Probabilistic risk assessment for long-range atmospheric transport of radionuclides

A simplified means of probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) for long-range atmospheric transport based on a K-diffusion model is presented. In a case study, model parameters are estimated by comparing with the results of long-range atmospheric dispersion model calculations using one-year numerical weather prediction model data. It is found that the estimated ensemble mean provides a reasonable first approximation to the total dry and wet deposition from the one-year continuous release.     

The transfer of 239/240Pu to cow milk

In summer 1993 we measured the transfer of (239/240)Pu to milk from herbage from a pasture located 5 km from the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. In one treatment cows were allowed to graze freely on the pasture. In a second treatment, cows were fed herbage collected from the pasture in stalls. The milk transfer coefficient; F(m) did not vary significantly between treatments and the mean value of 7.5x10(-6)d l(-1) was higher than previously reported values. Despite many values of F(m) for Pu in the literature we identified few relevant original data sets. Transfer coefficient values for Pu are only appropriate when used in conjunction with a specified time period or an appropriate model which allows for the biological half-life. We recommend for screening purposes an F(m) value of 1x10(-5)d l(-1) for Pu, with an order of magnitude lower value being appropriate for cows which are only exposed for one grazing season.     

The value of Seasonal Correction Factors in assessing the health risk from domestic radon: a case study in Northamptonshire, UK

Following an intensive survey of domestic radon levels in the United Kingdom (UK), the former National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB), now the Radiation Protection Division of the Health Protection Agency (HPA-RPD), established a measurement protocol and promulgated Seasonal Correction Factors applicable to the country as a whole. Radon levels in the domestic built environment are assumed to vary systematically and repeatably during the year, being generally higher in winter. The Seasonal Correction Factors therefore comprise a series of numerical multipliers, which convert a 1-month or 3-month radon concentration measurement, commencing in any month of the year, to an effective annual mean radon concentration. In a recent project undertaken to assess the utility of short-term exposures in quantifying domestic radon levels, a comparative assessment of a number of integrating detector types was undertaken, with radon levels in 34 houses on common geology monitored over a 12-month period using dose-integrating track-etch detectors exposed in pairs (one upstairs, one downstairs) at 1-month and 3-month resolution. Seasonal variability of radon concentrations departed significantly from that expected on the basis of the HPA-RPD Seasonal Correction Factor set, with year-end discontinuities at both 1-month and 3-month measurement resolutions. Following this study, monitoring with electrets was continued in four properties, with weekly radon concentration data now available for a total duration in excess of three and a half years. Analysis of this data has permitted the derivation of reliable local Seasonal Correction Factors. Overall, these are significantly lower than those recommended by HPA-RPD, but are comparable with other results from the UK and from abroad, particularly those that recognise geological diversity and are consequently prepared on a regional rather than a national basis. This finding calls into question the validity of using nationally aggregated Seasonal Correction Factors, especially for shorter exposures, and the universal applicability of these corrections is discussed in detail.     

Fate of Irgarol 1051, diuron and their main metabolites in two UK marine systems after restrictions in antifouling paints

Two major antifouling biocides used worldwide, Irgarol 1051 and diuron, and their degradation products in Shoreham Harbour and Brighton Marina, UK were studied during 2003-2004. The highest concentrations of Irgarol 1051 were 136 and 102 ng L(-1) in water and 40 and 49 ng g(-1) dry weight in sediments for Shoreham Harbour and Brighton Marina, respectively. As the degradation product of Irgarol 1051, M1 was also widespread, with the highest concentration of 59 ng L(-1) in water and 23 ng g(-1) in sediments in Shoreham Harbour, and 37 ng L(-1) in water and 5.6 ng g(-1) in sediments in Brighton Marina. The target compounds showed enhanced concentrations during the boating season (May-July), when boats were being re-painted (January-February), and where the density of pleasure crafts was high. Overall, the concentration of Irgarol 1051 decreased significantly from late 2000 to early 2004, indicating the effectiveness of controlling its concentrations in the marine environment following restricted use. Diuron was only detected in 14% of water samples, and mostly absent from sediment samples.     

Distribution of organotin compounds in the bivalves of the Aegean Sea, Greece

Five bivalve species--Mytilus galloprovinciallis (Mediterranean mussels), Venus gallina (stripped venus), Modiola barbatus L. (bearded horse mussels), Pecten jacobeus (scallops) and Callista chione (hard clams)--were collected from seven areas in Aegean Sea, Greece, between August 2001 and January 2003 and analyzed for organotins (OTs). The concentrations (as geometric means) found were 17.1 ng g-1 for tributyltin (TBT), 18.8 ng g-1 for dibutytltin (DBT), 7.8 ng g-1 for monobutyltin (MBT) and 13.0 ng g-1 for triphenyltin (TPhT) (wet weight), which are at similar or lower levels than those reported worldwide. Studying OTs distribution between different bivalve species, lower concentrations were observed in mediterranean mussels, possibly due to their growth in water column (grown on sea net pens in mussel farms), in contrast to the free-ranging species, collected from fishing grounds. Concentrations of the OTs in the examined bivalves varied seasonally.     

Relict communities and populations of petrophilous plant species in northern regions of Sverdlovsk oblast and problems in their conservation

An inventory of rock vegetation has been taken in river valleys on the eastern slope of the southern part of the Northern Urals and the northern part of the Middle Urals. New habitats of some rare plant species, relict communities of forest-steppe species at the northern limit of their distribution, and ultrasmall populations of petrophilous species growing in isolation for a long time have been revealed. In studies on a group of similar specially protected areas (e.g., within river valleys), it is proposed to identify key sites distinguished by the highest species richness of vegetation     

Specific features of phenetic structure of the terrestrial snail <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cepaea vindobonensis</Emphasis> (Pulmonata; Helicidae) in urbanized and natural populations

The phenetic structure of natural and urbanized populations of the terrestrial snail Cepaea vindobonensis has been studied with respect to polymorphism in the shell-band color and pattern. It is noted that C. vindobonensis snails populating different artificial habitats in the city of Nikolaev and its suburbs are characterized by a higher level of both intra-and interpopulation diversity with respect to the type of this polymorphism. In addition, urban populations show a very wide range of variation in the frequencies of particular morphs or their groups. Conversely, natural populations are characterized by a more uniform frequency structure with respect to polymorphism of the shell banding pattern.     

滇池蓝藻快速热解液化制取生物油的初步研究

文章采用实验室规模的固定床反应器作为实验平台,对蓝藻快速热解液化制取生物油的可行性进行了探讨,并对影响液化性能的诸多因素,如热解温度(300～700℃)、载气流量(0～400 mL/min)、原料粒径(d＜0.08 nn,0.15＜d＜0.25 mm,0.25＜d＜0.38 mm,0.38＜d＜3.35 mm,d＞3....     

稀土磁盘水处理方案技术经济比较

文章针对日照钢铁集团公司2150热轧水处理工程浊环水处理方案选择,对传统沉淀过滤法和先进的稀土磁盘法进行了对比和分析,稀土磁盘法在效果、占地、投资和运行维护费用上有较多优势,最终选用该工艺。     

模拟水体硝态氮对黄菖蒲生长及其氮吸收的影响

为了对挺水植物在水环境与水生态修复中的应用提供参考依据,选取黄菖蒲(Iris pseudacorus L.)为对象,通过模拟水培实验,对比研究了6种水体硝态氮质量浓度(10.68、23.88、42.22、63.33、82.92、97.13 mg·L~(-1))下,黄菖蒲地上和地下生物量、根冠比、叶绿素含量、氮累计吸收量以及对硝态氮去除效果的差异,以期明确模拟水体硝态氮质量浓度对黄菖蒲生长及其氮吸收能力的影响.结果显示,首先,不同硝态氮质量浓度对黄菖蒲地上部分(茎叶)生长的影响大于地下部分(根);当硝态氮质量浓度为10.68 mg·L~(-1)时,黄菖蒲的根冠比增加;当硝态氮质量浓度为42.22~97.13 mg·L~(-1)时,黄菖蒲的根冠比减少.其次,黄菖蒲适宜生长的硝态氮质量浓度为23.88~63.33 mg·L~(-1);硝态氮质量浓度低于10.68 mg·L-1或高于82.92mg·L-1时,均会对黄菖蒲的叶绿素合成产生抑制作用.再次,黄菖蒲对氮的累积量随硝态氮质量浓度增加而增加,且地下部分对氮的累积能力优于地上部分;6种浓度下,单株黄菖蒲的氮累计吸收量为10.56~75.43 mg,其地下部分依次为地上部分的7.2、2.3、2.5、2.1、1.6以及1.5倍.此外,黄菖蒲对氮的利用效率与硝态氮质量浓度之间成显著的幂函数关系,且地上部分的氮利用效率高于地下部分.最后,黄菖蒲对硝态氮的去除率随硝态氮质量浓度增加而增加,6种浓度下黄菖蒲对硝态氮的去除率介于94.9%和99.3%之间,且水体中硝态氮质量浓度随时间延续呈指数函数降低.结果表明,黄菖蒲对硝态氮有很好的去除效果,但黄菖蒲的生长及其对氮的吸收与去除效率受水体硝态氮质量浓度影响显著,且地上部分较地下部分更为敏感.