A new certified reference material IAEA-465 for radionuclides in Baltic Sea sediment.

Certified reference material (CRM) for natural (K,Pb,Po,Ra,Ra,Th,Th,Th,U,U, andU) and anthropogenic (Cs,Pu, andAm) radionuclides in marine sediment from the Baltic Sea (IAEA-465) has been developed. Information values are given for Pu,Pu andPu. Altogether 27 laboratories participated in this exercise.

Plutonium isotopes in the ground air layer in southern Poland (2010-2016): Source terms, seasonal variability and correlations with meteorological conditions.

In this study, the results of the analysis of Pu-238 and Pu-239 + 240 activity concentrations on aerosol filters collected from 2010 to 2016 in Krakow (Southern Poland) are presented and discussed. For the first time, the temporal variation of Pu-239 + 240 activity concentration in surface air in Poland was studied using Fourier analysis. The analysis clearly showed that the Pu-239 + 240 content in the near-ground air layer is subject to seasonal variations and demonstrates annual periodicity.

On a risk of inhalation exposure during visits in Chernobyl exclusion zone.

In recent years Chernobyl exclusion zone has become a very popular tourist destination. Many people visiting power plant, Pripyat city or surrounding villages use different types of personal dosimeters to control external exposure, however very small group of tourist have opportunity to control internal contamination of respiratory tract using dedicated, high sensitive whole body counters. In this study 11 anti-dust masks collected from CEZ visitors and filters from one military MP-5 mask were analyzed using alpha, beta and gamma spectrometry to determine doses from actinides and fission products which can be inhaled without proper protective equipment.

Air radioactivity in Marambio Base: The peculiar character of Antarctic Peninsula.

The Antarctic region is considered to be the least contaminated in the world due to its specific location and separation of this area as well as low activity of humans (Hashimoto et al., 1988). Additionally, in accordance with the provision of the Antarctic Treaty System (Antarctic Treaty Secretariat, 2020) it is prohibited to conduct any actions with nuclear materials in this area.

Europe-Wide Atmospheric Radionuclide Dispersion by Unprecedented Wildfires in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, April 2020.

From early April 2020, wildfires raged in the highly contaminated areas around the Chernobyl nuclear power plant (CNPP), Ukraine. For about 4 weeks, the fires spread around and into the Chernobyl exclusion zone (CEZ) and came within a few kilometers of both the CNPP and radioactive waste storage facilities. Wildfires occurred on several occasions throughout the month of April.

Assessment of internal radiation exposure to Antarctic biota due to selected natural radionuclides in terrestrial and marine environment.

The present article introduces data on natural radioactivity (K, Th, U) in the Antarctic marine and terrestrial environment. Various biota samples were analysed due to internal exposure to K, Th, U. Activity concentration of K was the highest in both marine and terrestrial samples.

Search for tritium in air in a room equipped with 14 MeV neutron generator with tritiated targets.

Eight documented tritiated targets were stored, as well as some very old targets with unknown activity, in a room equipped with an ING-114 14 MeV fast neutron generator. When the neutron generator was running, the tritiated targets were irradiated with a deuterium beam. The aim of this work is to determine the tritium content in the room's atmosphere, as well as the radiation exposure of workers in the room.

Anthropogenic radionuclides in Antarctic biota - dosimetrical considerations.

The article presents results of the research on artificial radionuclides (Cs, Sr, Am) in the Antarctic environment. Samples of 12 species from the marine environment: Pygoscelis adeliae, Pygoscelis papua, Macronectes giganteus, Pagodroma nivea, Catharacta antarctica, Leptonychotes weddellii, Mirounga leonina, Harpagifer antarcticus, Chaenocephalus aceratus, Nacella concinna, Himantothallus grandifolius, Iridaea cordata (bones, feathers, soft tissues, eggs' shells of birds, bones, skin, fur of mammals, fish, mollusks' soft tissues and shells, algae) and samples of 4 species from the terrestrial environment: Sanionia uncinata, Usnea antarctica, Usnea aurantiaco-atra, Deschampsia antarctica (mosses, lichens, grass) were investigated. Differences in the accumulation of Cs between marine and terrestrial ecosystem were shown, which are mostly due to conservatism of mosses and lichens and active removal of cesium by animal body.

Environmental radioactivity aspects of recent nuclear accidents associated with undeclared nuclear activities and suggestion for new monitoring strategies.

Recently environmental radionuclide signals were observed in the atmosphere which could be associated with undeclared nuclear activities, not directly connected with development of nuclear weapons. Large-scale contamination of European air with Ru-106 observed in 2017 may represent such an accident, which was probably associated with the Mayak nuclear fuel reprocessing facility in the Chelyabinsk region of Russia. A recently announced nuclear accident at Nyonoska in the Archangelsk region may represent an undeclared nuclear activity associated with the development of a nuclear jet engine which could be based on radionuclide energy generator or a small nuclear reactor.

The radioactive contamination study in south-western Greenland tundra in 2012-2013.

The paper presents results of the radioecological investigation carried out in south-western Greenland shoreline. There were examined over 50 samples of lichens and mosses collected from 7 locations during two scientific expeditions conducted in the summer of 2012-2013. The levels, trends and the most likely origin were determined for following natural and artificial radionuclides: Sr, Cs, Th, U, Pu and Am.

Sources and variation of isotopic ratio of airborne radionuclides in Western Arctic lichens and mosses.

This research concerned radioactivity of lichens and mosses from coastal zones of the Canadian Arctic and Alaska. Over 50 samples were collected from 7 positions during two scientific expeditions in 2012 and 2013. The tundra contamination caused by anthropogenic radionuclides was relatively low, reaching mean values with SD's of: 17.

Airborne concentrations and chemical considerations of radioactive ruthenium from an undeclared major nuclear release in 2017.

In October 2017, most European countries reported unique atmospheric detections of aerosol-bound radioruthenium (Ru). The range of concentrations varied from some tenths of µBq·m to more than 150 mBq·m The widespread detection at such considerable (yet innocuous) levels suggested a considerable release. To compare activity reports of airborne Ru with different sampling periods, concentrations were reconstructed based on the most probable plume presence duration at each location.

An episode of Ru-106 in air over Europe, September-October 2017 - Geographical distribution of inhalation dose over Europe.

Between the end of September and early October 2017, Ru was recorded by air monitoring stations across parts of Europe. In the environment, this purely anthropogenic radionuclide can be detected very rarely only. As far as known, Ru is only used in radiotherapy and possibly in radiothermal generators.

Plutonium and thorium isotopes in the bottom sediments of some Mazurian Lakes (Poland).

Presented are results on the Pu and Th isotopes activity concentration found in the upper part of bottom sediments collected from a deep part of 29 lakes in N-E Poland by diving in 2000. Analyses of Pu isotopic ratios allowed for the discussion of Pu origin. Maximum percentage of Pu activity from Chernobyl fallout was 24%.

Variations of plutonium isotopic ratios in Antarctic ecosystems.

The aim of the article was to verify the hypothesis concerning the diversification of plutonium sources in the natural environment of Antarctica. Plutonium activity and atom ratios were analyzed in two groups of biological samples: terrestrial and marine. Both isotopic ratios in the terrestrial set were consistent with global radioactive fallout ratios.

Medical activated charcoal tablets as a cheap tool for passive monitoring of gaseous I activity in air of nuclear medicine departments.

It is well known that monitoring of radioactivity released from nuclear medicine departments is necessary to ensure the radiological safety of patients and personnel. Unfortunately, equipment for air sampling is often expensive, loud and is not suitable to use in hospitals. Our goal was to find cheap and simple system for passive monitoring of I activity concentration in the air of nuclear medicine departments.

The sources of high airborne radioactivity in cryoconite holes from the Caucasus (Georgia).

Cryoconite granules are mixtures of mineral particles, organic substances and organisms on the surface of glaciers where they decrease the ice albedo and are responsible for formation of water-filled holes. The contaminants are effectively trapped in the cryoconite granules and stay there for many years. This study evaluates the contamination level of artificial and natural radionuclides in cryoconite holes from Adishi glacier (Georgia) and identifies the sources of contamination based on activity or mass ratios among artificial radionuclides.

Potential Source Apportionment and Meteorological Conditions Involved in Airborne I Detections in January/February 2017 in Europe.

Traces of particulate radioactive iodine (I) were detected in the European atmosphere in January/February 2017. Concentrations of this nuclear fission product were very low, ranging 0.1 to 10 μBq m except at one location in western Russia where they reached up to several mBq m.

Measurement of I activity in air indoor Polish nuclear medical hospital as a tool for an internal dose assessment.

This paper presents results of I air activity measurements performed within nuclear medical hospitals as a tool for internal dose assessment. The study was conducted at a place of preparation and administration of I ("hot room") and at a nurse station. I activity measurements were performed for 5 and 4 consecutive working days, at the "hot room" and nurse station, respectively.

Determination of element composition and extraterrestrial material occurrence in moss and lichen samples from King George Island (Antarctica) using reactor neutron activation analysis and SEM microscopy.

Seven lichens (Usnea antarctica and U. aurantiacoatra) and nine moss samples (Sanionia uncinata) collected in King George Island were analyzed using instrumental neutron activation analysis, and concentration of major and trace elements was calculated. For some elements, the concentrations observed in moss samples were higher than corresponding values reported from other sites in the Antarctica, but in the lichens, these were in the same range of concentrations.

Sc production development by cyclotron irradiation of Ca.

The therapeutic radionuclide Sc was produced through the Ca(p,2n) channel on a proton beam accelerator. The obtained results show that the optimum proton energies are in the range of 24-17 MeV, giving the possibility to produce Sc radionuclide containing 7.4% of Sc.

Variations in Pu isotopic composition in soils from the Spitsbergen (Norway): Three potential pollution sources of the Arctic region.

Although the polar regions have not been industrialised, numerous contaminants originating from human activity are detectable in the Arctic environment. This study reports evidence of Pu/Pu atomic ratios in the tundra and initial soils from different parts of west and central Spitsbergen and recognizes possible environmental inputs of non-global fallout Pu. The average atomic ratio of Pu/Pu equal to 0.

Measurement of I activity in thyroid of nuclear medical staff and internal dose assessment in a Polish nuclear medical hospital.

This paper presents results of I thyroid activity measurements in 30 members of the nuclear medicine personnel of the Department of Endocrinology and Nuclear Medicine Holy Cross Cancer Centre in Kielce, Poland. A whole-body spectrometer equipped with two semiconductor gamma radiation detectors served as the basic research instrument. In ten out of 30 examined staff members, the determined I activity was found to be above the detection limit (DL = 5 Bq of I in the thyroid).

I age-dependent inhalation dose in Southern Poland from Fukushima accident.

A general method for calculating doses absorbed from isotopes released in nuclear accidents is presented. As an example, this method was used to calculate doses for inhabitants of Southern Poland due to inhalation of I released due to the Fukushima nuclear plant accident. I activity measurements in the air of that region provided the basis for the study.

Combined, sequential procedure for determination of Cs, K, Ni, Sr, Th, U, Np, Pu and Am applied for study on contamination of soils near Żarnowiec Lake (northern Poland).

The paper summarizes results of investigation of the current state of radioactive contamination on site being under consideration for planned nuclear power plant in northern Poland. Thanks to use of sequential procedure it was possible to determine activity concentrations for radioisotopes of nine elements, both natural and artificial. Results show that observed levels of radioactive contamination are rather typical for central Europe and global fallout is dominant factor of presence of artificial radionuclides.