(238)U, (234)U, (226)Ra, (210)Po concentrations of bottled mineral waters in Italy and their dose contribution

Due to the importance of bottled mineral water in human diet with special regard to children in lactation period, a monitoring of natural radioactivity in some bottled mineral waters produced in Italy was performed. Gross alpha and beta activities and (226)Ra, (238)U, (234)U, and (210)Po concentrations were measured. Gross alpha and beta activities were determined by standards ISO 9696 and ISO 9697; for (226)Ra determination liquid scintillation was used. The (238)U and (234)U concentrations were determined by alpha spectrometry after their separation from matrix by extraction chromatography and electroplating. (210)Po was measured by alpha spectrometry. The results revealed that the concentrations (mBqL(-1)) of (226)Ra, (238)U, (234)U, and (210)Po ranged from <10.00 to 52.50, from <0.17 to 89.00, from <0.17 to 79.00, and from <0.04 to 21.01, respectively. Uranium and radium concentrations do not reach the relevant recommended derived activity concentration (DWC). For polonium concentration, none of the samples reaches the relevant DWC in the case of adults and children, but one sample exceeds this value for infants. The dose contribution for different classes of age was calculated using the dose coefficient factors reported by EC Directive 96/29 EURATOM and certain annual intake. For children and adult age class, the calculated doses are quite similar and lower than 0.1mSvy(-1); for infants (<1y) in three cases the calculated dose ranges from 0.11 to 0.17mSvy(-1).     

Transfer of (40)K, (238)U, (210)Pb, and (210)Po from soil to plant in various locations in south of Syria

Transfer factors of (40)K, (238)U, (210)Pb, and (210)Po from soil to some agriculture crops in various locations in south of Syria (Dara'a and Assuwaydaa districts) have been determined. Soil and vegetable crops (green pepper, cucumber, tomato, and eggplant), legumes crops (lentil, chickpea, and broad bean), fruit trees (apple, grape, and olives) and cereals (barley and wheat) were collected and analyzed for (238)U, (210)Pb, and (210)Po. The results have shown that higher transfer factors (calculated as Bqkg(-1) dry wt. plant material per Bqkg(-1) dry wt. soil) for (210)Po, (210)Pb and (238)U were observed in vegetable leaves than fruits and cereals leaves; the highest values of transfer factor (TF) for (238)U were found to be 0.1 for straw of chickpea. Transfer factors for (210)Po varied between 2.8x10(-2) and 2 in fruits of eggplant and grain of barley, respectively. In addition, several parameters affecting transfer factors of the radionuclides were evaluated. The results can be considered as base values for TF of natural radionuclides in the region.     

Comparative analysis of (239)Pu, (137)Cs, (210)Pb and (40)K spatial distributions in the top soil layer at the Baltic coast

This paper presents the results of an investigation into the spatial distribution of radionuclides of artificial ((239,240)Pu, (137)Cs) and natural ((210)Pb, (40)K) origins in the upper (0-5 cm) soil layers on the Baltic coastline of Lithuania ( approximately 5 km(2) area). The samples were analysed by gamma ray spectrometry and combined radiochemical procedures. The highest (210)Pb, (239,240)Pu and (137)Cs activity concentrations were determined in the forest samples, whereas (40)K activity was rather homogeneous across the study area. Relatively high (239,240)Pu and (40)K activity concentrations were determined along the surf zone. The (210)Pb and (137)Cs activity concentrations showed a gradual increase from the surf zone to the forest. The average activity concentrations of (239,240)Pu, (137)Cs, (210)Pb and (40)K in the beach and forest samples, respectively, were as follows: 0.32+/-0.08 and 0.74+/-0.14; 50+/-4 and 1190+/-50; 4.7+/-2.0 and 48+/-6; 186+/-15 and 216+/-17 Bq/kg.     

(90)Sr, (210)Po and (210)Pb in lichen and reindeer in Norway

Concentrations of (90)Sr, (210)Po and (210)Pb in lichen and reindeer were studied in central (?stre Namdal) and southern Norway (V?g?) during 2000-2003. The study focussed on potential differences in concentrations of these nuclides in reindeer of different ages. Concentrations of (90)Sr in bones of approximately 10 year old adult females were about 40% higher than those in calves' antlers ((90)Sr concentrations in antlers and bones of calves are similar), while the available data from V?g? suggest that (90)Sr concentrations in reindeer calves decreased with an effective ecological half-time of 9.03+/-0.06 years during 1988-2002. Furthermore, (90)Sr concentrations were 50-80% higher in bone of reindeer of a similar age from V?g? compared to those from ?stre Namdal. Concentrations of (210)Po and (210)Pb in muscle and liver tissues were comparable to those reported for reindeer in other Nordic areas, with no significant difference in (210)Po and (210)Pb concentrations between adults and calves or between reindeer from the two different study areas.     

The temporal variations of (7)Be, (210)Pb and (210)Po in air in England

We have conducted measurements of naturally occurring radionuclides (7)Be, (210)Pb and (210)Po in air at ground level at Chilton, Oxfordshire, England. The sampling and analysis regime for the latter two isotopes has been optimised to minimise uncertainties in measurement due to decay of (210)Po and in-growth of (210)Pb during the sampling and analysis period. Analysis times were reduced by using Cerenkov counting to assay the (210)Bi daughter of (210)Pb. Monthly data collected over a four-year period are presented and discussed. (7)Be activity concentrations appear to peak in spring. (210)Pb activity concentrations also follow a seasonal trend reflecting different (222)Rn emanation rates from soil during winter and summer. Data for (210)Po show no such trend.     

Distribution of naturally occurring radionuclides (U, Th) in Timahdit black shale (Morocco)

Attention has been focused recently on the use of Moroccan black oil shale as the raw material for production of a new type of adsorbent and its application to U and Th removal from contaminated wastewaters. The purpose of the present work is to provide a better understanding of the composition and structure of this shale and to determine its natural content in uranium and thorium. A black shale collected from Timahdit (Morocco) was analyzed by powder X-ray diffraction and SEM techniques. It was found that calcite, dolomite, quartz and clays constitute the main composition of the inorganic matrix. Pyrite crystals are also present. A selective leaching procedure, followed by radiochemical purification and alpha-counting, was performed to assess the distribution of naturally occurring radionuclides. Leaching results indicate that 238U, 235U, 234U, 232Th, 230Th and 228Th have multiple modes of occurrence in the shale. U is interpreted to have been concentrated under anaerobic conditions. An integrated isotopic approach showed the preferential mobilization of uranium carried by humic acids to carbonate and apatite phases. Th is partitioned between silicate minerals and pyrite.     

Ecotypes in Graylings (Thymallidae,Salmoniformes)

The ecotypic structure of two grayling species in Eurasia is considered. Based on original and published data, the development of ecological forms in water bodies of different kinds is analyzed. Parallelism in the emergence of highly similar forms in different sites of the ranges is demonstrated. Distinctive features of ecotypes and their internal structure are described. The causes and rate of establishment of forms with a short life cycle are discussed.     

Comparative advantages and limitations of the fallout radionuclides (137)Cs, (210)Pb(ex) and (7)Be for assessing soil erosion and sedimentation

The fallout radionuclides (FRNs) (137)Cs, (210)Pb(ex) and (7)Be are increasingly being used as a means of obtaining quantitative information on soil erosion and sediment redistribution rates within agricultural landscapes, over a range of different timescales, and they are frequently seen to represent a valuable complement to conventional measurement techniques. The recent development of the (7)Be method has greatly extended the timescale over which FRNs can be used, by permitting assessment of short-term soil erosion linked to individual events and changing soil management practices. This paper aims to review the advantages and limitations of each of the three FRNs and to identify key knowledge gaps linked to their use. In addition, guidelines for selecting the most appropriate FRN and associated approach, in order to deal with a range of spatial and temporal scales and to investigate specific sets of agro-environmental problems, are provided. Key requirements for future work, related to the application of FRNs in soil erosion investigations, are also identified. These include the upscaling of the approach to the catchment scale and a shift from use of the approach as a research tool to a decision support tool.     

Distribution of (226)Ra-(210)Pb-(210)Po in marine biota and surface sediments of the Red Sea, Sudan

Activity concentration levels and ratios of (226)Ra, (210)Pb and (210)Po are presented in multicellular marine algae, molluscs, coral as well as in surface marine sediments collected from the shallower waters of the fringing reefs area extending towards north and south (Flamingo bay) of PortSudan harbour, Sudan. The analyses were performed adopting alpha-spectrometry, liquid scintillation and Cerenkov counting techniques. Surface sediments from this coastal region are poor in their radioactivity content in contrast to similar data reported from different coastal areas around the globe. There is surface enrichment of (210)Pb and (210)Po with respect to their progenitor (226)Ra as it is evident from the activity ratios of (210)Pb/(226)Ra (3.03+/-1.79) and (210)Po/(226)Ra (2.23+/-1.56). Among marine plants and animals investigated, the green algae species, Halimeda, and coral species, Favites, show substantial concentration of radium at 8.2Bq/kg and 21.9Bq/kg dry weight, respectively. Similarly, the highest concentration of (210)Po was met in Favites at 38.7Bq/kg followed by brown algae, Cystoseria sp., at 32.6Bq/kg. There is no variation seen among algal species for (210)Pb uptake, however, converse to radium and polonium, Favites (coral) was found to contain the minimum concentration of lead (3.88Bq/kg). In most species there is preferential accumulation of polonium over its parent radium as indicated by (210)Po:(226)Ra activity ratio with Cystoseria (brown algae) showing the highest value at 8.81. On the other hand, (210)Po:(210)Pb activity concentration ratio revealed that coral species Favites (9.97) and the brown algae Sargassum (1.85) have a greater tendency to accumulate (210)Po over (210)Pb, while in the rest of species; this ratio is less than unity.     

Nutrient chemistry of River Pinios (Thessalia, Greece)

The impact of human activities with 3-year monitoring on the fluctuation of nutrients along the Pinios River and its tributaries were studied. Their seasonal variations throughout the years 1996-1998 were also presented. High temperatures, from June to August, cause a restriction of the water flow, an enhancement of nutrient concentration with the subsequent increase of eutrophication. High concentrations of nutrients were observed first in winter (wet period), caused by leaching of fertilizers from terrestrial systems after heavy rainfall, later during the warm months due to low water flow of the river, and at last in autumn when plant organisms began to decompose. The intensive algal and macrophyte growth (spring, summer) resulted in severe depletion of nutrients. Organic carbon showed no seasonal trend but its values were high near the estuaries. Nitrate fluxes were high at the initial station (sources) and the Titarisios tributary, whereas nitrites and ammonium were low. In contrary, the Kalentzis tributary with relatively low nitrate values showed increased values of nitrite ammonium or total nitrogen. On the other hand, the Enipeas tributary showed high SO4 values. Phosphates are remarkably present mainly after the city of Larissa, where sewage and industrial discharges occur. None of the nutrients measured in the Pinios River and its tributaries showed a clear seasonal cycle of concentration. Concentrations of nutrients and organic carbon increased as a consequence of anthropogenic inputs, particularly point discharges from sewage treatment plants (i.e. showing distinct, but variable, concentration peaks), as well as diffuse urban and/or agricultural runoff over long areas during storm events. The agricultural management, the urban pollution, mainly from Larissa City, and the climate conditions in the catchment basin (Thessalia Plain) of Pinios River and its tributaries greatly affect the chemical composition of their waters.     

Variation of the activity concentrations and fluxes of natural (210Po, 210Pb) and anthropogenic (239,240Pu, 137Cs) radionuclides in the Strait of Gibraltar (Spain)

The activity concentrations and fluxes of natural (210Pb, 210Po) and anthropogenic (239,240Pu, 137Cs) radionuclides have been determined in the different water masses crossing the Strait of Gibraltar. New data have been gathered during four multidisciplinary and multinational sampling campaigns, performed between 1997 and 1999 within the framework of the CANIGO-FLUGIST Project. Mean activity concentrations of 210Po (1.53+/-0.34 Bq m(-3), n = 30) and 210Pb (1.16+/-0.50 Bq m(-3), n = 31) in the Atlantic water entering the Mediterranean basin are about double those measured in the Mediterranean outflow, namely 0.84+/-0.34 Bq m(-3) (n = 22) for 210Po and 0.66+/-0.34 Bq m(-3) (n = 22) for 210Pb. The opposite trend is observed for 231,240Pu, with average concentrations of 9.9+/-3.0 mBq m(-3) (n = 29) in the incoming Atlantic flow and 22.0+/-3.0 mBq m(-3) (n = 22) in the outpouring Mediterranean water. In the case of 137Cs, the same concentrations were quantified in the waters moving inwards (2.52+/-0.28 Bq m(-3), n = 27) and outwards (2.14+/-0.52 Bq m(-3), n = 21) from the Mediterranean Sea. On this basis, the Mediterranean basin experiences a net annual input flux of 14 TBq of 210Pb and 19 TBq of 210Po, and a net annual loss of 0.34 TBq of 239,240Pu, while--at present--137Cs input and output fluxes appear to be balanced.     

Determination of specific activity of (226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K for assessment of radiation hazards from Turkish pumice samples

The specific activity of (226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K in 52 Turkish pumice samples collected from 11 geographical areas located in Central Anatolia, Eastern Anatolia, Mediterranean and Aegean regions was determined by gamma-ray spectrometry with a high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector. The specific activity of (226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K ranged from 12.7+/-0.5 to 256.2+/-9.1Bqkg(-1) with a mean of 89.1+/-65.2Bqkg(-1), 12.3+/-1.0 to 237.9+/-12.2Bqkg(-1) with a mean of 87.0+/-61.4Bqkg(-1) and 300.1+/-5.5 to 1899.0+/-30.8Bqkg(-1) with a mean of 1211.9+/-419.8Bqkg(-1), respectively. Elemental concentrations were determined for U (from 1.0 to 20.7ppm with a mean of 7.2+/-5.3ppm), Th (from 3.0 to 58.6ppm with a mean of 21.4+/-15.1ppm) and K (from 1.0 to 6.1% with a mean of 3.9+/-1.3%). The radium equivalent activity (Ra(eq)), the activity index, the emanation coefficient, the (222)Rn mass exhalation rate, the indoor absorbed dose rate and the effective dose rate were estimated for the radiation hazard of the natural radioactivity in all samples. The calculated mean Ra(eq) value was 306.6+/-177.7Bqkg(-1) (54.6+/-5.5 to 737.6+/-49.0Bqkg(-1)) for all pumice samples. This value is lower than the recommended limit value of 370Bqkg(-1) for building raws and products. The emanation coefficient and the (222)Rn mass exhalation rate of all samples ranged from 29.4 to 42.9% with a mean of 36.2% and from 11.0 to 196.4muBqkg(-1)s(-1) with a mean of 73.5muBqkg(-1)s(-1), respectively. The mean indoor absorbed dose rate and the corresponding mean effective dose rate were 274.6+/-153.6nGyh(-1) (50.4-644.6nGyh(-1)) and 1.35+/-0.75mSvy(-1) (0.24-3.16mSvy(-1)), respectively. For all pumice samples the mean indoor absorbed dose rate is about three times higher than the population-weighted average of 84nGyh(-1), while the mean effective dose rate values except for PUM 05, PUM 06, PUM 10 and PUM 15 exceed the dose criterion of 1mSvy(-1).     

Daily torpor in hamsters (Rodentia,Cricetinae)

Study of ecological adaptations, including torpor, related to survival through the adverse conditions of the autumn-winter season is important for both the estimation of the body reserves in mammals in general and the search for the ways to increase the cold-stress resistance in humans. The changes in the body temperature during the period from October to May were studied in hamsters of six species under the natural photoperiod and temperature conditions. Incidental winter torpor (a drastically decreased physiological activity) was detected in all species except Cricetulus griseus; in three of them, it had not been observed before. No specific combination of conditions causing torpor was identified. Apparently, it is determined by individual characteristics of the animal. Torpors were the most frequent in January, at temperatures from −15 to −5°C; their depth was positively correlated with the ambient temperature. Since torpor is a rare event, it is assumed to be a stored resource of the body allowing animal to save energy and occurring only in extreme situations.     

Factors influencing ambient concentrations of (210)Pb and (7)Be over the city of Edinburgh (55.9 degrees N, 03.2 degrees W)

Concentrations of (210)Pb and (7)Be in air were continuously monitored, using a high-volume air sampler and a high-resolution gamma-ray spectrometer, during the period of July 2002 to June 2003 at the University of Edinburgh 55.9 degrees N, 03.2 degrees W. The time series of both radio-isotopes show seasonality, dependence on air-mass origin, residence time and precipitation. Surface air concentrations of (210)Pb and (7)Be ranged from 0.01 to 0.74 mBq m(-3) and 0.63-6.54 mBq m(-3), respectively. The measurements indicate that the average concentrations of both (210)Pb and (7)Be in surface air were 0.21+/-0.01 and 2.50+/-0.04 mBq m(-3), respectively; which agrees closely with the corresponding values reported for coastal air measurements in Europe.     

Daily activity patterns of brown bear (Ursus arctos) of the Sikhote-Alin mountain range (Primorskiy Krai, Russia)

Daily activity patterns of brown bears were monitored using radiotelemetry from 1993 to 2006, in the Sikhote-Alin Biosphere Reserve and adjacent areas. Outside of the denning period, bears were active for approximately 52% of the 24-hour period. Males were more active (64% of total time) than females (51%). Brown bears in the Sikhote-Alin are diurnal and crepuscular, but switch to a nocturnal pattern in areas of high anthropogenic influence. During the summer months, daily activity patterns were influenced by precipitation, cloud cover, and air temperature.     

Genotoxic effects of binary mixtures of xenoandrogens (tributyltin, triphenyltin) and a xenoestrogen (ethinylestradiol) in a partial life-cycle test with Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

A partial life-cycle test with the model fish Danio rerio was performed in order to evaluate the genotoxic potential of binary mixtures of xenoandrogenic (tributyltin--TBT; triphenyltin--TPT) and an estrogenic compound (ethinylestradiol--EE2). Five days post-fertilisation larvae were diet-exposed to environmental relevant concentrations of TBT and TPT (25 ng/g-100 ng/g), and water-exposed to ethinylestradiol (3.5 ng/L) for a four-month period; binary mixtures of TBT plus EE2 and TPT plus EE2 were run in parallel. The erythrocytic nuclear abnormalities (ENA) assay in circulating erythrocytes was used to evaluate genotoxicity in the end of the four-month exposure period. A significant increase (p<0.05, Kruskall-Wallis non-parametric ANOVA) in ENA frequency, in comparison with control animals, was observed in those animals exposed to TBT and TPT (the highest doses only), and to EE2 and the binary mixtures, although neither synergistic nor additive effects of the tested compounds were evident. Overall, the results clearly indicate that chronic exposure to low levels of TBT, TPT, EE2 and binary mixtures of TBT plus EE2 and TPT plus EE2 are genotoxic to zebrafish, which may suggest that wild fish populations may be under increased DNA damage in areas contaminated by these endocrine disrupting chemicals.     

Levels of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins,dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and biphenyls (PCBs) in blood of informal e-waste recycling workers from Agbogbloshie,Ghana, and controls

The formation and environmental release of highly toxic organohalogen compounds associated with informal recycling of waste electric and electronic equipment (e-waste) is a growing problem at e-waste dumps/recycling sites (EWRSs) in many developing countries worldwide. We chose a cross-sectional study design to measure the internal exposure to polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) as well as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) of individuals working on one of the largest EWRSs of Africa, located at Agbogbloshie, Accra, Ghana, and in controls from a suburb of Accra without direct exposure to EWRS activities. In whole blood samples of 21 age matched male exposed individuals (mean age: 24.7 years, SD 6.0) and 21 male controls (mean age: 24.4 years, SD 5.7) 17 PCDD/F congeners were determined. Moreover three indicator PCB congeners (#138, #153 and #180) were measured in blood of 39 exposed (mean age: 27.5 years, SD 11.7) and 19 non-exposed (mean age: 26.8 years, SD 9.7) patients. Besides a health examination, biometric and demographic data, residential and occupational history, occupational exposures and working conditions were recorded using a standardized questionnaire. In the exposed group, median PCDD/F-concentrations were 6.18 pg/g lipid base WHO₂₀₀₅-TEq (range: 2.1–42.7) and significantly higher compared to the control group with 4.60 pg/g lipid base WHO₂₀₀₅-TEq (range: 1.6–11.6). Concentrations were different for 2,3,7,8-TetraCDD, three HexaCDD and all 10 PCDF congeners, indicating a combustion pattern. Using a multivariate regression analysis exposure to EWRS activities was the most important determinant for PCDD/F exposure. Median PCB levels for the indicator congeners #138, #153 and #180 were 0.011, 0.019 and 0.008 μg/l whole blood (ranges: 0.002–0.18, 0.003–0.16, 0.002–0.078) in the exposed group and, surprisingly, significantly higher in the controls (0.037, 0.062 and 0.022; ranges: 0.005–0.46, 0.010–0.46, 0.004–0.21). In a multivariate regression approach e-waste related activities had no positive influence on internal PCB exposure, but rather the time living in Accra. The internal PCB exposure is in particular notable for a country where PCBs have historically never been produced or used. The impact of EWRS activities on organohalogen compound exposure of individuals working at and living in the surroundings of the Agbogbloshie EWRS, and the surprisingly high PCB exposure of people living in Accra not involved in e-waste activities require further investigation.