 Bq/kg dw. 238Pu was not detected. The activity concentration of 239+240Pu ranged from 0.014 to 0.36 Bq/kg dw.
In a long-term, depth-specific study at fixed point, the eluviation rates of 90Sr, 137Cs, and 239+240Pu in surface soil were 1.6 %, 8.4 %, and 6.5 % per year, respectively. These tendencies differed significantly from previously reported migration rates. Additionally, in some cases, the activity concentration of 137Cs in the surface soil was lower than that of 90Sr, and 137Cs was no longer detected in the subsurface soil (5–20 cm). These observations are thought to result from the movement of surface soil due to weathering, erosion, and surface runoff, or the exposure of subsurface soil.
90Sr and 239+240Pu in the soil primarily originated from past atmospheric nuclear tests. On the other hand, 137Cs showed additional influence from the Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident. No contributions of 90Sr, 137Cs, or 239+240Pu to Fukuoka Prefecture's soil from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident were observed.
{"title":"Spatiotemporal variations and environmental behavior of activity concentrations of natural and artificial radionuclides in soils of Fukuoka, Japan (1980–2019)","authors":"Yukinori Narazaki , Akihiro Sakoda , Yoichi Ishikawa , Junji Yamanaka , Toshiya Tamari , Naofumi Akata , Noriyuki Momoshima","doi":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107828","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107828","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The distribution of ambient radiation dose rates and radionuclide activity concentrations in soil was clarified over a wide area of Fukuoka Prefecture, located in western Japan, as of 2019. Locations with ambient radiation dose rates exceeding 100 nGy/h were identified. In areas with high ambient radiation dose rates, elevated activity concentrations of natural radionuclides (<sup>40</sup>K, <sup>226</sup>Ra, and <sup>232</sup>Th) were observed. The activity concentration of <sup>90</sup>Sr in surface soil (0–5 cm) ranged from 0.15 to 2.0 Bq/kg dw, and <sup>137</sup>Cs activity concentrations ranged from ND to 8.4 Bq/kg dw. <sup>238</sup>Pu was not detected. The activity concentration of <sup>239+240</sup>Pu ranged from 0.014 to 0.36 Bq/kg dw.</div><div>In a long-term, depth-specific study at fixed point, the eluviation rates of <sup>90</sup>Sr, <sup>137</sup>Cs, and <sup>239+240</sup>Pu in surface soil were 1.6 %, 8.4 %, and 6.5 % per year, respectively. These tendencies differed significantly from previously reported migration rates. Additionally, in some cases, the activity concentration of <sup>137</sup>Cs in the surface soil was lower than that of <sup>90</sup>Sr, and <sup>137</sup>Cs was no longer detected in the subsurface soil (5–20 cm). These observations are thought to result from the movement of surface soil due to weathering, erosion, and surface runoff, or the exposure of subsurface soil.</div><div><sup>90</sup>Sr and <sup>239+240</sup>Pu in the soil primarily originated from past atmospheric nuclear tests. On the other hand, <sup>137</sup>Cs showed additional influence from the Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident. No contributions of <sup>90</sup>Sr, <sup>137</sup>Cs, or <sup>239+240</sup>Pu to Fukuoka Prefecture's soil from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident were observed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15667,"journal":{"name":"Journal of environmental radioactivity","volume":"292 ","pages":"Article 107828"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145734197","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}
Pub Date : 2025-12-02DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107851
Rita kpordzro , Francis Otoo , Oscar K. Adukpo , Eric T. Glover , Anthony S.K. Amable
Previous studies in Ghanaian mines have largely focused on radon concentration and associated health risk, with limited investigation into the role of carrier gases that influence radon transport from bedrock. This study evaluates radon (222Rn) levels, carrier gases (CO2, H2S, CH4), and their associated health risks in an underground section of the AngloGold Ashanti mine. Measurements were conducted in two phases using CR-39 solid-state nuclear track detectors and a Ventis Pro5 multi-gas detector. The average radon concentration across both phases was 214 ± 16 Bq·m−3, with phase-specific means of 245 ± 8 Bq·m−3 and 184 ± 6 Bq·m−3. Based on ICRP 137, the annual effective dose and excess lifetime cancer risk were estimated at 0.6 ± 0.2 mSv y−1 and 1.5 × 10−3 per million persons/year, respectively, both below ICRP and NCRP safety limits. Concentrations of all carrier gases remained within OSHA and Chart Industries recommended exposure limits. Principal component analysis indicated that methane and hydrogen sulfide significantly influence radon distribution with Eigenvalue >1, Overall, the findings suggest that the current levels of radon and carrier gases in the mine do not pose significant health risks to underground workers.
{"title":"Assessment of radon and carrier gases in an underground gold mining company in Ghana","authors":"Rita kpordzro , Francis Otoo , Oscar K. Adukpo , Eric T. Glover , Anthony S.K. Amable","doi":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107851","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107851","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Previous studies in Ghanaian mines have largely focused on radon concentration and associated health risk, with limited investigation into the role of carrier gases that influence radon transport from bedrock. This study evaluates radon (<sup>222</sup>Rn) levels, carrier gases (CO<sub>2</sub>, H<sub>2</sub>S, CH<sub>4</sub>), and their associated health risks in an underground section of the AngloGold Ashanti mine. Measurements were conducted in two phases using CR-39 solid-state nuclear track detectors and a Ventis Pro5 multi-gas detector. The average radon concentration across both phases was 214 ± 16 Bq·m<sup>−3</sup>, with phase-specific means of 245 ± 8 Bq·m<sup>−3</sup> and 184 ± 6 Bq·m<sup>−3</sup>. Based on ICRP 137, the annual effective dose and excess lifetime cancer risk were estimated at 0.6 ± 0.2 mSv y<sup>−1</sup> and 1.5 × 10<sup>−3</sup> per million persons/year, respectively, both below ICRP and NCRP safety limits. Concentrations of all carrier gases remained within OSHA and Chart Industries recommended exposure limits. Principal component analysis indicated that methane and hydrogen sulfide significantly influence radon distribution with Eigenvalue >1, Overall, the findings suggest that the current levels of radon and carrier gases in the mine do not pose significant health risks to underground workers.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15667,"journal":{"name":"Journal of environmental radioactivity","volume":"292 ","pages":"Article 107851"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145668633","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}
Pub Date : 2025-12-01DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107864
Zhengming Li , Yongjun Ye , Xinyu Liu , Zhongkun Wang
Nuclear facilities can release radioactive pollutants into the atmosphere during daily operations and accidents. These pollutants are transported and dispersed through atmospheric processes, eventually depositing on the surface and posing potential risks to ecosystems and public health. Accurately describing their atmospheric dispersion is therefore essential for scientific assessments of radioactive impact. In this study, a one-way downscaling model framework of atmospheric dispersion of pollutants was developed, which coupled the mesoscale Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model with a microscale computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model. To enhance the microscale model and make it inherit the flow field characteristics of the mesoscale model, closure constants of the microscale turbulence model were adjusted according to the planetary boundary layer scheme in the mesoscale model. The simulation performance of the WRF-CFD downscaling model framework and its adjusted model was evaluated by meteorological observations and an SF6 tracer experiment conducted in Fuqing Nuclear Power Plant. The results demonstrated that WRF reasonably reproduced the mesoscale wind field and provided reliable inflow conditions for the CFD simulations. The coupled WRF-CFD downscaling model had high accuracy and reliability in reproducing wind profiles and concentration field distributions, while the adjustment strategy for turbulence model closure constants could effectively enhance the simulation performance of the downscaling model. Although wind shear-induced plume swing introduced spatial deviations between the simulation results based on steady RANS and the measured values in far-field regions, the model still captured peak concentration magnitudes comparable to measurements. Overall, the proposed downscaling strategy enabled reliable high-resolution simulations of pollutant transport and dispersion in the near-field atmosphere of nuclear facilities. The turbulence constant adjustment improved model performance, while limitations remain in steady-state RANS for resolving plume swing. Future work is needed to explore transient approaches to better capture shear-induced plume variability. This study provided a new approach for the detailed investigation of pollutant transport and dispersion in the real atmospheric environment, as well as a practical and scientifically robust tool for environmental impact assessment and emergency preparedness in nuclear facility management.
{"title":"Downscaled simulation approach for near-field nuclear facility pollutant atmospheric transport and dispersion using a coupled WRF–CFD downscaling model framework","authors":"Zhengming Li , Yongjun Ye , Xinyu Liu , Zhongkun Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107864","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107864","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Nuclear facilities can release radioactive pollutants into the atmosphere during daily operations and accidents. These pollutants are transported and dispersed through atmospheric processes, eventually depositing on the surface and posing potential risks to ecosystems and public health. Accurately describing their atmospheric dispersion is therefore essential for scientific assessments of radioactive impact. In this study, a one-way downscaling model framework of atmospheric dispersion of pollutants was developed, which coupled the mesoscale Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model with a microscale computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model. To enhance the microscale model and make it inherit the flow field characteristics of the mesoscale model, closure constants of the microscale turbulence model were adjusted according to the planetary boundary layer scheme in the mesoscale model. The simulation performance of the WRF-CFD downscaling model framework and its adjusted model was evaluated by meteorological observations and an SF<sub>6</sub> tracer experiment conducted in Fuqing Nuclear Power Plant. The results demonstrated that WRF reasonably reproduced the mesoscale wind field and provided reliable inflow conditions for the CFD simulations. The coupled WRF-CFD downscaling model had high accuracy and reliability in reproducing wind profiles and concentration field distributions, while the adjustment strategy for turbulence model closure constants could effectively enhance the simulation performance of the downscaling model. Although wind shear-induced plume swing introduced spatial deviations between the simulation results based on steady RANS and the measured values in far-field regions, the model still captured peak concentration magnitudes comparable to measurements. Overall, the proposed downscaling strategy enabled reliable high-resolution simulations of pollutant transport and dispersion in the near-field atmosphere of nuclear facilities. The turbulence constant adjustment improved model performance, while limitations remain in steady-state RANS for resolving plume swing. Future work is needed to explore transient approaches to better capture shear-induced plume variability. This study provided a new approach for the detailed investigation of pollutant transport and dispersion in the real atmospheric environment, as well as a practical and scientifically robust tool for environmental impact assessment and emergency preparedness in nuclear facility management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15667,"journal":{"name":"Journal of environmental radioactivity","volume":"292 ","pages":"Article 107864"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145623202","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}
Pub Date : 2025-11-30DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107861
Yuhan Xie , Yuxin Qian , Yao Zhang , Liangliang Yin , Ning Guo , Yanqin Ji
Uranium and thorium are naturally occurring radionuclides that may pose health risks when released into the environment through coal mining activities. This study aimed to investigate the levels of uranium and thorium exposure among coal miners and nearby residents in Shanxi, China. Urine and hair samples were collected from 51 participants, including 30 coal miners and 21 nearby residents. The concentrations of uranium and thorium were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. Subgroup analysis was performed to investigate the effects of environmental and occupational factors. Both urine and hair samples showed uranium and thorium concentrations higher than typical baseline values, indicating environmental and occupational exposure. Uranium levels in urine were notably higher in coal miners, especially among those with shorter work duration, suggesting recent or ongoing exposure. Thorium concentrations displayed limited variability and did not significantly differ between miners and residents. Uranium exposure appears to be closely linked to mining operations and environmental contamination in the region, whereas thorium exposure remains relatively uniform across groups. These findings underscore the need for further investigation into the long-term health effects of uranium and thorium exposure in coal mining areas and call for targeted interventions to reduce exposure risks.
{"title":"Uranium and thorium levels in urine and hair of coal miners and local residents in Shanxi, China","authors":"Yuhan Xie , Yuxin Qian , Yao Zhang , Liangliang Yin , Ning Guo , Yanqin Ji","doi":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107861","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107861","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Uranium and thorium are naturally occurring radionuclides that may pose health risks when released into the environment through coal mining activities. This study aimed to investigate the levels of uranium and thorium exposure among coal miners and nearby residents in Shanxi, China. Urine and hair samples were collected from 51 participants, including 30 coal miners and 21 nearby residents. The concentrations of uranium and thorium were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. Subgroup analysis was performed to investigate the effects of environmental and occupational factors. Both urine and hair samples showed uranium and thorium concentrations higher than typical baseline values, indicating environmental and occupational exposure. Uranium levels in urine were notably higher in coal miners, especially among those with shorter work duration, suggesting recent or ongoing exposure. Thorium concentrations displayed limited variability and did not significantly differ between miners and residents. Uranium exposure appears to be closely linked to mining operations and environmental contamination in the region, whereas thorium exposure remains relatively uniform across groups. These findings underscore the need for further investigation into the long-term health effects of uranium and thorium exposure in coal mining areas and call for targeted interventions to reduce exposure risks.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15667,"journal":{"name":"Journal of environmental radioactivity","volume":"291 ","pages":"Article 107861"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-11-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145654631","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}
Pub Date : 2025-11-29DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107859
Tanja Perko , Nadja Zeleznik , Peter Mihok
This policy-oriented manuscript translates recent social science and humanities research (2020–2025) into evidence-based recommendations for policymakers managing societal aspects of radon and naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM). By bridging the gap between researchers and decision-makers, the work ensures that radon and NORM policies are informed by robust evidence, context-sensitive insights, and tested approaches. The recommendations are structured across nine key fields: (1) advancing citizen science initiatives; (2) strengthening evidence-based decision-making with quantitative data; (3) enhancing policy guidance through qualitative insights; (4) improving communication strategies on radon and NORM; (5) addressing societal complexities of radon spas; (6) managing social challenges of radiological risks in geothermal energy; (7) incorporating social considerations in regulation of NORM-containing building materials; (8) reducing societal uncertainties in remediation of NORM and legacy sites; and (9) promoting sustainable, circular approaches to radon and NORM management. The recommendations were developed through review of recent research and validated through broad stakeholder consultation. Together, they provide a comprehensive roadmap for integrating science into policy, fostering resilience, sustainability, and public trust in the governance of radon and NORM across Europe.
{"title":"Translating social science into policy: Recommendations for managing societal aspects of radon and NORM","authors":"Tanja Perko , Nadja Zeleznik , Peter Mihok","doi":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107859","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107859","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This policy-oriented manuscript translates recent social science and humanities research (2020–2025) into evidence-based recommendations for policymakers managing societal aspects of radon and naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM). By bridging the gap between researchers and decision-makers, the work ensures that radon and NORM policies are informed by robust evidence, context-sensitive insights, and tested approaches. The recommendations are structured across nine key fields: (1) advancing citizen science initiatives; (2) strengthening evidence-based decision-making with quantitative data; (3) enhancing policy guidance through qualitative insights; (4) improving communication strategies on radon and NORM; (5) addressing societal complexities of radon spas; (6) managing social challenges of radiological risks in geothermal energy; (7) incorporating social considerations in regulation of NORM-containing building materials; (8) reducing societal uncertainties in remediation of NORM and legacy sites; and (9) promoting sustainable, circular approaches to radon and NORM management. The recommendations were developed through review of recent research and validated through broad stakeholder consultation. Together, they provide a comprehensive roadmap for integrating science into policy, fostering resilience, sustainability, and public trust in the governance of radon and NORM across Europe.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15667,"journal":{"name":"Journal of environmental radioactivity","volume":"291 ","pages":"Article 107859"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-11-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145614195","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}
Pub Date : 2025-11-29DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107855
Ekrem Almaz , Sheldon Landsberger
High-resolution gamma-ray spectrometry is widely used to quantify radionuclides in environmental, geological, and industrial samples. However, its accuracy is often compromised by self-attenuation – the absorption or scattering of gamma photons within the sample matrix – leading to significant underestimation of activity if uncorrected. This review provides a comprehensive synopsis of self-attenuation effects, correction methods, and practical applications. We begin by explaining the physics of gamma-ray attenuation and defining the linear attenuation coefficient, which underpins self-attenuation effects. We then examine analytical and semi-analytical models for self-attenuation correction – from classical formulations of attenuation factors to more recent compact analytical expressions and discuss their assumptions and applicable sample geometries. Empirical approaches are reviewed next, including transmission measurements through the sample and the use of matrix-matched calibration standards, along with validation studies using reference materials and real-world samples. We also highlight the powerful role of Monte Carlo simulations and other numerical methods for handling complex, heterogeneous samples that are intractable analytically. The dependence of self-attenuation on sample parameters – such as density, elemental composition, geometry, and photon energy – is emphasized, showing why simple “one-size-fits-all” corrections fail for many real samples. We illustrate the practical significance of self-attenuation corrections through examples across diverse fields: environmental radioactivity monitoring (e.g. soil and sediment assays), the nuclear industry (e.g. waste drum measurements), neutron activation analysis, and material science. Notably, we incorporate a benchmark case study of a zinc-rich industrial composite matrix to demonstrate the challenges in heavy-metal samples. Finally, we present a comparative analysis of analytical, empirical, and Monte Carlo–based correction methods, outlining their relative advantages, limitations, and typical uncertainties. All sections include key equations, figures, and summary tables. This review is intended as a detailed reference for researchers and professionals seeking to understand and mitigate self-attenuation effects in gamma-ray spectrometric measurements, especially those in environmental radioactivity studies.
{"title":"Self-attenuation in gamma-ray spectrometry: theory, correction methods, and applications","authors":"Ekrem Almaz , Sheldon Landsberger","doi":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107855","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107855","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>High-resolution gamma-ray spectrometry is widely used to quantify radionuclides in environmental, geological, and industrial samples. However, its accuracy is often compromised by self-attenuation – the absorption or scattering of gamma photons within the sample matrix – leading to significant underestimation of activity if uncorrected. This review provides a comprehensive synopsis of self-attenuation effects, correction methods, and practical applications. We begin by explaining the physics of gamma-ray attenuation and defining the linear attenuation coefficient, which underpins self-attenuation effects. We then examine analytical and semi-analytical models for self-attenuation correction – from classical formulations of attenuation factors to more recent compact analytical expressions and discuss their assumptions and applicable sample geometries. Empirical approaches are reviewed next, including transmission measurements through the sample and the use of matrix-matched calibration standards, along with validation studies using reference materials and real-world samples. We also highlight the powerful role of Monte Carlo simulations and other numerical methods for handling complex, heterogeneous samples that are intractable analytically. The dependence of self-attenuation on sample parameters – such as density, elemental composition, geometry, and photon energy – is emphasized, showing why simple “one-size-fits-all” corrections fail for many <em>real</em> samples. We illustrate the practical significance of self-attenuation corrections through examples across diverse fields: environmental radioactivity monitoring (e.g. soil and sediment assays), the nuclear industry (e.g. waste drum measurements), neutron activation analysis, and material science. Notably, we incorporate a benchmark case study of a zinc-rich industrial composite matrix to demonstrate the challenges in heavy-metal samples. Finally, we present a comparative analysis of analytical, empirical, and Monte Carlo–based correction methods, outlining their relative advantages, limitations, and typical uncertainties. All sections include key equations, figures, and summary tables. This review is intended as a detailed reference for researchers and professionals seeking to understand and mitigate self-attenuation effects in gamma-ray spectrometric measurements, especially those in environmental radioactivity studies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15667,"journal":{"name":"Journal of environmental radioactivity","volume":"291 ","pages":"Article 107855"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-11-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145614880","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}
扫码关注我们
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：
京公网安备 11010802042870号