The Effect of Radionuclide and Chemical Contamination on Morphological and Anatomical Parameters of Plants.

This article presents the results of a study of the influence of radionuclide and chemical pollution on the morphological and anatomical parameters of plants growing in the territory of "Degelen" at the Semipalatinsk Test Site (STS). Quantitative data of morphological and anatomical parameters are given, and the content of radionuclides and toxic elements in samples of plants obtained. Statistical processing of the obtained data was conducted.

The character of Lake Kishkensor contamination in the area of underground nuclear explosions at the Semipalatinsk Test Site territory.

The timely identification of areas where man-made radionuclides migrate through water streams is highly important for the territory of the former Semipalatinsk Test Site since the aquatic environment is currently a source of secondary contamination of environment. This article presents research findings on radioactively contaminated Lake Kishkensor located at the Semipalatinsk Test Site territory. As a result of this research, a new locally contaminated spot was discovered in the vicinity of the "Balapan" test site.

Nuclear-excited source of coherent and incoherent radiation with direct nuclear pumping.

Uranium fission fragments, as well as the products of He(n,p)H and B(n,α)Li nuclear reactions were utilized in the nuclear reactor for gas ionization and excitation. However, the Li(n,α)H nuclear reaction was less examined. The use of lithium-6 as a surface source of excitation of the gas medium, due to the long path length of tritium nuclei in the gas, allows to excite large volumes of gas as opposed to using U or B.

Assessment of the radionuclide and chemical composition of the Irtysh River water at the Republic of Kazakhstan territory.

The transboundary Irtysh River flows through the territory of three states: China, Kazakhstan and Russia. Industrial enterprises are located in the Irtysh River basin at the territory of Kazakhstan. Also, the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site can affect the state of the Irtysh River water.

Determination of the geographical coordinates of the aboveground nuclear tests epicenters.

This paper presents the determination method of the exact geographical coordinates of aboveground nuclear tests (NT) epicenters based on the radioecological study results the example of the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site. By testing the NT Epicenter software for determining the exact geographic coordinates of the NT centers, it was established that it is indeed possible to determine the exact coordinates of most of the aboveground NTs. Their locations are currently determined by the presence are currently determined by the presence of technogenic disturbance of the soil surface in the area of the alleged epicenter (the presence of a crater), as well as by comparing maps of radioactive contamination and a space image.

Artificial radionuclides in the plant cover around nuclear fuel cycle facilities.

This paper presents research on the assessment of the radioecological state of plant cover surrounding two research reactor facilities located within the Semipalatinsk Test Site (STS) as examples of nuclear fuel cycle facilities (NFC). Source data on the concentrations of artificial radionuclides in the plant cover were obtained. Quantitative values for 137Cs, 241Am, and 239+240Pu activity concentrations were determined in plants across the perimeters of the facilities, indicating that these compounds may be present in the associated media from the perspective of accumulative bioindication.

Tritium distribution in the 'water-soil-air' system in the Semipalatinsk Test Site.

This article presents research findings on 3H in abiotic environmental compartments, specifically, the 'water-soil-air' system. All of the research areas are located within the Semipalatinsk Test Site (STS): the perimeter of the 'Degelen' site, the riverside zone of the Shagan river and the 'background' area-the southeastern part of the STS (SEP). As research progressed, numerical values of 3H and its species were revealed in various environmental compartments.

Characterization of geological and lithological features in the area proximal to tritium-contaminated groundwater at the Semipalatinsk test site.

The article presents the results of a study of groundwater contaminated with tritium in the vicinity of the 'Atomic Lake' - a crater filled with water as a result of a thermonuclear explosion on the territory of the former Semipalatinsk test site. This crater was created as part of an experimental thermonuclear explosion in 1965 with the aim of creating an artificial reservoir in arid areas. The study was carried out to identify the source of groundwater contamination near the crater formed from a thermonuclear test.

Effects of Radioactive MnO Particle Inhalation on Mouse Lungs: A Comparison between C57BL and BALB/c.

The effects of residual radiation from atomic bombs have been considered to be minimal because of its low levels of external radioactivity. However, studies involving atomic bomb survivors exposed to only residual radiation in Hiroshima and Nagasaki have indicated possible adverse health effects. Thus, we investigated the biological effects of radioactive dust of manganese dioxide 56 (MnO), a major radioisotope formed in soil by neutron beams from a bomb.

Influence of Diabase Filler on the Structure and Tribological Properties of Coatings Based on Ultrahigh Molecular Weight Polyethylene.

This article presents the results of a study of a composite coating made of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) with a diabase filler obtained by flame spraying. Diabase of 10 wt.%, 20 wt.

Radiation makes cells select the form of death dependent on external or internal exposure: apoptosis or pyroptosis.

Internal radiation exposure from neutron-induced radioisotopes environmentally activated following atomic bombing or nuclear accidents should be considered for a complete picture of pathologic effects on survivors. Acute and localized high dose radiation exposure from hot particles taken into the body must induce cell death and severe damage to tissues, whether they are proliferating or not. However, very little the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying this internal radiation pathology has been investigated.

Effects of Internal Exposure of Radioactive MnO Particles on the Lung in C57BL Mice.

The investigation of the radiation effects of the atomic bombing in Hiroshima and Nagasaki has revealed concerns about the impact of the residual radioactive dust produced in the soil. Manganese-56 is one of the major radioisotopes produced by neutrons from the bomb; hence, we previously examined the biological effects of manganese dioxide-56 (MnO) in Wistar rats, in which significant changes were found in the lung. In the present study, ten-week-old male C57BL mice were exposed to three doses of radioactive MnO, stable MnO particles, or external γ-rays (2 Gy) to further examine the effects of MnO in a different species.

Influence of the Carbidized Tungsten Surface on the Processes of Interaction with Helium Plasma.

This paper presents the results of experimental studies of the interaction of helium plasma with a near-surface tungsten carbide layer. The experiments were implemented at the plasma-beam installation. The helium plasma loading conditions were close to those expected in the ITER divertor.

The character of radionuclide contamination of natural lakes at the territory of the Semipalatinsk test site.

The paper presents data on the research of the radionuclide contamination redistribution in the ecosystems of natural lakes at the Semipalatinsk test site and adjacent territories. Natural lakes, which are the research objects, are located on the territory of the test sites, in the zone of their influence, in the zone impacted by radioactive fallout or in the "background" territories. Sampling of water, bottom sediments and plants was carried out, in which the content of radionuclides Am, Cs, Sr and Pu was determined.

Influence of Hydrogen Plasma on the Surface Structure of Beryllium.

This paper presents the research results of hydrogen plasma effect on the surface structure of the TGP-56 beryllium. In the linear simulator, the operating conditions of the first wall of ITER are simulated. Beryllium was irradiated with hydrogen plasma at surface temperatures of ~360 °C, ~800 °C, and ~1200 °C, depending on its location in the ITER chamber; with a different number of pulses with a duration of each pulse of 500 s.

Effect of a High-Temperature Treatment on Structural-Phase State and Mechanical Properties of IMC of the Ti-25Al-25Nb at.% System.

In this research, samples of an alloy with a bimodal structure were studied on the basis of a previously developed technology for obtaining hydrogen storage materials based on the Ti-Al-Nb system. The results of SPS of mechanically activated powder mixtures of the Ti-Al-Nb system at a temperature of 1300 °C make it possible to obtain an alloy with a predominantly bimodal structure. However, an insignificant presence of TiAl, AlNb phases, and unreacted niobium is still observed in the structure.

Effects of internal exposure to neutron-activated 56MnO2 powder on locomotor activity in rats.

At the detonation of the atomic bombing in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, a significant amount of radionuclides was produced by the neutron induced activation. The residual radiation from the explosion is crucial to the health risk of the people who entered these cities after the bombing and might have inhaled these radioactive materials. Because 56Mn is one of the major radionuclides produced in soil and have not been studied until now, we had conducted a series of experiments using rats to investigate the biological impacts of exposure of 56MnO2 particles.

Can stable elements (Cs and Sr) be used as proxies for the estimation of radionuclide soil-plant transfer factors?

Transfer parameters are key inputs for modeling radionuclide transfer in the environment and estimating risk to humans and wildlife. However, there are no data for many radionuclide-foodstuff/wildlife species combinations. The use of parameters derived from stable element data when data for radionuclides are lacking is increasingly common.

Assessment of the tritium distribution in the vegetation cover in the areas of underground nuclear explosions at the Semipalatinsk test site.

This paper provides results of assessment of the tritium distribution in the vegetation cover in the areas of underground nuclear explosions at the Semipalatinsk Test Site (STS). The research was conducted at the former "Degelen" test site along the streams that are one of the main channels of tritium migration from underground nuclear explosions epicenters. The dominant plant species Carex supine and Achnatherum splendens that belong to different ecological groups in relation to humidity were selected as representatives of the vegetation cover.

Using of Radial-Shear Rolling to Improve the Structure and Radiation Resistance of Zirconium-Based Alloys.

An overview of the prospects for the development of nuclear technologies and the conclusion of the relevant requirements for advanced structural materials, their classification and features were performed. In order to obtain a bar with a modified radiation-resistant outer layer, an experiment of radial-shear rolling under the most stringent conditions was carried out. For the same conditions, a FEM-simulation of sequential rolling in eight passes with a total compression of 70.

Development of measures for limiting negative impacts of the «Atomic» lake on population and environment.

In arid climate, economic activities at the territory of the "Atomic" lake is one of the topical issues for the Semipalatinsk test site (STS). Hence, the boundaries of areas with radionuclides contamination, which correspond to the level of radioactive wastes at the territory adjacent to the "Atomic" lake of STS, are to be determined. The territory around the lake is used for cattle breeding and the water of the "Atomic" lake that is the one large water source is used for livestock watering.

Low-Dose Radiation Exposure with MnO Powder Changes Gene Expressions in the Testes and the Prostate in Rats.

To investigate the biological effects of internal exposure of radioactive MnO powder, the major radioisotope dust in the soil after atomic bomb explosions, on male reproductive function, the gene expression of the testes and the prostate was examined. Ten-week-old male Wistar rats were exposed to three doses of radioactive MnO powder (41-100 mGy in whole body doses), stable MnO powder, or external Co γ-rays (2 Gy). Animals were necropsied on Days 3 and 61 postexposure.

Impact of Local High Doses of Radiation by Neutron Activated Mn Dioxide Powder in Rat Lungs: Protracted Pathologic Damage Initiated by Internal Exposure.

Internal radiation exposure from neutron-induced radioisotopes environmentally activated following atomic bombing or nuclear accidents should be considered for a complete picture of pathologic effects on survivors. Inhaled hot particles expose neighboring tissues to locally ultra-high doses of β-rays and can cause pathologic damage. MnO powder was activated by a nuclear reactor to make MnO which emits β-rays.

Nedis-Serpent simulation of a neutron source assembly with complex internal heterogeneous structure.

The hybrid use of Nedis-2m and Serpent 2.1.30 codes to predict the radiation characteristics (i.

Effects of Internal Exposure to MnO Powder on Blood Parameters in Rats.

Objective: The pathological effects of internal exposure to manganese dioxide-56 (MnO) radioisotope particles have been previously examined in rats. Here we further examine the effects of MnO, focusing on changes in blood parameters.

Materials And Methods: Ten-week-old male Wistar rats were exposed to 3 doses of neutron-activated MnO powder, nonradioactive MnO powder, or external 60Co γ-rays (1 Gy, whole body).