Numerical simulation of 137Cs and (239,240)Pu concentrations by an ocean general circulation model

We simulated the spatial distributions and the temporal variations of 137Cs and (239,240)Pu concentrations in the ocean by using the ocean general circulation model which was developed by National Center of Atmospheric Research. These nuclides are introduced into seawaters from global fallout due to atmospheric nuclear weapons tests. The distribution of radioactive deposition on the world ocean is estimated from global precipitation data and observed values of annual deposition of radionuclides at the Meteorological Research Institute in Japan and several observed points in New Zealand. Radionuclides from global fallout have been transported by advection, diffusion and scavenging, and this concentration reduces by radioactive decay in the ocean. We verified the results of the model calculations by comparing simulated values of 137Cs and (239,240)Pu in seawater with the observed values included in the Historical Artificial Radionuclides in the HAM database, which has been constructed by the Meteorological Research Institute. The vertical distributions of the calculated 137Cs concentrations were in good agreement and are in good agreement with the observed profiles in the 1960s up to 250 m, in the 1970s up to 500 m, in the 1980s up to 750 m and in the 1990s up to 750 m. However, the calculated 137Cs concentrations were underestimated compared with the observed 137Cs at the deeper layer. This may suggest other transport processes of 137Cs to deep waters. The horizontal distributions of 137Cs concentrations in surface water could be simulated. A numerical tracer release experiment was performed to explain the horizontal distribution pattern. A maximum (239,240)Pu concentration layer occurs at an intermediate depth for both observed and calculated values, which is formed by particle scavenging. The horizontal distributions of the calculated (239,240)Pu concentrations in surface water could be simulated by considering the scavenging effect.     

90Sr, 137Cs and (239,240)Pu concentration surface water time series in the Pacific and Indian Oceans--WOMARS results

Under an IAEA's Co-ordinated Research Project "Worldwide Marine Radioactivity Studies (WOMARS)" 90Sr, 137Cs and (239,240)Pu concentration surface water time series in the Pacific and Indian Oceans have been investigated. The Pacific and Indian Oceans were divided into 17 latitudinal boxes according to ocean circulation, global fallout patterns and the location of nuclear weapons test sites. The present levels and time trends in radionuclide concentrations in surface water for each box were studied and the corresponding effective half-lives were estimated. For the year 2000, the estimated average 90Sr, 137Cs and (239,240)Pu concentrations in surface waters of the Pacific and Indian Oceans varied from 0.1 to 1.5 mBq/L, 0.1 to 2.8 mBq/L, and 0.1 to 5.2 microBq/L, respectively. The mean effective half-lives for 90Sr and 137Cs in surface water were 12+/-1 years for the North, 20+/-1 years for the South and 21+/-2 years for the Equatorial Pacific. For (239,240)Pu the corresponding mean effective half-lives were 7+/-1 years for the North, 12+/-4 years for the South and 10+/-2 years for the Equatorial Pacific. For the Indian Ocean the mean effective half-lives of 137Cs and (239,240)Pu were 21+/-2 years and 9+/-1 years, respectively. There is evidence that fallout removal rates before 1970 were faster than those observed during recent decades. The estimated surface water concentrations of 90Sr, 137Cs and (239,240)Pu in latitudinal belts of the Pacific and Indian Oceans for the year 2000 may be used as the average levels so that any new contribution from nuclear facilities, nuclear weapons test sites, radioactive waste dumping sites and from possible nuclear accidents can be identified.     

Seasonal variation of air kerma rate in Sicily

Thermoluminescence dosimetry has been used to measure air kerma in 29 sites in Sicily. Four three month measurement campaigns have been carried out in order to assess seasonal variations. Average annual values between 20 and 90 nGy h(-1), after cosmic background subtraction, are reported. Average annual values are strongly dependent on site lithology, and we find that winter data are generally the highest, while spring and autumn rates are generally the lowest with very similar trends in any site. Summer values generally lay in between. Largest seasonal variations are found in sites along the southern coast of the island, probably because of stronger action of winds affecting radon, along with its progeny, concentrations at ground level.     

Mesoscale modelling of radioactive contamination formation in Ukraine caused by the Chernobyl accident

This work is devoted to the reconstruction of time-dependent radioactive contamination fields in the territory of Ukraine in the initial period of the Chernobyl accident using the model of atmospheric transport LEDI (Lagrangian-Eulerian DIffusion model). The modelling results were compared with available 137Cs air and ground contamination measurement data. The 137Cs atmospheric transport over the territory of Ukraine was simulated during the first 12 days after the accident (from 26 April to 7 May 1986) using real aerological information and rain measurement network data. The detailed scenario of the release from the accidental unit of the Chernobyl nuclear plant has been built (including time-dependent radioactivity release intensity and time-varied height of the release). The calculations have enabled to explain the main features of spatial and temporal variations of radioactive contamination fields over the territory of Ukraine on the regional scale, including the formation of the major large-scale spots of radioactive contamination caused by dry and wet deposition.     

Assessment of the radiological impact of oil refining industry

The field of radiation protection and corresponding national and international regulations has evolved to ensure safety in the use of radioactive materials. Oil and gas production processing operations have been known to cause naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMs) to accumulate at elevated concentrations as by-product waste streams. A comprehensive radiological study on the oil refining industry in Egypt was carried out to assess the radiological impact of this industry on the workers. Scales, sludge, water and crude oil samples were collected at each stage of the refining process. The activity concentration of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K were determined using high-resolution gamma spectrometry. The average activity concentrations of the determined isotopes are lower than the IAEA exempt activity levels for NORM isotopes. Different exposure scenarios were studied. The average annual effective dose for workers due to direct exposure to gamma radiation and dust inhalation found to be 0.6 μSv and 3.2 mSv, respectively. Based on the ALARA principle, the results indicate that special care must be taken during cleaning operations in order to reduce the personnel's exposure due to maintenance as well as to avoid contamination of the environment.     

Temporal variation of 137Cs water column inventory in the North Pacific since the 1960s

The temporal variation of water column inventories of 137Cs in the North Pacific since the 1960s was examined based on the analysis of the 137Cs profiles in HAM database. 137Cs in seawater in the North Pacific have originated mainly from global fallout from atmospheric nuclear weapons tests, which occurred in the early 1960s. In the 1960s, both the meridional distribution of 137Cs inventory in the North Pacific and that of fallout on land stations showed mid-latitude maximum. The region with higher deposition at land stations, however, was more northern than the latitudes where the 137Cs inventory in the North Pacific showed a maximum. The difference of the latitude where maximum 137Cs deposition/inventory was observed reflects the difference of the geographical distribution of the precipitation amount in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans followed by the different warm current systems in each ocean. A good positive relation between 137Cs inventory and annual precipitation amount was discovered in the ocean stations at the middle latitude in the North Pacific. The horizontal distribution of 137Cs inventories at the middle latitudes in the North Pacific is characterized as west-high and east-low in the early 1960s, which was basically controlled by the distribution of annual precipitation amount. Eastward advection, then, modified it to be less difference in 1966-1967 after the highest deposition periods in 1963-1965. In the 1970s and 1980s, increases of the 137Cs inventory at the lower latitude of 10-20 deg. N are found. Surface and subsurface southward transports are considered as the source of this increasing 137Cs inventory.     

Contrasting cesium dynamics in neighboring deep and shallow warm-water reservoirs

To measure the long term retention and seasonal dynamics of an initial 4 kg addition of ¹³³Cs into an 11.4-ha, 157,000 m³ reservoir (Pond 4, near Aiken, South Carolina, USA), the concentrations and inventories of ¹³³Cs in the water column were measured at periodical intervals for 522 days following the 1 August, 1999 release. After rapid declines in concentrations and inventories during the first 90 days, the ¹³³Cs concentrations in the water column declined at an average proportional rate of 0.004 d⁻¹. However, there were periods of less rapid and more rapid rates of declines, and these were correlated with periods of increasing and decreasing K concentrations in the water column. The decline rates were less and the K concentrations greater in the winter than in the summer. In the deeper, neighboring monomictic reservoirs of Par Pond and Pond B, a yearly cycle of increasing and decreasing ¹³⁷Cs concentrations in the water column is driven by anoxic remobilization of Cs from the sediments into a persistent summer hypolimnion. In Pond 4, whose mean depth of 1.6 m is too shallow to support a persistent anoxic hypolimnion, the pattern of yearly dynamics for K and Cs appear to be related to the accumulation and release of these elements from the extensive, seasonal macrophyte communities. The contrasting results between Pond 4 and Pond B suggest that a full appreciation of the relative importance of 1) anoxic remobilization and 2) accumulation and release by macrophytes in these systems remains to be established.     

On application of the orthogonal distance method to Onego Lake plankton seasonal cycling modelling

This paper proposes a new approach to describing of Onego Lake plankton seasonal dynamics. The approach is based on the construction of the nonlinear regression measurement error models by virtue of the orthogonal distance method. The models describe average long-term plankton characteristics for every day of vegetative period, enable identify the main seasonal phenomena dates and evaluate annual and long-term plankton variability.     

近60年中国持续极端降水时空变化特征及其环流因素分析

极端降水具有较强的持续时间不确定性，持续多天的极端降水事件往往具有较大的致灾性，但目前从极端降水持续性角度进行极端降水变化及其环流因素的研究还非常缺乏。利用1961~2018年中国逐日降水格点数据集以及大气环流指数数据，定义持续了2天及以上的极端降水为持续极端降水事件，研究其在中国不同区域发生频次、持续日数以及持续极端降水总量、持续极端降水最大降水量的时空变化和影响因素。结果表明：（1）近60年来，中国持续极端降水事件在较为干旱的地区(蒙新地区、青藏地区)高发且持续时间长，但在较湿润的地区（东部地区）持续极端降水事件强度更高。（2）中国持续极端降水事件的频率和强度均呈现出增加的趋势，但在区域尺度上，东部地区没有明显的变化趋势，越干旱的地区增加趋势越大。各个指数变化趋势的空间分布格局相似。（3）持续极端降水事件对总降水的贡献率呈现出缓慢的增长趋势，东部地区增长趋势不明显。（4）西太平洋副高、南海副高、西太平洋暖池、亚洲区极涡、北半球极涡和中国持续极端降水事件有着显著的相关关系。区域尺度上，西太平洋副高对蒙新地区和青藏地区的影响最大，东部地区则受到西太平洋副高和西太平洋暖池的较大影响。总体上西太平洋副高对于中国持续极端降水事件影响最大，西太平洋副高强度的加强往往会引起中国持续极端降水增多。     

Present background levels of surface 137Cs and (239,240)Pu concentrations in the Pacific

The present levels of anthropogenic radionuclides, 137Cs and (239,240)Pu, in surface waters of the Pacific are estimated using the HAM database, which is a comprehensive data set of 137Cs, (239,240)Pu and other anthropogenic radionuclides. The time-series data of surface 137Cs and (239,240)Pu suggests that surface 137Cs and (239,240)Pu concentrations in the Pacific since 1971 decrease exponentially in each sea area, although the temporal changes of surface 137Cs and (239,240)Pu differed between sea areas of the Pacific. The calculated 137Cs concentrations in the Pacific surface waters in 2000 are homogeneous in the Pacific, comparing with that in the 1960s and 1970s, although they are still high in the North Pacific and low in the South Pacific. The biogeochemical and physical processes are significant factors to control present levels of surface (239,240)Pu concentrations, which are high in the Subarctic and equatorial Pacific and low in the mid-latitude region of the eastern North Pacific.     

Seasonal changes in radon concentrations in buildings in the region of northeastern Poland

In this study, seasonal observations of radon concentration changes inside buildings carried out in the northeastern region of Poland is presented. One-year measurements of radon concentrations were performed in chosen buildings. The integral method of Cr-39 trace detectors in diffusive chambers was used. Mean values of radon concentrations were determined in monthly, 2-, 3-, 6-month, and annual observations. The fraction of a mean annual concentration of the value obtained in a shorter observation was calculated. Monthly concentration values were from about 0.2 to 14.9 of the annual mean. All buildings revealed seasonal fluctuation of radon concentration. Negative correlation of indoor radon concentration in the buildings and the mean temperature outside was observed in most examined buildings. The lowest coefficient range, determining which part of the annual mean value would be obtained in the 6-month observation, was gained for exposure begun in April or October.     

Accelerator mass spectrometry at Arizona: geochronology of the climate record and connections with the ocean

There are many diverse uses of accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS). Carbon-14 studies at our laboratory include much research related to paleoclimate, both with 14C as a tracer of past changes in environmental conditions as observed in corals, marine sediments and many terrestrial records. Terrestrial records such as forest fires can also show the influence of oceanic oscillations, whether they are short-term such as ENSO, or on the millennial time scale. In tracer applications, we have developed the use of 129I as well as 14C as tracers for nuclear pollution studies around radioactive waste dump sites, in collaboration with IAEA. We discuss some applications carried out in Tucson for several of these fields and hope to give some idea of the breadth of these studies.     

Concentration of radionuclides in hydrosphere affected by Temelín Nuclear Power Plant in Czech Republic

The paper presents results of a long-term field study of the possible impact of Temelín NPP on the Vltava and Elbe Rivers. The study was divided into 2 stages: before and after the operation of the NPP. The main goal of the investigation before the operation (1989–2000) was to determine the background levels of radionuclides resulting from the tests of nuclear weapons and the Chernobyl accident for different components of the environment. The paper discusses also the risk of a river radioactive contamination due to the tritium discharges in wastewater from Temelín NPP. During the operation period of 2001–2006, the results of the monitoring did not detect any impact of Temelín NPP on the concentrations of activation and fission products in the hydrosphere, apart from tritium. The annual average tritium concentrations in the Vltava River correspond with the previously calculated predictions for the conditions of the average and minimum guaranteed flows. The maximum concentration of tritium of 26.6 Bq/l in Vltava River at Prague was observed after dry period in 2003.     

Simulating transport of non-Chernobyl (137)Cs and (90)Sr in the North Atlantic-Arctic region

The spatial and temporal distributions of the anthropogenic radionuclides (137)Cs and (90)Sr, originating from nuclear bomb testing and the Sellafield reprocessing plants in the Irish Sea, are simulated using a global version of the Miami Isopycnic Coordinate Ocean Model (MICOM). The physical model is forced with daily atmospheric re-analysed fields for the period 1950 to present. Comparison of temporal evolution of observed and simulated concentrations of (137)Cs have been conducted for the regions east of Scotland, west of central Norway and at the entrance of the Barents Sea. It follows that the radionuclides from the Sellafield discharge reach the Barents Sea region after 4-5 years, in accordance with observations. The simulation provides a detailed distribution and evolution of the radionuclides over the integration time. For the Atlantic waters off the coast of Norway and in the southern Barents Sea, the atmospheric fallout dominates over the Sellafield release up to the mid 1960s and from the early 1990s, whereas Sellafield is the main source for the two radionuclides in the 1970s and 1980s. It is furthermore argued that model systems like the one presented here can be used for future prediction of radioactive contaminations in the Nordic Seas and the Arctic Ocean, for instance under various global warming scenarios.     

Radon survey in the high natural radiation region of Niska Banja, Serbia

A radon survey has been carried out around the town of Niska Banja (Serbia) in a region partly located over travertine formations, showing an enhanced level of natural radioactivity. Outdoor and indoor radon concentrations were measured seasonally over the whole year, using CR-39 diffusion type radon detectors. Outdoor measurements were performed at 56 points distributed over both travertine and alluvium sediment formations. Indoor radon concentrations were measured in 102 living rooms and bedrooms of 65 family houses. In about 50% of all measurement sites, radon concentration was measured over each season separately, making it possible to estimate seasonal variations, which were then used to correct values measured over different periods, and to estimate annual values. The average annual indoor radon concentration was estimated at over 1500 Bq/m3 and at about 650 Bq/m3 in parts of Niska Banja located over travertine and alluvium sediment formations, respectively, with maximum values exceeding 6000 Bq/m3. The average value of outdoor annual radon concentration was 57 Bq/m3, with a maximum value of 168 Bq/m3. The high values of indoor and outdoor radon concentrations found at Niska Banja make this region a high natural background radiation area. Statistical analysis of our data confirms that the level of indoor radon concentration depends primarily on the underlying soil and building characteristics.     

Historical area and shoreline change of reef islands around Tarawa Atoll, Kiribati

Low-lying reef islands on atolls appear to be threatened by impacts of observed and anticipated sea-level rise. This study examines changes in shoreline position on the majority of reef islands on Tarawa Atoll, the capital of Kiribati. It investigates short-term reef-island area and shoreline change over 30 years determined by comparing 1968 and 1998 aerial photography using geographical information systems. Reef islands have substantially increased in size, gaining about 450 ha, driven largely by reclamations on urban South Tarawa, accounting for 360 ha (~80 % of the net change). Widespread erosion and high average accretion rates appear to be related to disjointed reclamations. In rural North Tarawa, most reef islands show stability, with localised changes in areas such as embayments, sand spits and beaches adjacent to, or facing, inter-island channels. Shoreline changes in North Tarawa are largely influenced by natural factors, whereas those in South Tarawa are predominantly affected by human factors and seasonal variability associated with El Niño—Southern Oscillation (ENSO). However, serious concerns are raised for the future of South Tarawa reef islands, as evidence shows that widespread erosion along the ocean and lagoon shorelines is primarily due to human activities and further encroachment onto the active beach will disrupt longshore sediment transport, increasing erosion and susceptibility of the reef islands to anticipated sea-level rise. Appropriate adaptation measures, such as incorporating coastal processes and seasonal variability associated with ENSO when designing coastal structures and developing appropriate management plans, are required, including prohibiting beach mining practices near settlements.     

Radon continuous monitoring in Altamira Cave (northern Spain) to assess user's annual effective dose

In this work, we present the values of radon concentration, measured by continuous monitoring during a complete annual cycle in the Polychromes Hall of Altamira Cave in order to undertake more precise calculations of annual effective dose for guides and visitors in tourist caves. The (222)Rn levels monitored inside the cave ranges from 186 Bq m(-3) to 7120 Bq m(-3), with an annual average of 3562 Bq m(-3). In order to more accurately estimate effective dose we use three scenarios with different equilibrium factors (F=0.5, 0.7 and 1.0) together with different dose conversion factors proposed in the literature. Neither effective dose exceeds international recommendations. Moreover, with an automatic radon monitoring system the time remaining to reach the maximum annual dose recommended could be automatically updated.     

南京地区7Be沉降特征

7Be是研究大气科学与地球化学的核元素之一,对研究短期过程的地表土壤颗粒迁移具有较大价值。为了解南京地区利用7Be进行土壤侵蚀示踪研究的合适时机,于2010年1月~2011年12月收集南京地区各月的7Be沉降样品,经实验室化学实验处理和γ谱仪测量,计算7Be沉降通量,并分析7Be大气沉降的季节性变化趋势。结果表明：南京地区平均7Be沉降量为1 62178 Bq/（m2·a）,沉降通量为066～1449 Bq/（m2·d）,平均沉降通量为444 Bq/（m2·d）;7Be沉降通量的季节变化呈现双峰型趋势,冬末春初和夏季是两个高值区;7Be沉降的а值冬春季较大,夏季最低;降雨量大小与沉降量存在明显的正相关     

秦巴山区降雨侵蚀力时空变化特征

降雨侵蚀力时空变化特征的研究对区域土壤侵蚀风险评估及水土保持规划具有重要的意义。利用秦巴山区及周边地区共63个气象站1961~2016年的逐日降雨量数据计算各站的降雨侵蚀力,借助Kriging空间插值法、Mann-Kendall趋势检验、Pettitt突变检验等方法分析了秦巴山区降雨侵蚀力的时空变化特征。结果表明：秦巴山区年均降雨侵蚀力为3 696 MJ·mm/(hm²·h·a),年内变化呈单峰型,7月最大,占全年的26.6%;四季中,夏季最大,冬季最小。代际间,20世纪80年代的降雨侵蚀力最大,90年代最小。年际间,年降雨侵蚀力存在明显的阶段性,但未表现出显著的趋势性和突变性特征。秦巴山区多年平均降雨侵蚀力呈南高北低的分布格局,不同地区年均降雨侵蚀力变化于787~8 858 MJ·mm/(hm²·h·a)之间;整体而言,年降雨侵蚀力随纬度增加而减小,随海拔升高而减小。     

Describing the annual cyclic behaviour of 7Be concentrations in surface air in Oceania

Surface air concentrations of (7)Be at a number of stations in Oceania show a distinct annual cycle. We apply a sinusoidal model to describe this cycle. The results show that peak (7)Be concentrations in surface air occur during early spring at tropical latitudes and during mid-to-late summer at middle latitudes. Comparison with available (90)Sr surface air data for the southern hemisphere indicates that stratosphere-to-troposphere exchange is an active atmospheric process controlling the (7)Be annual cycle throughout the Oceania region. Vertical transport of air within the troposphere also seems to influence the observed annual cycle. Seasonality in rainfall is not thought to control the annual cyclic behaviour of (7)Be in surface air.