137Cs Concentrations Research Articles

A compact and high-performance setup of capillary electrophoresis with capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection (CE-C4D).

Capillary electrophoresis with capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection (CE-C4D) has the advantages of high throughput (simultaneous detection of multiple ions), high separation efficiency (higher than 105 theoretical plates) and rapid analysis capability (less than 5 min for common inorganic ions). A compact CE-C4D system is ideal for water quality control and on-site analysis. It is suitable not only for common cations (e.g. Na+, K+, Li+, NH4+, Ca2+, etc.) and anions (e.g. Cl-, SO42-, BrO3-, etc.) but also for some ions (e.g. lanthanide ions, Pb2+, Cd2+, etc.) that require complex derivatization procedures to be detected by ion chromatography (IC). However, an obvious limitation of the CE-C4D method is that its sensitivity (e.g. 0.3-1 μM for common inorganic ions) is often insufficient for trace analysis (e.g. 1 ppb or 20 nM level for common inorganic ions) without preconcentration. For this technology to become a powerful and routine analytical technique, the system should be made compact while maintaining trace analysis sensitivity. In this study, we developed an all-in-one version of the CE-C4D instrument with custom-made modular components to make it a convenient, compact and high-performance system. The system was designed using direct digital synthesis (DDS) technology to generate programmable sinusoidal waveforms with any frequency for excitation, a kilovolt high-voltage power supply for capillary electrophoresis separation, and an "effective" differential C4D cell with a low-noise circuitry for high-sensitivity detection. We characterized the system with different concentrations of Cs+, and even a low concentration of 20 nM was detectable without preconcentration. Moreover, the optimized CE-C4D setup was applied to analyse mixed ions at a trace concentration of 200 nM with excellent signal-to-noise ratios. In typical applications, the limits of detection based on the 3σ criterion (without baseline filtering) were 9, 10, 24, 5, and 12 nM for K+, Cs+, Li+, Ca2+, and Mg2+, respectively, and about 7, 6, 6 and 6 nM for Br-, ClO4-, BrO3- and SO42-, respectively. Finally, the setup was also applied for the analysis of all 14 lanthanide ions and rare-earth minerals, and it showed an improvement in sensitivity by more than 25 times.

CURRENT STATE OF THE 137CS MILK POLLUTION IN SETTLEMENTS OF RIVNE REGION AND VILLAGE NARODYCHI ZHYTOMYR REGION

The article analyses the results of selective monitoring of 137Cs content in milk from private households in the village of Narodychi, Zhytomyr region, and 14 settlements of Rivne region. A total of 213 milk samples were collected and analysed in 2023 in the Rivne region and about 30 in Narodychi. The analysis of the milk samples for 137Cs content showed that the contamination of this livestock product with 137Cs has complex dynamics. In most settlements of the monitoring network, the average values of 137Cs contamination in whole milk exceed the hygienic standards (PL-2006 - 100 Bq/l). 70% of milk samples recorded an exceedance of the permissible level. The highest activity concentration of this radionuclide (350 Bq/l) was observed in Stare Selo. Seasonal changes in the activity concentration of the radionuclide in milk were also observed. During the stall period, the activity concentration of milk with 137Cs ranged from less than 2 to 88 Bq/l. However, during the grazing period, the level of milk contamination with 137Cs increased to 100-350 Bq/l. Recent studies have shown a steady decrease in milk radioactivity. Nevertheless, without countermeasures, the reduction of 137Cs accumulation and transfer to milk will be mainly due to the physical decay of the radionuclide. The mineral part has likely exhausted its absorption capabilities for the natural processes, and therefore, it will not affect the reduction of milk contamination.

CURRENT RADIOLOGICAL STATUS OF CONTAMINATED MEADOWS AND PASTURES AND ASSESSMENT OF THE POSSIBILITY OF THEIR RETURN TO USE

Meadows and pastures are the fodder base for milk and meat production. The rehabilitation and return to economic use of the radionuclide-contaminated meadows and pastures is an important and urgent national economic task. The criterion of returning radionuclide-contaminated meadows and pastures to economic use may be individual doses to residents who consume milk and meat produced on these lands. Values that determine the doses are the terrestrial density of soil contamination and permissible levels of radionuclides in food products (PL-2006). Considering abandoned agricultural lands, it is necessary to note the time that passed after the accident. The contamination of the territory by 137Cs and 90Sr decreased in more than 2 times due to radioactive decay only. The decreasing due to radioactive decay and self-remediation processes (fixation of radionuclides by soil, their redistribution in the root layer of the soil, etc.) resulted in declining of radioactive contamination of products. This allows us to consider the issue of returning reclaimed lands to use in accordance with the current radiological criteria and existing legal acts. Agricultural lands are a territorial resource and the main means of agricultural production, therefore the rehabilitation of the lands will contribute to the development of both individual producers and settlements as a whole. After the Chornobyl accident, in accordance with the Law of Ukraine "On the Legal Regime of the Territory Exposed to Radioactive Contamination Due the Chornobyl Catastrophe", the territory exposed to radioactive contamination had been divided into zones. However, the belonging of the lands to a zone does not guarantee that the products produced there will meet the requirements of PL-2006. Therefore, in 1998, taking into account the type of soil, the UIAR assessed the maximum permissible levels of soil contamination which ensure the fulfillment of the requirements of PL-2006 in terms of the content of 137Cs in produced products. However, in the 25 years that have passed since the establishment of these levels and the cesium transfer factors into plants have decreased significantly. Therefore, the values of the maximum permissible levels of soil contamination are conservative and their use leads to conservative conclusions. The current radiological state of meadows and pastures contaminated with radionuclides and the possibility of returning them to use were assessed. It is shown that most of the considered abandoned lands actually belong to the third zone of radioactive contamination. Some of the lands belong to the second zone of radioactive contamination - radiation-hazardous lands. It was found that the restrictions set in the recommendations for conducting agriculture in the conditions of radioactive contamination for the production of milk and meat are very conservative. Assessment of the possibility of using contaminated meadows and pastures for milk and meat production requires more precise and targeted forecasting methods.

Evaluation of the impact of the 137Cs supply from rivers to coastal waters off Fukushima on the 137Cs behavior in seabed sediment

The accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) caused a radioactive contamination in seabed sediment. The 137Cs supply from rivers could be an important process for the long-term behavior of 137Cs in seabed sediment. In this study, a ten-year simulation of the 137Cs behavior in seabed sediment was conducted using an oceanic dispersion model combined with a prediction model of 137Cs behavior in land and river. In the waters north of FDNPP, the simulation results suggested that the 137Cs supply from rivers had a great impact on the concentrations in coastal sediment due to the initial low concentrations in seabed sediment and the large supply of 137Cs from rivers. In the waters near FDNPP and south of FDNPP, the simulation results suggested that the impact of the 137Cs supply on the temporal variation of 137Cs concentration in coastal sediment was relatively small due to the large initial adsorption from seawater. Overall, these results indicated that 137Cs supply from rivers had an impact on the spatiotemporal distribution of 137Cs concentrations in seabed sediment on a decadal time scale and the impact was especially great in the waters north of FDNPP.

Temporal change of Cs-137 concentration in fruit in the non-decontaminated biotope in Saitama, Japan, after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident

Temporal change of Cs-137 concentration in fruit in the non-decontaminated biotope in Saitama, Japan, after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident

Assessment of natural radioactivity in soil and olive mill pomace utilizing nal (TI) gamma-ray spectrometry and low background alpha/beta counting system

The study conducted in the northwest region of Jordan aimed to assess the levels of natural radioactivity in soil and olive mill pomace (OMP) samples. The researchers used Nal (TI) gamma-ray spectrometry to measure the activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, 40K, and 137Cs in the samples. The average activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, 40K, and 137Cs in the soil samples were found to be 18.624 ± 5.82, 12.276 ± 5.728, 518.33 ± 212.57, and 0.140 ± 0.09 (Bq,kg−1), respectively. In the OMP samples, the average activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K were 7.272 ± 4.386, 3.454 ± 1.503, and 169.997 ± 81.873 (Bqkg−1), respectively, and no 137Cs was detected.The study also investigated fundamental parameters associated with radon, specifically the radon emanation coefficient (RnEC) and radon mass exhalation rate (Ex). The RnEC values ranged from 0.621 to 0.78 (Bqkg−1), with an average value of 0.71 ± 0.06 (Bqkg−1). The estimated Ex from the soil samples ranged from 65.83 to 124.86 (mBqkg−1h−1), with an average value of 99.74 ± 21.73 (mBqkg−1h−1).Regarding radiological hazards, the study examined various parameters, including radium equivalent activity, external and internal hazard indices, gamma and alpha indices, absorbed gamma dose rate, and excess lifetime cancer risk. All of these assessed values were found to be below the worldwide recommended limits for radiological safety.Additionally, the study analyzed the concentrations of gross alpha and gross beta radioactivities in soil and OMP samples. The soil samples had an average gross alpha activity of 4.642 ± 1.04 (Bqkg−1) and an average gross beta activity of 48.13 ± 14.50 (Bqkg−1). The OMP samples showed an average gross alpha activity of 0.32 ± 0.27 (Bqkg−1) and an average gross beta activity of 59.19 ± 12.94 (Bqkg−1).Overall, the obtained results are crucial for evaluating the radiological risks associated with natural radioactivity in the northwest region of Jordan. The findings establish baseline data for comparison and reference for radioactivity levels in the environment.

Temporal changes of 137Cs concentrations in the Far Eastern Seas: partitioning of 137Cs between overlying waters and sediments

Deep-ocean sediments, similarly to seawater, are important reservoirs of 137Cs, an anthropogenic radionuclide with a relatively long half-live found in the Earth system. To better understand the geochemical behaviour of 137Cs in the ocean, we examined the temporal changes of 137Cs activity concentrations in the overlying waters and in sediments from the Far Eastern Seas (Sea of Japan, SOJ, and Okhotsk Sea, OS) during the period of 1998–2021. The 137Cs activity levels showed exponential changes during the observed period. The decay-corrected change rates of 137Cs in deep waters of SOJ exhibited a slow increase, while 137Cs levels in seawater and sediment in OS decreased gradually. This reflects a topographical difference, as SOJ is a semi-closed sea, whereas OS receives continuously inflow of subarctic waters. It was confirmed that 137Cs released after the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident was rapidly transported into the deep waters of the SOJ. To elucidate the transfer processes of 137Cs from seawater to sediment, we discussed the temporal changes of the partition coefficients (Kd) of 137Cs between the overlying water and the surface sediment. In shallow areas (< 1500 m water depth), Kd values were almost constant within the sampling periods, although the temporal changes in the Kd values occurred in deeper waters (> 2500 m depth). The Kd values increased with increasing depth, which may reflect a pressure effect as a possible mechanism. These findings suggest that chemical processes may be important factors controlling the transport of 137Cs between seawater and sediment, although more complicated phenomena occurred in deep waters and sediments of the SOJ (> 3000 m depth).

Accumulation of &lt;sup&gt;137&lt;/sup&gt;Cs by ecological groups of coastal-aquatic vegetation of floodplain meadows of the Sozh river

The purpose of the study is to identify differences in the content of 137Cs in the phytomass of coastal aquatic vegetation of the Vetka and Chechersk districts of the Gomel region for the period 2012–2022. The description and identification of ecological groups of coastal aquatic vegetation and the sampling of soil and plants to determine the content of radiocesium in the growing seasons of 2012 and 2022 were carried out according to generally accepted methods. It was found that the content of 137Cs in water samples from the objects of Vetka district did not exceed the normative value for drinking water (10 Bq/kg). The average specific activity of radiocesium in the soil for the studied objects was 807±125 and 586±84 Bq/kg in 2012 and 2022, respectively; and for soil was 549±85 and 395±46 Bq/kg respectively. Over time, there was a decrease in the amount of radiocesium in soil and in ground by 1.3–1.4 times. The average content of the isotope in the plants in 2012 and 2022 was 93–917 and 59–578 Bq/kg, respectively. The amplitude of variation in the average values of accumulation coefficient in the soil-plant system was 1.03 and 0.11 Bq/kg:Bq/kg in 2012 and 2022, respectively. In the ground-plant system it was 3.08 and 0.01 Bq/kg:Bq/kg, respectively. The specific activity of 137Cs in the water of objects in the Chechersk region did not exceed 3 Bq/l. The average content of 137Cs in the ground was 316 and 231 Bq/kg in 2012 and 2022, respectively. The same parameters for the soil were within the limits of 471 and 340 Bq/kg, respectively. The average content of 137Cs in phytomass varied from 149 to 483 Bq/kg in 2012. After 10 years, the amount of radionuclide was 115–288 Bq/kg. The average values of accumulation coefficient in the soil-plant system in 2012 and 2022 were 1.44 and 1.01 Bq/kg:Bq/kg, and in the soil-plant system were 1.70 and 1.10 Bq/kg:Bq/kg, respectively. As a result of the study, similar dominant groups of coastal aquatic plants were not identified in terms of the accumulation of radiocesium in the objects of the Vetka and Chechersk regions.

RADIATION SITUATION IN THE CONTAMINATED TERRITORIES OF UKRAINE IN THE POST-CHORNOBYL PERIOD FROM 2013 TO 2022

Radiological tests analysis aimed to determine important issues regarding the safety of food products, feeds, medicinal herbs, etc., obtained from radioactively contaminated territories as a result of the accident at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant. The material for analysis was current documentation of the Regional State Laboratories of State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumers Protection in Zhytomyr, Volyn, Rivne, Chernihiv regions, Central Testing State Laboratory of State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumers Protection in Kyiv region and Kyiv city from 2013 to 2022. The analysis is conducted regarding contamination of food products, feeds, medicinal herbs, etc., with radionuclides 137Cs and 90Sr. The specialists of regional State Laboratories of State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumers Protection conducted 12 797 892 radiological tests, that showed 3 372 samples with higher than the permissible level content of 137Cs and 10 samples with higher than permissible level content of 90Sr. 137Cs is a main dose-forming radionuclide that has considerable influence on getting internal irradiation by population. There have been rare cases of contamination of food, feeds, and medicinal herbs with 90Sr. It was found that forest-based food (mushrooms, berries) – 62.1, milk – 22.7, meat of wild animals – 8.3, feeds – 1.8, and medicinal herbs – 0.8 had been mostly contaminated with 137Cs from the total number of samples with positive results for the specified period. Thus, analyzing the results of radiological tests over the past decade, it should be noted that even today, further radiological control of food products, feeds, etc. in radioactively contaminated territories is expedient and requires further implementation of anti-radiation protection actions established by current national legislation

Effectiveness of new agromeliorations under barley cultivation in radionuclide soil contamination

Based on the results of three-year production tests, the effectiveness of new agromeliorants (PhosAgro NPK complex fertilizer and Gumiton organo-mineral complex) was evaluated when growing barley on radioactively contaminated sandy loam soddy-podzolic soils of Novozybkovsky district of Bryansk region. It is shown that non-root treatment of barley crops in the earing phase with Gumiton (1 l/ha) without the use of fertilizer contributed to an increase in grain yield by 17-29% relative to the control, depending on the year. The introduction of PhosAgro NPK fertilizer (0.3 t/ha) gave an increase in yield of 22-39%. The combined use of fertilizer and the drug increased the yield by 18-72%. The multiplicity of the decrease in the intake of 137Cs in grain during the treatment of crops with Gumiton was up to 2.3 times, with the combined use of the drug and fertilizer - up to 4.7 times compared with the control. The use of Gumiton and PhosAgro NPK guaranteed the production of grain with a content of 137Cs corresponding to the standards of Sanitary Rules and Regulations 2.3.2. 2650-10. The conditional net income per 1 ruble of costs for processing barley crops with Gumiton amounted to 3.75-17.6 rubles, depending on the year. Both the introduction of PhosAgro NPK and the treatment of barley crops with Gumiton did not significantly affect the grain quality indicators: the content of protein, ash, fat, fiber. Thus, it is shown that the organo-mineral complex Gumiton and complex fertilizer PhosAgro NPK are effective agromeliorants in barley cultivation technologies in conditions of radioactive contamination of soils.

&lt;sup&gt;137&lt;/sup&gt;Cs migration and pro le in bottom sediments of deep drainage lakes, north-western Russia

Modern contamination of global and «Chernobyl» 137Cs in lake-river systems bottom sediments is estimated. Drainage lakes of North-Western Russia were investigated. Kopanskoe Lake, located south of the Gulf of Finland, is on the trail of the «Chernobyl» 137Cs fallout, whereas Ladoga, Sukhodolskoe, Vuoksa, Imandra lakes are located at its periphery, in Karelia and Kola Peninsula. Following parameters are distinguished: lakes bottom 137Cs pollution density (kBq/m2), distribution of 137Cs in the pro le of bottom sediments, 137Cs di usion coe cients ( D ) in bottom sediments and content of the exchange chemical form of the radionuclide. 137Cs contamination of the lakes was formed due to suspended matter sedimentation with 137Cs, 137Cs sorption and di usion in bottom sediments. With sedimentation ≥3 mm/year, the concentration of 137Cs increased from the top to the bottom of the core (lakes Vuoksa, Ekostrovskaya Imandra), re ecting the gradual process of 137Cs migration into the sediments. The opposite trend of 137Cs concentration was observed in the bottom sediments of lakes Ladoga and Sukhodolskoe with sedimentation ≤0.5 mm/year. Here 137Cs di usion with D = (0.5-6.2) ×10-8 cm2/s caused slow radionuclide transfer in the bottom sediments. The main supply of 137Cs was contained in the top layer 0-5 cm. 14.4-20 % of absorbed 137Cs in lake Sukhodolskoye bottom sediments were was in an exchange chemical form, extracted into solution 1 М NH 4 Aс.

Microscopic and Biopharmaceutical Evaluation of Emulsion and Self-Emulsifying Oil with Cyclosporine.

Among the currently available commercial eye drops with cyclosporine A (Cs) there is a lack of long-acting dosage forms and products with a concentration of the drug substance higher than 0.1%, although Cs is widely used in ophthalmology. The aim of the research was to conduct the microscopic and biopharmaceutical evaluation of two formulations, an emulsion (EM) and a self-emulsifying oil (SEO), both with 0.5% of Cs, proposed for use in eye drops, and the comparison of both. SEO eye drops with Cs or any other drug substance are currently not available as marketed products, and the highest concentration of Cs in the ocular emulsion is only 0.1%. The microscopic evaluation of the emulsion and the SEO after emulsification with water was carried out using a high-resolution digital microscopy. The properties of both preparations were compared using the high dynamic range function or optical shadow effect mode. Images in the 3D composition mode were also recorded. The in vivo study of the Cs formulations was performed on male albino rabbits. The eye tolerance of the preparations was assessed using the ocular irritation test, which is a modified Draize test. Placebo carriers (without the drug substance) were also subjected to irritation testing. The concentration of Cs in the tissues (cornea and conjunctiva) and fluids (tear fluid and aqueous humor) of the rabbit eye was determined after multiple instillations of Cs-EM or Cs-SEO. The tested preparations were compared using the digital microscopy technique, which highlights the features of the formulations and eliminates the risk of unnoticeable properties that are difficult to observe in classical optical microscopy. Both tested Cs-loaded formulations are classified as practically non-irritating. There were also no significant differences when testing the placebo carriers. After a topical administration, Cs was widely distributed in all tissues (e.g., in cornea 1.3 ng/mg and 1.0 ng/mg) and fluids of the eye (e.g., in tear fluid 11.6 µg/mL and 4.3 µg/mL), after the administration of Cs-SEO and Cs-EM, respectively. The obtained results allow us to recognize both tested formulations, the emulsion and the self-emulsifying oil with 0.5% Cs content, as carriers safe for ophthalmic use and effective in delivering the drug substance to the structures of the eye.

Characteristic of the interaction mechanism between soy protein isolate and functional polysaccharide with different charge characteristics and exploration of the foaming properties

The commercial production process will partially damage the foaming properties of soy protein isolate (SPI). Adding functional polysaccharides have a positive effect on the foaming properties of SPI, but the effects are affected by several factors. For this reason, three kinds of polysaccharides with different charges, including chitosan (CS, a cationic polysaccharide), guar gum (GUG, a neutral polysaccharide) and gellan gum (GEG, an anionic polysaccharide), were complexed with SPI at different mass ratios to discuss their interaction mechanism, and the foaming properties of these complexes were preliminarily explored. After complexation, the structure of SPI was further folded and interacted with three polysaccharides mainly through non-covalent bonding. Specifically, SPI and CS interacted through weak electrostatic interaction, volume exclusion effect and hydrogen bonding at a high CS concentration. SPI and GEG interacted through strong electrostatic interaction and hydrogen bonding. However, SPI and GUG interacted only through hydrogen bonding. In addition to SPI/CS10, the foamability of SPI/polysaccharide complexes was significantly lower than single SPI. By contrast, the foam stability of all the complexes was much higher than single SPI, and increased with the increase of the polysaccharide concentration, among which the SPI/GEG complexes showed the highest foam stability. These findings provided the interaction mechanism between SPI and polysaccharides with different charges, and the complexes with outstanding foam stability can be used for improving the stability and texture of aerated foods.

Activity Concentrations of Cs-137, Sr-90, Am-241, Pu-238, and Pu-239+240 and an Assessment of Pollution Sources Based on Isotopic Ratio Calculations and the HYSPLIT Model in Tundra Landscapes (Subarctic Zone of Russia)

The paper is devoted to the assessment of the content of anthropogenic radionuclides in tundra landscapes of the subarctic zone of Russia. The authors of the article studied the features of accumulation and migration of anthropogenic radionuclides and identified probable sources of their entry into environmental objects. Peat samples were collected on the territory of the Kaninskaya Tundra of the Nenets Autonomous Okrug (Northwest Russia). A total of 46 samples were taken. The following parameters were determined in each peat sample: (1) activity and pollution density of anthropogenic radionuclides; (2) isotopic ratios of anthropogenic radionuclides; (3) activity ratios of each radionuclide for layers 10–20 cm and 0–10 cm. The results of the studies showed that the pollution density of the Nes River basin with the radionuclides Cs-137 and Sr-90 is up to 4.85 × 103 Bq×m−2 and 1.88 × 103 Bq×m−2, respectively, which is 2–5 times higher than the available data for the Kanin tundra, as well as for Russia and the world as a whole. The data obtained for Am-241, Pu-238, and Pu-239+240 showed insignificant activity of these radionuclides and generally correspond to the values for other tundra areas in Russia and the world. It was found that some tundra areas (“peat lowlands”) are characterized by increased radionuclide content due to the process of accumulation and migration along the vertical profile. Calculations of isotope ratios Sr-90/Cs-137, Pu-238/Pu-239+240, Pu-239+240/Cs-137, Am-241/Pu-239+240 and air mass trajectories based on the HYSPLIT model showed that the main sources of anthropogenic radionuclide contamination are global atmospheric fallout and the Chernobyl accident.

Synthesis and photoluminescence properties of single-phase Sr3B14O24:RE3+ (RE = Ce, Tb, Sm, Eu) phosphors and glass for WLEDs, UV and NIR shielding

Commercial white light-emitting diodes (WLEDs) usually face problems such as lack of red emission, color difference caused by different degradation rates of multiphase phosphors and the poor thermal stability of the organic encapsulants. The development of new single-phase phosphors and glass can solve these problems well. Sr3B14O24:RE3+ (RE = Ce, Tb, Sm, Eu) phosphors and glass were synthesized by solid-phase method. The obtained Sr3B14O24:RE3+ (RE = Ce, Tb, Sm, Eu) samples showed multicolor emission including blue, green, orange and red, respectively. The optimal excitation wavelength of these samples was located in the blue or ultraviolet (UV) light regions, which were well matched with the blue-violet light chips to manufacture WLEDs. More interestingly, UV absorption was found in Sr3B14O24:Ce3+/4+ glass samples. The doping of dual-valence cerium ions could enhance the shielding performance in the light of inferences drawn from the UV-Vis absorption and transmission spectra of glass samples. By co-doping different concentrations of Cs+ ions in Sr3B14O24:Ce3+/4+ glass samples, the function of near infrared (NIR) shielding was also realized. As a new optical multifunctional material, rare earth doped Sr3B14O24 have great potential for application in WLEDs, UV and NIR shielding.

Origin and Tectonic Implications of I-type Granites, North Delhi Fold Belt, NW, India: Insights from Whole Rock Geochemistry and Mineral Compositions

Abstract A comprehensive whole-rock geochemical and mineral chemistry study was carried out of granites from the Narnaul and surrounding isolated hills of North Delhi Mobile Belt, NW India to constrain their genesis, and tectonic environment. The distinctive features of granites are meta to peraluminous nature and decreasing trend of P2O5 with high SiO2 (&amp;gt;71%) ascribed to its metaigneous origin. In detail the chemical diversity of the studied samples is reflected by their affinity to Calc-alkaline to shoshonite series with high K2O/Na2O (mostly&amp;gt;1), low MgO (&amp;lt; 0.11%) and variation in Mg# (upto 0.5) and maficity with increasing SiO2. The positive Eu anomalies, high LILE, highly enriched LREE (La/Sm = 4.13–19.33) pattern and comparatively elevated concentrations of Cs, La, Ta, Dy, Zr, Pb and Yb suggest different episodes of magmatic differentiation. Our data indicate that melting of older subduction-related igneous rocks and the underwent fractional crystallization in hydrous conditions is the possible mechanism for the generation of I-type granites in collisional tectonic setting.

Soil-to-organic Sangyod rice grain transfer factors (TF values) of natural and anthropogenic radionuclides in Phatthalung province, Thailand

The specific activities of natural (40K 226Ra and 232Th) and anthropogenic (137Cs) radionuclides in paddy soil and organic Sangyod rice grain were measured and analyzed in this study with an aim to determine the soil-to-organic Sangyod rice grain transfer factors (TF values) of all required radionuclides in Don Pradu sub-district, Pak Phayun district in Phatthalung province in the south of Thailand. The high purity germanium (HPGe) detector and gamma-ray spectrometry analysis system which were installed and used in advanced laboratory at TINT were used to conduct experiments to measure and analyze of all required radionuclides in this research. The average concentrations of 40K 226Ra, 232Th, and 137Cs in paddy soil were found to have a value of 657.30 ± 23.03, 180.01 ± 4.39, 162.02 ± 3.84 and < 1.81 Bq/kg respectively while in organic Sangyod rice grain, their values were 24.11 ± 2.01, 0.28 ± 0.07, 0.17 ± 0.06 and 0.10 ± 0.03 Bq/kg respectively. For TF values were calculated and found to be 0.037, 0.002, 0.001, and 0.055 for 40K, 226Ra, 232Th, and 137Cs, respectively. Furthermore, four important radiological hazard indices which are gamma-absorbed dose rate (D), radium equivalent activity (Raeq), external hazard index (Hex) and annual external effective dose rate (AEDout) were also evaluated by using the average values of 40K, 226Ra and 232Th. In addition, by using the AEDout value, the excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR (outdoor)) in paddy soil in the study area would be also studied, evaluated and presented. Moreover, the evaluated TF values of required radionuclides were higher than that reported by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 2010 but the values were much lower than those in the study in Malaysia.

Радиационное воздействие на территориях с повышенным содержанием цезия-137 в почве

The article presents a conservative assessment of the values of the effective dose received by residents of settlements located in the observation zone of Mayak Production Association. Data on the content of 137Cs were obtained in the course of field instrumental studies. The average value of the specific activity of 137Cs was 62,5 Bq§kg, which corresponds to an average surface activity of 15,0 kBq§m2 for a soil layer of 10 cm. The results showed that the annual dose limit for the population from the exicting level of 137Cs is not exceeded either with a separate or with a joint implementation of radiation scenarios.

Bioaccumulation of radionuclides in hoofed animals inhabiting the Semipalatinsk Test Site.

The article assesses the content of radionuclides in hoofed animals inhabiting the Semipalatinsk Test Site by calculation. Hoofed animals' faeces were sampled to determine the content of radionuclides in their diets. Based on values determined for the content of radionuclides in animals; diets, the content of radionuclides in the meat and milk of farm animals-cows (Bos taurus taurus), sheep (Ovis), goats (Capra hircus) and horses (Equus caballus Lin., 1758) as well as in the meat of wild animals-european moose (Alces alces Lin., 1758), argali (Ovis ammon Lin., 1758), roe deer (Capreolus pygargus Pal., 1771) and saiga (Saiga tatarica Lin., 1766) was calculated. No excess of permissible values of the content of 137Cs and 90Sr in the meat of farm animals was found to be expected, even for a conventional 'conservative' scenario, in which maxima of the radionuclide activity concentration in a vegetable feed (faeces) are taken as a basis. 241Am and 239+240Pu in the meat of farm hoofed animals are not standardized. Their predicted maxima of activity concentration are very low, and even in the 'conservative' scenario, they do not exceed 1.8×10-2 Bq kg-1, 1.4×10-1 Bq kg-1 and 1.6×10-1 Bq kg-1, respectively. In the milk of farm animals, the content of 137Cs and 90Sr does not exceed permissible values. 241Am and 239+240Pu in the milk of farm animals are not standardized. Their predicted activity concentration values in the milk of sheep and goats do not exceed 6.5×10-2 Bq l-1, for cows- 2.6×10-2 Bq l-1, for horses- 3.1×10-2 Bq l-1. Permissible values of 137Cs and 90Sr in the meat of wild hoofed animals are not exceeded either. In the meat of argali, roe deer and saigas, relatively high levels of 137Cs are predictable. 241Am and 239+240Pu in meat of wild animals are not standardized. Their predicted activity concentration values in the meat of moose and argali do not exceed 3.2×10-1 Bq kg-1 and 1.6×10-1 Bq kg-1, respectively, for roe deer and saiga-5.4×10-2 Bq kg-1. Thus, in case of free grazing in the STS territory, no excess of permissible values of standardized radionuclides (137Cs and 90Sr) in the meat and milk of hoofed animals is predictable.

Veterinary and sanitary assessment of rabbit meat according to quality and safety indicators

Food security has become especially acute for the population of Ukraine. The quality and safety of rabbit meat depends on the welfare of the animals during production, and the meat productivity is determined by genetic heredity, conditions of keeping, feeding and well-being. Rabbit meat can reduce the dose of internal radiation of the population, because it practically does not accumulate radionuclides. According to our research, the content of 137Cs and 90Sr in the meat of 4-month-old rabbits raised on the territories contaminated with radionuclides as a result of the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant was, respectively: 8.8±0.8 Bq/kg and 3.5±0.7 Bq/kg. In older rabbits, the content of 137Cs and 90Sr, respectively, was at the level of: 12.3±1.2 Bq/kg and 8.2±1.5 Bq/kg (according to DR-2006, respectively, 200 Bq/kg and 20 Bq/kg). According to the results of our research, live weight, slaughter weight, weight of muscle tissue and bones, muscularity of carcasses depend on the season, age and breed characteristics. To increase productivity and improve the quality of rabbit meat, it is advisable to use interbreed crossing for the purpose of enriching the heredity of one of the breeds on the basis of two or more. According to the results of our research, the highest slaughter weight (P &lt; 0.01) was found in 4-month-old crossbred rabbits of the first generation (♀ California × ♂ Flanders) and was 56.56±0.20%, while their counterparts it was at the level of 49.65±0.55% of the Californian precocious breed. According to special criteria of meat productivity, crossbred rabbits of the first generation also prevailed over the parent breeds. In particular, their confusion index was 79.82±0.23%, while it was at the level of 77.08±0.08% in Flanders. Therefore, crossbreds of the first generation received maturity from the maternal line, and greater fleshiness is from the paternal line. Rabbit meat can be considered as a highly nutritious, dietary "functional" food that provides all the necessary biologically active substances, practically does not accumulate radionuclides, and therefore has a beneficial effect on human health and is an important reserve in solving food security in Ukraine. Key words: food safety, productive qualities of rabbits, rabbit meat, nutritional properties and biological value, dietary highly nutritious product.