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}
Pub Date : 2025-11-29DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107862
Meichen Li , Huang Yu , Tao Lang , Qinwen Deng , Weichao Zhao , Hui Zhang , Yuan Xue , Yongdong Wang , Dexin Ding , Nan Hu
Uranium (U) contamination of soils poses a significant global environmental challenge, severely impacting ecosystem security and human health. Phytoremediation presents a promising approach for soil remediation; however, its efficiency requires further improvement. This study investigated the synergistic effects of oxalic acid and the fungus Fusarium sp. A-2 on U accumulation in Macleaya cordata (M. cordata). Utilizing heatmap analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), and ionomic interaction network analysis, we elucidated the relationship between mineral element metabolism and U enrichment in M. cordata, identifying the key regulatory roles of specific mineral ions. Results demonstrated that the U + oxalic acid + Fusarium sp. A-2 combined treatment (UAF) significantly enhanced total U accumulation by 222.70 %, 101.07 %, and 75.80 % compared to the U-alone (U), U + oxalic acid (UA), and U + Fusarium sp. A-2 (UF) treatments, respectively. U exposure inhibited the accumulation of mineral ions (e.g., Ca2+, Mg2+) in both leaves and roots of M. cordata. Conversely, the oxalic acid–Fusarium sp. A-2 combination markedly enhanced the plant's capacity for accumulating these mineral ions. At the root-solution interface, U exhibited a strong positive correlation with Mg2+ (r = 0.87, p < 0.05), suggesting synergistic co-transport, while showing significant negative correlations with K (r = −0.65, p < 0.05) and Ca2+ (r = −0.75, p < 0.05), indicating antagonistic effects. The optimal concentrations of Ca2+ (0.75 mmol/L), K+ (2 mmol/L), and Mg2+ (0.5 mmol/L) could promote U uptake in the roots. Conversely, excessively high or low concentrations of these ions reduced U accumulation efficiency. These findings indicate that modulating the concentrations of key mineral ions (Ca2+, K+, Mg2+) in the growth medium can enhance U phytoextraction by M. cordata, thereby improving phytoremediation efficiency. This study provides a theoretical foundation for applying mineral element metabolism regulation in the phytoremediation of U-contaminated soils and proposes a novel strategy for enhancing remediation efficiency.
土壤铀污染是一项重大的全球环境挑战，严重影响生态系统安全和人类健康。植物修复是一种很有前途的土壤修复方法；然而，其效率还有待进一步提高。本文研究了草酸与真菌镰刀菌A-2对玉米U积累的协同效应。利用热图分析、主成分分析（PCA）和离子相互作用网络分析等方法，阐明了矿质元素代谢与玉米叶片U富集之间的关系，明确了特定矿质离子在玉米叶片U富集中的关键调控作用。结果表明，U +草酸+镰刀菌A-2联合处理（UAF）比单独处理(U)、U +草酸（UA）和U +镰刀菌A-2 （UF）分别提高了222.70%、101.07%和75.80%的总U积累量。U暴露抑制了矿质离子（如Ca2+、Mg2+）在木参叶和根中的积累。相反，草酸-镰刀菌A-2的组合显著提高了植物积累这些矿物离子的能力。在根液界面，U与Mg2+呈强正相关（r = 0.87, p < 0.05），提示协同转运；与K呈显著负相关（r = - 0.65, p < 0.05），与Ca2+呈显著负相关（r = - 0.75, p < 0.05），提示拮抗作用。Ca2+ (0.75 mmol/L)、K+ (2 mmol/L)和Mg2+ (0.5 mmol/L)的最佳浓度均能促进根系对U的吸收。相反，这些离子浓度过高或过低都会降低U的积累效率。这些结果表明，调节生长培养基中关键矿质离子（Ca2+、K+、Mg2+）的浓度，可以增强珊瑚藻对U的提取，从而提高植物修复效率。本研究为矿质元素代谢调控在铀污染土壤植物修复中的应用提供了理论基础，并提出了提高修复效率的新策略。
{"title":"Regulating mineral ions to enhance uranium phytoremediation by Macleaya cordata under synergistic effects of oxalic acid and Fusarium sp. A-2","authors":"Meichen Li , Huang Yu , Tao Lang , Qinwen Deng , Weichao Zhao , Hui Zhang , Yuan Xue , Yongdong Wang , Dexin Ding , Nan Hu","doi":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107862","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107862","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Uranium (U) contamination of soils poses a significant global environmental challenge, severely impacting ecosystem security and human health. Phytoremediation presents a promising approach for soil remediation; however, its efficiency requires further improvement. This study investigated the synergistic effects of oxalic acid and the fungus <em>Fusarium</em> sp. A-2 on U accumulation in <em>Macleaya cordata</em> (<em>M. cordata</em>). Utilizing heatmap analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), and ionomic interaction network analysis, we elucidated the relationship between mineral element metabolism and U enrichment in <em>M. cordata</em>, identifying the key regulatory roles of specific mineral ions. Results demonstrated that the U + oxalic acid + <em>Fusarium</em> sp. A-2 combined treatment (UAF) significantly enhanced total U accumulation by 222.70 %, 101.07 %, and 75.80 % compared to the U-alone (U), U + oxalic acid (UA), and U + <em>Fusarium</em> sp. A-2 (UF) treatments, respectively. U exposure inhibited the accumulation of mineral ions (e.g., Ca<sup>2+</sup>, Mg<sup>2+</sup>) in both leaves and roots of <em>M. cordata</em>. Conversely, the oxalic acid–<em>Fusarium</em> sp. A-2 combination markedly enhanced the plant's capacity for accumulating these mineral ions. At the root-solution interface, U exhibited a strong positive correlation with Mg<sup>2+</sup> (<em>r</em> = 0.87, <em>p</em> < 0.05), suggesting synergistic co-transport, while showing significant negative correlations with K (<em>r</em> = −0.65, <em>p</em> < 0.05) and Ca<sup>2+</sup> (<em>r</em> = −0.75, <em>p</em> < 0.05), indicating antagonistic effects. The optimal concentrations of Ca<sup>2+</sup> (0.75 mmol/L), K<sup>+</sup> (2 mmol/L), and Mg<sup>2+</sup> (0.5 mmol/L) could promote U uptake in the roots. Conversely, excessively high or low concentrations of these ions reduced U accumulation efficiency. These findings indicate that modulating the concentrations of key mineral ions (Ca<sup>2+</sup>, K<sup>+</sup>, Mg<sup>2+</sup>) in the growth medium can enhance U phytoextraction by <em>M. cordata</em>, thereby improving phytoremediation efficiency. This study provides a theoretical foundation for applying mineral element metabolism regulation in the phytoremediation of U-contaminated soils and proposes a novel strategy for enhancing remediation efficiency.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15667,"journal":{"name":"Journal of environmental radioactivity","volume":"291 ","pages":"Article 107862"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-11-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145614878","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 : 2025-11-27DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107863
J. Guillén, A. Salas, J.G. Muñoz-Muñoz
Organic matter in soil has many sources and is able to form complexes with anthropogenic and naturally occurring radionuclides that may have significant influence on their environmental behaviour, such as their bioavailability or mobility in soils. In this study, three different types of soil (sandy, silt loam and sandy loam) from a Mediterranean region were selected, and the association of 234,238U, 226Ra, 210Po and 228,230,232Th to soil organic matter was estimated through three methodologies: (i) extraction of humic and fulvic acids (NaOH); (ii) oxidizable organic matter (NaClO); and (iii) organic-bound and sulphide-bound fraction from Tessier's method (H2O2+NH4OAc). The radionuclides were mainly associated with humic and fulvic acids. Uranium and thorium were mainly associated with humic acids; while it was fulvic acids for radium, and it depended on soil type for 210Po. NaClO and H2O2+NH4OAc were not able to extract as much radionuclides as for humic and fulvic acids, which might imply that these reagents were not able to extract all organic matter in soil.
{"title":"Association of naturally occurring radionuclides with organic matter in soils in Mediterranean ecosystems","authors":"J. Guillén, A. Salas, J.G. Muñoz-Muñoz","doi":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107863","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107863","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Organic matter in soil has many sources and is able to form complexes with anthropogenic and naturally occurring radionuclides that may have significant influence on their environmental behaviour, such as their bioavailability or mobility in soils. In this study, three different types of soil (sandy, silt loam and sandy loam) from a Mediterranean region were selected, and the association of <sup>234,238</sup>U, <sup>226</sup>Ra, <sup>210</sup>Po and <sup>228,230,232</sup>Th to soil organic matter was estimated through three methodologies: (i) extraction of humic and fulvic acids (NaOH); (ii) oxidizable organic matter (NaClO); and (iii) organic-bound and sulphide-bound fraction from Tessier's method (H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>+NH<sub>4</sub>OAc). The radionuclides were mainly associated with humic and fulvic acids. Uranium and thorium were mainly associated with humic acids; while it was fulvic acids for radium, and it depended on soil type for <sup>210</sup>Po. NaClO and H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>+NH<sub>4</sub>OAc were not able to extract as much radionuclides as for humic and fulvic acids, which might imply that these reagents were not able to extract all organic matter in soil.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15667,"journal":{"name":"Journal of environmental radioactivity","volume":"291 ","pages":"Article 107863"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-11-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145614879","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 : 2025-11-24DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107860
Milena P. Živković , Ali H.D. Alshehri , Abdulhady Abas Abdullah , Dragana Ž. Krstić , Fatimah A. Salem , Taha Y. Wais , Berivan F. Namq , Snežana R. Branković
The presence of natural and artificial radionuclides in food products raises concerns about potential health risks associated with long-term ingestion, highlighting the need for systematic assessment of dietary exposure. This study presents a market-basket assessment of natural (226Ra, 232Th, 40K) and artificial (137Cs) radionuclides in forty cereal, legume, seed, and nut products. Activity concentrations were determined using high-resolution HPGe γ-spectrometry with rigorous quality assurance. Annual committed effective doses were calculated for adults and children using realistic intake scenarios, and lifetime cancer risk (LCR) was estimated following USEPA methodology with Monte Carlo uncertainty analysis (100,000 iterations). Radionuclide levels varied widely across food groups, with 40K consistently dominating activity concentrations. Rice, pasta, and legumes were the main contributors to ingestion dose, due to both higher consumption and elevated activities. Total ingestion doses were ≈404 μSv y−1 for adults and ≈202 μSv y−1 for children, within the international reference range for mixed diets (300–700 μSv y−1). Total LCR values (1.41 × 10−3 for adults; 7.07 × 10−4 for children) exceeded the USEPA target risk range (10−6–10−4), highlighting the importance of rice as the dominant contributor (∼40 %). All radionuclide concentrations were below international safety limits, and 137Cs, though detected in some samples, was consistently at levels posing no health concern. Overall, dietary exposure from these foods does not currently present a radiological risk but supports the need for continued monitoring of staple crops.
{"title":"Dietary exposure to natural and artificial radionuclides through cereal, legume, seed, and nut products: Measurement and uptake assessment","authors":"Milena P. Živković , Ali H.D. Alshehri , Abdulhady Abas Abdullah , Dragana Ž. Krstić , Fatimah A. Salem , Taha Y. Wais , Berivan F. Namq , Snežana R. Branković","doi":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107860","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107860","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The presence of natural and artificial radionuclides in food products raises concerns about potential health risks associated with long-term ingestion, highlighting the need for systematic assessment of dietary exposure. This study presents a market-basket assessment of natural (<sup>226</sup>Ra, <sup>232</sup>Th, <sup>40</sup>K) and artificial (<sup>137</sup>Cs) radionuclides in forty cereal, legume, seed, and nut products. Activity concentrations were determined using high-resolution HPGe γ-spectrometry with rigorous quality assurance. Annual committed effective doses were calculated for adults and children using realistic intake scenarios, and lifetime cancer risk (LCR) was estimated following USEPA methodology with Monte Carlo uncertainty analysis (100,000 iterations). Radionuclide levels varied widely across food groups, with <sup>40</sup>K consistently dominating activity concentrations. Rice, pasta, and legumes were the main contributors to ingestion dose, due to both higher consumption and elevated activities. Total ingestion doses were ≈404 μSv y<sup>−1</sup> for adults and ≈202 μSv y<sup>−1</sup> for children, within the international reference range for mixed diets (300–700 μSv y<sup>−1</sup>). Total LCR values (1.41 × 10<sup>−3</sup> for adults; 7.07 × 10<sup>−4</sup> for children) exceeded the USEPA target risk range (10<sup>−6</sup>–10<sup>−4</sup>), highlighting the importance of rice as the dominant contributor (∼40 %). All radionuclide concentrations were below international safety limits, and <sup>137</sup>Cs, though detected in some samples, was consistently at levels posing no health concern. Overall, dietary exposure from these foods does not currently present a radiological risk but supports the need for continued monitoring of staple crops.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15667,"journal":{"name":"Journal of environmental radioactivity","volume":"291 ","pages":"Article 107860"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-11-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145604422","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 : 2025-11-22DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107857
M. Martínez-Rojas , J. Mantero , M. García-León
<div><div>Calculation of activities and radiometric dating through radioactive series may lead to long or non-explicit mathematical expressions. Thus, dedicated software is required to help solve related questions. RULES (RaPCUBES, URADS and LEADS Encompassed Software) is a new computer application dedicated to calculating activities and populations for radionuclides that belong to the four radioactive series (<sup>238</sup>U, <sup>235</sup>U, <sup>232</sup>Th and <sup>237</sup>Np) and performing dating estimations using methods based on disequilibria between isotopes within the <sup>238</sup>U family.</div><div>RULES contains three different tools.<ul><li><span>-</span><span><div>RaPCUBES: Radioactivity and Population Calculator Using Bateman Equations' Solutions.</div></span></li><li><span>-</span><span><div>URADS: Uranium Routines Application for Dating Samples through <span><math><mrow><mi>R</mi></mrow></math></span> or <sup>234</sup>U/<sup>238</sup>U and <span><math><mrow><mi>T</mi></mrow></math></span> or <sup>230</sup>Th/<sup>234</sup>U methods.</div></span></li><li><span>-</span><span><div>LEADS: Lead Employed Approaches for Dating Sediments through <sup>210</sup>Pb simplest physical models, i.e., CA (Constant Activity), CS (Constant Sedimentation), CF (Constant Flux) and CFCS (Constant Flux Constant Sedimentation).</div></span></li></ul></div><div><ul><li><span>-</span><span><div>RaPCUBES: Radioactivity and Population Calculator Using Bateman Equations' Solutions.</div></span></li><li><span>-</span><span><div>URADS: Uranium Routines Application for Dating Samples through <span><math><mrow><mi>R</mi></mrow></math></span> or <sup>234</sup>U/<sup>238</sup>U and <span><math><mrow><mi>T</mi></mrow></math></span> or <sup>230</sup>Th/<sup>234</sup>U methods.</div></span></li><li><span>-</span><span><div>LEADS: Lead Employed Approaches for Dating Sediments through <sup>210</sup>Pb simplest physical models, i.e., CA (Constant Activity), CS (Constant Sedimentation), CF (Constant Flux) and CFCS (Constant Flux Constant Sedimentation).</div></span></li></ul></div><div>RULES has been programmed in the environment of MATLAB's AppDesigner (v. 2021b), with a database built in Microsoft Excel. It is available as completely free software via e-mail request and Manuel Martínez Rojas' profile at idUS (Research Repository of the University of Seville). Only the 9.11 version of MATLAB's Runtime is required. This does not need MATLAB's license to operate and makes the installation process straightforward through a unique link. Also, as a desktop application, RULES is able to work offline.</div><div>RULES's main purpose is to provide simple-to-use software that encompasses three different tools of interest with intuitive user interfaces, so no programming knowledge is required to use the application. Also, novel revised propagation of uncertainties is implemented at all levels of the calculation processes. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that RULES perform
{"title":"RULES: Free desktop application to perform activity calculations and radiometric dating","authors":"M. Martínez-Rojas , J. Mantero , M. García-León","doi":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107857","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107857","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Calculation of activities and radiometric dating through radioactive series may lead to long or non-explicit mathematical expressions. Thus, dedicated software is required to help solve related questions. RULES (RaPCUBES, URADS and LEADS Encompassed Software) is a new computer application dedicated to calculating activities and populations for radionuclides that belong to the four radioactive series (<sup>238</sup>U, <sup>235</sup>U, <sup>232</sup>Th and <sup>237</sup>Np) and performing dating estimations using methods based on disequilibria between isotopes within the <sup>238</sup>U family.</div><div>RULES contains three different tools.<ul><li><span>-</span><span><div>RaPCUBES: Radioactivity and Population Calculator Using Bateman Equations' Solutions.</div></span></li><li><span>-</span><span><div>URADS: Uranium Routines Application for Dating Samples through <span><math><mrow><mi>R</mi></mrow></math></span> or <sup>234</sup>U/<sup>238</sup>U and <span><math><mrow><mi>T</mi></mrow></math></span> or <sup>230</sup>Th/<sup>234</sup>U methods.</div></span></li><li><span>-</span><span><div>LEADS: Lead Employed Approaches for Dating Sediments through <sup>210</sup>Pb simplest physical models, i.e., CA (Constant Activity), CS (Constant Sedimentation), CF (Constant Flux) and CFCS (Constant Flux Constant Sedimentation).</div></span></li></ul></div><div><ul><li><span>-</span><span><div>RaPCUBES: Radioactivity and Population Calculator Using Bateman Equations' Solutions.</div></span></li><li><span>-</span><span><div>URADS: Uranium Routines Application for Dating Samples through <span><math><mrow><mi>R</mi></mrow></math></span> or <sup>234</sup>U/<sup>238</sup>U and <span><math><mrow><mi>T</mi></mrow></math></span> or <sup>230</sup>Th/<sup>234</sup>U methods.</div></span></li><li><span>-</span><span><div>LEADS: Lead Employed Approaches for Dating Sediments through <sup>210</sup>Pb simplest physical models, i.e., CA (Constant Activity), CS (Constant Sedimentation), CF (Constant Flux) and CFCS (Constant Flux Constant Sedimentation).</div></span></li></ul></div><div>RULES has been programmed in the environment of MATLAB's AppDesigner (v. 2021b), with a database built in Microsoft Excel. It is available as completely free software via e-mail request and Manuel Martínez Rojas' profile at idUS (Research Repository of the University of Seville). Only the 9.11 version of MATLAB's Runtime is required. This does not need MATLAB's license to operate and makes the installation process straightforward through a unique link. Also, as a desktop application, RULES is able to work offline.</div><div>RULES's main purpose is to provide simple-to-use software that encompasses three different tools of interest with intuitive user interfaces, so no programming knowledge is required to use the application. Also, novel revised propagation of uncertainties is implemented at all levels of the calculation processes. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that RULES perform","PeriodicalId":15667,"journal":{"name":"Journal of environmental radioactivity","volume":"291 ","pages":"Article 107857"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-11-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145568722","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 : 2025-11-21DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107858
David Beamish, James C. White
Soil carbon plays a crucial role in maintaining soil health, regulating water retention, and overall ecosystem function, while also acting as a carbon sink that can mitigate climate change. Updating peat information has become a priority in relation to carbon accounting. Soils attenuate radiometric flux by virtue of their bulk density and water saturation. The largest contrasts are associated with high carbon, wet peat zones. A revised attenuation theory demonstrates the response continuum of all soils and defines their response over the full range of saturation levels. The theory can be applied to any form of radiometric survey data. The relevance of the attenuation properties of airborne radiometric data to peat mapping is well established. Mainly due to survey height, the spatial resolution of the radiometric data is limited. It has been argued that conventional peat mapping has omitted many potential areas of peat, often excluded on the basis of depth. These smaller pockets of the carbon store have been termed the lost peatlands. A new observational and adaptable assessment of the peat extent across Wales has recently been published. An existing small airborne survey is used to provide an attenuation assessment of peat extents in relation to the control provided by the new map. Many of the peat zones are small (<0.05 km2) and are detected on only one or two flightlines. The large support volume (footprint) of airborne measurements provides a moving-average of subsurface contributions. Despite this, the attenuation response appears sufficient to either confirm or reject the evidence of a peat zone. The data also suggest many other areas of potential peat.
{"title":"Airborne radiometric data: in search of the lost peatlands, Anglesey, North Wales","authors":"David Beamish, James C. White","doi":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107858","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107858","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Soil carbon plays a crucial role in maintaining soil health, regulating water retention, and overall ecosystem function, while also acting as a carbon sink that can mitigate climate change. Updating peat information has become a priority in relation to carbon accounting. Soils attenuate radiometric flux by virtue of their bulk density and water saturation. The largest contrasts are associated with high carbon, wet peat zones. A revised attenuation theory demonstrates the response continuum of all soils and defines their response over the full range of saturation levels. The theory can be applied to any form of radiometric survey data. The relevance of the attenuation properties of airborne radiometric data to peat mapping is well established. Mainly due to survey height, the spatial resolution of the radiometric data is limited. It has been argued that conventional peat mapping has omitted many potential areas of peat, often excluded on the basis of depth. These smaller pockets of the carbon store have been termed the lost peatlands. A new observational and adaptable assessment of the peat extent across Wales has recently been published. An existing small airborne survey is used to provide an attenuation assessment of peat extents in relation to the control provided by the new map. Many of the peat zones are small (<0.05 km<sup>2</sup>) and are detected on only one or two flightlines. The large support volume (footprint) of airborne measurements provides a moving-average of subsurface contributions. Despite this, the attenuation response appears sufficient to either confirm or reject the evidence of a peat zone. The data also suggest many other areas of potential peat.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15667,"journal":{"name":"Journal of environmental radioactivity","volume":"291 ","pages":"Article 107858"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-11-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145568721","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 atom ratios of Pu isotopes have unique values depending on the source of Pu release and are useful for identifying the origin of Pu. To date, various studies have been conducted on Pu analysis originating from the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident, which was the latest Pu release event. Some study focused on radioactive particles formed in a reactor during the accident to evaluate the Pu contamination originating from the FDNPP accident, assumed to be not influenced by serious Pu contamination from global fallout. However, a small number of samples of analyzed radioactive particles introduced a large uncertainty into the Pu atom ratio estimate. In this study, we analyzed more samples of radioactive particles to investigate the accurate Pu atom ratios from the FDNPP accident. The averaged Pu atom ratios of 240Pu/239Pu and 241Pu/239Pu for 7 particles were precisely determined for 0.369 ± 0.008 and 0.150 ± 0.007, respectively, by the sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry system (SF-ICP-MS) method. These values are close to the calculated value of the core inventory but are slightly different. In addition, the ratios were similar to reported values for environmental samples around the FDNPP, particularly for black substances and vegetation. This study determined accurate Pu atom ratios from the FDNPP, which provided Pu fingerprint values of FDNPP for future Pu source studies.
{"title":"Isotopic ratios of plutonium in radioactive particles released by the accident of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant","authors":"Junya Igarashi , Kazuhiko Ninomiya , Jian Zheng , Zijian Zhang , Miho Fukuda , Tatsuo Aono , Haruka Minowa , Hideki Yoshikawa , Keisuke Sueki , Yukihiko Satou , Atsushi Shinohara","doi":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107856","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107856","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The atom ratios of Pu isotopes have unique values depending on the source of Pu release and are useful for identifying the origin of Pu. To date, various studies have been conducted on Pu analysis originating from the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident, which was the latest Pu release event. Some study focused on radioactive particles formed in a reactor during the accident to evaluate the Pu contamination originating from the FDNPP accident, assumed to be not influenced by serious Pu contamination from global fallout. However, a small number of samples of analyzed radioactive particles introduced a large uncertainty into the Pu atom ratio estimate. In this study, we analyzed more samples of radioactive particles to investigate the accurate Pu atom ratios from the FDNPP accident. The averaged Pu atom ratios of <sup>240</sup>Pu/<sup>239</sup>Pu and <sup>241</sup>Pu/<sup>239</sup>Pu for 7 particles were precisely determined for 0.369 ± 0.008 and 0.150 ± 0.007, respectively, by the sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry system (SF-ICP-MS) method. These values are close to the calculated value of the core inventory but are slightly different. In addition, the ratios were similar to reported values for environmental samples around the FDNPP, particularly for black substances and vegetation. This study determined accurate Pu atom ratios from the FDNPP, which provided Pu fingerprint values of FDNPP for future Pu source studies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15667,"journal":{"name":"Journal of environmental radioactivity","volume":"291 ","pages":"Article 107856"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-11-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145568723","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 : 2025-11-13DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107854
Weihua Zhang , Mikhail Sofiev , Chuanlei Liu , Jing Yi , Morten Sickel , Jussi Paatero , Kurt Ungar , Eric Pellerin
This paper reports on 133Xe monitoring results from three Arctic stations from 2014 to 2019. The results show that the atmospheric surface monthly activity concentrations (MAC) and observation frequency (MOF) of 133Xe in Arctic winter and spring are much higher than those observed sporadically in summer. The ratios of winter to summer average MAC, which reflects the degree of seasonal variation, were 6.4, 5.2, and 3.2 for Spitsbergen, Yellowknife, and Resolute, respectively. The average of MOF ratios also showed similar trends, with a more pronounced seasonal pattern in Spitsbergen, followed by Resolute and Yellowknife. Compared with the monthly NAO index for the same period, the temporal variation patterns of 133Xe MAC at the three Arctic monitoring sites showed the highest similarity in Spitsbergen, followed by Resolute and Yellowknife. The linear regressions analysis of 133Xe MAC and MOF at these Arctic stations showed that the R2 values were highest between Resolute and Yellowknife stations (0.56 and 0.68 respectively); between Spitsbergen and Resolute stations (0.46 and 0.66 respectively); and lowest between Spitsbergen and Yellowknife (0.33 and 0.55 respectively).
{"title":"Observed Atmospheric 133Xe Concentrations in the Arctic and their relationship to the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO)","authors":"Weihua Zhang , Mikhail Sofiev , Chuanlei Liu , Jing Yi , Morten Sickel , Jussi Paatero , Kurt Ungar , Eric Pellerin","doi":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107854","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107854","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This paper reports on <sup>133</sup>Xe monitoring results from three Arctic stations from 2014 to 2019. The results show that the atmospheric surface monthly activity concentrations (MAC) and observation frequency (MOF) of <sup>133</sup>Xe in Arctic winter and spring are much higher than those observed sporadically in summer. The ratios of winter to summer average MAC, which reflects the degree of seasonal variation, were 6.4, 5.2, and 3.2 for Spitsbergen, Yellowknife, and Resolute, respectively. The average of MOF ratios also showed similar trends, with a more pronounced seasonal pattern in Spitsbergen, followed by Resolute and Yellowknife. Compared with the monthly NAO index for the same period, the temporal variation patterns of <sup>133</sup>Xe MAC at the three Arctic monitoring sites showed the highest similarity in Spitsbergen, followed by Resolute and Yellowknife. The linear regressions analysis of <sup>133</sup>Xe MAC and MOF at these Arctic stations showed that the R<sup>2</sup> values were highest between Resolute and Yellowknife stations (0.56 and 0.68 respectively); between Spitsbergen and Resolute stations (0.46 and 0.66 respectively); and lowest between Spitsbergen and Yellowknife (0.33 and 0.55 respectively).</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15667,"journal":{"name":"Journal of environmental radioactivity","volume":"291 ","pages":"Article 107854"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-11-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145517074","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 : 2025-11-12DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107840
Daniel A. Haber , Avery A. Guild-Bingham , Pamela C. Burnley , Mark Norsworthy , Russell Malchow , Elisabeth M. Hausrath
This study investigates the long-term calibration and validation of the Aerial Measuring System (AMS) fixed and rotary-wing aerial gamma-ray survey platforms. Each of the five aircraft are equipped with an array of 2.08 L scintillator detectors that are empirically calibrated using the large area calibration pads located in Grand Junction, Co. Two spectral extraction methods, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) published window method and the Gaussian method, are compared using calibration pad data. Aerial surveys conducted at Lake Mohave and Government Wash are also analyzed, with good agreement between the IAEA and Gaussian methods and ground truth measurements within two standard deviations. The study’s findings showcase the stability and reliability of the AMS system for naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) mapping for use in applications such as geologic mapping, environmental monitoring, and exploration as well as highlight the feasibility of the Gaussian based approach which has some advantages over the IAEA window method in that the Gaussian extractions may avoid some of the isotopic and altitude dependence of the terms in the IAEA window method.
本文研究了航空测量系统（AMS）固定翼和旋转翼航空伽马射线测量平台的长期校准和验证。每架飞机都配备了2.08 L NaI（Tl）闪烁探测器阵列，使用位于Grand Junction公司的大面积校准垫进行经验校准。利用校准垫数据比较了国际原子能机构（IAEA）公布的窗口法和高斯法两种光谱提取方法。还分析了在莫哈维湖和政府沃什进行的空中调查，原子能机构和高斯方法以及两个标准差范围内的地面真值测量结果非常一致。研究结果显示了AMS系统用于自然发生放射性物质（NORM）制图的稳定性和可靠性，可用于地质制图、环境监测和勘探等应用，并突出了基于高斯方法的可行性，该方法与IAEA窗口方法相比具有一些优势，因为高斯提取可以避免IAEA窗口方法中术语的一些同位素和海拔依赖。
{"title":"Long-term empirical radiation detector calibration for airborne geophysical surveying","authors":"Daniel A. Haber , Avery A. Guild-Bingham , Pamela C. Burnley , Mark Norsworthy , Russell Malchow , Elisabeth M. Hausrath","doi":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107840","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107840","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigates the long-term calibration and validation of the Aerial Measuring System (AMS) fixed and rotary-wing aerial gamma-ray survey platforms. Each of the five aircraft are equipped with an array of 2.08 L <span><math><mrow><mi>N</mi><mi>a</mi><mi>I</mi><mrow><mo>(</mo><mi>T</mi><mi>l</mi><mo>)</mo></mrow></mrow></math></span> scintillator detectors that are empirically calibrated using the large area calibration pads located in Grand Junction, Co. Two spectral extraction methods, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) published window method and the Gaussian method, are compared using calibration pad data. Aerial surveys conducted at Lake Mohave and Government Wash are also analyzed, with good agreement between the IAEA and Gaussian methods and ground truth measurements within two standard deviations. The study’s findings showcase the stability and reliability of the AMS system for naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) mapping for use in applications such as geologic mapping, environmental monitoring, and exploration as well as highlight the feasibility of the Gaussian based approach which has some advantages over the IAEA window method in that the Gaussian extractions may avoid some of the isotopic and altitude dependence of the terms in the IAEA window method.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15667,"journal":{"name":"Journal of environmental radioactivity","volume":"291 ","pages":"Article 107840"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-11-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145512996","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}
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