Radioactive particles from a range of past nuclear events: challenges posed by highly varied structure and composition

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dc.contributor.authorJohansen, MPen_AU
dc.contributor.authorChild, DPen_AU
dc.contributor.authorCollins, RNen_AU
dc.contributor.authorCook, Men_AU
dc.contributor.authorHowell, NRen_AU
dc.contributor.authorIkeda-Ohno, Aen_AU
dc.contributor.authorYoung, ELen_AU
dc.date.accessioned2023-03-21T03:27:42Zen_AU
dc.date.available2023-03-21T03:27:42Zen_AU
dc.date.issued2022-10-10en_AU
dc.date.statistics2023-03-20en_AU
dc.description.abstractWhile they have appeared only recently in earth's history, radioactive particles from anthropogenic sources are widespread in global environments and present radiological harm potentials to living organisms. Exposure potentials vary greatly, however few studies examine a wide range of source and particle types. Here we compare a varied set of particles from past nuclear fission and non-fission sources in Australia of highly diverse magnitudes, release modes, and environments. The radiochemistry and microscopy methods revealed that numerous radioactive particles persist in soils 60+ years after their release events. Particles can be distinguished by their Ca/Fe and Si/Fe elemental ratios, which in this study range over orders of magnitude and reflect the materials available during their individual formation events. The particles with Si- and Ca-dominant compositions persisted in corrosive environments (e.g., marine). Internal fracturing is more prevalent than previously reported, and fracturing is greater in Ca-rich vs. Si-dominated matrices. The fractures often form connective pathways from the interior to exterior surfaces, increasing the potential to leach radionuclides into a host organism or the environment. The particles from nuclear testing have dominant 239+240Pu activity concentrations, relative to 90Sr and 137Cs, which increases long-term radiological hazard from alpha emissions if inhaled or ingested, and contrasts with particles from nuclear power accidents (e.g., Fukushima). Additional physical/chemical/radiological measurements are needed to fully understand long-term fate and hazard potentials. Crown Copyright © 2022 Published by Elsevier B.V.en_AU
dc.description.sponsorshipPart of this research was undertaken on the XFM beamline at the Australian Synchrotron, part of ANSTO, Australia, which included expert advice from David Patterson and Martin de Jonge. Gamma and alpha analyses were performed by Lida Mokhber-Shahin, Sangeeth Thiruvoth and Jennifer Harrison. An important aspect of this study was the exposure of interior particle surfaces via polishing and this was expertly provided by Tim Palmer, ANSTO. Much thanks to Madison Hoffman, Edith Cowan University, for providing review comments. Advice on particle assessment methods was provided by members of the IAEA cooperative research project: Environmental Behaviour and Potential Biological Impact of Radioactive Particles (K41013). The IAEA is grateful to the Government of the Principality of Monaco for the support provided to its Environment Laboratories.en_AU
dc.identifier.articlenumber156755en_AU
dc.identifier.citationJohansen, M. P., Child, D. P., Collins, R., Cook, M., Davis, J., Hotchkis, M. A. C., Howard, D. L., Howell, N., Ikeda-Ohno, A., & Young, E. (2022). Radioactive particles from a range of past nuclear events: Challenges posed by highly varied structure and composition. Science of The Total Environment, 842, 156755. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156755en_AU
dc.identifier.issn0048-9697en_AU
dc.identifier.journaltitleScience of The Total Environmenten_AU
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156755en_AU
dc.identifier.urihttps://apo.ansto.gov.au/dspace/handle/10238/14711en_AU
dc.identifier.volume842en_AU
dc.language.isoenen_AU
dc.publisherElsevier B. V.en_AU
dc.subjectRadiologyen_AU
dc.subjectNuclear weaponsen_AU
dc.subjectNuclear test sitesen_AU
dc.subjectNuclear poweren_AU
dc.subjectRadiation accidentsen_AU
dc.subjectPlutoniumen_AU
dc.subjectFallouten_AU
dc.subjectFission productsen_AU
dc.titleRadioactive particles from a range of past nuclear events: challenges posed by highly varied structure and compositionen_AU
dc.typeJournal Articleen_AU
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