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The events of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan have garnered global concern. Despite nuclear power plants addressing numerous energy challenges, they poses substantial risks to environmental safety. The global legal basis to fulfill due regard obligations toward nuclear wastewater discharge involves international nuclear energy and marine environmental protection laws. There is substantive scope of due regard obligations toward nuclear wastewater discharge, including fulfilling international duties, prohibiting marine environmental pollution, preventing transboundary harm, and ensuring procedural obligations. The procedural obligations encompass timely notification of nuclear pollution, scientific assessment, and active consultation and cooperation with the international community. As there are still numerous obstacles to the application of due regard in the discharge of nuclear wastewater, the international marine environment frequently suffers from nuclear pollution. Considering the potential for transboundary environmental harm owing to the discharge of nuclear wastewater, this paper proposes effective solutions to this issue from the perspective of sustainable development of the marine environment. These solutions include formulating specific normative guidelines, clarifying liability for paying transboundary harm compensation, developing unified international assessment standards, and establishing an international platform for mandatory cooperation. Such solutions reinforce the national responsibility of all countries to actively fulfill their due regard obligations and effectively resolve the issue of potential irreversible damage to the marine environment. Additionally, the paper provides suggestions regarding how the international community can address the issue of Japan's nuclear wastewater discharge and other similar issues that may arise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Development of effective iodine capture materials and techniques is crucial for addressing the diverse applications of iodine and its significance in various contexts, including nuclear pollution control. This study presents the creation of a new 3-Aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES)-modified boron nitride (BN) aerogel designed for effective iodine capture. The internal structural units of BN aerogel, specifically the one-dimensional BN fibers, have been successfully functionalized with amine groups, resulting in the formation of an amine-rich SiO x capping layer on the surface of these fibers. The APTES modification not only establishes a stable connection within the internal BN fibers network but also imparts the material with a significant number of iodine capture sites. The resulting aerogel demonstrates an impressive iodine vapor capture capacity of 313.64 wt% at 350 K and atmospheric pressure, and up to 1028.96 mg/g in iodine/n-hexane solution, surpassing the capabilities of pure BN aerogel and most existing iodine capture materials. The excellent iodine capture performance of APTES-modified BN aerogel suggests its promising potential for future applications in iodine capture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The release and escape of radioactive materials has posed tremendous threats to the global environment. Among various radioactive elements, 90Sr has attracted growing attention due to its long half-life and its tendency to accumulate in bone tissue. Nonetheless, the concentration of 90Sr in radioactive waste is exceedingly low, far below the detection limits of currently available strontium-targeting chemical sensors. Herein, we propose an optical nanosensor (Sr2+-nanosensor) that exhibits an ultra-low detection limit of 0.5 nM, surpassing the 90Sr in the treated radioactive water from the Fukushima. The sensor offers wide sensing range of eight orders of magnitude, rapid response of less than 10 s, and high selectivity against 31 common ions. These excellent performances are attributed to a specific ligand (Sr2+-ligand) for Sr2+ recognition. The Sr2+ is found to be bound by six oxygen atoms from the Sr2+-ligand with a stability constant at least two orders higher than that of other traditional ligands. This study offers invaluable insights for the design of Sr2+-sensing methodologies as well as a technique for detecting trace amounts of environmental radioactive pollution. The release and escape of radioactive 90Sr has attracted growing attention due to its long half-life and its tendency to accumulate in bone tissue. Herein, the authors report an optical nanosensor (Sr2+-nanosensor) that exhibits an ultra-low detection limit of 0.5 nM, a rapid response of less than 10 s, and high selectivity against 31 common ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The artificial 137Cs radionuclide dispersed into the atmosphere as a consequence of the Chernobyl accident. As a result of the explosion, radioactive pollution occurred in the Black Sea and Thrace region. In the present study, to assess the risks associated with the exposure due to Chernobyl fallout, artificial 137Cs radionuclide was analyzed in collected surface soil samples from the Anatolian region of Istanbul, in Thrace Region of Turkey by a gamma-ray spectrometer equipped with HPGe. The artificial 137Cs radionuclide activity concentrations range from <0.07 to 9.95 ± 0.19 Bq kg−1 d.w. in soil samples. To estimate the radiological hazard resulting from fallout 137Cs were calculated. The annual effective dose rate ranges from 0.003 to 0.37 μSv y−1. Statistical analyses were carried out to understand the distribution of 137Cs activity concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The invasion of Ukraine and military operations around Ukrainian nuclear power plants and other nuclear facilities have prompted us to search for radiocaesium in mosses from the Kopački Rit Nature Park in Croatia, since mosses are known bioindicators of airborne radioactive pollution, and Kopački Rit is a known low radiocaesium background area. Sampling was finished in August 2023, and our analysis found no elevated radiocaesium levels. Kopački Rit therefore remains a suitable place for future detection of anthropogenic radioactive pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Kirkuk Journal of Science is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The inheritance of historic human-induced disruption and the fierceness of its impact change aquatic ecosystems. This work reviews some of the main stressors on freshwater ecosystems, focusing on their effects, threats, risks, protection, conservation, and management elements. An overview is provided on the water protection linked to freshwater stressors: solar ultraviolet radiation, thermal pollution, nanoparticles, radioactive pollution, salinization, nutrients, sedimentation, drought, extreme floods, fragmentation, pesticides, war and terrorism, algal blooms, invasive aquatic plants, riparian vegetation, and invasive aquatic fish. Altogether, these stressors build an exceptionally composite background of stressors that are continuously changing freshwater ecosystems and diminishing or even destroying their capability to create and maintain ongoing natural healthy products and essential services to humans. Environmental and human civilization sustainability cannot exist without the proper management of freshwater ecosystems all over the planet; this specific management is impossible if the widespread studied stressors are not deeply understood structurally and functionally. Without considering each of these stressors and their synergisms, the Earth's freshwater is doomed in terms of both quantitative and qualitative aspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: External dose rate measurements for I-125 permanent radioactive source implantation brachytherapy for prostate cancer requires standardized external dose rate measurements and radiation safety procedures. We developed predictive models for external dose rates to ensure compliance with radiation safety guidelines. We used Monte Carlo simulation and experimental measurements to construct an external dose rate model. The model's accuracy was validated against external dose rate measurements from clinical patients. This model facilitates the calculation and minimization of family members' radiation dose, aiding in the development of personalized radiation protection strategies. This study uses Monte Carlo simulation and experimental measurements to develop a predictive model for estimating the external dose rate associated with permanent radioactive source implantation in prostate cancer patients. The objective is to estimate the accuracy of the patient's external dose rate measurement. First, I-125 radioactive sources were implanted into Mylar window water phantoms to simulate the permanent implantation of these sources in patients. Water phantom experimental measurement was combined with Monte Carlo simulation to develop predictive equations, whose performance was verified against external clinical data. The model's accuracy in predicting the external dose rate in patients with permanently implanted I-125 radioactive sources was high (R2 = 0.999). A comparative analysis of the experimental measurements and the Monte Carlo simulations revealed that the maximum discrepancy between the measured and calculated values for the water phantom was less than 5.00%. The model is practical for radiation safety assessments, enabling the evaluation of radiation exposure risks to individuals around patients with permanently implanted I-125 radioactive sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biological concentration effect of radionuclides in marine fish has exacerbated public anxiety about seafood security in the context of Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water discharged into the ocean. However, the most polluted port near the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) has seldom been investigated, especially for radioactivity in marine fish. In this study, decadal observations of radiocesium in marine fish and seawater from the most polluted port were simultaneously established after the Fukushima Nuclear Accident. We found a generally decreasing trend of historical 137Cs activity in seawater, with seasonal variations modulated by precipitation. Seasonal variations were elucidated with finer detail and divided into exponential decline in the dry season and steady variation in the wet season. A novel method was proposed to estimate the continuing source term of 137Cs derived from the FDNPP, which was 3.9 PBq in 2011 and 19.3 TBq between 2012 and 2022 on the basis of historical 137Cs. The biological concentration effect of marine fish is quantitatively emphasized according to the higher ratio of overstandards for radiocesium in marine fish relative to that in seawater. Long-term observation and analysis of radiocesium in marine fish and seawater from the most polluted port would provide insights into the scientific evaluation of the effectiveness of the decommissioning of the FDNPP in the past and share lessons on the fate of Fukushima-derived radionuclides in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ionizing radiation covers a broad spectrum of applications. Since radioactive/radiation pollution is directly related to radiation risk, radiation levels should be strictly controlled. Different detection methods can be applied for radiation registration and monitoring. In this paper, radiation-induced variations in the optical properties of silver-enriched PVA-based hydrogel films with and without azo dye (Toluidine blue O, TBO, and Methyl red, MR) additives were investigated, and the feasibility of these free-standing films to serve as radiation detectors/exposure indicators was assessed. AgNO3 admixed with PVA gel was used as a source for the radiation-induced synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in irradiated gel films. Three types of sensors were prepared: silver-enriched PVA films containing a small amount of glycerol (AgPVAGly); silver-enriched PVA films with toluidine blue adducts (AgPVAGlyTBO); and silver-enriched PVA films with methyl red additives (AgPVAGlyMR). The selection of TBO and MR was based on their sensitivity to irradiation. The irradiation of the samples was performed in TrueBeam2.1 (VARIAN) using 6 MeV photons. Different doses up to 10 Gy were delivered to the films. The sensitivity of the films was assessed by analyzing the characteristic UV-Vis absorbance peaks on the same day as irradiation and 7, 30, 45, 90, and 180 days after irradiation. It was found that the addition of azo dyes led to an enhanced radiation sensitivity of the AgNPs containing films (0.6 Gy−1 for AgPVAGlyTBO and 0.4 Gy−1 for AgPVAGlyMR) irradiated with <2 Gy doses, indicating their applicability as low-dose exposure indicators. The irradiated films were less sensitive to higher doses. Almost no dose fading was detected between the 7th and 45th day after irradiation. Based on the obtained results, competing AgNP formation and color-bleaching effects in the AgPVAGly films with dye additives are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The text is a review of the book "Numerical Methods in Environmental Data Analysis" by Moses Eterigho Emetere. The book explores the relationship between environmental research and the data that drives it. It is structured into nine chapters that cover topics such as data treatment, environmental pollution research, generating environmental data, and numerical methods. The book primarily focuses on numerical methods and may be overwhelming for those new to the field. However, it is praised for its depth and practical applications, making it a valuable resource for both beginners and experts in environmental data analysis. [Extracted from the article]

Hydrogen isotope permeation in structural steels can cause severe issues, including steel brittleness, fuel loss, and radioactive pollution in fusion reactors. To tackle this issue, we report a simple synthesis of α‐Al2O3/AlPO4 composite coating by the thermochemical reaction method to serve as an effective barrier hampering hydrogen isotope permeation. This coating was formed at 500°C and composed of α‐Al2O3 and AlPO4 phases. A relatively uniform and compact structure with thickness of ∼35 μm made its corrosion resistance reaching above 3000 times that of the 321 steel substrate. With just one‐side coated, the α‐Al2O3/AlPO4 coating achieved a considerable deuterium permeation reduction factor of 1935 at 450°C, three orders of magnitude higher than 321 steels. What's more, after the deuterium permeation test, no pores or cracks were generated. The excellent bonding between the coating and the substrate was resulted from the formation of CrxPy at their interface induced by Cr diffusion from the substrate. The results obtained from the current study shed new light on seeking reliable and viable ceramic coatings to tackle hydrogen permeation issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the presented work, the results of the investigation of the danger of spreading radioactive substances in residential areas and ways of protection against them are shown. The characteristics of radioactive contamination zones are given. Ways to reduce the spread of radioactive substances in residential areas have been investigated. Ways to reduce the concentration of radon in residential areas are indicated. It has been determined that passive systems allow reducing gas concentration by 50%. Radiation protection systems were also investigated. Factors to be observed during protection are indicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The radioactive pollution caused by uranium containing wastewater generated during the nuclear fuel cycle seriously threatens human health and environmental safety. The electrosorption (or capacitive deionization, CDI) separation of U(VI) from wastewater has the advantages of high efficiency, low energy consumption, convenient operation, and no secondary pollution, making it a promising new separation technology. By combining double layer capacitive materials with pseudo capacitive materials, the specific capacitance and ion storage capacity of the composites can be significantly improved, thereby improving the electrosorption performance. This work used natural biomass as raw material to prepare hierarchical porous biocarbon through high-temperature pyrolysis and chemical activation, and then it was incorporated with hydrothermally synthesized α-MnO 2 nanofibers to obtain novel composites (BC/α-MnO 2) with high hybrid capacitance for U(VI) removal in CDI. The electrochemical characteristics of the composites and their electrosorption performances for U (VI) were respectively investigated in a three electrode system and a CDI device. The results suggested that BC/α-MnO 2 exhibited an ideal capacitive behavior, and theoretical calculations indicated the synergistic effect of capacitive and diffusion control processes on ion storage. Among different BC/α-MnO 2 electrodes, BC/α-MnO 2 -2 had the highest specific capacitance (130.48 F/g) and also the highest adsorption capacity for U (VI) (280.20 mg/g at 0.9 V and pH 4.0). The isotherms and kinetics of U (VI) electrosorption were consistent with the Langmuir and PFO models, respectively. The electrosorption mechanism was mainly related to the contribution of pseudocapacitance and EDL adsorption. Overall, BC/α-MnO 2 -2 exhibited ideal electrochemical properties and excellent electrsorption performance for U (VI) (high electrosorption capacity, fast kinetic rate, and good cycling stability), facile fabrication and environmentally friendly, and thus it has promising application in CDI treatment of radioactive wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The variation of dissolved radon levels in water supplies remains of interest since radon ingested through drinking water can give considerable radiation to the lining of the stomach. This study aims to determine the radon concentration levels in bottled spring drinking water (BSW) brands commercially sold in Turkey using a radon gas monitor and to assess the internal radiation exposure caused by the ingestion and inhalation of radon. The activity concentrations of radon analyzed in 77 BSW brands varied from 7.1±0.8 to 28.7±2.7 mBq/L with an average of 15.7±5.1 mBq/L. The total annual effective dose was estimated to assess the radiological risk for three age groups in four different scenarios based on annual drinking water intake. All estimated dose values are well below the recommended reference dose of 100 µSv for drinking water. Therefore, radon gas in the investigated BSW samples poses no significant radiological risk to the public. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biological impacts of the nuclear accidents in Chernobyl (1986) and Fukushima (2011) on wildlife have been studied in many organisms over decades, mainly from dosimetric perspectives based on laboratory experiments using indicator species. However, ecological perspectives are required to understand indirect field-specific effects among species, which are difficult to evaluate under dosimetric laboratory conditions. From the viewpoint that microbes play a fundamental role in ecosystem function as decomposers and symbionts for plants, we reviewed studies on microbes inhabiting soil and plants in Chernobyl and Fukushima in an attempt to find supporting evidence for indirect field-specific effects on plants and insect herbivores. Compositional changes in soil microbes associated with decreases in abundance and species diversity were reported, especially in heavily contaminated areas of both Chernobyl and Fukushima, which may accompany explosions of radioresistant species. In Chernobyl, the population size of soil microbes remained low for at least 20 years after the accident, and the abundance of plant-associated microbes, which are related to the growth and defense systems of plants, possibly decreased. These reported changes in microbes likely affect soil conditions and alter plant physiology. These microbe-mediated effects may then indirectly affect insect herbivores through food-mass-mediated, pollen-mediated, and metabolite-mediated interactions. Metabolite-mediated interactions may be a major pathway for ecological impacts at low pollution levels and could explain the decreases in insect herbivores in Fukushima. The present review highlights the importance of the indirect field effects of long-term low-dose radiation exposure under complex field circumstances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the environmental nuclear radiation pollution caused by nuclear-contaminated water discharge and other factors intensifies, more plant-microorganism-soil systems will be under long-term low-dose ionizing radiation (LLR). However, the regulatory mechanisms of the plant-microorganism-soil system under LLR are still unclear. In this study, we study a system that has been stably exposed to low-dose ionizing radiation for 10 years and investigate the response of the plant-microorganism-soil system to LLR based on the decay of the absorbed dose rate with distance. The results show that LLR affects the carbon and nitrogen migration process between plant-microorganism-soil through the "symbiotic microbial effect." The increase in the intensity of ionizing radiation led to a significant increase in the relative abundance of symbiotic fungi, such as Ectomycorrhizal fungi and Rhizobiales, which is accompanied by a significant increase in soil lignin peroxidase (LiP) activity, the C/N ratio, and C%. Meanwhile, enhanced radiation intensity causes adaptive changes in the plant functional traits. This study demonstrates that the "symbiotic microbial effect" of plant-microorganism-soil systems is an important process in terrestrial ecosystems in response to LLR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyzes ethnographic data that shows long-term militarization forms a significant part of state governance of the population and environment in the Arctic. Kola Peninsula, the study region, is a borderland with the West and has since the 1950s been a heavily militarized area. Applying insights from research on militarization, subjectivities, materiality, borders, and regionalism in autocratic regimes, I show how militarization shapes the environment and the lives of Indigenous reindeer herders. Despite discourses of demilitarization in the 1990s, Kola Peninsula did not move away from militarization as part of governance. The article explores what I call continuous militarization by engaging with two phenomena: (a) fencing off territories for military use and infrastructure, and (b) nuclear pollution. It discusses the interrelations of materiality and knowledge in maintaining Indigenous subjectivities and culture in line with the objectives of militarization, and shows how Russia uses participation in the Barents Euro-Arctic Region to support the objectives of militarization and justify them to the local population. The article finds that militarization is employed by the authorities to solidify the current autocratic regime among residents in the Arctic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waste-water pollution by radioactive elements such as uranium has emerged as a major issue that might seriously harm human health. Graphene oxide, graphene oxide nanoribbons, and sodium alginate nanocomposite aerogels (GO/GONRs/SA) were combined to create a novel nanocomposite using a modified Hummer's process and freeze-drying as an efficient adsorbent. Batch studies were conducted to determine the adsorption of uranium (VI) by aerogel. Aerogels composed of (GO/GONRs/SA) were used as an effective adsorbent for the removal of U (VI) from aqueous solution. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to describe the structure, morphologies, and characteristics of (GO/GONRs/SA) aerogels. The initial concentration of uranium (VI) and other environmental factors on U (VI) adsorption were investigated, period of contact, pH, and temperature. A pseudo-second-order kinetic model can be employed to characterize the kinetics of U (VI) adsorption onto aerogels. The Langmuir model could be applied to understand the adsorption isotherm, and the maximum adsorption capacity was 929.16 mg/g. The adsorption reaction is endothermic and occurs spontaneously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nuclear power plants require cooling water. When numerous nuclear plants were built in the 1970s, they were thus placed at major rivers. This caused cross-border problems, since in Europe, many rivers crossed or constituted borders. As awareness for thermal and radioactive pollution grew, border areas became hotbeds of European anti-nuclear protest. Advocates of European integration suggested that the European Communities (EC) were best positioned to resolve this issue. This article analyses the EC rulemaking attempts regarding the siting of nuclear power plants and explains why they failed. It argues that while the cross-border nature of the problem of nuclear installations at borders justified EC-level legal solutions, the geography of nuclear plants militated against supranational solutions -- at a time of national vetoes and when energy security was considered a national sovereignty concern. The article is based on the analysis of primary sources from European Union and national archives. By taking the physical and political geography of nuclear energy into account, this article offers new perspectives on the role of borders and border studies, on the history of nuclear energy and society, and on the history of European integration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Through the example of two nuclear power plants (Superphénix and Saint-Alban) in France along the Rhône River, in the Isère département, 1 I show that the areas involved and potentially "affected" by nuclear power at the local level do not overlap historically and that they are the result of a scientific, political, and administrative construction based on nuclear risk. I suggest that the various zones established around nuclear power plants (potentially affected by an accident, involved in public inquir- ies, included in various committees in charge of information and control, al- lowed to collect taxes) tend to grow under the influence of anti-nuclear pro- test, of local populations, and also of elected officials who are exposed to the effective or potential effects of nuclear power plants. Despite the difficulty of framing the nuclear risk spatially, it delimits a growing nuclear territory sur- rounding each nuclear power plant, from several municipalities at the begin- ning of the 1970s to an entire region at the beginning of the 1990s. The nu- merous maps available in French local archives thus shed historical light on the construction of nuclear territories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article demonstrates the results of a study of the landscape structure of the Chornobyl Radiation and Ecological Biosphere Reserve (Ukr.: Chornobylskyi radiatsiino-ekolohichnyi biosfernyi zapovidnyk - ChREBR). Because of radioactive pollution, a sharp drop in human activity, and the granting of the territory the status of a protected object, the process of area rewilding took on certain characteristics and led to the return of ecosystems' natural processes. The studies cover a 7-year period from 2016 to 2022, i.e., from the moment this territory was granted protected status. That territory was abandoned by people more than 37 years ago and the former rural and urban landscapes have either already been transformed or are in the process of being transformed into natural ones. The scale of forest massifs has changed during the previous seven years, which has caused increased pasture overgrowth. huge forest massifs have been lost because of enormous forest fires and floods, particularly along the Pripet and Uzh rivers. Semi-natural successions occur in the gardens, and wooden homes are almost extinct. From orbit, a number of communities no longer resemble settlements. They are cloaked in bushes and trees instead. For places that have been ploughed, the same holds true. The last seven years show that change is happening more slowly than in the decades before. The pattern of natural processes in ecosystems, including periodic fires, the blocking of reclamation channels, and other factors, is the primary driver of changes in the composition of the land cover. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today, world pollution is increasing, and many pollutants such as radioactive elements enter to environment through human activity contaminants play an essential role in human life and health. Therefore, the examination of models for dispersion caused by radioactive substances is an important issue. This article is a simulation study of the hypothetical scenario of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) in Ukraine, which is one of the NPPs in Europe. This scenario includes the occurrence of an accident in the power plant that entry of pollutants to environment and creates an environmental disaster. The simulation of this scenario was done using the Hyspli4)Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory) model and NOAA website data of ZNPP (include the wind information, temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure in different spatial and temporal scales) to predict and deal with pollutants. The simulation was conducted in the first week of April 2023 for 131 I and 137Cs elements, which are important elements that come out of the power plant and cause many problems. The results show the highest annual dose and concentration are 4.6 mSv/year and 2.7E+06 Bq.s/m3 respectively. It also shows that in the event of pollution, the entry of contaminated materials into the Dnieper River and the western edge of the blackened sea will bring a great disaster. Also, the eastern and northeastern regions of Ukraine, especially Kharkiv and the western borders of Russia, lead to pollution that causes radiation hazard, so the news should be shared with everyone before an actual incident occurs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article aims to assess radon concentration in various water samples, revealing levels ranging from 0.53 Bq/L to 4.68 Bq/L. Radon, specifically the isotope 222Rn, is a naturally occurring radioactive gas formed during the decay of the 238U decay series, originating from the breakdown of 226Ra. This gas is commonly found in rocks, soil, natural gas, and groundwater. Exposure to airborne and waterborne radon can increase the risk of certain cancers due to human radiation exposure. The primary Aim of this study was to assess the concentration of radon in water samples collected from diverse regions of Morocco, particularly the Midelt province and the Draa-Tafilalt region located at coordinates 32° 40' 48 North, 4° 44' 24 West. For this purpose, Solid State Nuclear Track Detectors of the LR-115 variety were used. The evaluations of annual effective dose equivalents exhibited a range spanning from 11.51 to 1.30 µSv/y, showcasing a consistent pattern of decline. Correspondingly, projections of excess lifetime cancer risk encompassed a spectrum from 4.00 to 1.98. Significantly higher risks were associated with samples S1 and S2, while notably lower risks were tied to S14 and S15. It is worth noting that all the water samples subjected to analysis registered annual effective doses that fell within the global average level recommended for ingestion exposure dose values (0.23 mSv/y) by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation. Given these results, there seem to be no radiation risks from radon gas in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radioactive pollution is caused when radioactive materials are deposited in the environment or atmosphere, particularly when their presence is inadvertent, and poses harm to the environment owing to the radioactive decay of the radioactive elements. Exposure to uranium in the workplace or environment can damage cells and increase cancer risk. Uranium, a heavy metal of the actinide family, has negative consequences due to its chemical and radioactive toxicity. The fission-track method with CR-39 evaluated the uranium content in blood samples collected from healthy persons and cancer patients. This method counted the fission tracks in a detector after the nuclear reaction. The data reveal that the lowest value in the group of people with cancer is 1.84±0.36 ppb, while the highest is 2.95±0.32 ppb. This population has an average uranium content of 2.52± 0.32 ppb. The highest result was 1.88± 0.22 ppb, while the lowest was 0.39±0.15 ppb in the healthy group. This population has a mean uranium content of 1.09±0.27 ppb. The statistics show that the uranium content in cancer patients' blood is much higher than that in the blood of healthy individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the 1950s, V-2 reservoir (Lake Kyzyl-Tash) was used for cooling industrial uranium–graphite reactors (IUGRs). When water passed through the IUGR core, activation radionuclides (ARs) were produced by nuclear reactions of reactor neutrons with nuclei of chemical elements present in water and were accumulated in water. The AR activity concentration in water from V-2 reservoir depends on the concentration of chemical elements in the reservoir. Data on the content of 16 elements in V-2 water in the period 1948–1956 were collected. These data were analyzed taking into account the characteristic natural abundance of elements in water of the Irtyash–Kasli lake system and the additional technogenic pollution of the reservoir in the course of its operation. The main source of AR transfer from V-2 reservoir to the Techa River was controlled water discharge through open shutters of the P-2 dam (or uncontrolled water seepage through closed shutters). A mathematical model was suggested, and the activity concentrations in V-2 water were calculated for 16 elements and 31 nuclear reactions yielding 20 ARs. The model was verified using the archive data on the activity concentrations of 32Р in V-2 water in 1953–1956. All the calculation results well agree with the available experimental data. The source term for AR transfer from V-2 reservoir to the Techa River in relation to the water flow rate through P-2 dam was determined. The experimental data on the scale of the distribution of the 32Р activity concentration along the Techa River were analyzed. The results obtained allow taking into account the AR contribution to the total radioactive pollution of the river and evaluating the possible radiation impact on the population and biota. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The monitoring of marine ecosystems is crucial due to the growing threat posed by nuclear power plants and other nuclear anthropogenic emissions. In our work, we used a straightforward and low-cost biomonitoring technique called fluctuation asymmetry (FA) to examine the variation between the left and right sides (developmental instability) of organisms' traits that were influenced by genetic and environmental variables in the early stages of ontogenesis. The specimens of fish (Leiognathus sp.) and crabs (Portunus sanguinolentus) were collected seasonally and used as bioindicators to determine the effects of Uranium-238 (U-238) radioactivity around a nuclear power plant. The obtained results revealed that FA values were not considered typical values (FA = 0) in all seasons. Moreover, FA values of Leiognathus sp. exhibited insignificant fluctuation for a particular characteristic through the different seasons, while a significant fluctuation occurred amongst the characteristics themselves throughout the same season. Inversely, FA values of the four characteristics in Portunus sanguinolentus displayed seasonal variation amongst them all. Statistically, there was a strong positive correlation (r = 0.5, p < 0.05) between U-238 radioactivity in the flesh of both organisms and the fluctuation asymmetry of different traits but it is not a sign that any radioactive pollution exists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gamma spectrometric measurement of natural radionuclides activity concentrations by HPGe detectors was conducted in 150 agricultural soil samples collected from six states of southwestern Nigeria. The overall activity concentrations of radionuclides ranged from 15.27 to 972.00 Bqkg−1 for 40K, 0.66 to 336.19 Bqkg−1 for 232Th and 1.32 to 123.01 Bqkg−1 for 238U, with mean values of 143.95, 17.02 and 22.92 Bqkg−1, respectively. The overall averages results from this study were generally lower than worldwide average value of 420, 33 and 45 Bqkg−1 for 40K, 238U and 232Th, respectively, thus minimal transfer to plant may be expected. The estimated radiation dose levels of the soil indicated acceptable limits for general public exposure. The radioactivity levels of 40K, 232Th and 238U in the investigated agricultural soil of southwestern Nigeria are within acceptable limits. Therefore, stochastic radiological health effects of radiation exposure by farmers may not be feasible at the current moment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nuclear accidents and the improper disposal of nuclear wastes have led to serious environmental radioactive pollutions. The rational design of adsorbents for the highly efficient separation of strontium(II) is essential in treating nuclear waste and recovering radioactive strontium resources. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are potential materials for the separation of aqueous metal ions owing to their designable structure and tunable functionality. Herein, a novel 3D MOF material MOF‐18Cr6, in which 1D channels are formed using 18‐crown‐6‐ether‐containing ligands as channel walls, is fabricated for strontium(II) separation. In contrast to traditional MOFs designed by grafting functional groups in the framework pores, MOF‐18Cr6 possesses regular 18‐crown‐6‐ether cavities on the channel walls, which not only can transport and intake strontium(II) via the channels, but also prevent blockage of the channels after the binding of strontium(II). Consequently, the functional sites are fully utilized to achieve a high strontium(II) removal rate of 99.73 % in simulated nuclear wastewater. This study fabricates a highly promising adsorbent for the separation of aqueous radioactive strontium(II), and more importantly, can provide a new strategy for the rational design of high‐performance MOF adsorbents for separating target substances from complex aqueous environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate radiation risks and the exposure to human and marine life, samples of marine sediments were taken along Mediterranean Sea Coastline and Lake Burullus, Egypt. The current study sought to evaluate the levels of 226Ra, 238U, 232Th and 40K radioactive elements in surface sediments as well as their ecological concerns and potential sources using remote sensing and GIS. The multivariate statistical analyses were done to assume the inter-relationships between the radiological indexes and concentrations. The activity of radionuclides concentrations in sediments for 226Ra, 238U, 232Th and 40K were 13.81, 9.08, 15.28 and 155.48 Bq/kg, and 7.29, 5.84, 8.2 and 136.98 Bq/Kg for Lake Burullus and Sea, respectively. It is obvious that radionuclides concentrations are more in the lake than those of the sea, due to the nature of geological and tectonic structures of the lake. The activity concentration of 226Ra didn't exceed the world averages recorded by UNSCEAR but 40K value exceeded this limit twice. The higher levels of 226Ra were due to anthropogenic activities, Soil type and geological components which may influence the concentrations of the radionuclides. The multivariate analyses showed different trends to site 3 than other sites and different trend to 40K than other radionuclides. Partial least squares regression (PLS) analysis indicated decrease in the elements in the area of Lake Burullus and increase in the coastline of Mediterranean Sea. With the exception of 40k, all results indicated that radioactive pollution is safe and may not pose threat to human or the environment. Nevertheless, it is advised to apply cost–benefit analysis to maximize radiation protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural uranium is a crucial resource for clean nuclear energy, which has brought significant economic and social benefits to humanity. However, the development and utilization of uranium resources have also resulted in the accumulation of vast amounts of uranium mill tailings (UMTs), which pose a potential threat to human health and the ecological environment. This paper reviews the research progress on UMTs treatment technologies, including cover disposal, solidification disposal, backfilling disposal, and bioremediation methods. It is found that cover disposal is a versatile method for the long-term management of UMTs, the engineering performance and durability of the cover system can be improved by choosing suitable stabilizers for the cover layer. Solidification disposal can convert UMTs into solid waste for permanent disposal, but it produces a large amount of waste and requires high operating costs; it is necessary to explore the effectiveness and efficiency of solidification disposal for UMTs, while minimizing the bad environmental impact. Backfilling disposal realizes the resource utilization of solid waste, but the high radon exhalation rate caused by the UMTs backfilling also needs to be considered. Bioremediation methods have low investment costs and are less likely to cause secondary pollution, but the remediation efficiency is low, it can be combined with other treatment technologies to remedy the defects of a single remediation method. The article concludes with key issues and corresponding suggestions for the current UMTs treatment methods, which can provide theoretical guidance and reference for further development and application of radioactive pollution treatment of UMTs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]