Specific Activity Of 137Cs Research Articles

Study of seasonal variation of accident-derived atmospheric radiocesium in Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan during 2011-2014.

This study measured the atmospheric concentration and deposition flux of radiocesium in Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, from November 2011 to October 2014. The results show synchronous seasonal change in atmospheric concentration and deposition flux of radiocesium, which is high during winter to early spring and low during summer to autumn. These seasonal variations are similar to those observed in Fukushima City but differ from those in Namie Town, Fukushima Prefecture, comprising a larger contaminated forest area. The evaluation of the relationship between atmospheric 137Cs concentration or 137Cs specific activity in atmospheric particulate matter (PM) and deposition density of 137Cs in PM source area suggest that stronger winds blowing from areas with relatively large 137Cs deposition (west of Koriyama City) toward the study site affect the site's atmospheric 137Cs concentrations.

Трансформация радиоактивного загрязнения донных отложений Калининградского залива в период 2011–2023 гг.

The article presents the data of radioecological research of the bottom sediments in the Russian zone of the Vistula Lagoon in 2011–2023. According to research, the specific activity of 137Cs in the bottom sediments of the Lagoon was in the range of 3,9–165 Bq/m3. 137Cs is the main technogenic radionuclides that makes the greatest contribution to the pollution of the Lagoon. Contamination of the bottom sediments with 137Cs is determined by the redistribution of mainly post-Chernobyl fallout. The 137Cs accumulation was recorded in the northern deep-water part of the Primorskaya Bay. According to observations, the effective half-life of 137Cs activity in the sediments of the Lagoon is 10,4–42 years. The content of natural radionuclides is: 226Ra – from 9,0 to 35,3; 232Th – from 3,8 to 43,2; 40K from 227 to 715 Bq/kg. The NRN specific activity in the sediments of the Lagoon did not exceed 153 Bq/kg, which was significantly lower than the established safe level (370 Bq/kg), allowing their handling without restrictions. The correlations between the content of 40K, 226Ra, 232Th in the bottom sediments of the Lagoon were established with the type of sediment

МИГРАЦИИОННАЯ АКТИВНОСТЬ 137CS В АГРОПРОДУКЦИЮ БИОГЕОЦЕНОЗОВ КРАСНОЯРСКОГО КРАЯ

The purpose of the study is to determine the intensity of 137Cs movement along the trophic chain “soil – diet – livestock products” in the agricultural landscapes of the Krasnoyarsk Region with additional radiation load. A literature review of scientific data characterizing the features of the migration activity of 137Cs in the links “soil – feed – livestock products” in agrobiocenoses with radioactive contamination above established standards is given. Based on the results of a radioecological survey of agricultural landscapes in the central regions of the Krasnoyarsk Region and calculation of absorbed doses, the author identified agricultural landscapes with additional technogenic pollution and determined the specific activity of 137Cs in feed and cow's milk in agricultural landscapes with additional technogenic load. The specific activity values of 137Cs in agricultural landscape feeds with doses of 1.33 and 1.55 mGy/year are higher than the background va¬lue for the Krasnoyarsk Region. The content of 137Cs in livestock products produced in farm biogeocenoses with additional technogenic load is higher than the average for the region, but does not exceed the criterion of regulatory documents; accordingly, radiation-safe agricultural products are produced on the territory of the Krasnoyarsk Region. For agricultural landscapes with absorbed doses of 1.33 and 1.55 mGy/year, a KP for the link “feed – livestock products” has been established. When the radioecological situation changes, the established Kp values can be used to predict the migration of 137Cs in the chain “soil – feed – livestock products”. A direct linear moderate Spearman rank correlation was identified between the specific activity of 137Cs in feed and the concentration of 137Cs in cow's milk. Linear regression equations have been determined to determine the specific activity of cow's milk based on data on the specific activity of 137Cs in feed. The revealed direct linear relationship indicates that even a slight increase in the 137Cs activity of the diet leads to an equivalent increase in the specific activity of technogenic cesium in cow's milk.

Distribution of 137Cs specific activity in river sediments of the Barents Sea basin (Nenets Autonomous Okrug, Russian Arctic).

This article focuses on the study of the distribution of 137Cs in the bottom sediments of Arctic rivers of the Barents Sea basin (using the example of the Nenets Autonomous Okrug, Russian Arctic). This research is relevant due to the poorly studied region and the significant number of radiation-hazardous facilities in the Arctic zone of Russia, both those currently in operation and those that are "nuclear heritage sites". The study of 137Cs specific activity in bottom sediments was carried out in the period from 2020 to 2023 in the rivers Chizha, Nes, Vizhas, Oma, Pechora (river delta), as well as the rivers Kolva and Usa (first and second order tributaries, respectively, of the Pechora River). A total of 199 samples were collected. In addition to 137Cs specific activity, the samples were analysed for sediment particle size distribution, organic matter content, carbonate content and ash content. The 137Cs specific activity mainly ranged from the minimum detectable specific activity to 5.4 ± 0.8Bq·kg-1. In the Nes River basin (Kaninskaya tundra), the 137Cs content in bottom sediments reached 36.0 ± 3.2Bq·kg-1 (in the case of lake sediments) and 22.9 ± 3.7Bq·kg-1 (in the case of river sediments), values that are higher than those of the North-West of Russia. Considering the large area of the study area (Kaninskaya tundra, Pechora river delta, southern part of Bolshezemelskaya tundra) and the similarity of physical and chemical parameters of the studied rivers, it is possible to assume the existence of a zone of increased radionuclide content in the Nes river basin. This may be due to the runoff from the Nes River catchment area, its hydrological features, and the accumulation of 137Cs in the small fractions of bottom sediments. The results confirm the conclusions of previous soil studies in the Nes river basin. The main sources of elevated 137Cs content are global atmospheric deposition and the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant accident.

Dynamics of 137Cs content in higher aquatic plants of Kyiv and Kaniv Reservoirs

The study aimed to determine the temporal parameters of 137Cs specific activity in higher aquatic plants of Kyiv and Kaniv reservoirs. Parameters characterizing the dynamics of 137Cs content for hydrophytes (Potamogeton perfoliatus and Ceratophyllum demersum) and helophytes (Phragmites australis and Typha angustifolia) were determined based on the results of 137Cs specific activity determination in the aboveground plant organs. Plant samples were collected in 1989–2021 from a polygonal area in the upper part of Kyiv reservoir (shallow waters near Strakholyssia village) and in 2000–2021 from a polygonal area in the middle part of the Kaniv reservoir (shallow waters near Rzhyschiv and the Borispol islands). A model of specific activity of aquatic organisms was substantiated (or developed) in case of exponential decrease in radionuclide levels in the environment. The main parameter of the model is the period of resulting halving of organism specific activity due to the decrease in radionuclide concentration in water, its irreversible fixation in bottom sediments, and radioactive decay. During 1989–2021, the half-life period of 137Cs specific activity in Potamogeton perfoliatus, Ceratophyllum demersum, and Phragmites australis of Kyiv reservoir was 5.4 years. Two time intervals were identified, characterized by different intensities of radionuclide specific activity decrease. During the periods of 1989–1996 (1998), the specific activity of 137Cs in the studied plant species decreased by half in approximately 2 years. For the time interval of 2011(2012)–2021, the half-life period of 137Cs content in Potamogeton perfoliatus and Ceratophyllum demersum increased on average to 12 years. A tendency towards a slowdown in the rate of specific activity decrease was observed for Phragmites australis. During 1987–1996, the half-life period of maximum 137Cs specific activity in higher aquatic plants of Kaniv reservoir was 2.1 years. Thus, during the first decade after the accident, the rates of 137Cs content decrease in plants of Kyiv and Kaniv reservoirs did not differ. In 2000–2021, the rate of 137Cs specific activity decrease in Potamogeton perfoliatus and Ceratophyllum demersum of Kaniv reservoir corresponded on average to a half-life period of about 20 years. For Phragmites australis and Typha angustifolia, only a tendency to decrease in 137Cs activity was noted, corresponding to a half-life period of about 40 years. Over time, the half-life period of 137Cs specific activity in higher aquatic plants of Kyiv and Kaniv reservoirs increases, which is explained by the slowdown in the rate of decrease in volumetric activity of 137Cs in the waters of the Dnipro and Pripyat rivers. A model of 137Cs specific activity in higher aquatic plants of reservoirs for periods exceeding 20 years after accidental radionuclide entry into ecosystems of large plain reservoirs has been proposed. The parameters of the model describing the dynamics of 137Cs specific activity can be used for predictive assessments of 137Cs content in higher aquatic plants in the event of accidental radionuclide entry into ecosystems of large plain reservoirs.

Changes in radioactive contamination of living ground cover plants in black alder stands since the Chornobyl accident in the forests of Zhytomyr Polissia

The results of research conducted over the past 30 years in the forest ecosystems of Zhytomyr Polissia, in the areas affected by radioactive contamination as a result of the Chornobyl accident. In the course of the research carried out at the Poliskyi Branch of the Ukrainian Research Institute of Forestry and Forest Melioration named after G. M. Vysotsky, methods of forest radioecology, botany, and forestry were used, and the results were processed using statistical analysis. The peculiarities of radioactive contamination of the most common herbaceous and dwarf-shrub plants in the stands of black alder in damp fairly fertile site types were studied. As indicators characterizing these features, we used 137Cs specific activity in the aboveground part of plants and the transfer factor of radionuclide to plant phytomass from the soil. It was found that the highest values of the transfer factor of 137Cs from the soil to the aerial part of the plant phytomass in 1999 are characteristic of ferns: for Dryopteris cristata (L.) A. Gray (276.9 m2∙kg-1∙10-3), Dryopteris carthusiana (Vill.) H. P. Fuchs (236.5 m2∙kg-1∙10-3), Thelypteris palustris Schott (171.2 m2∙kg-1∙10-3), and Athyrium filix-femina (L.) Roth (164.0 m2∙kg-1∙10-3). It was found that among the higher plants, the highest values of this indicator are for the Agrostis stolonifera L. (263.5 m2∙kg-1∙10-3), Galium uliginosum L. (155.8 m2∙kg-1∙10-3) and Maianthemum bifolium (L.) F. W. Schmidt (155.4 m2∙kg-1∙10-3). It was found out that the previously noted trends and interspecific differences in radionuclide accumulation persist after 22 years. It is shown, using the example of three plant species (Lysimachia vulgaris L., Galium uliginosum, and Maianthemum bifolium), that during the observation period (1991-2021) there is a gradual decrease in radioactive contamination of living ground cover plants and the intensity of 137Cs intake into them. This is explained by the decay of the radioactive element, its entry into various perennial components of forest ecosystems, some fixation in the soil, and, possibly, its removal beyond their borders. The established decrease in 137Cs specific activity in the aboveground part of plants is described by linear equations: for Lysimachia vulgaris – Am = –605.34a + 3745.6; R² = 0.98; Galium uliginosum – Am = –5107.5a + 30698; R² = 0.99; Maianthemum bifolium – Am = –4661.6 a + 28280; R² = 0.98. The identified peculiarities of radioactive contamination of various plant species, changes in 137Cs specific activity in them, and transfer factors of the radionuclide from the soil in stands of black alder in damp fairly fertile site types can be used in scientific works to predict possible changes in its redistribution within the ecosystem, as well as in the practice of harvesting medicinal plants in areas contaminated with radionuclides.

Dynamics of radioactive contamination of lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) in the forests of Zhytomyr Polissia (Ukraine) since the Chernobyl Nuclear Accident

The article presents results of study of levels of radioactive soil contamination and 137Cs activity concentration in the aboveground part of lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) phytomass and berries on permanent experimental plots in different years since the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant accident (forest site type conditions — moist fairly infertile pine site type (B3), soils — soddy-podzolic sandy-loam on fluvioglacial sands). The research was conducted at the Poliskyi Branch of the Ukrainian Research Institute of Forestry and Forest Melioration named after G.M. Vysotsky over the years 1998–2021, utilized methods generally accepted in forest science and radioecology were used. Results were processed using statistical analysis. To substantiate the research, an official reporting data from forestry enterprises of the Volyn, Rivne and Zhytomyr regions were used. An analytical review of the state of research on this problem revealed that at the last 10–15 years there were no scientific publications on the study of 137Cs contamination of lingonberry. It was demonstrated that there was significant reduction in the density of radioactive soil contamination and 137Cs activity concentration in the aboveground part of lingonberry phytomass and berries in the forests of the research region over the observation period. It was found that the main part of the total 137Cs activity is currently located in the upper (10 cm) layer of the mineral part of the soil — 74.7% where root systems of herbaceous and dwarf-shrub species are concentrated in forest ecosystems. It was established that a considerable content of the radionuclide is retained in the aboveground part of lingonberry phytomass even with low density of radioactive soil contamination. It was found that in 1998, at relatively low value of soil 137Cs contamination density (49±5.6 kBq∙m–2), specific activity of 137Cs in aboveground phytomass of lingonberry was 8043±511 Bq∙kg–1, while in 2021 (value of soil 137Cs contamination density 22±0.3 kBq∙m–2) — 1046±182 Bq∙kg–1. The values of radionuclide transfer coefficients in 1998 were quite significant and varied within wide range: in the air-dry aboveground phytomass from 33.4 to 164.1 m2∙kg–1∙10–3 and in the fresh berries, from 9.5 to 26.0 m2∙kg–1∙10–3. Dependencies between density of radioactive soil contamination and the content of 137Cs in the aboveground part of lingonberry phytomass and berries were calculated, which can be applied in the practice of their harvesting. It was found that lingonberry belongs to the group of plants characterized by the high content of 137Cs in the aboveground vegetative phytomass. Harvesting of lingonberry leaves for the production of medicinal products should be restricted in all areas contaminated with 137Cs. Lingonberry fresh berries can be harvested in areas with a radioactive soil contamination density up to 74 kBq∙m–2.

REGULARITIES OF AGE STRUCTURAL-FUNCTIONAL RESTRUCTURING OF TESTES IN MALE RIVER OTTERS IN THE ZONE OF HIGH RADIOACTIVE CONTAMINATION I N THE TERRITORY OF BELARUS

For the first time, anatomical, histological and morphometric criteria have been determined for radiation-induced effects on the testes of male river otters. In adult animals, the specific activity of 137Cs in the testes is 1.03±0.09 kBq/kg.

MORPHOLOGICAL MECHANISMS OF RADIATION-INDUCED ADRENAL ADAPTATIONS AND THE LEVEL OF RADIONUCLIDE CONTENT IN THE WHITE-CHESTED HEDGEHOG IN A ZONE OF HIGH RADIOACTIVE CONTAMINATION

For the first time, anatomical, histological and morphometric criteria for radiation-induced damage to the thyroid gland of the river otter have been determined. The lobes of the thyroid gland do not undergo morphological changes,and they have a permanent elongated ribbon-like shape. The height of the follicular epithelium and the Brown index are among the signs that reflect the functional state of the thyroid gland. In old animals, the Brown index has the highest value - 19.49 ± 0.39 conventional units. Structural and adaptive changes indicate that the thyroid glands of the river otter in the radiation zone of habitat belong to the glands of the small follicular type of structure. With age, a few large follicles are found, and in the early gerontological period, also zones of disorganization of parenchymal structures with complete disappearance of the follicular structure of the gland or desquamation of the thyroid epithelium. In sexually mature animals, the specific activity of 137Cs in the thyroid gland is 0.78±0.17 kBq/kg.

Accumulation of <sup>137</sup>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-Geochemical Characteristics of Cryoconite Sediments on the Witte Glacier (Novaya Zemlya Archipelago)

The article presents the results of studying specific organomineral formations—cryoconite sediments—samples of which were taken on the surface of the Witte Glacier (Medvezhiy Bay, Novaya Zemlya) on cruise 76 of the R/V Akademik Mstislav Keldysh. The specific activities of 137Cs, 241Am, 207Bi, 210Pb, and 7Be were measured in 14 samples. Analysis of the materials suggests that cryoconite contains radioactive contamination deposited in the glacier in the period from September 1957 to December 1962 as a result of atmospheric nuclear explosions at the Sukhoy Nos test site, located 100 km from the glacier. Extremely high Bi, Ag, Sb, Mo, Pb, Sn contents and a strong correlation with anthropogenic radionuclides may indicate the technogenic emission of these elements during the destructive impact of nuclear explosions on bedrock, the metallogenic specialization of which corresponds to rich polymetallic mineralization.

Estimation of Background Radiation from A Soil Sample from A Barley Farm Area and Malt Factory in East Arsi, Ethiopia

The aim of this work is to estimate the background radiation of a soil sample from the barley farm area and Malt factory in East Arsi, Ethiopia. The technique of gamma-ray spectrometry with a high-purity germanium (HPGe) gamma-ray detector and a PC-based MCA was used. The activity concentration levels due to 40K, 137Cs, 238U, and 232Th were measured within the study area at a depth of 30 cm. The soils of the study region are used as construction material by many farmers. The measured specific activity of those radionuclides was compared with the data reported worldwide. The specific activity of radionuclides was estimated in both study locations. The specific activity 238U of soil samples ranged from 41.0 Bq kg-1 to 30.7 Bq kg-1 in the barley farm, with a mean value of 37.7 Bq kg-1, and for malt ranged from 23.8 Bq kg-1 to 40.6 Bq kg-1, with a mean value of 32.5 Bq kg-1. The specific activity of 232Th in soil samples ranged from 89.9 Bq kg-1 to 156.0 Bq kg-1, with a mean value of 118.6 Bq kg-1, whereas for the Malt factory ranged from 121.0 Bq kg-1 to 128.0 Bq kg-1, with a mean value of 123.7 Bq kg-1. In barley soil samples, the specific activity of 40K ranged from 401.0 Bq kg-1 to 530.0 Bq kg-1 with a mean value at the Malt plant ranged from 518 Bq kg-1 to 598.0 Bq kg-1, with a mean value of 553.6 Bq kg-1. Similarly, the specific activity of 137Cs was determined in both the barley farm and the malt Factory. In barley farm soil samples, it ranged from 3.3 ±0.6 Bq kg-1 to 5.34±0.6 Bq kg-1, and with a mean value of 4.3 Bq kg-1 whereas, in the Malt factory it varied from 3.1 ±0.7 Bq kg-1 to 5.3 ±0.7 Bq kg-1, and with a mean value of 4.5 Bq kg-1. The absorbed dose rate within the barley farm ranged from 24.6 ±2.9 nGyh-1 to 34.1 ±2.9 nGy h-1, and with a mean value of 30.6 nGyh-1, whereas, in the Malt factory, it varied from 31.3 ±1.3 nGy h-1 to 35.5 ±1.3 nGyh-1, and with a mean value of 33.5 nGy h-1. The annual effective radiation dose for BSS and MFSS was calculated to be 37.6 mSv y-1and 41.1mSv y-1. This study revealed that this region lies within a medium radiation background when compared with the world's average. The marginal value of dose is higher within the Malt factory area because of fertilizer consumption for cultivation. Since these estimated background and radiological impact factors are below the recommended values, it seems that there is no potential radiological health hazard related to the soils from both BSS and MFSS in Arsi Asella, Oromia, Ethiopia.

Ecological Half-Life of 137Cs in Fish

In this study, the long-term (i.e., over a 27-year period) dynamics of 137Cs content are presented for seven species of fish in both the cooling pond (CP) of the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant and the Kaniv Reservoir (KR). The decline of 137Cs specific activity in fish exhibits various patterns. For certain years in the KR, fish belonging to different ecological groups experienced an increase rather than a decrease in specific activity levels of 137Cs. From 2012 to 2014, the concentration of 137Cs in all studied species in the KR ranged from 4 to 23 Bq/kg. In the CP during 2012–2013, fish still showed high contamination levels, ranging from 770 to 8300 Bq/kg. The ecological half-life (Teco) was determined for all the studied fish species. For most fish species (i.e., P. fluviatilis, B. bjoerkna, A. brama, S. lucioperca, A. aspius), the shortest 137Cs Teco values were obtained in the CP, being a highly radiocaesium-contaminated waterbody. In contrast, two fish species (R. rutilus and S. glanis) in the CP exhibited a considerably slower rate of 137Cs removal from their bodies compared to even the relatively cleaner KR. Moreover, the 137Cs Teco in R. rutilus and S. glanis was nearly twice as long as that observed in other species within the CP. We assume that the redistribution of 137Cs in the body of fish is affected by multidirectional mechanisms: accumulation, retention, and/or excretion. The functioning of these mechanisms can vary among different fish species. The observed level of 137Cs content in a particular fish species at a given time point results from the combined effects of these mechanisms. Fish likely have the ability to absorb and accumulate radiocaesium in their bodies selectively, and this demand appears to be species-specific.

Influence of operation of thermal and fast reactors of the Beloyarsk NPP on the radioecological situation in river ecosystems

The results of long-term radioecological monitoring of seven rivers in the 15-km zone of influence of the Beloyarsk Nuclear Power Plant have been presented. A comparative analysis of the content of a wide range of natural and artificial radionuclides in the main components of river ecosystems: surface waters, bottom sediments, floodplain soils, macrophytes and ichthyofauna has been made. The influence of waste technological waters of thermal (AMB-100 and AMB-200) and fast (BN-600 and BN-800) reactors of the Beloyarsk NPP on the content of radiologically significant isotopes in the water and bottom sediments of the Pyshma and Olkhovka rivers has been evaluated. It has been studied that the transition from thermal to fast reactors contributed to a significant decrease in the intake of artificial radionuclides into the rivers of the area where the Beloyarsk NPP is located. So, in the water of the Olkhovka river for the period 1978–2019 the decrease in the specific activity of 137Cs was 480, 3H - 36, 90Sr - 3.5 times. The maximum discharge of artificial radioisotopes into river ecosystems was noted during the period of recovery work after emergencies at the AMB-100 and AMB-200 reactors. In recent years, the content of artificial radionuclides in water, macrophytes and ichthyofauna of rivers in the zone of influence of the Beloyarsk NPP, except for the Olkhovka, is at the level of the regional background.

Tissue heterogeneity of mitochondrial activity, biogenesis and mitochondrial protein gene expression in buffalo.

Cellular metabolism is most invariant process, occurring in all living organisms, which involves mitochondrial proteins from both nuclear and mitochondrial genomes. The mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number, protein-coding genes (mtPCGs) expression, and activity vary between various tissues to fulfill specific energy demands across the tissues. In present study, we investigated the OXPHOS complexes and citrate synthase activity in isolated mitochondria from various tissues of freshly slaughtered buffaloes (n = 3). Further, the evaluation of tissue-specific diversity based on the quantification of mtDNA copy numbers was performed and also comprised an expression study of 13 mtPCGs. We found that the functional activity of individual OXPHOS complex I was significantly higher in the liver compared to muscle and brain. Additionally, OXPHOS complex III and V activities was observed significantly higher levels in liver compared to heart, ovary, and brain. Similarly, CS-specific activity differs between tissues, with the ovary, kidney, and liver having significantly greater. Furthermore, we revealed the mtDNA copy number was strictly tissue-specific, with muscle and brain tissues exhibiting the highest levels. Among 13 PCGs expression analyses, mRNA abundances in all genes were differentially expressed among the different tissue. Overall, our results indicate the existence of a tissue-specific variation in mitochondrial activity, bioenergetics, and mtPCGs expression among various types of buffalo tissues. This study serves as a critical first stage in gathering vital comparable data about the physiological function of mitochondria in energy metabolism in distinct tissues, laying the groundwork for future mitochondrial based diagnosis and research.

Assessment of Radioactivity Concentration in Milk Samples Consumed in Italy

Background and Objectives: Being highly consumed by the population for nutritional purposes, the monitoring of radionuclides in milk represents a very important task for the protection of human health. The present paper reports the results of an investigation aimed at determining the natural and anthropogenic radioactivity content in milk and assessing the radiological health risks due to its ingestion. Methods: Liquid for infants, Ultra Heat Treated (UHT) sheep, UHT cow, and UHT goat milk samples, coming from Italian large retailers, were investigated. In particular, a total of twenty samples, five for each type, were analyzed by using High Purity Germanium (HPGe) gamma-ray spectrometry, with the ultimate goal of quantifying the specific activity of natural and anthropic radionuclides (40K and 137Cs, respectively). The evaluation of dose levels due to the milk ingestion was also performed for six age categories, namely infants, 1-5, 5-10, 10-15, 15-17 years old, and adults (> 17 years old), taking into account the average yearly direct consumption in Italy and under the a priori hypothesis that this need can be satisfied by a single variety of milk. Results: The mean specific activity of 40K varies from (30 ± 4) Bq L-1 to (48 ± 6) Bq L-1; the lowest value was obtained for the UHT sheep milk, while the highest one for the UHT cow milk, with investigated Italian large retailers milk samples presenting an activity concentration of (38 ± 5) Bq L-1 on average. The 137Cs specific activity is lower than the minimum detectable activity (MDA) value for all investigated samples. Regarding the dose levels due to the milk ingestion, the obtained values remain below the threshold value of 1 mSv y-1 set by the Italian legislation. Conclusion: Reported results then show that the radiation dose incurred from the ingestion of the investigated milk samples poses no significant health effect on the population from a radiological point of view.

ACCUMULATION OF 137Cs, Pb, Cd, Сu IN THE MUSCLE TISSUE AND LIVER OF PIGS GETTING DIFFERENT RATIONS

Experimental studies on young pigs of the large white breed were conducted on the territory of the physiological yard of the Polissia Institute of Agriculture of the National Academy of Sciences (III zone of radioactive contamination due to the accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant). To conduct the experiment, 2 groups of experimental animals were formed: Group I (control) was fed with grain mixture № 1 with narrow-leaved lupine (alkaloid-free) and sunflower cake; II group (experimental) received grain mixture № 2 with genetically modified soy. Experimental pigs were kept in one room according to the accepted technology in group cages equipped with a wooden floor. The mode of feeding and drinking, parameters of the microclimate in both groups were the same. According to the results of tests conducted at the Ukrainian Laboratory of Quality and Safety of Agricultural Products, it was established that soybeans contain genetically modified deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), have the target sequence of the 35S+FMV promoter of the cauliflower mosaic virus and the NOS terminator (nopaline synthase) of Agrobacterium tumefaciens. The specific activity of 137Cs in the longest back muscle of pigs varied by group within 3.7-10.3 Bq/kg and did not exceed permissible levels (DR-2006 = 200 Bq/kg). When used as part of the GM soybean grain mixture, the concentration of radiocesium in the muscle tissue of animals of the II (experimental) group relative to the control decreased by 6.6 Bq/kg, or by 64.1% with a statistically significant difference (Р> 0.95). Moreover, the accumulation rate of 137Cs in the longest back muscle of piglets was 0.46-0.95 and was 2.1 times higher in young pigs that received grain mixture No. 1 without GM soybeans, compared to the use of grain mixture No. 2. The concentration of Pb in the slaughter products of experimental animals was significantly lower than the MPC, while the level of contamination of the longest back muscle of pigs Cd exceeded the regulatory requirements by 1.40-1.44 times. The introduction of 60% (by mass) of corn gain and 10% of GM soybeans into the grain mixture instead of the same amount of wheat grain, lupine and sunflower cake for fattening young pigs in the III zone of radioactive pollution contributes to a smaller accumulation of heavy metals in meat: Pb – by 17.5%, Cd – by 2.8%, Cu – by 4.2%. Therefore, the transition coefficients of Pb and Cd into the muscle tissue of animals of the II (experimental) group relative to the analogues of the I (control) group increased by 1.24% and 3.02% respectively, and Cu decreased by 0.23%.

Миграция 137Cs в экосистеме поймы р. Унеча

Purpose: to study the ¹³⁷Cs migration and concentration in the alluvial soils profile and the radionuclide transfer to plants in the river Unecha floodplain ecosystem. Materials and methods. Field studies were carried out in 2019–2021 in Bryansk region (Klintsovsky district, the village of Lopatni, the right bank of the river Unecha, the current reclamation system). The density of ¹³⁷Cs contamination of the territory after the Chernobyl accident was 185–555 kBq/m². Conjugated soil and plant samples were taken in various sub-systems of the floodplain (near-channel, central, near-terrace). Agrochemical indicators of fer-tility and ¹³⁷Cs specific activity in soil and plants were determined using generally accepted laboratory methods. Results. A strong variability of the agrochemical parameters of alluvial soils in layers every 5 cm within 0–20 cm was determined. A high content of mobile phos-phorus and a low content of potassium, a strongly acid reaction of the environment, and a ten-dency to the growth in the organic carbon content from the near-channel to near-terraсе floodplain subsystem was found. The ¹³⁷Cs horizontal distribution in the river Unecha flood-plain soils was determined by soil genesis of the floodplain subsystems; the maximum specific activity of ¹³⁷Cs 3953 Bq/kg was found in the near-terrace part of the floodplain. The ¹³⁷Cs maximum concentration was found in the near-channel and central subsystem in the soil layer of 0–5 cm, and in the near-terrace subsystem in the layer of 5–10 cm. In the floodplain of the river Unecha, the ¹³⁷Cs coefficient transfer from soil to plants decreases from the central to the near-channel and near-terrace. Conclusions. The formation of agrochemical indicators of al-luvial soil fertility and the ¹³⁷Cs vertical distribution is determined by soil genesis in floodplain subsystems; it can be uniformly decreasing or concentrated in separate layers at biochemical barriers. In the floodplain ecosystem, the ¹³⁷Cs concentration in the 0–20 cm layer increases from the near-channel to near-terrace subsystem. Forage production under the conditions of radioactive contamination of the near-river and central parts of the floodplain is possible without the use of protective measures.

Сравнение моделей 210Pb-датирования применительно к торфяным отложениям Европейской Субарктики России (на примере Архангельской области)

The dating of young peatlands with 210Pb method is a difficult task. Standard 210Pb dating models require an exponential decrease in activity down the peat profile. In Arctic peatlands, we note a significant migratory capacity of lead, therefore, for accurate dating of peat, it is necessary to improve the existing dating models to eliminate the effect of migration and their verification using independent isotope chronometers, for example, 137Cs. We applied several models CA, CFCS, PF, CF together with the Monte Carlo method for peat core samples taken within the European Subarctic of Russia (Arkhangelsk region). Comparison with the specific activities of 137Cs, determined at a depth of 19—21 cm, associated with the global fallout in 1963, showed that the closest age to the specified reference point is given by the CFCS and CF models (1965 and 1962, respectively). Among these two options, CF using the Monte Carlo method turned out to be preferable, since it provided, taking into account the error, a slightly better agreement with the specific activities of 137Cs in the reference horizon. Despite the difficulties associated with the complex distribution of 210Pb over the peat section due to migration, the dating methods used were successful and, in the future, can be applied to dating other peat deposits.

Yields and grain quality of winter rye cultivated on sod-podzolic radioactively contaminated soil depending on the applied means of chemicalization

Relevance. The effect of mineral fertilizers of various degrees of saturation and the biological preparation Albit on the yields and quality of winter rye grain of the Moskovskaya-12 variety has been studied in a stationary field experiment on the radioactively contaminated sod-podzolic sandy loam soil. Methods. The researchers conducted (2019–2021) at the experimental field of the Novozybkov branch of the Bryansk State Agrarian University established that the highest yield of winter rye grain (4.37 t/ha) was formed when using full mineral fertilizer N90P60K150 against the background of treatment of winter rye plants with biopreparation Albit. Results. Under the influence of the applied means of chemicalization, an improvement in the biophysical parameters of winter rye grain has been noted. The content of raw protein in winter rye grain, depending on the fertilizer systems used, has varied from 11.3 to 13.5% with its highest collection (0.599 t/ha) per unit area when using the N90P60K150 fertilizer system in combination with the biopreparation Albit. The use of the complete mineral fertilizer (NPK) with consistently increasing doses of potassium both separately and in combination with the biopreparation Albit has contributed to a decrease in the specific activity of 137Cs in winter rye grain by more than 2.1 times in comparison with the control.