Evaluating steady-state soil thickness by coupling uranium series and 10Be cosmogenic radionuclides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vanacker, Veerle; Schoonejans, Jerome; Opfergelt, Sophie; Granet, Matthieu; Christl, Marcus; Chabaux, Francois

2017-04-01

Within the Critical Zone, the development of the regolith mantle is controlled by the downwards propagation of the weathering front into the bedrock and denudation at the surface of the regolith by mass movements, water and wind erosion. When the removal of surface material is approximately balanced by the soil production, the soil system is assumed to be in steady-state. The steady state soil thickness (or so-called SSST) can be considered as a dynamic equilibrium of the system, where the thickness of the soil mantle stays relatively constant over time. In this study, we present and compare analytical data from two independent isotopic techniques: in-situ produced cosmogenic nuclides and U-series disequilibria to constrain soil development under semi-arid climatic conditions. The Spanish Betic Cordillera (Southeast Spain) was selected for this study, as it offers us a unique opportunity to analyze soil thickness steady-state conditions for thin soils of semiarid environments. Three soil profiles were sampled across the Betic Ranges, at the ridge crest of zero-order catchments with distinct topographic relief, hillslope gradient and 10Be-derived denudation rate. The magnitude of soil production rates determined based on U-series isotopes (238U, 234U, 230Th and 226Ra) is in the same order of magnitude as the 10Be-derived denudation rates, suggesting steady state soil thickness in two out of three sampling sites. The results suggest that coupling U-series isotopes with in-situ produced radionuclides can provide new insights in the rates of soil development; and also illustrate the potential frontiers in applying U-series disequilibria to track soil production in rapidly eroding landscapes characterized by thin weathering depths.

Radiation Doses to Members of the U.S. Population from Ubiquitous Radionuclides in the Body: Part 3, Results, Variability, and Uncertainty

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Watson, David J.; Strom, Daniel J.

This paper is part three of a three-part series investigating annual effective doses to residents of the United States from intakes of ubiquitous radionuclides, including radionuclides occurring naturally, radionuclides whose concentrations are technologically enhanced, and anthropogenic radionuclides. The radionuclides of interest are the 238U series (14 nuclides), the actinium series (headed by 235U; 11 nuclides), and the 232Th series (11 nuclides); primordial radionuclides 87Rb and 40K; cosmogenic and fallout radionuclides 14C and 3H; and purely anthropogenic radionuclides 137Cs-137mBa, 129I and 90Sr-90Y. This series of papers explicitly excludes intakes from inhaling 222Rn, 220Rn, and their short-lived decay products; it also excludesmore » intakes of radionuclides in occupational and medical settings. Part one reviewed, summarized, characterized, and grouped all published and some unpublished data for U.S. residents on ubiquitous radionuclide concentrations in tissues and organs. Part two described the methods used to organize the data collected in part one and segregate it into the ages and genders defined by the study, imputed missing values from the existing data, apportioned activity in bone, and imputed activity in hollow organ contents and the remainder of the body. This paper estimates equivalent doses to target tissues from source regions and maps target tissues to lists of tissues with International Commission on Radiation Protection (ICRP) tissue-weighting factors or to surrogate tissue regions when there is no direct match. Effective doses, using ICRP tissue-weighting factors recommended in 1977, 1990, and 2007, are then calculated, and an upper bound of variability of the effective dose is estimated by calculating the average coefficients of variation (CV), assuming all variance is due to variability. Most of the data were for adult males, whose average annual effective dose is estimated to be 337 μSv (CV = 0.65, geometric mean = 283 �

Th-230 - U-238 series disequilibrium of the Olkaria rhyolites Gregory Rift Valley, Kenya: Residence times

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Black, S.; Macdonald, R.; Kelly, M.

1993-01-01

U-series disequilibrium analyses have been conducted on samples from Olkaria rhyolite centers with ages being available for all but one center using both internal and whole rock isochrons. 67 percent of the rhyolites analyzed show U-Th disequilibrium, ranging from 27 percent excess thorium to 36 percent excess uranium. Internal and whole rock isochrons give crystallization/formation ages between 65 ka and 9 ka, in every case these are substantially older than the eruptive dates. The residence times of the rhyolites (U-Th age minus the eruption date) have decreased almost linearly with time, from 45 ka to 7 Ka suggesting a possible increase of activity within the system related to increased basaltic input. The long residence times are mirrored by large Rn-222 fluxes from the centers which cannot be explained by larger U contents.

Doses of external exposure in Jordan house due to gamma-emitting natural radionuclides in building materials.

PubMed

Al-Jundi, J; Ulanovsky, A; Pröhl, G

2009-10-01

The use of building materials containing naturally occurring radionuclides as (40)K, (232)Th, and (238)U and their progeny results in external exposures of the residents of such buildings. In the present study, indoor dose rates for a typical Jordan concrete room are calculated using Monte Carlo method. Uniform chemical composition of the walls, floor and ceiling as well as uniform mass concentrations of the radionuclides in walls, floor and ceiling are assumed. Using activity concentrations of natural radionuclides typical for the Jordan houses and assuming them to be in secular equilibrium with their progeny, the maximum annual effective doses are estimated to be 0.16, 0.12 and 0.22 mSv a(-1) for (40)K, (232)Th- and (238)U-series, respectively. In a total, the maximum annual effective indoor dose due to external gamma-radiation is 0.50 mSv a(-1). Additionally, organ dose coefficients are calculated for all organs considered in ICRP Publication 74. Breast, skin and eye lenses have the maximum equivalent dose rate values due to indoor exposures caused by the natural radionuclides, while equivalent dose rates for uterus, colon (LLI) and small intestine are found to be the smallest. More specifically, organ dose rates (nSv a(-1)per Bq kg(-1)) vary from 0.044 to 0.060 for (40)K, from 0.44 to 0.60 for radionuclides from (238)U-series and from 0.60 to 0.81 for radionuclides from (232)Th-series. The obtained organ and effective dose conversion coefficients can be conveniently used in practical dose assessment tasks for the rooms of similar geometry and varying activity concentrations and local-specific occupancy factors.

Control of the U and Th behaviour in forest soils

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rihs, Sophie; Gontier, Adrien; Chabaux, François; Pelt, Eric; Turpault, Marie-Pierre

2015-04-01

U- and Th-series disequilibria and U, Th, Fe and Al speciation, were measured in several soil profiles from the experimental forest site of Breuil (Morvan, France) in order to address the impact of the vegetation on U and Th nuclides behaviour in soils. Thirty-five years after an experimental clear-felling of the native forest, the soil developed under two replacing mono-specific plantations (Oak and Douglas fir) were therefore compared to the undisturbed native forest soil. The analogous physical and chemical properties of these soils before the replacement were formerly demonstrated. Our results suggest that a shift in the Iron distribution seems to occur under the stand replaced by Oaks, with a significant replacement of Fe-bearing silicates by well crystallized Fe oxides. In contrast, such evolution was not demonstrated in the soils under Douglas fir. The concurrent loss of U and Th from the soils under Oak was tentatively related to the dissolution of Fe-bearing minerals. A mass balance calculation demonstrates that the observed increase in U oxalate-extracted fractions can quantitatively be explained through the entire profiles by a mere dissolution of up to 20% of U-Fe-bearing silicated minerals, without significant re-adsorption onto the amorphous Fe-Al oxides for U. Beside this primary release from Fe-bearing silicate minerals, the mobility of U and Th seems more likely controlled by Al phases rather than Fe oxides in surface layers during further pedogenic processes. Indeed, some of the U- and Th series disequilibria seem to be strongly related to Al dynamic in these layers. This relationship can be seen in the native forest profiles as well as in the replaced profiles, suggesting that this feature is not linked to the cover change. The redistribution of U and Th isotopes through these pedogenic processes therefore rule out the use of U-series for weathering rate determination in shallowest soils layers. In contrast, below 25 cm, the release of U and Th

Vertical and horizontal distribution of radionuclides (232Th, 238U and 40K) in sediment from Manjung coastal water area Perak, Malaysia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abdullah, Anisa; Hamzah, Zaini; Saat, Ahmad; Wood, Ab. Khalik

2016-01-01

Distribution of radionuclides from anthropogenic activities has been widely studied in marine coastal area. Due to rapid population growth and socio-economic development in Manjung area such as coal fired power plant, iron foundries, port development, waste discharged from factories and agriculture runoff may contribute to increase in pollution rate. The radioactive materials from anthropogenic activities could deteriorate the quality of the marine ecosystem and thus lead to possible radiological health risk to the population. Radionuclides (232Th, 238U and 40K) content in surface and profile sediment from Manjung coastal area was determined in this study. Radionuclides in sediment from seven locations were collected using sediment core sampling and measurements were carried out using Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) spectroscopy. The results show that the concentration of radionuclides in surface sediment and distribution trend of depth vertical profile sediment generally varies depending on locations. Enrichment factors (EF), geo-accumulation index (Igeo) and pollution index (PI) were applied to determine level of pollution of this study area. The radiological risks related to human exposure were evaluated based on external hazard index (Hex).

Natural and artificial radionuclides in the Suez Canal bottom sediments and stream water

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

El-Tahawy, M. S.; Farouk, M. A.; Ibrahiem, N. M.; El-Mongey, S. A. M.

1994-07-01

Concentration of natural and artificial radionuclides in Suez Canal bottom sediments and stream water have been measured using γ spectrometers based on a hyper-pure Ge detector. The activity concentrations of 238U series, 232Th series and 40K did not exceed 16.0, 15.5 and 500.0 Bq kg-1 dry weight for sediments. The activity concentration of 238U series and 40K did not exceed 0.6 and 18.0 Bq 1-1 for stream water.

Modelling the behaviour of uranium-series radionuclides in soils and plants taking into account seasonal variations in soil hydrology.

PubMed

Pérez-Sánchez, D; Thorne, M C

2014-05-01

In a previous paper, a mathematical model for the behaviour of (79)Se in soils and plants was described. Subsequently, a review has been published relating to the behaviour of (238)U-series radionuclides in soils and plants. Here, we bring together those two strands of work to describe a new mathematical model of the behaviour of (238)U-series radionuclides entering soils in solution and their uptake by plants. Initial studies with the model that are reported here demonstrate that it is a powerful tool for exploring the behaviour of this decay chain or subcomponents of it in soil-plant systems under different hydrological regimes. In particular, it permits studies of the degree to which secular equilibrium assumptions are appropriate when modelling this decay chain. Further studies will be undertaken and reported separately examining sensitivities of model results to input parameter values and also applying the model to sites contaminated with (238)U-series radionuclides. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Direct comparison of 210Po, 234Th and POC particle-size distributions and export fluxes at the Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Study (BATS) site.

PubMed

Stewart, Gillian; Moran, S Bradley; Lomas, Michael W; Kelly, Roger P

2011-05-01

Particle-reactive, naturally occurring radionuclides are useful tracers of the sinking flux of organic matter from the surface to the deep ocean. Since the Joint Global Ocean Flux Study (JGOFS) began in 1987, the disequilibrium between (234)Th and its parent (238)U has become widely used as a technique to measure particle export fluxes from surface ocean waters. Another radionuclide pair, (210)Po and (210)Pb, can be used for the same purpose but has not been as widely adopted due to difficulty with accurately constraining the (210)Po/(210)Pb radiochemical balance in the ocean and because of the more time-consuming radiochemical procedures. Direct comparison of particle flux estimated in different ocean regions using these short-lived radionuclides is important in evaluating their utility and accuracy as tracers of particle flux. In this paper, we present paired (234)Th/(238)U and (210)Po/(210)Pb data from oligotrophic surface waters of the subtropical Northwest Atlantic and discuss their advantages and limitations. Vertical profiles of total and particle size-fractionated (210)Po and (234)Th activities, together with particulate organic carbon (POC) concentrations, were measured during three seasons at the Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Study (BATS) site. Both (210)Po and (234)Th reasonably predict sinking POC flux caught in sediment traps, and each tracer provides unique information about the magnitude and efficiency of the ocean's biological pump. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Sharpening the U-Th Chronometer: Progress and Outlook

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McLean, N. M.; Condon, D. J.; Henderson, G. M.; Richards, D. A.; Noble, S.; Mason, A.

2013-12-01

Uranium is incorporated into a variety of natural materials when they form, including carbonates like speleothems and corals. The two most abundant naturally occurring uranium isotopes, 238U and 235U, decay to 206Pb and 207Pb over long timescales with half-lives of 4.5 and 0.7 billion years respectively, but transition through several intermediate daughter isotopes with shorter half-lives first. Fractionation between these daughter isotopes, including 234U, 230Th, and 231Pa, and their parent isotopes, followed by their time-dependent return to secular equilibrium over the course of up to ~800 kyr, forms the basis for U-series geochronology, and allows speleothems and corals to be precisely dated. These carbonates often additionally incorporate chemical and isotopic signatures (e.g., trace elements, δ18O and δ13C) from the environment in which they form, and thus are some of the best dated paleoclimate archives, offering clues about past and future conditions for life on Earth. Over the past decade, the analytical precision of U-series isotope measurements has improved dramatically, largely due to the steadily increasing sensitivity of multiple-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS). Analytical uncertainties in U-Th dates now approach or are better than 0.1% (2σ), for instance ×100 years for a speleothem or coral that is 130 kyr old (Cheng et al., 2013). However, the accuracy of U-series dates also depends on the accuracy of tracer calibrations, reference solutions and data reduction protocols, which has not kept pace in many laboratories. This means that dates measured in different labs, while impressively precise, may not be directly comparable. To address issues of inter-laboratory bias and improve the accuracy and inter-comparability of U-Th dates, we have instigated work in three related directions. First, we report on the mixing of three synthetic U-Th age solutions, created by combining high-purity mono-isotopic solutions to

Evaluation of Pleistocene groundwater flow through fractured tuffs using a U-series disequilibrium approach, Pahute Mesa, Nevada, USA

USGS Publications Warehouse

Paces, James B.; Nichols, Paul J.; Neymark, Leonid A.; Rajaram, Harihar

2013-01-01

Groundwater flow through fractured felsic tuffs and lavas at the Nevada National Security Site represents the most likely mechanism for transport of radionuclides away from underground nuclear tests at Pahute Mesa. To help evaluate fracture flow and matrix–water exchange, we have determined U-series isotopic compositions on more than 40 drill core samples from 5 boreholes that represent discrete fracture surfaces, breccia zones, and interiors of unfractured core. The U-series approach relies on the disruption of radioactive secular equilibrium between isotopes in the uranium-series decay chain due to preferential mobilization of 234U relative to 238U, and U relative to Th. Samples from discrete fractures were obtained by milling fracture surfaces containing thin secondary mineral coatings of clays, silica, Fe–Mn oxyhydroxides, and zeolite. Intact core interiors and breccia fragments were sampled in bulk. In addition, profiles of rock matrix extending 15 to 44 mm away from several fractures that show evidence of recent flow were analyzed to investigate the extent of fracture/matrix water exchange. Samples of rock matrix have 234U/238U and 230Th/238U activity ratios (AR) closest to radioactive secular equilibrium indicating only small amounts of groundwater penetrated unfractured matrix. Greater U mobility was observed in welded-tuff matrix with elevated porosity and in zeolitized bedded tuff. Samples of brecciated core were also in secular equilibrium implying a lack of long-range hydraulic connectivity in these cases. Samples of discrete fracture surfaces typically, but not always, were in radioactive disequilibrium. Many fractures had isotopic compositions plotting near the 230Th-234U 1:1 line indicating a steady-state balance between U input and removal along with radioactive decay. Numerical simulations of U-series isotope evolution indicate that 0.5 to 1 million years are required to reach steady-state compositions. Once attained, disequilibrium 234U/238U

The behavior of U- and Th-series nuclides in the estuarine environment

USGS Publications Warehouse

Swarzenski, P.W.; Porcelli, D.; Andersson, P.S.; Smoak, J.M.

2003-01-01

Rivers carry the products of continental weathering, and continuously supply the oceans with a broad range of chemical constituents. This erosional signature is, however, uniquely moderated by biogeochemical processing within estuaries. Estuaries are commonly described as complex filters at land-sea margins, where significant transformations can occur due to strong physico-chemical gradients. These changes differ for different classes of elements, and can vary widely depending on the geographic location. U- and Th-series nuclides include a range of elements with vastly different characteristics and behaviors within such environments, and the isotopic systematics provide methods for investigating the transport of these nuclides and other analog species across estuaries and into the coastal ocean.

U- and Th-Series Transport in a Sandy Aquifer in an Arid Climate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reynolds, B. C.; Wasserburg, G. J.

2001-12-01

We investigated the transport of U-Th series nuclides of an aquifer in an arid region with low flow velocities, the Ojo Alamo Aquifer of the San Juan Basin, which has 14C water ages up to 25 kyr (Phillips et al. 1989; Stute et al. 1995). The study aims to test a theoretical transport model by Tricca et al. (2000) with data from an aquifer with lower groundwater flow velocities (4*E-6 cms-1 compared to 10-4 cms-1). U, Th, Ra and Rn activities and major ion abundances were analysed. Compared to the previous study, groundwaters have high U concentrations (CU ~ 20-200 ppt) and very high δ 234U values from 5,000 to 11,000. The CU of spring and river waters are much higher (0.7 to 12 ppb). The δ 234U values range from 500 to 700, far lower than the groundwaters. The present vadose and river water thus are completely distinctive from the aquifer water, and cannot be a significant source to the aquifer (<<10%). Estimating the groundwater age using the flow distance, an average weathering rate of U within the aquifer is calculated. These estimated rates vary between 10-18 to 10-16 s-1. The model predicts that δ 234U values depend upon the fraction of recoil 234Th ejected from the rock compared to the weathering rate. The high δ 234U values can easily be produced with low recoil fractions of 10-4 to 10-2. Applying the same model to a vadose zone thickness of 20 meters, with water infiltration rates of half the rainfall (22 cm/yr) and soil moisture contents around 10%, it is found that weathering rates and the recoil fraction are much higher in the vadose zone. Very high CU in the springs are caused by low infiltration rates through a vadose zone with low moisture content, and rapid weathering of smaller mineral grains in the soils. Lower CU in the groundwater indicate a disconnection between the spring waters and the rest of the groundwater, or that the high CU measured from the springs are contaminated (from an unknown source). Filtered CTh are less than 0.3 ppt. The

Th-230 - U-238 series disequilibrium of the Olkaria basalts Gregory Rift Valley, Kenya

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Black, S.; Macdonald, R.; Kelly, M.

1993-01-01

U-Th disequilibrium analyses of the Naivasha basalts show a very small (U-238/Th-230) ratios which are lower than any previously analyzed basalts. The broadly positive internal isochron trend from one sample indicates that the basalts may have source heterogeneities, this is supported by earlier work. The Naivasha complex comprises a bimodal suite of basalts and rhyolites. The basalts are divided into two stratigraphic groups each of a transitional nature. The early basalt series (EBS) which were erupted prior to the Group 1 comendites and, the late basalt series (LBS) which erupted temporally between the Broad Acres and the Ololbutot centers. The basalts represent a very small percentage of the overall eruptive volume of material at Naivasha (less than 2 percent). The analyzed samples come from four stratigraphic units in close proximity around Ndabibi, Hell's Gate and Akira areas. The earliest units occur as vesicular flows from the Ndabibi plain. These basalts are olivine-plagioclase phyric with the associated hawaiites being sparsely plagioclase phyric. An absolute age of 0.5Ma was estimated for these basalts. The next youngest basalts flows occur as younger tuft cones in the Ndabibi area and are mainly olivine-plagioclase-clinopyroxcene phyric with one purely plagioclase phyric sample. The final phase of activity at Ndabibi resulted in much younger tuft cones consisting of air fall ashes and lapilli tufts. Many of these contain resorbed plagioclase phenocrysts with sample number 120c also being clinopyroxene phyric. The isotopic evidence for the basalt formation is summarized.

Determination of U, Th and K in bricks by gamma-ray spectrometry, X-ray fluorescence analysis and neutron activation analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bártová, H.; Kučera, J.; Musílek, L.; Trojek, T.; Gregorová, E.

2017-11-01

Knowledge of the content of natural radionuclides in bricks can be important in some cases in dosimetry and application of ionizing radiation. Dosimetry of naturally occurring radionuclides in matter (NORM) in general is one of them, the other one, related to radiation protection, is radon exposure evaluation, and finally, it is needed for the thermoluminescence (TL) dating method. The internal dose rate inside bricks is caused mostly by contributions of the natural radionuclides 238U, 232Th, radionuclides of their decay chains, and 40K. The decay chain of 235U is usually much less important. The concentrations of 238U, 232Th and 40K were measured by various methods, namely by gamma-ray spectrometry, X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF), and neutron activation analysis (NAA) which was used as a reference method. These methods were compared from the point of view of accuracy, limit of detection (LOD), amount of sample needed and sample handling, time demands, and instrument availability.

Vertical and horizontal distribution of radionuclides ({sup 232}Th, {sup 238}U and {sup 40}K) in sediment from Manjung coastal water area Perak, Malaysia

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Abdullah, Anisa, E-mail: coppering@ymail.com; Hamzah, Zaini; Wood, Ab. Khalik

Distribution of radionuclides from anthropogenic activities has been widely studied in marine coastal area. Due to rapid population growth and socio-economic development in Manjung area such as coal fired power plant, iron foundries, port development, waste discharged from factories and agriculture runoff may contribute to increase in pollution rate. The radioactive materials from anthropogenic activities could deteriorate the quality of the marine ecosystem and thus lead to possible radiological health risk to the population. Radionuclides ({sup 232}Th, {sup 238}U and {sup 40}K) content in surface and profile sediment from Manjung coastal area was determined in this study. Radionuclides in sedimentmore » from seven locations were collected using sediment core sampling and measurements were carried out using Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) spectroscopy. The results show that the concentration of radionuclides in surface sediment and distribution trend of depth vertical profile sediment generally varies depending on locations. Enrichment factors (EF), geo-accumulation index (I{sub geo}) and pollution index (PI) were applied to determine level of pollution of this study area. The radiological risks related to human exposure were evaluated based on external hazard index (H{sub ex})« less

Connecting the U-Th and U-Pb Chronometers: New Algorithms and Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McLean, N. M.; Smith, C. J. M.; Roberts, N. M. W.; Richards, D. A.

2016-12-01

The U-Th and U-Pb geochronometers are important clocks for separate intervals of the geologic timescale. U-Th dates exploit disequilibrium in the 238U intermediate daughter isotopes 234U and 230Th, and are often used to date corals and speleothems that are zero age through 800 ka. The U-Pb system relies on secular equilibrium decay of 238U to 206Pb and 235U to 207Pb over longer timescales, and can be used to date samples from <1 Ma to 4.5 Ga. Disequilibrium plays a role in young U-Pb dates, but only as a nuisance correction. Both chronometers can produce dates with uncertainties <0.1% near the center of their applicable age ranges, but become less precise at their intersection, when the 238U decay chain approaches secular equilibrium and there has been little time for ingrowth of radiogenic Pb. However, if measurements or assumptions about both chronometers can be made, then they can be combined into a single, more informed date. Coupling the datasets can improve their precision and accuracy and help interrogate the assumptions that underpin each. Working with this data is difficult for two reasons. The Bateman equations are long and cumbersome for U decay chains that include 238U, 234U, 230Th, 226Ra, 206Pb and 235U, 231Pa, and 207Pb. Also, Pb measurements often comprise varying amounts of radiogenic Pb from locally heterogeneous U concentrations mixed with varying amounts of common Pb. At present there is no established, flexible computational framework to combine information from measurements and/or assumptions of these parameters, and no way to visualize and interpret the results. We present new algorithms to quickly and accurately solve the system of differential equations defined by both of the uranium decay chains and the linear regression through the U-Pb isochron. The results are illustrated on a new concordia diagram, where the concordia curve is determined by measured and/or assumed U-series disequilibrium and can have unfamiliar topologies. We

U-series dating of impure carbonates: An isochron technique using total-sample dissolution

USGS Publications Warehouse

Bischoff, J.L.; Fitzpatrick, J.A.

1991-01-01

U-series dating is a well-established technique for age determination of Late Quaternary carbonates. Materials of sufficient purity for nominal dating, however, are not as common as materials with mechanically inseparable aluminosilicate detritus. Detritus contaminates the sample with extraneous Th. We propose that correction for contamination is best accomplished with the isochron technique using total sample dissolution (TSD). Experiments were conducted on artificial mixtures of natural detritus and carbonate and on an impure carbonate of known age. Results show that significant and unpredictable transfer of radionuclides occur from the detritus to the leachate in commonly used selective leaching procedures. The effects of correcting via leachate-residue pairs and isochron plots were assessed. Isochrons using TSD gave best results, followed by isochron plots of leachates only. ?? 1991.

Th-230 - U-238 series disequilibrium of the Olkaria rhyolites Gregory Rift Valley, Kenya: Petrogenesis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Black, S.; Macdonald, R.; Kelly, M.

1993-01-01

Positive correlations of (U-238/Th-230) versus Th show the rhyolites to be products of partial melting. Positive correlations of U and Cl and U and F show that the U enrichment in the rhyolites is associated with the halogen contents which may be related to the minor phenocryst phase fractionation. Instantaneous Th/U ratios exceed time integrated Th/U ratios providing further evidence of the hydrous nature of the Olkaria rhyolite source. Excess (U-238/Th-230) in the subduction related rocks has been associated to the preferential incorporation of uranium in slab derived fluids, but no evaluation of the size of this flux has been made. The majority of the Naivasha samples show a (U-238/Th-230) less than 1 and plot close to the subduction related samples indicating the Naivasha rhyolites may also have been influenced by fluids during their formation. In general samples with high (U-238/Th-230) ratios reflecting recent enrichment of uranium relative to thorium have high thorium contents, thereby the high (U-238/Th-230) ratios are restricted to the most incompatible element enriched magmas and, hence, are a good indication that the rhyolites were formed by partial melting. If a fluid phase had some influence on the formation of the rhyolites then the uranium and thorium may have some correlation with F and Cl contents which can be mirrored by the peralkalinity. Plots of uranium against F and Cl contents are shown. The positive correlation indicates that the uranium enrichments are associated with the halogen contents. There seems to be a greater correlation for U against Cl than F indicating that the U may be transported preferentially as Cl complexes.

Seasonal variations on the residence times and partitioning of short-lived radionuclides (234Th, 7Be and 210Pb) and depositional fluxes of 7Be and 210Pb in Tampa Bay, Florida

USGS Publications Warehouse

Baskaran, M.; Swarzenski, P.W.

2007-01-01

Historically, Tampa Bay has been impacted heavily by a wide range of anthropogenic perturbations that may include, agricultural-, shipping-, phosphate mining/distribution-related activities, as well as a burgeoning coastal population. Due to the presence of U-rich underlying sediments, elevated activities of U- and Th-series daughter products may be naturally released into this system. This region is also known for summer thunderstorms and corresponding increases in precipitation and surface water runoff. Only limited work has been conducted on the partitioning of particle-reactive radionuclides (such as 7Be, 210Pb, and 234Th) in such a dynamic coastal system. We investigated both the removal residence time and partitioning of these radionuclides between filter-retained particulate matter (≥ 0.5 μm) and the filtrate ( Our results indicate that the partitioning of 7Be, 210Pb, and 234Th between filtrate and filter-retained phase is controlled foremost by enhanced bottom resuspension events during summer thunderstorms. As a consequence, no significant relationship exists between the distribution coefficients (Kd values) of these isotopes and the concentration of suspended particulate matter (SPM). Relatively faster recycling rates of atmospheric water vapor derived from the ocean results in lower atmospheric depositional fluxes of 210Pb to the study site than predicted. The relationship between 7Be and 210Pb in bulk (wet + dry) deposition is compared to their respective water column activities. The residence times of particulate and dissolved 234Th, 7Be and 210Pb, as well the distribution coefficients of these radionuclides, are then compared to values reported in other coastal systems.

Dissolution behaviour of 238U, 234U and 230Th deposited on filters from personal dosemeters.

PubMed

Becková, Vera; Malátová, Irena

2008-01-01

Kinetics of dissolution of (238)U, (234)U and (230)Th dust deposited on filters from personal alpha dosemeters was studied by means of a 26-d in vitro dissolution test with a serum ultrafiltrate simulant. Dosemeters had been used by miners at the uranium mine 'Dolní Rozínka' at Rozná, Czech Republic. The sampling flow-rate as declared by the producer is 4 l h(-1) and the sampling period is typically 1 month. Studied filters contained 125 +/- 6 mBq (238)U in equilibrium with (234)U and (230)Th; no (232)Th series nuclides were found. Half-time of rapid dissolution of 1.4 d for (238)U and (234)U and slow dissolution half-times of 173 and 116 d were found for (238)U and (234)U, respectively. No detectable dissolution of (230)Th was found.

Constraints on the utility of MnO2 cartridge method for the extraction of radionuclides: A case study using 234Th

USGS Publications Warehouse

Baskaran, M.; Swarzenski, P.W.; Biddanda, B.A.

2009-01-01

[1] Large volume (102-103 L) seawater samples are routinely processed to investigate the partitioning of particle reactive radionuclides and Ra between solution and size-fractionated suspended particulate matter. One of the most frequently used methods to preconcentrate these nuclides from such large volumes involves extraction onto three filter cartridges (a prefilter for particulate species and two MnO2-coated filters for dissolved species) connected in series. This method assumes that the extraction efficiency is uniform for both MnO2-coated cartridges, that no dissolved species are removed by the prefilter, and that any adsorbed radionuclides are not desorbed from the MnO2-coated cartridges during filtration. In this study, we utilized 234Th-spiked coastal seawater and deionized water to address the removal of dissolved Th onto prefilters and MnO2-coated filter cartridges. Experimental results provide the first data that indicate (1) a small fraction of dissolved Th (<6%) can be removed by the prefilter cartridge; (2) a small fraction of dissolved Th (<5%) retained by the MnO2 surface can also be desorbed, which undermines the assumption of uniform extraction efficiency for Th; and (3) the absolute and relative extraction efficiencies can vary widely. These experiments provide insight on the variability of the extraction efficiency of MnO 2-coated filter cartridges by comparing the relative and absolute efficiencies and recommend the use of a constant efficiency on the combined activity from two filter cartridges connected in series for future studies of dissolved 234Th and other radionuclides in natural waters using sequential filtration/extraction methods. ?? 2009 by the American Geophysical Union.

Atmospheric dust contribution to budget of U-series nuclides in weathering profiles. The Mount Cameroon volcano

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pelt, E.; Chabaux, F. J.; Innocent, C.; Ghaleb, B.

2009-12-01

Analysis of U-series nuclides in weathering profiles is developed today for constraining time scale of soil and weathering profile formation (e.g., Chabaux et al., 2008). These studies require the understanding of U-series nuclides sources and fractionation in weathering systems. For most of these studies the impact of aeolian inputs on U-series nuclides in soils is usually neglected. Here, we propose to discuss such an assumption, i.e., to evaluate the impact of dust deposition on U-series nuclides in soils, by working on present and paleo-soils collected on the Mount Cameroon volcano. Recent Sr, Nd, Pb isotopic analyses performed on these samples have indeed documented significant inputs of Saharan dusts in these soils (Dia et al., 2006). We have therefore analyzed 238U-234U-230Th nuclides in the same samples. Comparison of U-Th isotopic data with Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic data indicates a significant impact of the dust input on the U and Th budget of the soils, around 10% for both U and Th. Using Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic data of Saharan dusts given by Dia et al. (2006) we estimate U-Th concentrations and U-Th isotope ratios of dusts compatible with U-Th data obtained on Saharan dusts collected in Barbados (Rydell H.S. and Prospero J.M., 1972). However, the variations of U/Th ratios along the weathering profiles cannot be explained by a simple mixing scenario between material from basalt and from the defined atmospheric dust pool. A secondary uranium migration associated with chemical weathering has affected the weathering profiles. Mass balance calculation suggests that U in soils from Mount Cameroon is affected at the same order of magnitude by both chemical migration and dust accretion. Nevertheless, the Mount Cameroon is a limit case were large dust inputs from continental crust of Sahara contaminate basaltic terrain from Mount Cameroon volcano. Therefore, this study suggests that in other contexts were dust inputs are lower, or the bedrocks more concentrated in U and Th

Measurement of 238U and 232Th in Petrol, Gas-oil and Lubricant Samples by Using Nuclear Track Detectors and Resulting Radiation Doses to the Skin of Mechanic Workers.

PubMed

Misdaq, M A; Chaouqi, A; Ouguidi, J; Touti, R; Mortassim, A

2015-10-01

Workers in repair shops of vehicles (cars, buses, truck, etc.) clean carburetors, check fuel distribution, and perform oil changes and greasing. To explore the exposure pathway of (238)U and (232)Th and its decay products to the skin of mechanic workers, these radionuclides were measured inside petrol, gas-oil, and lubricant material samples by means of CR-39 and LR-115 type II solid state nuclear track detectors (SSNTDs), and corresponding annual committed equivalent doses to skin were determined. The maximum total equivalent effective dose to skin due to the (238)U and (232)Th series from the application of different petrol, gas-oil, and lubricant samples by mechanic workers was found equal to 1.2 mSv y(-1) cm(-2).

Increased Concentrations of Short-Lived Decay-Series Radionuclides in Groundwaters Underneath the Nopal I Uranium Deposit at Pena Blanca, Mexico

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luo, S.; Ku, T.; Todd, V.; Murrell, M. T.; Dinsmoor, J. C.

2007-05-01

The Nopal I uranium ore deposit at Pena Blanca, Mexico, located at > 200 meters above the groundwater table, provides an ideal natural analog for quantifying the effectiveness of geological barrier for isolation of radioactive waste nuclides from reaching the human environments through ground water transport. To fulfill such natural analog studies, three wells (PB1, PB2, and PB3 respectively) were drilled at the site from the land surface down to the saturated groundwater zone and ground waters were collected from each of these wells through large- volume sampling/in-situ Mn-filter filtration for analyses of short-lived uranium/thorium-series radionuclides. Our measurements from PB1 show that the groundwater standing in the hole has much lower 222Rn activity than the freshly pumped groundwater. From this change in 222Rn activity, we estimate the residence time of groundwater in PB1 to be about 20 days. Our measurements also show that the activities of short-lived radioisotopes of Th (234Th), Ra (228Ra, 224Ra, 223Ra), Rn (222Rn), Pb (210Pb), and Po (210Po) in PB1, PB2, and PB3 are all significantly higher than those from the other wells near the Nopal I site. These high activities provide evidence for the enrichment of long-lived U and Ra isotopes in the groundwater as well as in the associated adsorbed phases on the fractured aquifer rocks underneath the ore deposit. Such enrichment suggests a rapid dissolution of U and Ra isotopes from the uranium ore deposit in the vadose zone and the subsequent migration to the groundwater underneath. A reactive transport model can be established to characterize the in-situ transport of radionuclides at the site. The observed change of 222Rn activity at PB1 also suggests that the measured high radioactivityies in ground waters from the site isare not an artifact of drilling operations. However, further studies are needed to assess if or to what extent the radionuclide migration is affected by the previous mining activities at

U-series disequilibria in crystals: ages as tracers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cooper, K. M.

2005-12-01

U-series disequilibria offer a unique perspective on the fates of crystals within magmatic systems. In addition to delimiting the timescales of magmatic processes, crystal ages can be used as a tracer of different crystal populations even in the case where only subtle differences exist between major- and trace-element chemistries of populations. For example, 226Ra-230Th ages of crystals in Mt St Helens lavas erupted since 2 ka are in some cases several kyr older than eruption ages which, when combined with significant Ra-Th disequilibria in the whole-rocks, suggests protracted crystal storage and entrainment in subsequent batches of magma passing through the reservoir. More broadly, in many cases 230Th-238U and 226Ra-230Th ages measured in the same crystals are discordant. This pattern likely indicates progressive and/or episodic crystal growth where the Th-U ages more closely represent average crystallization ages while Ra-Th ages are weighted toward recent growth, suggesting in turn that some significant fraction of the mass of crystals represent xenocrysts or "antecrysts" recycled from earlier generations of magmas within the same system. Conversely, in cases where ages of different parent-daughter pairs are concordant, mineral separates must be dominated by crystal growth within a relatively narrow time interval relative to the half-life of the shortest-lived daughter isotope. The duration of the crystal record within a given magma can be complicated by crystal recycling and obscured by average ages derived from measurement of bulk mineral separates. One way to extract more information about the proportion and ages of older and younger parts of the crystal population(s) is to analyze different size fractions within the same sample; for example, analyses of different sizes of plagioclase from the ongoing eruption at Mt St Helens are in progress. U-series ages and other crystal-scale geochemical information can also be a powerful combination. For example

MCNP modelling of scintillation-detector gamma-ray spectra from natural radionuclides.

PubMed

Hendriks, P H G M; Maucec, M; de Meijer, R J

2002-09-01

gamma-ray spectra of natural radionuclides are simulated for a BGO detector in a borehole geometry using the Monte Carlo code MCNP. All gamma-ray emissions of the decay of 40K and the series of 232Th and 238U are used to describe the source. A procedure is proposed which excludes the time-consuming electron tracking in less relevant areas of the geometry. The simulated gamma-ray spectra are benchmarked against laboratory data.

U-Series Disequilibria across the New Southern Ocean Mantle Province, Australian-Antarctic Ridge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Scott, S. R.; Sims, K. W. W.; Park, S. H.; Langmuir, C. H.; Lin, J.; Kim, S. S.; Blichert-Toft, J.; Michael, P. J.; Choi, H.; Yang, Y. S.

2017-12-01

Mid-ocean ridge basalts (MORB) provide a unique window into the temporal and spatial scales of mantle evolution. Long-lived radiogenic isotopes in MORB have demonstrated that the mantle contains many different chemical components or "flavors". U-series disequilibria in MORB have further shown that different chemical components/lithologies in the mantle contribute differently to mantle melting processes beneath mid-ocean ridges. Recent Sr, Nd, Hf, and Pb isotopic analyses from newly collected basalts along the Australian-Antarctic Ridge (AAR) have revealed that a large distinct mantle province exists between the Australian-Antarctic Discordance and the Pacific-Antarctic Ridge, extending from West Antarctica and Marie Byrd Land to New Zealand and Eastern Australia (Park et al., submitted). This southern mantle province is located between the Indian-type mantle and the Pacific-type mantle domains. U-series measurements in the Southeast Indian Ridge and East Pacific Rise provinces show distinct signatures suggestive of differences in melting processes and source lithology. To examine whether the AAR mantle province also exhibits different U-series systematics we have measured U-Th-Ra disequilibria data on 38 basalts from the AAR sampled along 500 km of ridge axis from two segments that cross the newly discovered Southern Ocean Mantle province. We compare the data to those from nearby ridge segments show that the AAR possesses unique U-series disequilibria, and are thus undergoing distinct mantle melting dynamics relative to the adjacent Pacific and Indian ridges. (230Th)/(238U) excesses in zero-age basalts (i.e., those with (226Ra)/(230Th) > 1.0) range from 1.3 to 1.7, while (226Ra)/(230Th) ranges from 1.0 to 2.3. (226Ra)/(230Th) and (230Th)/(238U) are negatively correlated, consistent with the model of mixing between deep and shallow melts. The AAR data show higher values of disequilibria compared to the Indian and Pacific Ridges, which can be explained by either

Sequential Determination of U and Th Decay Series in Santana Cave, Southwest Brazil

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Silva, P. S. C.; Damatto, S. R.; Mazzilli, B. P.

2008-08-01

Parque Estadual Turístico do Alto Ribeira (PETAR) is located in the South-western part of São Paulo State, in the Ribeira Valley. In this national state park a large number of caves are found, which are among the most visited of the country. These caves, located in a karstic zone, are characterized by the presence of carbonaceous rocks frequently fractured and collapsed. Although, carbonates (dolomites and calcitic rocks) usually have low U content, this element can be found in the structure of the surrounding rocks. This paper aims to determine 238U, 234U, 226Ra and 210Pb concentration in samples of rock, soil, river water and sediment, in Santana cave. The radionuclide 238U was determined by alpha spectrometry using a surface barrier detector. 226Ra and 210Pb were determined by measuring the gross alpha and beta activity on a gas flow proportional counter.

Sequential Determination of U and Th Decay Series in Santana Cave, Southwest Brazil

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Silva, P. S. C.; Damatto, S. R.; Mazzilli, B. P.

2008-08-07

Parque Estadual Turistico do Alto Ribeira (PETAR) is located in the South-western part of Sao Paulo State, in the Ribeira Valley. In this national state park a large number of caves are found, which are among the most visited of the country. These caves, located in a karstic zone, are characterized by the presence of carbonaceous rocks frequently fractured and collapsed. Although, carbonates (dolomites and calcitic rocks) usually have low U content, this element can be found in the structure of the surrounding rocks. This paper aims to determine {sup 238}U, {sup 234}U, {sup 226}Ra and {sup 210}Pb concentration inmore » samples of rock, soil, river water and sediment, in Santana cave. The radionuclide {sup 238}U was determined by alpha spectrometry using a surface barrier detector. {sup 226}Ra and {sup 210}Pb were determined by measuring the gross alpha and beta activity on a gas flow proportional counter.« less

Combined Th/U, Pa/U and Ra/Th dating of fossil reef corals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Obert, J. C.; Scholz, D.; Lippold, J.; Felis, T.; Jochum, K. P.; Andreae, M. O.

2016-12-01

Fossil reef corals are often subject to post-depositional open-system behaviour, which is a major problem for accurate absolute dating. The commonly used 230Th/U-system can be disturbed by diagenetic alteration resulting in wrong apparent 230Th/U-ages. Since fossil reef corals are important palaeoenvironmental archives, precise absolute dating is essential for sea-level reconstruction and high-resolution climate reconstruction. We have developed a method for combined preparation and analysis of fossil reef corals by the 230Th/U-, 231Pa/U- and 226Ra/230Th-methods. Inconsistencies between ages determined by the different methods provide a means to identify diagenetically altered corals. In addition, the comparison of the 230Th/U and 231Pa/U data on concordia diagrams reveals further information about the alteration processes. (226Ra/230Th) and (226Ra/U) ratios in particular provide information about the more recent past (last 10 to approx. 50 ka) of the coral's diagenetic history. We compare these data with quantitative modelling of various diagenetic scenarios in order to identify the potential open-system processes. Here we present new data on the combined application of the three isotope systems to fossil Last Interglacial corals from the Gulf of Aqaba, northern Red Sea. Previous studies have shown that these corals were subject to substantial open-system behaviour, documented by very high initial (234U/238U) activity ratios. The process that was proposed to explain the activity ratios of these corals is U gain with subsequent U loss after a specific amount of time. The amount of U loss is assumed to be proportional to the amount of U previously gained. The application of our new method aims to test whether this diagenetic scenario can be verified.

Determination of the half-life of the ground state of {sup 229}Th by using {sup 232}U and {sup 233}U decay series

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kikunaga, H.; Nishina Center for Accelerator-Based Science, RIKEN, Wako, Saitama 351-0198; Suzuki, T.

2011-07-15

The half-life of the ground state of {sup 229}Th ({sup 229}Th{sup g}) has become an important factor in nuclear technology, for example, in the geological disposal of nuclear spent fuel. However, the values reported in two previous studies are not in agreement. This study reevaluates the half-life of {sup 229}Th{sup g} by using a simple and reliable method. The {sup 232}U/{sup 233}U activity ratio of a {sup 232,233}U sample was measured by high-resolution {alpha}-particle spectrometry. Next, the {sup 228}Th/{sup 229}Th{sup g} activity ratio of the Th sample, which was grown from the {sup 232,233}U sample, was also measured. The half-lifemore » of {sup 229}Th{sup g} was calculated from these activity ratios, the growth time, and the half-lives of {sup 232}U, {sup 233}U, and {sup 228}Th. From the results of these five measurements, the half-life of {sup 229}Th{sup g} is determined to be 7932 {+-} 55 yr at a confidence level of 2{sigma}.« less

Health implications of radionuclide levels in cattle raised near U mining and milling facilities in Ambrosia Lake, New Mexico

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lapham, S.C.; Millard, J.B.; Samet, J.M.

1989-03-01

This study was conducted to determine radionuclide tissue levels in cattle raised near U mining and milling facilities. Ambrosia Lake, New Mexico, has been the site of extensive U mining for 30 y and contains several underground U mines, a processing mill, and two large U tailings piles. Ten cows were purchased from two grazing areas in Ambrosia Lake and ten control animals were purchased from Crownpoint, New Mexico. Muscle, liver, kidney, and bone tissue taken from these animals, and environmental samples, including water, grasses and soil collected from the animals' grazing areas, were analyzed for /sup 238/U, /sup 234/U,more » /sup 230/Th, /sup 226/Ra, /sup 210/Pb, and /sup 210/Po. Mean radionuclide levels in cattle tissue and environmental samples from Ambrosia Lake were higher in almost every comparison than those found in respective controls. Liver and kidney tissues were particularly elevated in /sup 226/Ra and /sup 210/Po. Radiation dose commitments from eating cattle tissue with these radionuclide concentrations were calculated. We concluded that the health risk to the public from eating exposed cattle is minimal, unless large amounts of this tissue, especially liver and kidney, are ingested.« less

Simultaneous determination of radionuclides separable into natural decay series by use of time-interval analysis.

PubMed

Hashimoto, Tetsuo; Sanada, Yukihisa; Uezu, Yasuhiro

2004-05-01

A delayed coincidence method, time-interval analysis (TIA), has been applied to successive alpha- alpha decay events on the millisecond time-scale. Such decay events are part of the (220)Rn-->(216)Po ( T(1/2) 145 ms) (Th-series) and (219)Rn-->(215)Po ( T(1/2) 1.78 ms) (Ac-series). By using TIA in addition to measurement of (226)Ra (U-series) from alpha-spectrometry by liquid scintillation counting (LSC), two natural decay series could be identified and separated. The TIA detection efficiency was improved by using the pulse-shape discrimination technique (PSD) to reject beta-pulses, by solvent extraction of Ra combined with simple chemical separation, and by purging the scintillation solution with dry N(2) gas. The U- and Th-series together with the Ac-series were determined, respectively, from alpha spectra and TIA carried out immediately after Ra-extraction. Using the (221)Fr-->(217)At ( T(1/2) 32.3 ms) decay process as a tracer, overall yields were estimated from application of TIA to the (225)Ra (Np-decay series) at the time of maximum growth. The present method has proven useful for simultaneous determination of three radioactive decay series in environmental samples.

Comment on "Zircon U-Th-Pb dating using LA-ICP-MS: Simultaneous U-Pb and U-Th dating on 0.1 Ma Toya Tephra, Japan" by Hisatoshi Ito

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guillong, M.; Schmitt, A. K.; Bachmann, O.

2015-04-01

Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) of eight zircon reference materials and synthetic zircon-hafnon end-members indicate that corrections for abundance sensitivity and molecular zirconium sesquioxide ions (Zr2O3+) are critical for reliable determination of 230Th abundances in zircon. Other polyatomic interferences in the mass range 223-233 amu are insignificant. When corrected for abundance sensitivity and interferences, activity ratios of (230Th)/(238U) for the zircon reference materials we used average 1.001 ± 0.010 (1σ error; mean square of weighted deviates MSWD = 1.45; n = 8). This includes the 91500 and Plešovice zircons, which were deemed unsuitable for calibration of (230Th)/(238U) by Ito (2014). Uranium series zircon ages generated by LA-ICP-MS without mitigating (e.g., by high mass resolution) or correcting for abundance sensitivity and molecular interferences on 230Th such as those presented by Ito (2014) are potentially unreliable.

From mantle to ash cloud: quantifying magma generation, ascent, and degassing rates at Kilauea during short-lived explosive episodes using short-lived U-series radionuclide disequilibria

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Girard, G.; Reagan, M. K.; Sims, K. W.; Garcia, M. O.; Pietruszka, A. J.; Thornber, C. R.

2012-12-01

We analyzed for 238U-series isotopes lava, scoria and ash samples erupted from Kilauea volcano, Hawai'i between 1982 and 2008, in order to investigate processes and timescales of magma generation in the mantle, magma ascent through the crust, and eruption. Timescales of degassing during steady-state lava flow activity occurring in Kilauea East Rift Zone and short-lived explosive episodes that occurred in both the East Rift Zone (Pu'u 'O'o vent opening in 1983 and episode 54 at Nāpau crater in January 1997) and on the summit (Halema'uma'u crater eruptions in March 2008) are compared and contrasted. All samples were found to have small but variable 230Th and 226Ra activity excesses over 238U and 230Th, respectively, with (230Th/238U) ratios ranging from 1.00 to 1.13 and (226Ra/230Th) ratios ranging from 1.03 to 1.17. These two variable isotopic disequilibria may reflect local heterogeneities in the mantle underneath Kilauea, with sources in relatively primitive mantle with (238U)-(230Th)-(226Ra) in secular equilibrium and in recently (< 8000 years) depleted mantle with (230Th) and (226Ra) deficits over parent nuclides. In this model, both types of mantle melt to generate Kilauea magmas and subsequently mix in variable proportions. Samples from the brief explosive episodes span the entire composition range, suggesting that they were fed by heterogeneous magma batches which did not homogenize during ascent from the mantle. (210Pb/226Ra) ratios range from 0.75 to 1.00. The lack of correlation between (210Pb/226Ra) and (226Ra/230Th) or (230Th/238U), and the rapid return to secular equilibrium of 210Pb (< 100 years) suggest a fractionation process distinct from and subsequent to the Ra-Th-U fractionation inherited from mantle melting. We hypothesize that 210Pb deficits originate from 222Rn degassing during magma ascent, and estimate magma ascent from lower crust to surface to take place in a maximum of ~ 7 years for the lava flow samples. Products from the explosive

Behaviors of 323Th, 238U, 228Ra and 226Ra on combustion of crude oil terminal sludge.

PubMed

Puad, H A Mohamad; Noor, M Y Muhd

2004-01-01

Crude oil terminal sludge contains technologically enhanced naturally occurring radionuclides such as (232)Th, (238)U, (228)Ra and (226)Ra, thus cannot be disposed of freely without proper control. The current method of disposal, such as land farming and storing in plastic drums is not recommended because it will have a long-term impact on the environment. Due to its organic nature, there is a move to treat this sludge by thermal methods such as incineration. This study has been carried out to determine the behaviors of (232)Th, (238)U, (228)Ra and (226)Ra present in the sludge during combustion at a certain temperature and time. The percentage of volatilization was found to vary between 2% and 70%, (238)U was the most volatile in comparison with (232)Th, (228)Ra and (226)Ra. (238)U is found to be significantly volatilized above 500 degrees C, and might reach maximum volatilization at above 700 degrees C. A mathematical model was developed to predict the percentage of volatilization of (232)Th, (238)U, (228)Ra and (226)Ra contained in the sludge. With this known percentage of volatilization, the concentration of (232)Th, (238)U, (228)Ra and (226)Ra present in the bottom and filter ashes can be calculated.

Certified reference materials for radionuclides in Bikini Atoll sediment (IAEA-410) and Pacific Ocean sediment (IAEA-412).

PubMed

Pham, M K; van Beek, P; Carvalho, F P; Chamizo, E; Degering, D; Engeler, C; Gascó, C; Gurriaran, R; Hanley, O; Harms, A V; Herrmann, J; Hult, M; Ikeuchi, Y; Ilchmann, C; Kanisch, G; Kis-Benedek, G; Kloster, M; Laubenstein, M; Llaurado, M; Mas, J L; Nakano, M; Nielsen, S P; Osvath, I; Povinec, P P; Rieth, U; Schikowski, J; Smedley, P A; Suplinska, M; Sýkora, I; Tarjan, S; Varga, B; Vasileva, E; Zalewska, T; Zhou, W

2016-03-01

The preparation and characterization of certified reference materials (CRMs) for radionuclide content in sediments collected offshore of Bikini Atoll (IAEA-410) and in the open northwest Pacific Ocean (IAEA-412) are described and the results of the certification process are presented. The certified radionuclides include: (40)K, (210)Pb ((210)Po), (226)Ra, (228)Ra, (228)Th, (232)Th, (234)U, (238)U, (239)Pu, (239+240)Pu and (241)Am for IAEA-410 and (40)K, (137)Cs, (210)Pb ((210)Po), (226)Ra, (228)Ra, (228)Th, (232)Th, (235)U, (238)U, (239)Pu, (240)Pu and (239+240)Pu for IAEA-412. The CRMs can be used for quality assurance and quality control purposes in the analysis of radionuclides in sediments, for development and validation of analytical methods and for staff training. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Are U-Series Disequilibria Transparent to Crustal Processing of Magma? A Case Study at Bezymianny and Klyuchevskoy Volcanoes, Kamchatka, Russia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kayzar, T. M.; Nelson, B. K.; Bachmann, O.; Portnyagin, M.; Ponomareva, V.

2010-12-01

Disequilibria in the short-lived uranium-series isotopic system can provide timescales of magma production, modification and transport in all tectonic settings. In volcanic arcs, the field has converged on the concept that (238U/230Th) and (226Ra/230Th) activities greater than one are a result of fluid fluxing from the slab to mantle wedge, and that the preservation of (226Ra/230Th) disequilibria requires rapid transport of melts from the mantle wedge to the surface (226Ra returns to equilibrium with 230Th in ~8000 years). The need for rapid transport coupled with the incompatibility of U-series elements suggest that U-series fractionation is not measurably affected by crustal processes. However, some well-studied arc systems, including the very productive Central Kamchatka Depression (CKD) of the Kamchatkan volcanic arc, show U-series data that are in conflict with this commonly accepted model. Our study focuses on two neighboring volcanic systems, Bezymianny and Klyuchevskoy volcanoes in the CKD. Separated by ~10km, these two systems are thought to share the same mantle source. Klyuchevskoy has primitive compositions (51-56 wt%) while Bezymianny erupts more differentiated andesites (57-63 wt% SiO2); therefore, by examining the U-series signals in these two systems it is possible to decouple a primary signal from one having undergone crustal processing. We record whole rock (238U/230Th) values for Bezymianny ranging from 0.94 to 0.96 in modern eruptive products, while (226Ra/230Th) are >1. We also observe a similar signal in older (212-6791BP) tephra deposits from Klyuchevskoy, measuring (238U/230Th) of 0.92-0.99 (unpublished data, collaborative research with the KALMAR project). (238U/230Th) <1 in arcs have mostly been reported from areas of thick continental crust (Andes; Sigmarsson et al. 1998, Garrison et al. 2006, Jicha et al. 2007) or from an arc where phases such as garnet and/or Al-rich clinopyroxene can retain a high U/Th in the crystalline residue (Jicha

Radionuclide concentration ratios in Australian terrestrial wildlife and livestock: data compilation and analysis.

PubMed

Johansen, M P; Twining, J R

2010-11-01

Radionuclide concentrations in Australian terrestrial fauna, including indigenous kangaroos and lizards, as well as introduced sheep and water buffalo, are of interest when considering doses to human receptors and doses to the biota itself. Here, concentration ratio (CR) values for a variety of endemic and introduced Australian animals with a focus on wildlife and livestock inhabiting open rangeland are derived and reported. The CR values are based on U- and Th-series concentration data obtained from previous studies at mining sites and (241)Am and (239/240)Pu data from a former weapons testing site. Soil-to-muscle CR values of key natural-series radionuclides for grazing Australian kangaroo and sheep are one to two orders of magnitude higher than those of grazing cattle in North and South America, and for (210)Po, (230)Th, and (238)U are one to two orders of magnitude higher than the ERICA tool reference values. When comparing paired kangaroo and sheep CR values, results are linearly correlated (r = 0.81) for all tissue types. However, kidney and liver CR values for kangaroo are typically higher than those of sheep, particularly for (210)Pb, and (210)Po, with values in kangaroo liver more than an order of magnitude higher than those in sheep liver. Concentration ratios for organs are typically higher than those for muscle including those for (241)Am and (239/240)Pu in cooked kangaroo and rabbit samples. This study provides CR values for Australian terrestrial wildlife and livestock and suggests higher accumulation rates for select radionuclides in semi-arid Australian conditions compared with those associated with temperate conditions.

Development of Impregnated Agglomerate Pelletization (IAP) process for fabrication of (Th,U)O 2 mixed oxide pellets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khot, P. M.; Nehete, Y. G.; Fulzele, A. K.; Baghra, Chetan; Mishra, A. K.; Afzal, Mohd.; Panakkal, J. P.; Kamath, H. S.

2012-01-01

Impregnated Agglomerate Pelletization (IAP) technique has been developed at Advanced Fuel Fabrication Facility (AFFF), BARC, Tarapur, for manufacturing (Th, 233U)O 2 mixed oxide fuel pellets, which are remotely fabricated in hot cell or shielded glove box facilities to reduce man-rem problem associated with 232U daughter radionuclides. This technique is being investigated to fabricate the fuel for Indian Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR). In the IAP process, ThO 2 is converted to free flowing spheroids by powder extrusion route in an unshielded facility which are then coated with uranyl nitrate solution in a shielded facility. The dried coated agglomerate is finally compacted and then sintered in oxidizing/reducing atmosphere to obtain high density (Th,U)O 2 pellets. In this study, fabrication of (Th,U)O 2 mixed oxide pellets containing 3-5 wt.% UO 2 was carried out by IAP process. The pellets obtained were characterized using optical microscopy, XRD and alpha autoradiography. The results obtained were compared with the results for the pellets fabricated by other routes such as Coated Agglomerate Pelletization (CAP) and Powder Oxide Pelletization (POP) route.

U-series disequilibria of trachyandesites from minor volcanic centers in the Central Andes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Fang; Sørensen, Erik V.; Holm, Paul M.; Zhang, Zhao-Feng; Lundstrom, Craig C.

2017-10-01

Young trachyandesite lavas from minor volcanic centers in the Central Andes record the magma differentiation processes at the base of the lower continental crust. Here we report U-series disequilibrium data for the historical lavas from the Andagua Valley in Southern Peru to define the time-scale and processes of magmatism from melting in the mantle wedge to differentiation in the crust. The Andagua lavas show (230Th)/(238U), (231Pa)/(235U), and (226Ra)/(230Th) above unity except for one more evolved lava with 230Th depletion likely owing to fractional crystallization of accessory minerals. The 226Ra excess indicates that the time elapsed since magma emplacement and differentiation in the deep crust is within 8000 years. Based on the correlations of U-series disequilibria with SiO2 content and ratios of incompatible elements, we argue that the Andagua lavas were produced by mixing of fresh mantle-derived magma with felsic melt of earlier emplaced basalts in the deep crust. Because of the lack of sediment in the Chile-Peru trench, there is no direct link of recycled slabs with 230Th and 231Pa excesses in the Andagua lavas. Instead, 230Th and 231Pa excesses are better explained by in-growth melting in the upper mantle followed by magma differentiation in the crust. Such processes also produced the 226Ra excess and the positive correlations among (226Ra)/(230Th), Sr/Th, and Ba/Th in the Andagua lavas. The time-scale of mantle wedge melting should be close to the half-life of 231Pa (ca. 33 ka), while it takes less than a few thousand years for magma differentiation to form intermediate volcanic rocks at a convergent margin.

U-Th Burial Dates on Ostrich Eggshell

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sharp, W. D.; Fylstra, N. D.; Tryon, C. A.; Faith, J. T.; Peppe, D. J.

2015-12-01

Obtaining precise and accurate dates at archaeological sites beyond the range of radiocarbon dating is challenging but essential for understanding human origins. Eggshells of ratites (large flightless birds including ostrich, emu and others) are common in many archaeological sequences in Africa, Australia and elsewhere. Ancient eggshells are geochemically suitable for the U-Th technique (1), which has about ten times the range of radiocarbon dating (>500 rather than 50 ka), making eggshells attractive dating targets. Moreover, C and N isotopic studies of eggshell provide insights into paleovegetation and paleoprecipitation central to assessing past human-environment interactions (2,3). But until now, U-Th dates on ratite eggshell have not accounted for the secondary origin of essentially all of their U. We report a novel approach to U-Th dating of eggshell that explicitly accounts for secondary U uptake that begins with burial. Using ostrich eggshell (OES) from Pleistocene-Holocene east African sites, we have measured U and 232Th concentration profiles across OES by laser ablation ICP-MS. U commonly peaks at 10s to 100s of ppb and varies 10-fold or more across the ~2 mm thickness of OES, with gradients modulated by the layered structure of the eggshell. Common Th is high near the shell surfaces, but low in the middle "pallisade" layer of OES, making it optimal for U-Th dating. We determine U-Th ages along the U concentration gradient by solution ICP-MS analyses of two or more fractions of the pallisade layer. We then estimate OES burial dates using a simple model for diffusive uptake of uranium. Comparing such "U-Th burial dates" with radiocarbon dates for OES calcite from the same shells, we find good agreement in 7 out of 9 cases, consistent with rapid burial and confirming the accuracy of the approach. The remaining 2 eggshells have anomalous patterns of apparent ages that reveal they are unsuitable for U-Th dating, thereby providing reliability criteria innate

Advances in Laser Microprobe (U-Th)/He Geochronology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van Soest, M. C.; Monteleone, B. D.; Boyce, J. W.; Hodges, K. V.

2008-12-01

The development of the laser microprobe (U-Th)/He dating method has the potential to overcome many of the limitations that affect conventional (U-Th)/He geochronology. Conventional single- or multi-crystal (U- Th)/He geochronology requires the use of pristine, inclusion-free, euhedral crystals. Furthermore, the ages that are obtained require corrections for the effects of zoning and alpha ejection based on an ensemble of assumptions before interpretation of their geological relevance is possible. With the utilization of microbeam techniques many of the limitations of conventional (U-Th)/He geochronology can either be eliminated by careful spot selection or accounted for by detailed depth profiling analyses of He, U and Th on the same crystal. Combined He, Th, and U depth profiling on the same crystal potentially even offers the ability to extract thermal histories from the analyzed grains. Boyce et al. (2006) first demonstrated the laser microprobe (U-Th)/He dating technique by successfully dating monazite crystals using UV laser ablation to liberate He and determined U and Th concentrations using a Cameca SX-Ultrachron microprobe. At Arizona State University, further development of the microprobe (U-Th)/He dating technique continues using an ArF Excimer laser connected to a GVI Helix Split Flight Tube noble gas mass spectrometer for He analysis and SIMS techniques for U and Th. The Durango apatite age standard has been successfully dated at 30.7 +/- 1.7 Ma (2SD). Work on dating zircons by laser ablation is currently underway, with initial results from Sri Lanka zircon at 437 +/- 14 Ma (2SD) confirmed by conventional (U-Th)/He analysis and in agreement with the published (U-Th)/He age of 443 +/- 9 Ma (2SD) for zircons from this region in Sri Lanka (Nasdala et al., 2004). The results presented here demonstrate the laser microprobe (U-Th)/He method as a powerful tool that allows application of (U- Th)/He dating to areas of research such as detrital apatite and zircon

Radiological impact of natural radionuclides from soils of Salamanca, Mexico.

PubMed

Mandujano-García, C D; Sosa, M; Mantero, J; Costilla, R; Manjón, G; García-Tenorio, R

2016-11-01

Salamanca is the centre of a large industrial complex associated with the production and refining of oil-derived products in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico. The city also hosts a large chemical industry, and in past years a major fertilizer industry. All of them followed NORM (naturally occurring radioactive materials) industrial activities, where either raw materials or residues enriched in natural radionuclides are handled or generated, which can have an environmental radiological impact on their environmental compartments (e.g. soils and aquatic systems). In this study, activity concentrations of radionuclides from the 238 U and 232 Th natural series present in superficial urban soils surrounding an industrial complex in Salamanca, México, have been determined to analyse the possible environmental radiological impact of some of the industrial activities. The alpha-particle and gamma-ray spectrometry is used for the radiometric characterization. The results revealed the presence of 10-42, 11-51 and 178-811Bq/kg of 238 U, 232 Th and 40 K, respectively, without any clear anthropogenic increment in relation to the values normally found in unaffected soils. Thus, the radioactive impact of the industrial activities on the surrounding soils can be evaluated as very low, representing no radiological risk for the health of the population. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Methods of separating short half-life radionuclides from a mixture of radionuclides

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bray, L.A.; Ryan, J.L.

1998-09-15

The present invention is a method of obtaining a radionuclide product selected from the group consisting of {sup 223}Ra and {sup 225}Ac, from a radionuclide ``cow`` of {sup 227}Ac or {sup 229}Th respectively. The method comprises the steps of (a) permitting ingrowth of at least one radionuclide daughter from said radionuclide ``cow`` forming an ingrown mixture; (b) insuring that the ingrown mixture is a nitric acid ingrown mixture; (c) passing the nitric acid ingrown mixture through a first nitrate form ion exchange column which permits separating the ``cow`` from at least one radionuclide daughter; (d) insuring that the at leastmore » one radionuclide daughter contains the radionuclide product; (e) passing the at least one radionuclide daughter through a second ion exchange column and separating the at least one radionuclide daughter from the radionuclide product and (f) recycling the at least one radionuclide daughter by adding it to the ``cow``. In one embodiment the radionuclide ``cow`` is the {sup 227}Ac, the at least one daughter radionuclide is a {sup 227}Th and the product radionuclide is the {sup 223}Ra and the first nitrate form ion exchange column passes the {sup 227}Ac and retains the {sup 227}Th. In another embodiment the radionuclide ``cow`` is the {sup 229}Th, the at least one daughter radionuclide is a {sup 225}Ra and said product radionuclide is the {sup 225}Ac and the {sup 225}Ac and nitrate form ion exchange column retains the {sup 229}Th and passes the {sup 225}Ra/Ac. 8 figs.« less

Methods of separating short half-life radionuclides from a mixture of radionuclides

DOEpatents

Bray, Lane A.; Ryan, Jack L.

1998-01-01

The present invention is a method of obtaining a radionuclide product selected from the group consisting of .sup.223 Ra and .sup.225 Ac, from a radionuclide "cow" of .sup.227 Ac or .sup.229 Th respectively. The method comprises the steps of a) permitting ingrowth of at least one radionuclide daughter from said radionuclide "cow" forming an ingrown mixture; b) insuring that the ingrown mixture is a nitric acid ingrown mixture; c) passing the nitric acid ingrown mixture through a first nitrate form ion exchange column which permits separating the "cow" from at least one radionuclide daughter; d) insuring that the at least one radionuclide daughter contains the radionuclide product; e) passing the at least one radionuclide daughter through a second ion exchange column and separating the at least one radionuclide daughter from the radionuclide product and f) recycling the at least one radionuclide daughter by adding it to the "cow". In one embodiment the radionuclide "cow" is the .sup.227 Ac, the at least one daughter radionuclide is a .sup.227 Th and the product radionuclide is the .sup.223 Ra and the first nitrate form ion exchange column passes the .sup.227 Ac and retains the .sup.227 Th. In another embodiment the radionuclide "cow"is the .sup.229 Th, the at least one daughter radionuclide is a .sup.225 Ra and said product radionuclide is the .sup.225 Ac and the .sup.225 Ac and nitrate form ion exchange column retains the .sup.229 Th and passes the .sup.225 Ra/Ac.

Methods of separating short half-life radionuclides from a mixture of radionuclides

DOEpatents

Bray, L.A.; Ryan, J.L.

1998-09-15

The present invention is a method of obtaining a radionuclide product selected from the group consisting of {sup 223}Ra and {sup 225}Ac, from a radionuclide ``cow`` of {sup 227}Ac or {sup 229}Th respectively. The method comprises the steps of (a) permitting ingrowth of at least one radionuclide daughter from said radionuclide ``cow`` forming an ingrown mixture; (b) insuring that the ingrown mixture is a nitric acid ingrown mixture; (c) passing the nitric acid ingrown mixture through a first nitrate form ion exchange column which permits separating the ``cow`` from at least one radionuclide daughter; (d) insuring that the at least one radionuclide daughter contains the radionuclide product; (e) passing the at least one radionuclide daughter through a second ion exchange column and separating the at least one radionuclide daughter from the radionuclide product and (f) recycling the at least one radionuclide daughter by adding it to the ``cow``. In one embodiment the radionuclide ``cow`` is the {sup 227}Ac, the at least one daughter radionuclide is a {sup 227}Th and the product radionuclide is the {sup 223}Ra and the first nitrate form ion exchange column passes the {sup 227}Ac and retains the {sup 227}Th. In another embodiment the radionuclide ``cow`` is the {sup 229}Th, the at least one daughter radionuclide is a {sup 225}Ra and said product radionuclide is the {sup 225}Ac and the {sup 225}Ac and nitrate form ion exchange column retains the {sup 229}Th and passes the {sup 225}Ra/Ac. 8 figs.

Laser-Ablation (U-Th)/He Geochronology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hodges, K.; Boyce, J.

2003-12-01

Over the past decade, ultraviolet laser microprobes have revolutionized the field of 40Ar/39Ar geochronology. They provide unprecedented information about Ar isotopic zoning in natural crystals, permit high-resolution characterization of Ar diffusion profiles produced during laboratory experiments, and enable targeted dating of multiple generations of minerals in thin section. We have modified the analytical protocols used for 40Ar/39Ar laser microanalysis for use in (U-Th)/He geochronologic studies. Part of the success of the 40Ar/39Ar laser microprobe stems from fact that measurements of Ar isotopic ratios alone are sufficient for the calculation of a date. In contrast, the (U-Th)/He method requires separate analysis of U+Th and 4He. Our method employs two separate laser microprobes for this process. A target mineral grain is placed in an ultrahigh vacuum chamber fitted with a window of appropriate composition to transmit ultraviolet radiation. A focused ArF (193 nm) excimer laser is used to ablate tapered cylindrical pits on the surface of the target. The liberated material is scrubbed with a series of getters in a fashion similar to that used for 40Ar/39Ar geochronology, and the 4He abundance is determined using a quadrupole mass spectrometer with well-calibrated sensitivity. A key requirement for calculation of the 4He abundance in the target is a precise knowledge of the volume of the ablation pit. This is the principal reason why we employ the ArF excimer for 4He analysis rather than a less-expensive frequency-multiplied Nd-YAG laser; the excimer creates tapered cylindrical pits with extremely reproducible and easily characterized geometry. After 4He analysis, U and Th are measured on the same sample surface using the more familiar technique of laser-ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS). Our early experiments have been done using a frequency-quintupled Nd-YAG microprobe (213nm), While the need to analyze U+Th and He in separate

Bioaccumulation of the artificial Cs-137 and the natural radionuclides Th-234, Ra-226, and K-40 in the fruit bodies of Basidiomycetes in Greece.

PubMed

Kioupi, Vasiliki; Florou, Heleny; Kapsanaki-Gotsi, Evangelia; Gonou-Zagou, Zacharoula

2016-01-01

The bioaccumulation of artificial Cs-137 and natural radionuclides Th-234, Ra-226, and K-40 by Basidiomycetes of several species is studied and evaluated in relation to their substratum soils. For this reason, 32 fungal samples, representing 30 species of Basidiomycetes, were collected along with their substratum soil samples, from six selected sampling areas in Greece. The fungal fruit bodies and the soil samples were properly treated and the activity concentrations of the studied radionuclides were measured by gamma spectroscopy. The measured radioactivity levels ranged as follows: Cs-137 from <0.1 to 87.2 ± 0.4 Bq kg(-1) fresh weight (F.W.), Th-234 from <0.5 ± 0.9 to 28.3 ± 25.5 Bq kg(-1) F.W., Ra-226 from <0.3 to 1.0 ± 0.5 Bq kg(-1) F.W., and K-40 from 56.4 ± 3.0 to 759.0 ± 28.3 Bq kg(-1) F.W. The analysis of the results supported that the bioaccumulation of the studied natural radionuclides and Cs-137 is dependent on the species and the functional group of the fungi. Fungi were found to accumulate Th-234 and not U-238. What is more, potential bioindicators for each radionuclide among the 32 species studied could be suggested for each habitat, based on their estimated concentration ratios (CRs). The calculation of the CRs' mean values for each radionuclide revealed a rank in decreasing order for all the species studied.

Radioisotope dilution analyses of geological samples using 236U and 229Th

USGS Publications Warehouse

Rosholt, J.N.

1984-01-01

The use of 236U and 229Th in alpha spectrometric measurements has some advantages over the use of other tracers and measurement techniques in isotope dilution analyses of most geological samples. The advantages are: (1) these isotopes do not occur in terrestrial rocks, (2) they have negligible decay losses because of their long half lives, (3) they cause minimal recoil contamination to surface-barrier detectors, (4) they allow for simultaneous determination of the concentration and isotopic composition of uranium and thorium in a variety of sample types, and (5) they allow for simple and constant corrections for spectral inferences, 0.5% of the 238U activity is subtracted for the contribution of 235U in the 236U peak and 1% of the 229Th activity is subtracted from the 230Th activity. Disadvantages in using 236U and 229Th are: (1) individual separates of uranium and thorium must be prepared as very thin sources for alpha spectrometry, (2) good resolution in the spectrometer system is required for thorium isotopic measurements where measurement times may extend to 300 h, and (3) separate calibrations of the 236U and 229Th spike solution with both uranium and thorium standards are required. The use of these tracers in applications of uranium-series disequilibrium studies has simplified the measurements required for the determination of the isotopic composition of uranium and thorium because of the minimal corrections needed for alpha spectral interferences. ?? 1984.

Th-230 - U-238 series disequilibrium of the Olkaria basalts Gregory Rift Valley, Kenya: Petrogenesis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Black, S.; Macdonald, R.; Kelly, M.

1993-01-01

Strong mixing trends on a (Th-230/Th-232) versus Th diagram show that the basalts are mixed magmas which have undergone interaction with the crust. Instantaneous Th/U ratios are less than time integrated ones but these exceed the Th/U ratios in the MORB and OIB sources. This indicates that the mantle may have undergone some metasomatic fluxing, crustal contamination of the basalts will also enhance these ratios. Early activity on the Akira plain is represented by early basalts and hawaiites. The early basalt samples are known to predate the earliest comendites. The most recent phase of activity is represented by another cinder cone 40-50 m high being feldspar and clinopyroxene phyric. Inclusions which occur in the comendites vary in size and distribution. The largest and most porphyritic are the trachytes (up to 40 cm) with alkali feldspar phases up to 6 mm and small pyroxenes in the ground mass. The second set of inclusions are smaller (up to 10 cm) and are largely aphyric. The distribution of the inclusions are not uniform, the Broad Acres (C5) lavas contain 2-5 percent. The size of the inclusions decrease from south to north, as does the abundance of the trachytic inclusions. The major element variations in the Naivasha basalts, hawaiites and magmatic inclusions are discussed.

Measuring U-series Disequilibrium in Weathering Rinds to Study the Influence of Environmental Factors to Weathering Rates in Tropical Basse-Terre Island (French Guadeloupe)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, J.; Ma, L.; Sak, P. B.; Gaillardet, J.; Chabaux, F. J.; Brantley, S. L.

2015-12-01

Chemical weathering is a critical process to global CO2 consumption, river/ocean chemistry, and nutrient import to biosphere. Weathering rinds experience minimal physical erosion and provide a well-constrained system to study the chemical weathering process. Here, we applied U-series disequilibrium dating method to study weathering advance rates on the wet side of Basse-Terre Island, French Guadeloupe, aiming to understand the role of the precipitation in controlling weathering rates and elucidate the behavior and immobilization mechanisms of U-series isotopes during rind formation. Six weathering clasts from 5 watersheds with mean annual precipitation varying from 2000 to 3000 mm/yr were measured for U-series isotope ratios and major element compositions on linear core-to-rind transects. One sample experienced complete core-to-rind transformation, while the rest clasts contain both rinds and unweathered cores. Our results show that the unweathered cores are under U-series secular equilibrium, while all the rind materials show significant U-series disequilibrium. For most rinds, linear core-to-rind increases of (230Th/232Th) activity ratios suggest a simple continuous U addition history. However, (234U/238U) and (238U/232Th) trends in several clasts show evidences of remobilization of Uranium besides the U addition, complicating the use of U-series dating method. The similarity between U/Th ratios and major elements trends like Fe, Al, P in some transects and the ongoing leaching experiments suggest that redox and organic colloids could control the mobilization of U-series isotopes in the rinds. Rind formation ages and weathering advance rate (0.07-0.29mm/kyr) were calculated for those rinds with a simple U-addition history. Our preliminary results show that local precipitation gradient significantly influenced the weathering advance rate, revealing the potential of estimating weathering advance rates at a large spatial scale using the U-series dating method.

Time scales of intra-oceanic arc magmatism from combined U-Th and (U-Th)/He zircon geochronology of Dominica, Lesser Antilles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Howe, T. M.; Schmitt, A. K.; Lindsay, J. M.; Shane, P.; Stockli, D. F.

2015-02-01

The island of Dominica, located in the intra-oceanic Lesser Antilles arc, has produced a series of intermediate (mostly andesitic) lava domes and ignimbrites since the early Pleistocene. (U-Th)/He eruption ages from centers across the island range from ˜3 to ˜770 ka, with at least 10 eruptions occurring in the last 80 ka. Three eruptions occurred near the southern tip of Dominica (Plat Pays Volcanic Complex) in the past 15 ka alone. Zircon U-Th ages from individual centers range from near-eruption to secular equilibrium implicating protracted storage and recycling of zircons within the crust. Overlapping zircon crystallization peaks within deposits from geographically separated vents (up to 40 km apart) indicate that magma associated with separate volcanic edifices crystallized zircon contemporaneously. Two lava domes from the southern sector of the island display exclusively young zircon rim ages (<50 ka) with narrow crystallization peaks consistent with the construction of a new magma reservoir. The younging of eruption and crystallization ages implies that the magmatic foci leading to the construction of this reservoir have migrated southward, arc-parallel over time. Overall, our data support geochemical models for the ongoing construction of a silicic intrusive complex, consisting of varying amounts of crystal mush, beneath the island. U-Pb zircon ages <1-2 Ma indicate that accumulation of this complex is entirely Quaternary in age. Together zircon U-Th and U-Pb ages for Dominica suggest that the magmatic processes and time scales operating in intra-oceanic arcs are similar to those documented for continental arcs. This article was corrected on 18 MAR 2015. See the end of the full text for details.

Radionuclides from past uranium mining in rivers of Portugal.

PubMed

Carvalho, Fernando P; Oliveira, João M; Lopes, Irene; Batista, Aleluia

2007-01-01

During several decades and until a few years ago, uranium mines were exploited in the Centre of Portugal and wastewaters from uranium ore milling facilities were discharged into river basins. To investigate enhancement of radioactivity in freshwater ecosystems, radionuclides of uranium and thorium series were measured in water, sediments, suspended matter, and fish samples from the rivers Vouga, Dão, Távora and Mondego. The results show that these rivers carry sediments with relatively high naturally occurring radioactivity, and display relatively high concentrations of radon dissolved in water, which is typical of a uranium rich region. Riverbed sediments show enhanced concentrations of radionuclides in the mid-section of the Mondego River, a sign of past wastewater discharges from mining and milling works at Urgeiriça confirmed by the enhanced values of (238)U/(232)Th radionuclide ratios in sediments. Radionuclide concentrations in water, suspended matter and freshwater fish from that section of Mondego are also enhanced in comparison with concentrations measured in other rivers. Based on current radionuclide concentrations in fish, regular consumption of freshwater species by local populations would add 0.032 mSv a(-1) of dose equivalent (1%) to the average background radiation dose. Therefore, it is concluded that current levels of enhanced radioactivity do not pose a significant radiological risk either to aquatic fauna or to freshwater fish consumers.

Assessment of radionuclide and metal contamination in a thorium rich area in Norway.

PubMed

Popic, Jelena Mrdakovic; Salbu, Brit; Strand, Terje; Skipperud, Lindis

2011-06-01

The Fen Central Complex in southern Norway, a geologically well investigated area of magmatic carbonatite rocks, is assumed to be among the world largest natural reservoirs of thorium ((232)Th). These rocks, also rich in iron (Fe), niobium (Nb), uranium ((238)U) and rare earth elements (REE), were mined in several past centuries. Waste locations, giving rise to enhanced levels of both radionuclides and metals, are now situated in the area. Estimation of radionuclide and metal contamination of the environment and radiological risk assessment were done in this study. The average outdoor gamma dose rate measured in Fen, 2.71 μGy h(-1), was significantly higher than the world average dose rate of 0.059 μGy h(-1). The annual exposure dose from terrestrial gamma radiation, related to outdoor occupancy, was in the range 0.18-9.82 mSv. The total activity concentrations of (232)Th and (238)U in soil ranged from 69 to 6581 and from 49 to 130 Bq kg(-1), respectively. Enhanced concentrations were also identified for metals, arsenic (As), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr) and zinc (Zn), in the vicinity of former mining sites. Both radionuclide and heavy metal concentrations suggested leaching, mobilization and distribution from rocks into the soil. Correlation analysis indicated different origins for (232)Th and (238)U, but same or similar for (232)Th and metals As, Cr, Zn, nickel (Ni) and cadmium (Cd). The results from in situ size fractionation of water demonstrated radionuclides predominately present as colloids and low molecular mass (LMM) species, being potentially mobile and available for uptake in aquatic organisms of Norsjø Lake. Transfer factors, calculated for different plant species, showed the highest radionuclide accumulation in mosses and lichens. Uptake in trees was, as expected, lower. Relationship analysis of (232)Th and (238)U concentrations in moss and soil samples showed a significant positive linear correlation.

The Effect of fO2 on Partition Coefficients of U and Th between Garnet and Silicate Melt

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, F.; He, Z.; Schmidt, M. W.; Li, Q.

2014-12-01

Garnet is one of the most important minerals controlling partitioning of U and Th in the upper mantle. U is redox sensitive, while Th is tetra-valent at redox conditions of the silicate Earth. U-series disequilibria have provided a unique tool to constrain the time-scales and processes of magmatism at convergent margins. Variation of garnet/meltDU/Th with fO2 is critical to understand U-series disequilibria in arc lavas. However, there is still no systematic experimental study about the effect of fO2 on partitioning of U and Th between garnet and melt. Here we present experiments on partitioning of U, Th, Zr, Hf, Nb, Ta, and REE between garnet and silicate melts at various fO2. The starting material was hydrous haplo-basalt. The piston cylinder experiments were performed with Pt double capsules with C-CO, MnO-Mn3O4 (MM), and hematite-magnetite (HM) buffers at 3 GPa and 1185-1230 oC. The experiments produced garnets with diameters > 50μm and quenched melt. Major elements were measured by EMPA at ETH Zurich. Trace elements were determined using LA-ICP-MS at Northwestern University (Xi'an, China) and SIMS (Cameca1280 at the Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Beijing, China), producing consistent partition coefficient data for U and Th. With fO2 increasing from CCO to MM and HM, garnet/meltDU decreases from 0.041 to 0.005, while garnet/meltDTh ranges from 0.003 to 0.007 without correlation with fO2. Notably, garnet/meltDTh/U increases from 0.136 at CCO to 0.41 at HM. Our results indicate that U is still more compatible than Th in garnet even at the highest fO2 considered for the subarc mantle wedge (~NNO). Therefore, we predict that if garnet is the dominant phase controlling U-Th partitioning during melting of the mantle wedge, melts would still have 230Th excess over 238U. This explains why most young continental arc lavas have 230Th excess. If clinopyroxene is the dominant residual phase during mantle melting, U could be more incompatible than Th at high fO2

Natural radionuclides in plants, soils and sediments affected by U-rich coal mining activities in Brazil.

PubMed

Galhardi, Juliana Aparecida; García-Tenorio, Rafael; Bonotto, Daniel Marcos; Díaz Francés, Inmaculada; Motta, João Gabriel

2017-10-01

Mining activities can increase the mobility of metals by accelerating the dissolution and leaching of minerals from the rocks and tailing piles to the environment and, consequently, their availability for plants and subsequent transfer to the food chain. The weathering of minerals and the disposal of coal waste in tailing piles can accelerate the generation of acid mine drainage (AMD), which is responsible for the higher dissolution of metals in mining areas. In this context, the behavior of U, Th and K in soils and sediment, and the transfer factor (TF) of 238 U, 234 U and 210 Po for soybean, wheat, pine and eucalyptus cultivated around a coal mine in southern Brazil was evaluated. Alpha and gamma spectrometry were used for the measurements of the activity concentration of the radioelements. 210 Po was the radionuclide that is most accumulated in the plants, especially in the leaves. When comparing the plant species, pine showed the highest TF values for 234 U (0.311 ± 0.420) for leaves, while eucalyptus showed the highest TF for 238 U (0.344 ± 0.414) for leaves. In general, TF were higher for the leaves of soybean and wheat when compared to the grains, and grains of wheat showed higher TF for 210 Po and 238 U than grains of soybean. Deviations from the natural U isotopic ratio were recorded at all investigated areas, indicating possible industrial and mining sources of U for the vegetables. A safety assessment of transport routes and accumulation of radionuclides in soils with a potential for cultivation is important, mainly in tropical areas contaminated with solid waste and effluents from mines and industry. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Marine plankton as an indicator of low-level radionuclide contamination in the Southern Ocean

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Marsh, K.V.; Buddemeier, R.W.

1984-07-01

We have initiated an investigation of the utility of marine plankton as bioconcentrating samplers of low-level marine radioactivity in the southern hemisphere. A literature review shows that both freshwater and marine plankton have trace element and radionuclide concentration factors (relative to water) of up to 10/sup 4/. In the years 1956-1958, considerable work was done on the accumulation and distribution of a variety of fission and activation products produced by the nuclear tests in the Marshall Islands. Since then, studies have largely been confined to a few selected radionuclides, and by far most of this work has been done inmore » the northern hemisphere. We participated in Operation Deepfreeze 1981, collecting 32 plankton samples from the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Glacier on its Antarctic cruise, while Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories concurrently sampled air, water, rain and fallout. We were able to measure concentrations of the naturally occurring radionuclides /sup 7/Be, /sup 40/K and the U and th series, and we believe that we have detected low levels of /sup 144/Ce and /sup 95/Nb in seven samples ranging as far south as 68/sup 0/. There is a definite association between the radionuclide content of plankton and air filters, suggesting that aerosol resuspension of marine radioactivity may be occurring. Biological identification of the plankton suggests a possible correlation between radionuclide concentration and foraminifera content of the samples. 38 references, 7 figures, 3 tables.« less

Transfer time and source tracing in the soil - water- -plant system deciphered by the U-and Th-series short-lived nuclides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rihs, S.; Pierret, M.; Chabaux, F.

2011-12-01

Because soils form at the critical interface between the lithosphere and the atmosphere, characterization of the dynamics occurring through this compartment represents an important goal for several scientific fields and/or human activities. However, this issue remains a challenge because soils are complex systems, where a continuous evolution of minerals and organic soil constituents occurs in response to interactions with waters and vegetation. This study aims to investigate the relevance of short-lived nuclides of U- and Th-series to quantify the transfer times and scheme of radionuclides through a soil - water - plant ecosystem. Activities of (226Ra), (228Ra) and (228Th), as well as the long-lived (232Th), were measured by TIMS and gamma-spectrometry in the major compartments of a forested soil section, i.e.: solid soil fractions (exchangeable fraction, secondary phases and inherited primary minerals), waters (seepage soil waters and a spring further down the watershed) and vegetation (fine and coarse roots of beech trees, young and mature leaves). The matching of these nuclides half-live to bio-geochemical processes time-scale and the relatively good chemical analogy of radium with calcium make these isotopes especially suitable to investigate either time or mechanism of transfers within a soil-water-plant system. Indeed, the (228Ra/226Ra) isotopic ratios strongly differ in the range of samples, allowing quantifying the source and duration transfers. Analyses of the various solid soil fractions demonstrate a full redistribution of Ra isotopes between the inherited minerals and secondary soil phases. However, the transfer of these isotopes to the seepage water or to the tree roots does not follow a simple and obvious scheme. Both primary and secondary phases show to contribute to the dissolved radium. However, depending on the season, the tree leaves degradation also produces up to 70% of dissolved radium. Immobilization of a large part of this radium occurs

Plant uptake of 238U, 235U, 232Th, 226Ra, 210Pb and 40K from a coal ash and slag disposal site and control soil under field conditions: A preliminary study.

PubMed

Skoko, Božena; Marović, Gordana; Babić, Dinko; Šoštarić, Marko; Jukić, Mirela

2017-06-01

The aim of this study was to investigate the uptake of 238 U, 235 U, 232 Th, 226 Ra, 210 Pb and 40 K by plants that grow on a coal ash and slag disposal site known for its higher content of naturally occurring radionuclides. Plant species that were sampled are common for the Mediterranean flora and can be divided as follows: grasses & herbs, shrubs and trees. To compare the activity concentrations and the resultant concentration ratios of the disposal site with those in natural conditions, we used control data specific for the research area, obtained for plants growing on untreated natural soil. Radionuclide activity concentrations were determined by high resolution gamma-ray spectrometry. Media parameters (pH, electrical conductivity and organic matter content) were also analysed. We confirmed significantly higher activity concentrations of 238 U, 235 U, 226 Ra and 210 Pb in ash and slag compared to control soil. However, a significant increase in the radionuclide activity concentration in the disposal site's vegetation was observed only for 226 Ra. On the contrary, a significantly smaller activity concentration of 40 K in ash and slag had no impact on its activity concentration in plant samples. The calculated plant uptake of 238 U, 235 U, 226 Ra and 210 Pb is significantly smaller in comparison with the uptake at the control site, while it is vice versa for 40 K. No significant difference was observed between the disposal site and the control site's plant uptake of 232 Th. These results can be the foundation for further radioecological assessment of this disposal site but also, globally, they can contribute to a better understanding of nature and long-term management of such disposal sites. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

(232)Th(d,4n)(230)Pa cross-section measurements at ARRONAX facility for the production of (230)U.

PubMed

Duchemin, C; Guertin, A; Haddad, F; Michel, N; Métivier, V

2014-05-01

(226)Th (T1/2=31 min) is a promising therapeutic radionuclide since results, published in 2009, showed that it induces leukemia cells death and activates apoptosis pathways with higher efficiencies than (213)Bi. (226)Th can be obtained via the (230)U α decay. This study focuses on the (230)U production using the (232)Th(d,4n)(230)Pa(β-)(230)U reaction. Experimental cross sections for deuteron-induced reactions on (232)Th were measured from 30 down to 19 MeV using the stacked-foil technique with beams provided by the ARRONAX cyclotron. After irradiation, all foils (targets as well as monitors) were measured using a high-purity germanium detector. Our new (230)Pa cross-section values, as well as those of (232)Pa and (233)Pa contaminants created during the irradiation, were compared with previous measurements and with results given by the TALYS code. Experimentally, same trends were observed with slight differences in orders of magnitude mainly due to the nuclear data change. Improvements are ongoing about the TALYS code to better reproduce the data for deuteron-induced reactions on (232)Th. Using our cross-section data points from the (232)Th(d,4n)(230)Pa reaction, we have calculated the thick-target yield of (230)U, in Bq/μA·h. This value allows now to a full comparison between the different production routes, showing that the proton routes must be preferred. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

U-Sries Disequilibra in Soils, Pena Blanca Natural Analog, Chihuahua, Mexico

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

D. French; E. Anthony; P. Goodell

2006-03-16

The Nopal I uranium deposit located in the Sierra Pena Blanca, Mexico. The deposit was mined in the early 1980s, and ore was stockpiled close by. This stockpile area was cleared and is now referred to as the Prior High Grade Stockpile (PHGS). Some of the high-grade boulders from the site rolled downhill when it was cleared in the 1990s. For this study soil samples were collected from the alluvium surrounding and underlying one of these boulders. A bulk sample of the boulder was also collected. Because the Prior High Grade Stockpile had no ore prior to the 1980s amore » maximum residence time for the boulder is about 25 years, this also means that the soil was at background as well. The purpose of this study is to characterize the transport of uranium series radionuclides from ore to the soil. Transport is characterized by determining the activities of individual radionuclides and daughter to parent ratios. Isotopes of the uranium series decay chain detected include {sup 210}Pb, {sup 234}U, {sup 230}Th, {sup 226}Ra, {sup 214}Pb, and {sup 214}Bi. Peak areas for each isotope are determined using gamma-ray spectroscopy with a Canberra Ge (Li) detector and GENIE 2000 software. The boulder sample is close to secular equilibrium when compared to the standard BL-5 (Beaver Lodge Uraninite from Canada). Results for the soils, however, indicate that some daughter/parent pairs are in secular disequilibrium. These daughter/parent (D/P) ratios include {sup 230}Th/{sup 234}U, which is greater than unity, {sup 226}Ra/{sup 230}Th, which is also greater than unity, and {sup 210}Pb/{sup 214}Bi, which is less than unity. The gamma-ray spectrum for organic material lacks {sup 230}Th peaks, but contains {sup 234}U and {sup 226}Ra, indicating that plants preferentially incorporate {sup 226}Ra. Our results, combined with previous studies require multistage history of mobilization of the uranium series radionuclides. Earlier studies at the ore zone could limit the time span for

Saprolite Formation Rates using U-series Isotopes in a Granodiorite Weathering Profile from Boulder Creek CZO (Colorado, USA)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pelt, Eric; Chabaux, Francois; Mills, T. Joseph; Anderson, Suzanne P.; Foster, Melissa A.

2015-04-01

Timescales of weathering profile formation and evolution are important kinetic parameters linked to erosion, climatic, and biological processes within the critical zone. In order to understand the complex kinetics of landscape evolution, water and soil resources, along with climate change, these parameters have to be estimated for many different contexts. The Betasso catchment, within the Boulder Creek Critical Zone Observatory (BC-CZO) in Colorado, is a mountain catchment in Proterozoic granodiorite uplifted in the Laramide Orogeny ca. 50 Ma. In an exposure near the catchment divide, an approximately 1.5 m deep profile through soil and saprolite was sampled and analysed for bulk U-series disequilibria (238U-234U-230Th-226Ra) to estimate the profile weathering rate. The (234U/238U), (230Th/234U) and (226Ra/230Th) disequilibria through the entire profile are small but vary systematically with depth. In the deepest samples, values are close to equilibrium. Above this, values are progressively further from equilibrium with height in the profile, suggesting a continuous leaching of U and Ra compared to Th. The (234U/238U) disequilibria remain < 1 along the profile, suggesting no significant U addition from pore waters. Only the shallowest sample (~20 cm depth) highlights a 226Ra excess, likely resulting from vegetation cycling. In contrast, variations of Th content and (230Th/232Th) - (238U/232Th) activity ratios in the isochron diagram are huge, dividing the profile into distinct zones above and below 80 cm depth. Below 80 cm, the Th content gradually increases upward from 1.5 to 3.5 ppm suggesting a relative accumulation linked to chemical weathering. Above 80 cm, the Th content jumps to ~15 ppm with a similar increase of Th/Ti or Th/Zr ratios that clearly excludes the same process of relative accumulation. This strong shift is also observed in LREE concentrations, such as La, Ce and Nd, and in Sr isotopic composition, which suggests an external input of radiogenic

A database of radionuclide activity and metal concentrations for the Alligator Rivers Region uranium province.

PubMed

Doering, Che; Bollhöfer, Andreas

2016-10-01

This paper presents a database of radionuclide activity and metal concentrations for the Alligator Rivers Region (ARR) uranium province in the Australian wet-dry tropics. The database contains 5060 sample records and 57,473 concentration values. The data are for animal, plant, soil, sediment and water samples collected by the Environmental Research Institute of the Supervising Scientist (ERISS) as part of its statutory role to undertake research and monitoring into the impacts of uranium mining on the environment of the ARR. Concentration values are provided in the database for 11 radionuclides ( 227 Ac, 40 K, 210 Pb, 210 Po, 226 Ra, 228 Ra, 228 Th, 230 Th, 232 Th, 234 U, 238 U) and 26 metals (Al, As, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, S, Sb, Se, Sr, Th, U, V, Zn). Potential uses of the database are discussed. Crown Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Partitioning of radionuclides and trace elements in phosphogypsum and its source materials based on sequential extraction methods.

PubMed

Santos, A J G; Mazzilli, B P; Fávaro, D I T; Silva, P S C

2006-01-01

Phosphogypsum is a waste produced by the phosphate fertilizer industry. Although phosphogypsum is mainly calcium sulphate dihydrate, it contains elevated levels of impurities, which originate from the source phosphate rock used in the phosphoric acid production. Among these impurities, radionuclides from 238U and 232Th decay series are of most concern due to their radiotoxicity. Other elements, such as rare earth elements (REE) and Ba are also enriched in the phosphogypsum. The bioavailability of radionuclides (226Ra, 210Pb and 232Th), rare earth elements and Ba to the surrounding aquatic system was evaluated by the application of sequential leaching of the phosphogypsum samples from the Brazilian phosphoric acid producers. The sequential extraction results show that most of the radium and lead are located in the "iron oxide" (non-CaSO4) fraction, and that only 13-18% of these radionuclides are distributed in the most labile fraction. Th, REE and Ba were found predominantly in the residual phase, which corresponds to a small fraction of the phosphate rock or monazite that did not react and to insoluble compounds such as sulphates, phosphates and silicates. It can be concluded that although all these elements are enriched in the phosphogypsum samples they are not associated with CaSO4 itself and therefore do not represent a threat to the surrounding aquatic environment.

Environmental evolution records reflected by radionuclides in the sediment of coastal wetlands: A case study in the Yellow River Estuary wetland.

PubMed

Wang, Qidong; Song, Jinming; Li, Xuegang; Yuan, Huamao; Li, Ning; Cao, Lei

2016-10-01

Vertical profiles of environmental radionuclides ( 210 Pb, 137 Cs, 238 U, 232 Th, 226 Ra and 4 0 K) in a sediment core (Y1) of the Yellow River Estuary wetland were investigated to assess whether environmental evolutions in the coastal wetland could be recorded by the distributions of radionuclides. Based on 210 Pb and 137 Cs dating, the average sedimentation rate of core Y1 was estimated to be 1.0 cm y -1 . Vertical distributions of natural radionuclides ( 238 U, 232 Th, 226 Ra and 40 K) changed dramatically, reflecting great changes in sediment input. Concentrations of 238 U, 232 Th, 226 Ra and 40 K all had significant positive relationships with organic matter and clay content, but their distributions were determined by different factors. Factor analysis showed that 238 U was determined by the river sediment input while 226 Ra was mainly affected by the seawater erosion. Environmental changes such as river channel migrations and sediment discharge variations could always cause changes in the concentrations of radionuclides. High concentrations of 238 U and 226 Ra were consistent with high accretion rate. Frequent seawater intrusion decreased the concentration of 226 Ra significantly. The value of 238 U/ 226 Ra tended to be higher when the sedimentation rate was low and tide intrusion was frequent. In summary, environmental evolutions in the estuary coastal wetland could be recorded by the vertical profiles of natural radionuclides. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Reply to Comment on "Zircon U-Th-Pb dating using LA-ICP-MS: Simultaneous U-Pb and U-Th dating on the 0.1 Ma Toya Tephra, Japan"

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ito, Hisatoshi

2015-04-01

Guillong et al. (2015) mentioned that corrections for abundance sensitivity for 232Th and molecular zirconium sesquioxide ions (Zr2O3+) are critical for reliable determination of 230Th abundances in zircon for LA-ICP-MS analyses. There is no denying that more rigorous treatments are necessary to obtain more reliable ages than those in Ito (2014). However, as shown in Fig. 2 in Guillong et al. (2015), the uncorrected (230Th)/(238U) for reference zircons except for Mud Tank are only 5-20% higher than unity. Since U abundance of Toya Tephra zircons that have U-Pb ages < 1 Ma is in-between that of FCT and Plesovice, the overestimation of 230Th by both abundance sensitivity and molecular interferences is expected to be 5-20% for the Toya Tephra. Moreover Ito (2014) obtained U-Th ages of the Toya Tephra by comparison with Fish Canyon Tuff (FCT) data. Because both the FCT and the Toya Tephra have similar trends of overestimation of 230Th, the effect of overestimation of 230Th to cause overestimation of U-Th age should be cancelled out or negligible. Therefore the pivotal conclusion in Ito (2014) that simultaneous U-Pb and U-Th dating using LA-ICP-MS is possible and useful for Quaternary zircons holds true.

Upwelling Rates Beneath Hotspots : Evidence From U-Series in Basalts From the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and the Azores Islands

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bourdon, B. P.; Turner, S. P.

2001-12-01

In this study, we have analyzed U-series in lavas from the Azores islands and the nearby Mid-Atlantic Ridge (FAZAR cruise) in an attempt to assess the relative importance of melting processes versus source variations in the context of ridge-hotpsot interaction. The lavas were analyzed for 238U-230Th (Turner et al. 1997, Bourdon et al. 1996) 226Ra-230Th and 235U-231Pa disequilibria by thermal ionisation mass spectrometry. Our results for the historic lavas from the Azores islands show that the 231Pa excess are at the low end of the trend found for other OIB (Pickett et al. 1997 and Bourdon et al. 1998) and fall on a positive correlation in a 231Pa/235U versus 230Th/238U diagram. In contrast, lavas from the nearby Mid-Atlantic ridge are characterized by larger (231Pa/235U) activity ratios for similar and greater (230Th/238U) ratios. There is also a weak correlation between 226Ra/230Th and 231Pa/235U. These data do not indicate a simple mixing trend between an N-MORB and an enriched component in the 231Pa/235U versus 230Th/238U diagram since the MORBs which do not have the most radiogenic isotope signatures compared with the Azores island basalts have some of the largest (230Th/238U) and 231Pa/235U. Clearly, the dynamics of melting must have played a role in generating larger 230Th and 231Pa excesses beneath the Mid-Atlantic ridge. We infer that this must be due to the absence of a lithospheric lid as larger excesses of 230Th and 231Pa can be generated for longer melting columns. Thus, ridge-hotspot interaction cannot imply a simple transfer of melt from the hotspot to the ridge. The 230Th/238U and 226Ra/230Th data across the Azores plateau shows a maximum for the island of Terceira and mimics the depth anomaly which is thought to result from the hotspot. This trend is also consistent with observations of rare gases (M. Moreira pers. comm.) and suggests that it must be related to the presence of deep material. The U-series trend is the reverse of the trend found in

Radionuclides (40K, 232Th and 238U) and Heavy Metals (Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As and Pb) Distribution Assessment at Renggam Landfill, Simpang Renggam, Johor, Malaysia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zaidi, E.; FahrulRazi, MJ; Azhar, ATS; Hazreek, ZAM; Shakila, A.; Norshuhaila, MS; Omeje, M.

2017-08-01

The assessment of radioactivity levels and the distribution of heavy metals in soil samples at CEP Farm landfill, Renggam in Johor State was to determine the activity concentrations of naturally occurring radionuclides and heavy metal concentrations of this landfill. The background radiation was monitored to estimate the exposure level. The activity concentrations of radionuclides in soil samples were determined using HPGe gamma ray spectroscopy whereas the heavy metal concentration was measured using X-RF analysis. The mean exposure rate at the landfill site was 36.2±2.4 μR hr-1 and the annual effective dose rate at the landfill site was 3.19 ± 0.22 mSv yr-1. However, residential area has lower mean exposure dose rate of about 16.33±0.72 μR hr-1 and has an annual effective dose rate of 1.43±0.06 mSv yr-1 compared to landfill sites. The mean activity concentration of 40K, 238U and 232Th at landfill site were 239.95±15.89 Bq kg-1, 20.90±2.49 Bq kg-1 and 40.61±4.59 Bq kg-1, respectively. For heavy metal compositions, Cr, Ni and Cu have mean concentration of 232±10 ppm, 23±2 ppm, and 46±19 ppm, respectively. Whereas, Zn has concentration of 64±9 ppm and concentration of 12±1 ppm and 71±2 ppm was estimated for As and Pb respectively. The higher activity concentration of 40K down the slope through leaching process whereas the higher activity level of 238U content at the landfill site may be attributed to the soil disruption to local equilibrium.

Distribution and correlation of the natural radionuclides in a coal mine of the West Macedonia Lignite Center (Greece).

PubMed

Tsikritzis, L I; Fotakis, M; Tzimkas, N; Kolovos, N; Tsikritzi, R

2008-02-01

The distribution and correlation of six natural nuclides in the West Macedonia Lignite Center, Northern Greece were studied. Fifty-five samples of lignite, aged from 1.8 to 5 million years, and corresponding steriles, beds of marls, clays and sands alternating with the lignite, were collected perpendicular to the mine benches and measured spectroscopically. The mean concentrations of (238)U and (226)Ra in lignites were found to be higher than that in steriles since these nuclides are associated with the organic material of lignite, whereas (238)U/(226)Ra equilibrium was not observed in either lignites or steriles. Finally, the ratio (226)Ra/(228)Ra in lignites was approximately double of that in steriles, confirming the affinity of the (238)U series with the coal matrix in contrast to the (232)Th series. No correlation was found between radionuclide concentrations and the depth of the sample, nor with the ash content of lignite.

Solubility of 238U radionuclide from various types of soil in synthetic gastrointestinal fluids using "US in vitro" digestion method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rashid, Nur Shahidah Abdul; Sarmani, Sukiman; Majid, Amran Ab.; Mohamed, Faizal; Siong, Khoo Kok

2015-04-01

238U radionuclide is a naturally occuring radioactive material that can be found in soil. In this study, the solubility of 238U radionuclide obtained from various types of soil in synthetic gastrointestinal fluids was analysed by "US P in vitro" digestion method. The synthetic gastrointestinal fluids were added to the samples with well-ordered, mixed throughly and incubated according to the human physiology digestive system. The concentration of 238U radionuclide in the solutions extracted from the soil was measured using Induced Coupling Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS). The concentration of 238U radionuclide from the soil samples in synthetic gastrointestinal fluids showed different values due to different homogenity of soil types and chemical reaction of 238U radionuclide. In general, the solubility of 238U radionuclide in gastric fluid was higher (0.050 - 0.209 ppm) than gastrointestinal fluids (0.024 - 0.050 ppm). It could be concluded that the US P in vitro digestion method is practicle for estimating the solubility of 238U radionuclide from soil materials and could be useful for monitoring and risk assessment purposes applying to environmental, health and contaminated soil samples.

K, U, and Th behavior in Martian environmental conditions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zolotov, M. YU.; Krot, T. V.; Moroz, L. V.

1993-01-01

The possibility of K, U, and Th content determination from orbit and in situ allows consideration of those elements as geochemical indicators in the planetary studies. In the case of Mars the unambiguous interpretations of such data in terms of igneous rocks are remarkably constrained by the widespread rock alteration and the existence of exogenic deposits. Besides, the terrestrial experience indicates that K, U, and Th contents could be used as indicators of environmental geochemical processes. Thus the determination of K, U, and Th contents in the Martian surface materials could provide the indirect data on the conditions of some exogenic geological processes. The speculations on the K, U, and Th behavior in the Martian environments show that aeolian and aqueous processes leads to the preferential accumulation of K, U, and Th in fine dust material. The separation of K, U, and Th on Mars is smaller in scale to that on Earth.

Assessment of Alternative [U] and [Th] Zircon Standards for SIMS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Monteleone, B. D.; van Soest, M. C.; Hodges, K.; Moore, G. M.; Boyce, J. W.; Hervig, R. L.

2009-12-01

The quality of in situ (U-Th)/He zircon dates is dependent upon the accuracy and precision of spatially distributed [U] and [Th] measurements on often complexly zoned zircon crystals. Natural zircon standards for SIMS traditionally have been used to obtain precise U-Pb ages rather than precise U and Th concentration. [U] and [Th] distributions within even the most homogeneous U-Pb age standards are not sufficient to make good microbeam standards (i.e., yield good precision: 2σ < 5%) for (U-Th)/He dates. In the absence of sufficiently homogeneous natural zircon crystals, we evaluate the use of the NIST 610 glass standard and a synthetic polycrystalline solid “zircon synrock” made by powdering and pressing natural zircon crystals at 2 GPa and 1100°C within a 13 mm piston cylinder for 24 hours. SIMS energy spectra and multiple spot analyses help assess the matrix-dependence of secondary ion emission and [U] and [Th] homogeneity of these materials. Although spot analyses on NIST 610 glass yielded spatially consistent ratios of 238U/30Si and 232Th/30Si (2σ = 2%, n = 14), comparison of energy spectra collected on glass and zircon reveal significant differences in U, UO, Th, and ThO ion intensities over the range of initial kinetic energies commonly used for trace element analyses. Computing [U] and [Th] in zircon using NIST glass yields concentrations that vary by more than 10% for [U] and [Th], depending on the initial kinetic energy and ion mass (elemental, oxide, or sum of elemental and oxide) used for the analysis. The observed effect of chemistry on secondary ion energy spectra suggests that NIST glass cannot be used as a standard for trace [U] and [Th] in zircon without a correction factor (presently unknown). Energy spectra of the zircon synrock are similar to those of natural zircon, suggesting matrix compatibility and therefore potential for accurate standardization. Spot analyses on the zircon powder pellets, however, show that adequate homogeneity of [U

Natural radionuclides in trees grown on a uranium mill tailings waste pile.

PubMed

Strok, Marko; Smodiš, Borut; Eler, Klemen

2011-06-01

The purpose of the study was to investigate natural radionuclide uptake and allocation by trees. Samples from six Scots pines (P. sylvestris), six Norway spruces (Picea abies) and one sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus) tree, growing on the Boršt uranium mill tailings waste pile in Slovenia were collected. (238)U, (230)Th, (226)Ra and (210)Pb activity concentrations in wood, shoots and 1-year-old needles or leaves were determined. Particular radionuclides were separated from the samples by appropriate radiochemical procedures and their activity concentrations measured with an alpha spectrometry system. In addition, concentration ratios for different plant parts were calculated. Results showed that for all radionuclides, the highest activity concentrations were found in foliage, followed by shoots and wood. The activity concentrations in trees were from 0.01 to 5.4 Bq kg(-1) for (238)U, 0.03-11.3 Bq kg(-1) for (230)Th, 2.7-2,728 Bq kg(-1) for (226)Ra and 5.1-321 Bq kg(-1) for (210)Pb. All activity concentrations were calculated on dry weight basis. The calculated concentration ratios were from 1.05E-5 to 5.39E-3 for (238)U, 7.65E-6-2.88E-3 for (230)Th, 3.10E-4-3.16E-1 for (226)Ra and 6.70E-4-4.22E-2 for (210)Pb.

U-Th-Ra variations in Himalayan river sediments (Gandak river, India): Weathering fractionation and/or grain-size sorting?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bosia, Clio; Chabaux, François; Pelt, Eric; France-Lanord, Christian; Morin, Guillaume; Lavé, Jérôme; Stille, Peter

2016-11-01

Understanding the origin of U-Th-Ra variations in the Ganga river sediments is a prerequisite for correctly using U-series nuclides to constrain the sediment transport times in Himalayan rivers. For this purpose, U, Th, and Ra concentrations, along with 238U-234U-230Th-226Ra radioactive disequilibria, were analyzed in bank, bedload and suspended sediments from the Gandak river, one of the main tributaries of the Ganga river. The data confirm that U and Th budgets of the Himalayan sediments are significantly influenced by minor resistant minerals, such as zircon, garnet and Ti-bearing minerals, the dissolution of which required the use of a high-pressure acid digestion process. Most importantly, the results indicate that the variations in (238U/232Th) and (230Th/232Th) activity ratios and 238U-234U-230Th-226Ra disequilibria in sediments along the river alluvial plain mainly reflect modifications in the mineralogical and grain-size compositions rather than the degree of weathering during transport. The (238U/232Th) and (230Th/232Th) activity ratios in the bank and bed sediments are related to variations in the minor primary minerals strongly enriched in U and Th (i.e., zircon, REE-bearing minerals and Ti-bearing minerals), whereas the activity ratios in the suspended load are related to variations in the proportions of clay, Fe-oxyhydroxides and the silt-sand fraction, which contains U- and Th-bearing minor minerals. The data also indicate that 238U-234U-230Th-226Ra disequilibria are strongly influenced by secondary mineral phases: the 230Th budget is likely mainly controlled by Fe-oxyhydroxides, and the 226Ra budget is likely mainly controlled by clay minerals. Therefore, the variations in the 238U-234U-230Th-232Th system in the sediments of the Gandak river cannot simply be interpreted as the result of fractionation due to chemical transformation of the bulk sediment during its transport within the alluvial plain and/or the result of radioactive decay. Consequently

U-series dating of Lake Nyos maar basalts, Cameroon (West Africa): Implications for potential hazards on the Lake Nyos dam

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aka, Festus T.; Yokoyama, Tetsuya; Kusakabe, Minoru; Nakamura, Eizo; Tanyileke, Gregory; Ateba, Bekoa; Ngako, Vincent; Nnange, Joseph; Hell, Joseph

2008-09-01

From previously published 14C and K-Ar data, the age of formation of Lake Nyos maar in Cameroon is still in dispute. Lake Nyos exploded in 1986, releasing CO 2 that killed 1750 people and over 3000 cattle. Here we report results of the first measurements of major elements, trace elements and U-series disequilibria in ten basanites/trachy-basalts and two olivine tholeiites from Lake Nyos. It is the first time tholeiites are described in Lake Nyos. But for the tholeiites which are in 238U- 230Th equilibrium, all the other samples possess 238U- 230Th disequilibrium with 15 to 28% enrichment of 230Th over 238U. The ( 226Ra/ 230Th) activity ratios of these samples indicate small (2 to 4%) but significant 226Ra excesses. U-Th systematics and evidence from oxygen isotopes of the basalts and Lake Nyos granitic quartz separates show that the U-series disequilibria in these samples are source-based and not due to crustal contamination or post-eruptive alteration. Enrichment of 230Th is strong prima facie evidence that Lake Nyos is younger than 350 ka. The 230Th- 226Ra age of Nyos samples calculated with the ( 226Ra/ 230Th) ratio for zero-age Mt. Cameroon samples is 3.7 ± 0.5 ka, although this is a lower limit as the actual age is estimated to be older than 5 ka, based on the measured mean 230Th/ 238U activity ratio. The general stability of the Lake Nyos pyroclastic dam is a cause for concern, but judging from its 230Th- 226Ra formation age, we do not think that in the absence of a big rock fall or landslide into the lake, a big earthquake or volcanic eruption close to the lake, collapse of the dam from erosion alone is as imminent and alarming as has been suggested.

U-series constraints on the Holocene human presence in the Cuatro Cienegas basin, Mexico

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Noble, S. R.; Felstead, N.; Gonzalez, S.; Leng, M. J.; Metcalfe, S. E.; Patchett, P. J.

2010-12-01

U-series tufa ages dating a human trackway have been obtained, part of a larger Late Pleistocene - Recent palaeoclimate and human occupation study of the Cuatro Cienegas basin, NE Mexico. Our analytical approach, including tracer calibration, couples aspects of what we consider best practice in the U-series community with our U-Pb experiences which includes the EarthTime U-Pb tracer calibration exercise. The recently discovered trackway is near a small hydrothermal pool within the basin [1], an ecologically highly significant oasis in the Chihuahuan desert. The oasis comprises >200 freshwater hydrothermal pools and a river system, and the related ecosystem hosts >70 endemic species[2]. Pools are fed by waters that circulate a deep karstic system and that originate in the surrounding upper Jurassic-lower Cretaceous Sierra Madre Oriental mountains (>3000m) [3]. The area hosted nomadic hunter-gatherers during the Holocene, and possibly as early as Late Pleistocene (~12 ka BP). Despite the basin's ecological significance, only three palaeoenvironmental studies have been published to date, and limited geochronological constraints are available. A pollen study of drill core through peats and tufas proximal to the pools suggested a long period of climatic stability and biogeographic isolation[4], a notion supported by the large number of endemic species, but other palynological and plant macrofossil data suggest that large climatic changes occurred post Late Pleistocene [5]. The 10 m long in situ trackway is preserved in tufa and five samples from the uppermost surfaces were analysed to date the footprints. The tufas comprise clean carbonate with no petrographic evidence of replacement and little contaminant detrital material (on some exposed upper surfaces). Powdered tufa was processed following [6-8], and analysed by TIMS (Triton, U) and MC-ICP-MS (Th, Nu HR), although our future analyses will primarily be obtained on a Neptune. Samples were spiked with a 229Th/236U

U enrichment and Th/U fractionation in Archean boninites: Implications for paleo-ocean oxygenation and U cycling at juvenile subduction zones

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Manikyamba, C.; Said, Nuru; Santosh, M.; Saha, Abhishek; Ganguly, Sohini; Subramanyam, K. S. V.

2018-05-01

Phanerozoic boninites record enrichments of U over Th, giving Th/U: 0.5-1.6, relative to intraoceanic island arc tholeiites (IAT) where Th/U averages 2.6. Uranium enrichment is attributed to incorporation of shallow, oxidized fluids, U-rich but Th-poor, from the slab into the melt column of boninites which form in near-trench to forearc settings of suprasubduction zone ophiolites. Well preserved Archean komatiite-tholeiite, plume-derived, oceanic volcanic sequences have primary magmatic Th/U ratios of 4.4-3.6, and Archean convergent margin IAT volcanic sequences, having REE and HFSE compositions similar to Phanerozoic IAT equivalents, preserve primary Th/U of 4-3.6. The best preserved Archean boninites of the 3.0 Ga Olondo and 2.7 Ga Gadwal greenstone belts, hosted in convergent margin ophiolite sequences, also show relative enrichments of U over Th, with low average Th/U ∼3 relative to coeval IAT, and Phanerozoic counterparts which are devoid of crustal contamination and therefore erupted in an intraoceanic setting, with minimal contemporaneous submarine hydrothermal alteration. Later enrichment of U is unlikely as Th-U-Nb-LREE patterns are coherent in these boninites whereas secondary effects induce dispersion of Th/U ratios. The variation in Th/U ratios from Archean to Phanerozoic boninites of greenstone belts to ophiolitic sequences reflect on genesis of boninitic lavas at different tectono-thermal regimes. Consequently, if the explanation for U enrichment in Phanerozoic boninites also applies to Archean examples, the implication is that U was soluble in oxygenated Archean marine water up to 600 Ma before the proposed great oxygenation event (GOE) at ∼2.4 Ga. This interpretation is consistent with large Ce anomalies in some hydrothermally altered Archean volcanic sequences aged 3.0-2.7 Ga.

Assessment of radionuclides and heavy metals in marine sediments along the Upper Gulf of Thailand

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khuntong, S.; Phaophang, C.; Sudprasert, W.

2015-05-01

Due to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster in 2011 and the development of nuclear power plant in neighboring countries such as Vietnam in the near future, radionuclide assessment in marine sediment during 2010 - 2011 may be useful as background levels for radiation protection in Thailand. Marine sediments (10 samples) were collected approximately 1 km away from the coastline along Chonburi to Pattaya, Chonburi Province. The sediments were ground and sieved through 2-mm test sieve after air drying. Radionuclides were measured with a gamma spectrometer equipped with a well-calibrated HPGe detector. The samples were prepared in the same geometry as the reference material. The optimal counting time was 60,000 - 80,000 s for statistical evaluation and uncertainties. No contamination of 137Cs as an artificial radionuclide was found. Naturally-occurring radionuclides including 238U, 232Th and 40K were found. The mean specific activities of 238U, 232Th and 40K were 44 ± 10, 59 ± 17 and 463 ± 94 Bq/kg in the rainy season (2010); 41 ± 6, 50 ± 9 and 484 ± 83 Bq/kg in the winter (2010), and 39 ± 6, 41 ± 7 and 472 ± 81 Bq/kg in the summer (2011), respectively. The mean specific activities were higher than the values in the UNSCEAR report of 35, 30 and 400 Bq/kg for 238U, 232Th and 40K, respectively. From the measured specific activities, the absorbed dose rate, radium equivalent activity, external hazard index and annual external effective dose rate were calculated in order to assess the health risk. No radiation hazards related to the radioactivity in the sediment were expected. The accumulation of radionuclides varied with the particle size and the organic matter content in the sediment. The accumulation of heavy metals showed similar results to that of the radionuclides in the sediment.

Assessment of radionuclides (uranium and thorium) atmospheric pollution around Manjung district, Perak using moss as bio-indicator

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Arshad, Nursyairah, E-mail: nursyairah1990@gmail.com; Hamzah, Zaini; Wood, Ab. Khalik

2016-01-22

Bio-monitoring method using mosses have been widely done around the world and the effectiveness has been approved. Mosses can be used to assess the levels of atmospheric pollution as mosses pick up nutrients from the atmosphere and deposition retaining many trace elements. In this study, the deposition of two radionuclides; uranium (U) and thorium (Th) around Manjung districts have been evaluated using Leucobryum aduncum as bio-monitoring medium. The samples were collected from 24 sampling sites covering up to 40 km radius to the North, North-East and South-East directions from Teluk Rubiah. The concentrations of U and Th in moss samples weremore » analysed using Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) Spectrometer. The concentrations of Th are in the range of 0.07-2.09 mg/kg. Meanwhile, the concentrations of U in the moss are in the range of 0.03-0.18 mg/kg. The Enrichment Factor (EF) was calculated to determine the origin of the radionuclides distributions. Other than that, the distribution maps were developed to observe the distribution of the radionuclides around the study area.« less

Applications of neutron activation analysis in determination of natural and man-made radionuclides, including PA-231

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Byrne, A. R.; Benedik, L.

1999-01-01

Neutron activation analysis (NAA), being essentially an isotopic and not an elemental method of analysis, is capable of determining a number of important radionuclides of radioecological interest by transformation into another, more easily quantifiable radionuclide. The nuclear characteristics which favour this technique may be summarized in an advantage factor relative to radiometric analysis of the original radioanalyte. Well known or hardly known examples include235U,238U,232Th,230Th,129I,99Tc,237Np and231Pa; a number of these are discussed and illustrated in analysis of real samples of environmental and biological origin. In particular, determination of231Pa by RNAA was performed using both postirradiation and preseparation methods. Application of INAA to enable the use of238U and232Th as endogenous (internal) radiotracers in alpha spectrometric analyses of uranium and thorium radioisotopes in radioecological studies is described, also allowing independent data sets to be obtained for quality control.

230Th/U dating of a late Pleistocene alluvial fan along the southern San Andreas fault

USGS Publications Warehouse

Fletcher, Kathryn E.K.; Sharp, Warren D.; Kendrick, Katherine J.; Behr, Whitney M.; Hudnut, Kenneth W.; Hanks, Thomas C.

2010-01-01

U-series dating of pedogenic carbonate-clast coatings provides a reliable, precise minimum age of 45.1 ± 0.6 ka (2σ) for the T2 geomorphic surface of the Biskra Palms alluvial fan, Coachella Valley, California. Concordant ages for multiple subsamples from individual carbonate coatings provide evidence that the 238U-234U-230Th system has remained closed since carbonate formation. The U-series minimum age is used to assess previously published 10Be exposure ages of cobbles and boulders. All but one cobble age and some boulder 10Be ages are younger than the U-series minimum age, indicating that surface cobbles and some boulders were partially shielded after deposition of the fan and have been subsequently exhumed by erosion of fine-grained matrix to expose them on the present fan surface. A comparison of U-series and 10Be ages indicates that the interval between final alluvial deposition on the T2 fan surface and accumulation of dateable carbonate is not well resolved at Biskra Palms; however, the “time lag” inherent to dating via U-series on pedogenic carbonate can be no larger than ∼10 k.y., the uncertainty of the 10Be-derived age of the T2 fan surface. Dating of the T2 fan surface via U-series on pedogenic carbonate (minimum age, 45.1 ± 0.6 ka) and 10Be on boulder-top samples using forward modeling (preferred age, 50 ± 5 ka) provides broadly consistent constraints on the age of the fan surface and helps to elucidate its postdepositional development.

230Th/U dating of a late pleistocene alluvial fan along the southern san andreas fault

USGS Publications Warehouse

Fletcher, K.E.K.; Sharp, W.D.; Kendrick, K.J.; Behr, W.M.; Hudnut, K.W.; Hanks, T.C.

2010-01-01

U-series dating of pedogenic carbonate-clast coatings provides a reliable, precise minimum age of 45.1 ?? 0.6 ka (2??) for the T2 geomorphic surface of the Biskra Palms alluvial fan, Coachella Valley, California. Concordant ages for multiple subsamples from individual carbonate coatings provide evidence that the 238U-234U-230Th system has remained closed since carbonate formation. The U-series minimum age is used to assess previously published 10Be exposure ages of cobbles and boulders. All but one cobble age and some boulder 10Be ages are younger than the U-series minimum age, indicating that surface cobbles and some boulders were partially shielded after deposition of the fan and have been subsequently exhumed by erosion of fine-grained matrix to expose them on the present fan surface. A comparison of U-series and 10Be ages indicates that the interval between final alluvial deposition on the T2 fan surface and accumulation of dateable carbonate is not well resolved at Biskra Palms; however, the "time lag" inherent to dating via U-series on pedogenic carbonate can be no larger than ~10 k.y., the uncertainty of the 10Be-derived age of the T2 fan surface. Dating of the T2 fan surface via U-series on pedogenic carbonate (minimum age, 45.1 ?? 0.6 ka) and 10Be on boulder-top samples using forward modeling (preferred age, 50 ?? 5 ka) provides broadly consistent constraints on the age of the fan surface and helps to elucidate its postdepositional development. ?? 2010 Geological Society of America.

An accurate method to measure alpha-emitting natural radionuclides in atmospheric filters: Application in two NORM industries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lozano, R. L.; Bolívar, J. P.; San Miguel, E. G.; García-Tenorio, R.; Gázquez, M. J.

2011-12-01

In this work, an accurate method for the measurement of natural alpha-emitting radionuclides from aerosols collected in air filters is presented and discussed in detail. The knowledge of the levels of several natural alpha-emitting radionuclides (238U, 234U, 232Th, 230Th, 228Th, 226Ra and 210Po) in atmospheric aerosols is essential not only for a better understanding of the several atmospheric processes and changes, but also for a proper evaluation of the potential doses, which can inadvertently be received by the population via inhalation. The proposed method takes into account the presence of intrinsic amounts of these radionuclides in the matrices of the quartz filters used, as well as the possible variation in the humidity of the filters throughout the collection process. In both cases, the corrections necessary in order to redress these levels have been evaluated and parameterized. Furthermore, a detailed study has been performed into the optimisation of the volume of air to be sampled in order to increase the accuracy in the determination of the radionuclides. The method as a whole has been applied for the determination of the activity concentrations of U- and Th-isotopes in aerosols collected at two NORM (Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material) industries located in the southwest of Spain. Based on the levels found, a conservative estimation has been performed to yield the additional committed effective doses to which the workers are potentially susceptible due to inhalation of anthropogenic material present in the environment of these two NORM industries.

Measurement of intrinsic radioactive backgrounds from the 137Cs and U/Th chains in CsI(Tl) crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Shu-Kui; Yue, Qian; Lin, Shin-Ted; Li, Yuan-Jing; Tang, Chang-Jian; Wong Tsz-King, Henry; Xing, Hao-Yang; Yang, Chao-Wen; Zhao, Wei; Zhu, Jing-Jun

2015-04-01

The inorganic CsI(Tl) crystal scintillator is a candidate anti-compton detector for the China Dark matter Experiment. Studying the intrinsic radiopurity of the CsI(Tl) crystal is an issue of major importance. The timing, energy and spatial correlations, as well as the capability of pulse shape discrimination provide powerful methods for the measurement of intrinsic radiopurities. The experimental design, detector performance and event-selection algorithms are described. A total of 359×3 kg-days data from three prototypes of CsI(Tl) crystals were taken at China Jinping Underground Laboratory (CJPL), which offers a good shielding environment. The contamination levels of internal isotopes from 137Cs, 232Th and 238U series, as well as the upper bounds of 235U series are reported. Identification of the whole α peaks from U/Th decay chains and derivation of those corresponding quenching factors are achieved. Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (11275107, 11175099)

Assessment of radionuclide concentration and exhalation studies in soil of lesser Himalayas of Jammu and Kashmir, India

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, Ajay; Vij, Raman; Sharma, Sumit; Sarin, Amit; Narang, Saurabh

2018-02-01

Because to extensive utilization of soil as a building/construction stuff, the activities of 238U, 40K, 232Th, and exhalation studies in solid samples have been measured using thallium activated sodium iodide (NaI(Tl)) gamma detector and scintillation-based smart RnDuo monitor. The measured activity concentration of radionuclides lies in the range of 2.76-38.96, 12.47-65.70, and 199-450 Bq/kg for uranium (C U), thorium (C Th), and potassium (C K), respectively. The annual effective dose rate due to radionuclides is within the secure limit suggested by ICRP. The radium equivalent activity of all the samples is under 100 Bq/kg. The maximum outward and inside risk indices of all these samples are below the values of 0.37 and 0.43. No direct correlation has been seen between 238U and its mass exhalation rate as well as 232Th and its surface exhalation rate in soil samples.

U-Th-Ra Disequilibria in Lavas from the 2004-2005 Eruption of Mt. St. Helens

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Donnelly, C. T.; Cooper, K. M.

2005-12-01

Decay of several nuclides in the U-series decay chain occurs on timescales similar to those of a variety of magmatic processes. Thus, analyses of the disequilibria between different parent/daughter pairs within this series have been used successfully to trace crystal populations and to describe the time scales of crystallization and magma storage in volcanic systems. Previous work with six samples erupted from Mt. St. Helens from ~2ka to 1982 showed 226Ra-230Th crystal ages of a few ka. In two of these samples, the Ra-Th ages were discordant with 230Th-238U ages of tens of ka, indicating a longer, more complex history than either age alone would reveal. We are now analyzing a suite of samples from the ongoing eruption of Mt. St. Helens for U-Th-Ra disequilibria in whole rocks as well as in plagioclase and amphibole mineral separates. Our preliminary data show that 1) though the Th isotopic composition (IC) of three whole rock samples are within the range of Th ICs from samples spanning the past 2kyr, they are markedly different from the Th IC of the 1982 dacite dome. 2) MSH304 (erupted Oct 2004) plagioclase has a Th IC significantly lower than any MSH samples previously analyzed and differs greatly from its corresponding WR. This indicates either that this plagioclase was dominated by crystals foreign to the matrix within which they were erupted, or that they are tens of thousands of years old. 3) A plagioclase separate from MSH305-1 (erupted Nov 2004) has Th IC similar to that of its corresponding WR, indicating that this plagioclase separate is dominated by recent (10ka) growth. 4) Ra excesses in all of the WR and plagioclase samples indicate that a significant mass of total crystallization occurred within the past ~10kyr. We are currently processing several more samples spanning the first eight months of the ongoing eruption. Several size fractions of plagioclase separates from MSH304 and MSH319 (erupted June 2005) will help to elucidate what appears to be a

In-situ measurements of U-series nuclides by electron microprobe on zircons and monazites from Gandak river sediments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bosia, C.; Deloule, E.; France-Lanord, C.; Chabaux, F.

2015-12-01

Determination of sediment transfer time during transport in the alluvial plains is a critical issue to correctly understand the relationship between climate, tectonics and Earth surface evolution. The residence time of river sediments may be constrained by analyzing the U series nuclides fractionations (e.g. [1] and [2]), which are created during water rock interactions by the ejection of the daughter nuclides of the grain (α-recoil) and the preferential mobilization of nuclides in decay damaged crystal structure. However, recent studies on sediments from the Gandak river, one of the main Ganga tributary, highlighted the difficulties to obtain reproducible data on bulk sediments, due to the nuggets distribution of U-Th enriched minor minerals in the samples (Bosia et al., unpublished data). We therefore decided to analyze the U and Th isotopic systematic at a grain-scale for Himalayan sediments from the Gandak river. This has been tested by performing in situ depth profiles of 238U-234U-230Th and 232Th on zircons and monazites (50-250 μm) by Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) at the CRPG, Nancy, France. The first results point the occurrence of 238U-234U-230Th disequilibria in the outermost parts of both monazite and zircon minerals with a return to the equilibrium state in the core of the grains. The relative U and Th enrichment is however slightly different depending on considered minerals, suggesting possible adsorption processes of 230-Th. Coupled to a simple model of U and Th mobility during water-mineral interactions, these data should help to constrain the origin of 238U-234U-230Th disequilibria in these minerals. Moreover, the results of the study should be relevant to discuss the potential of this approach to constrain the residence time of zircons and monazites in the Gandak alluvial plain. [1] Chabaux et al., 2012, C. R. Geoscience, 344 (11-12): 688-703; [2] Granet et al., 2007, Earth and Planet. Sci. Lett., 261 (3-4): 389-406.

Bioaccessibility of U, Th and Pb in particulate matter from an abandoned uranium mine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Millward, Geoffrey; Foulkes, Michael; Henderson, Sam; Blake, William

2016-04-01

Currently, there are approximately 150 uranium mines in Europe at various stages of either operation, development, decommissioning, restoration or abandonment (wise-uranium.com). The particulate matter comprising the mounds of waste rock and mill tailings poses a risk to human health through the inadvertent ingestion of particles contaminated with uranium and thorium, and their decay products, which exposes recipients to the dual toxicity of heavy elements and their radioactive emissions. We investigated the bioaccessibility of 238U, 232Th and 206,214,210Pb in particulate samples taken from a contaminated, abandoned uranium mine in South West England. Sampling included a mine shaft, dressing floor and waste heap, as well as soils from a field used for grazing. The contaminants were extracted using the in-vitro Unified Bioaccessibility Research Group of Europe Method (UBM) in order to mimic the digestion processes in the human stomach (STOM) and the combined stomach and gastrointestinal tract (STOM+INT). Analyses of concentrations of U, Th and Pb in the extracts were by ICP-MS and the activity concentrations of radionuclides were determined on the same particles, before and after extraction, using gamma spectroscopy. 'Total' concentrations of U, Th and Pb for all samples were in the range 57 to 16,200, 0.28 to 3.8 and 69 to 4750 mg kg-1, respectively. For U and Pb the concentrations in the STOM fraction were lower than the total and STOM+INT fractions were even lower. However, for Th the STOM+INT fractions were higher than the STOM due to the presence of Th carbonate species within the gastrointestinal fluid. Activity concentrations for 214Pb and 210Pb, including total, STOM and STOM+INT, were in the range 180 to <1 Bq g-1 for the dressing floor and waste heap and 18 to <1 Bq g-1 for the grazing land. Estimates of the bioaccessible fractions (BAFs) of 238U in the most contaminated samples were 39% and 8% in the STOM and STOM+INT, respectively, whereas the respective

238U-234U-230Th disequilibrium in hydrogenous oceanic Fe-Mn crusts: Palaeoceanographic record or diagenetic alteration?

USGS Publications Warehouse

Chabaux, F.; O'Nions, R. K.; Cohen, A.S.; Hein, J.R.

1997-01-01

A detailed TIMS study of (234Uexc/238U), (230Th/232Th), and Th/U ratios have been performed on the outermost margin of ten hydrogenous Fe-Mn crusts from the equatorial Pacific Ocean and west-central Indian Ocean. Th/U concentration ratios generally decrease from the crust's surface down to 0.5-1 mm depth and growth rates estimated by uranium and thorium isotope ratios are significantly different in Fe-Mn crusts from the Peru Basin and the west-central Indian Ocean. Fe-Mn crusts from the same geographical area define a single trend in plots of Ln (234Uexc/238U) vs. Ln(230Th/232Th) and Th/U ratios vs. age of the analysed fractions. Results suggest that (1) hydrogenous Fe-Mn crusts remain closed-systems after formation, and consequently (2) the discrepancy observed between the 230Th and 234U chronometers in Fe-Mn crusts, and the variations of the Th/U ratios through the margin of Fe-Mn crusts, are not due to redistribution of uranium and thorium isotopes after oxyhydroxide precipitation, but rather to temporal variations of both Th/U and initial thorium activity ratios recorded by the Fe-Mn layers. Implications of these observations for determination of Fe-Mn crust growth-rates are discussed. Variations of both Th/U and initial Th activity ratios in Fe-Mn crusts might be related to changes in particle input to seawater and/or changes in ocean circulation during the last 150 ka. Copyright ?? 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.

Ecological transfer of radionuclides and metals to free-living earthworm species in natural habitats rich in NORM.

PubMed

Mrdakovic Popic, Jelena; Salbu, Brit; Skipperud, Lindis

2012-01-01

Transfer of radionuclides ((232)Th and (238)U) and associated metals (As, Cd, Pb and Cr) from soil to free-living earthworm species was investigated in a thorium ((232)Th) rich area in Norway. Sampling took place within former mining sites representing the technologically enhanced naturally occurring radioactive materials (TENORM), at undisturbed site with unique bedrock geology representing the naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) and at site outside the (232)Th rich area taken as reference Background site. Soil analysis revealed the elevated levels of investigated elements at NORM and TENORM sites. Based on sequential extraction, uranium ((238)U) and cadmium (Cd) were quite mobile, while the other elements were strongly associated with mineral components of soil. Four investigated earthworm species (Aporrectodea caliginosa, Aporrectodea rosea, Dendrodrilus rubidus and Lumbricus rubellus) showed large individual variability in the accumulation of radionuclides and metals. Differences in uptake by epigeic and endogeic species, as well as differences within same species from the NORM, TENORM and Background sites were also seen. Based on total concentrations in soil, the transfer factors (TF) were in ranges 0.03-0.08 and 0.09-0.25, for (232)Th and (238)U, respectively. TFs for lead (Pb), chromium (Cr) and arsenic (As) were low (less than 0.5), while TFs for Cd were higher (about 10). Using the ERICA tool, the estimated radiation exposure dose rate of the earthworms ranged from 2.2 to 3.9 μGy/h. The radiological risk for investigated earthworms was low (0.28). The obtained results demonstrated that free-living earthworm species can survive in soil containing elevated (232)Th and (238)U, as well As, Cd, Pb and Cr levels, although certain amount of radionuclides was accumulated within their bodies. The present investigation contributes to general better understanding of complex soil-to-biota transfer processes of radionuclides and metals and to assessment

Measurement of natural radionuclides in U.K. diet.

PubMed

Smith-Briggs, J L; Bradley, E J

1984-05-01

The levels of radium-226, lead-210 and polonium-210 in the U.K. diet have been determined. The important food groups contributing to the intake of these radionuclides have been identified. Seventy-five percent of the daily intake of radium-226 is derived from beverages, cereals, other vegetables, bread, sugars and preserves. Seventy-five percent of the intake of lead-210 and polonium-210 is derived from bread, milk, cereals, beverages, other vegetables, sugars and preserves, and meat products. The average daily intakes of these radionuclides are tentatively calculated to be 30 mBq for radium-226 and 82 mBq for both lead-210 and polonium-210. These levels are compared with data from other countries. The annual effective dose equivalents resulting from the intakes are approximately 3 muSv for radium-226 and 54 muSv from lead-210 and polonium-210 together. The differences between these doses and other current estimates are discussed.

Naturally Occurring Radionuclides of Ash Produced by Coal Combustion. The Case of the Kardia Mine in Northern Greece

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fotakis, M.; Tsikritzis, L.; Tzimkas, N.; Kolovos, N.; Tsikritzi, R.

2008-08-01

West Macedonia Lignite Center (WMLC), located in Northwest Greece, releases into the atmosphere about 21,400 tons/year of fly ash through the stacks of four coal fired plants. The lignite ash contains naturally occurring radionuclides, which are deposited on the WMLC basin. This work investigates the natural radioactivity of twenty six ash samples, laboratory produced from combustion of lignite, which was sampled perpendicularly to the benches of the Kardia mine. The concentrations of radionuclides 40K, 235U, 238U, 226Ra, 228Ra and 232Th, were measured spectroscopically and found round one order of magnitude as high as those of lignite. Subsequently the Radionuclide Partitioning Coefficients of radionuclides were calculated and it was found that they are higher for 232Th, 228Ra and 40K, because the latter have closer affinity with the inorganic matrix of lignite. During combustion up to one third of the naturally occurring radioisotopes escape from the solid phase into the flue gases. With comparison to relative global data, the investigated ash has been found to have relatively high radioactivity, but the emissions of the WMLC radionuclides contribute only 0.03% to the mean annual absorbed dose.

External exposure doses due to gamma emitting natural radionuclides in some Egyptian building materials.

PubMed

Moharram, B M; Suliman, M N; Zahran, N F; Shennawy, S E; El Sayed, A R

2012-01-01

Using of building materials containing naturally occurring radionuclides as (238)U, (232)Th and (40)K and their progeny results in an external exposures of the housing of such buildings. In the present study, indoor dose rates for typical Egyptian rooms are calculated using the analytical method and activity concentrations of natural radionuclides in some building materials. Uniform chemical composition of the walls, floor and ceiling as well as uniform mass concentrations of the radionuclides in walls, floor and ceiling assumed. Different room models are assumed to discuss variation of indoor dose rates according to variation in room construction. Activity concentrations of (238)U, (232)Th and (40)K content in eight samples representative Clay soil and different building materials used in most recent Egyptian building were measured using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The specific activity for (238)U, (232)Th and (40)K, from the selected samples, were in the range 14.15-60.64, 2.75-84.66 and 7.35-554.4Bqkg(-1), respectively. The average indoor absorbed dose rates in air ranged from 0.005μGyh(-1) to 0.071μGyh(-1) and the corresponding population-weighted annual effective dose due to external gamma radiation varies from 0.025 to 0.345mSv. An outdoor dose rate for typical building samples in addition to some radiological hazards has been introduced for comparison. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A survey of natural terrestrial and airborne radionuclides in moss samples from the peninsular Thailand.

PubMed

Wattanavatee, Komrit; Krmar, Miodrag; Bhongsuwan, Tripob

2017-10-01

The aim of this study was to determine the activity concentrations of natural terrestrial radionuclides ( 238 U, 226 Ra, 232 Th and 40 K) and airborne radionuclides ( 210 Pb, 210 Pb ex and 7 Be) in natural terrestrial mosses. The collected moss samples (46) representing 17 species were collected from 17 sampling localities in the National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries of Thailand, situated in the mountainous areas between the northern and the southern ends of peninsular Thailand (∼7-12 °N, 99-102 °E). Activity concentrations of radionuclides in the samples were measured using a low background gamma spectrometer. The results revealed non-uniform spatial distributions of all the radionuclides in the study area. Principal component analysis and cluster analysis revealed two distinct origins for the studied radionuclides, and furthermore, the Pearson correlations were strong within 226 Ra, 232 Th, 238 U and 40 K as well as within 210 Pb and 210 Pb ex , but there was no significant correlation between these two groups. Also 7 Be was uncorrelated to the others, as expected due to different origins of the airborne and terrestrial radionuclides. The radionuclide activities of moss samples varied by moss species, topography, geology, and meteorology of each sampling area. The observed abnormally high concentrations of some radionuclides probably indicate that the concentrations of airborne and terrestrial radionuclides in moss samples were directly related to local geological features of the sampling site, or that high levels of 7 Be were most probably linked with topography and regional NE monsoonal winds from mainland China. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

An integrated automatic system to evaluate U and Th dynamic lixiviation from solid matrices, and to extract/pre-concentrate leached analytes previous ICP-MS detection.

PubMed

Ceballos, Melisa Rodas; García-Tenorio, Rafael; Estela, José Manuel; Cerdà, Víctor; Ferrer, Laura

2017-12-01

Leached fractions of U and Th from different environmental solid matrices were evaluated by an automatic system enabling the on-line lixiviation and extraction/pre-concentration of these two elements previous ICP-MS detection. UTEVA resin was used as selective extraction material. Ten leached fraction, using artificial rainwater (pH 5.4) as leaching agent, and a residual fraction were analyzed for each sample, allowing the study of behavior of U and Th in dynamic lixiviation conditions. Multivariate techniques have been employed for the efficient optimization of the independent variables that affect the lixiviation process. The system reached LODs of 0.1 and 0.7ngkg -1 of U and Th, respectively. The method was satisfactorily validated for three solid matrices, by the analysis of a soil reference material (IAEA-375), a certified sediment reference material (BCR- 320R) and a phosphogypsum reference material (MatControl CSN-CIEMAT 2008). Besides, environmental samples were analyzed, showing a similar behavior, i.e. the content of radionuclides decreases with the successive extractions. In all cases, the accumulative leached fraction of U and Th for different solid matrices studied (soil, sediment and phosphogypsum) were extremely low, up to 0.05% and 0.005% of U and Th, respectively. However, a great variability was observed in terms of mass concentration released, e.g. between 44 and 13,967ngUkg -1 . Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Measurements of rare isotopes of U and Th by MC-ICP-MS using a 1013 ohm resistor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pythoud, M.; Edwards, R. L.; Cheng, H.; Lu, Y.; Zhang, P.; Nissen, J.; Berry, A. E.

2016-12-01

We have tested a 1013 ohm resistor on a Thermo-Scientific Neptune Plus, a multi-collector inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometer (MC-ICP-MS), for the measurement of rare isotopes of uranium (U) and thorium (Th). In nature, the isotopic disequilibrium among U-series nuclides provides the potential to date materials and time processes over the last 700,000 years. Using gravimetric standards and a Minnesota stalagmite, we demonstrate the reproducibility of δ234U and 230Th dates with uncertainties at the 1-‰ to sub-‰ level (2σ), with relatively small samples. Compared to traditional secondary electron multiplier (SEM) techniques, measurement times decrease from > 1 hour to < 5 min for U and from tens of min to < 2 min for Th, with comparable or better precision. The characteristics of the new amplifier design and typical instrumental conditions allow for 234U and 230Th sample loads as small as 1-2 pg, a reduction in sample size close to an order of magnitude over cup measurements with 1011 ohm resistors. The main sources of error include the amplifier noise, uncertainty in the characterization of the tailing effect, and in some cases, counting statistics. Importantly, our overall characterization suggests that this new method forms the basis for future and further improvements on instrumental precision.

Radionuclide desorption kinetics on synthetic Zn/Ni-labeled montmorillonite nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huber, F. M.; Heck, S.; Truche, L.; Bouby, M.; Brendlé, J.; Hoess, P.; Schäfer, T.

2015-01-01

Sorption/desorption kinetics for selected radionuclides (99Tc(VII), 232Th(IV), 233U(VI), 237Np(V), 242Pu and 243Am(III)) under Grimsel (Switzerland) ground water conditions (pH 9.7 and ionic strength of ∼1 mM) in the presence of synthetic Zn or Ni containing montmorillonite nanoparticles and granodiorite fracture filling material (FFM) from Grimsel were examined in batch studies. The structurally bound Zn or Ni in the octahedral sheet of the synthetic colloids rendered them suitable as colloid markers. Only a weak interaction of the montmorillonite colloids with the fracture filling material occurs over the experimental duration of 10,000 h (∼13 months). The tri- and tetravalent radionuclides are initially strongly associated with nanoparticles in contrast to 99Tc(VII), 233U(VI) and 237Np(V) which showed no sorption to the montmorillonite colloids. Radionuclide desorption of the nanoparticles followed by sorption to the fracture filling material is observed for 232Th(IV), 242Pu and 243Am(III). Based on the conceptual model that the driving force for the kinetically controlled radionuclide desorption from nanoparticles and subsequent association to the FFM is the excess in surface area offered by the FFM, the observed desorption kinetics are related to the colloid/FFM surface area ratio. The observed decrease in concentration of the redox sensitive elements 99Tc(VII), 233U(VI) and 237Np(V) may be explained by reduction to lower oxidation states in line with Eh-pH conditions prevailing in the experiments and thermodynamic considerations leading to (i) precipitation of a sparingly soluble phase, (ii) sorption to the fracture filling material, (iii) possible formation of eigencolloids and/or (iv) sorption to the montmorillonite colloids. Subsequent to the sorption/desorption kinetics study, an additional experiment was conducted investigating the potential remobilization of radionuclides/colloids attached to the FFM used in the sorption/desorption kinetic

High resolution analysis of uranium and thorium concentration as well as U-series isotope distributions in a Neanderthal tooth from Payre (Ardèche, France) using laser ablation ICP-MS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grün, Rainer; Aubert, Maxime; Joannes-Boyau, Renaud; Moncel, Marie-Hélène

2008-11-01

We have mapped U ( 238U) and Th ( 232Th) elemental concentrations as well as U-series isotope distributions in a Neanderthal tooth from the Middle Palaeolithic site of Payre using laser ablation ICP-MS. The U-concentrations in an enamel section varied between 1 and 1500 ppb. The U-concentration maps show that U-migration through the external enamel surface is minute, the bulk of the uranium having migrated internally via the dentine into the enamel. The uranium migration and uptake is critically dependent on the mineralogical structure of the enamel. Increased U-concentrations are observed along lineaments, some of which are associated with cracks, and others may be related to intra-prismatic zones or structural weaknesses reaching from the dentine into the enamel. The uranium concentrations in the dentine vary between about 25,000 and 45,000 ppb. Our systematic mapping of U-concentration and U-series isotopes provides insight into the time domain of U-accumulation. Most of the uranium was accumulated in an early stage of burial, with some much later overprints. None of the uranium concentration and U-series profiles across the root of the tooth complied with a single stage diffusion-adsorption (D-A) model that is used for quality control in U-series dating of bones and teeth. Nevertheless, in the domains that yielded the oldest apparent U-series age estimates, U-leaching could be excluded. This means that the oldest apparent U-series ages of around 200 ka represent a minimum age for this Neanderthal specimen. This is in good agreement with independent age assessments (200-230 ka) for the archaeological layer, in which it was found. The Th elemental concentrations in the dental tissues were generally low (between about 1 and 20 ppb), and show little relationship with the nature of the tissue.

Distribution of U-Th nuclides in the riverine and coastal environments of the tropical southwest coast of India.

PubMed

Balakrishna, K; Shankar, R; Sarin, M M; Manjunatha, B R

2001-01-01

A reconnaissance study has been made on the distribution of 238U, 234U, 232Th and 230Th in soils, water, suspended particulate matter (SPM) and bottom sediments in the Kali river basin around Kaiga, its estuarine region and the adjacent Arabian Sea to obtain the baseline data of U-Th series nuclides in view of the commissioning of nuclear power reactors at Kaiga, near Karwar, on the southwest coast of India. Drainage basin soils developed over greywackes (the dominant litho-unit upstream) are lower in 238U/Al and 232Th/Al ratios by factors of 3-5 in comparison with those developed over tonalitic gneisses (the dominant litho-unit downstream). The dominance of the former type of soils is reflected in the composition of river-bottom sediments derived from the upstream drainage basin during the monsoon. The 232Th in bottom sediments tends to increase towards the estuarine and coastal areas, presumably due to deposition of heavy minerals and onshore transport of coastal sediments into the estuary. The dissolved U in the Kali river is low (0.001-0.02 microg/l) when compared to the major Indian rivers as the Kali river flows through U-poor greywackes. Thus, the input of dissolved U to the Kali estuary is dominated by sea water. Although there is some evidence for the removal of dissolved U at low salinity during estuarine mixing, its behaviour is conservative in the lower estuary (at higher salinities). The removal rate of dissolved U from the Kali river basin is similar to that reported from other tropical river basins. The U flux from all the west-flowing rivers of Peninsular India is estimated at 26.3 x 10(6) g/yr to the Arabian Sea which is about 2% of the flux from the Himalayan rivers to the Bay of Bengal.

ICRP Publication 137: Occupational Intakes of Radionuclides: Part 3.

PubMed

Paquet, F; Bailey, M R; Leggett, R W; Lipsztein, J; Marsh, J; Fell, T P; Smith, T; Nosske, D; Eckerman, K F; Berkovski, V; Blanchardon, E; Gregoratto, D; Harrison, J D

2017-12-01

per content (Sv Bq−1 measurement) for inhalation, and graphs of retention and excretion data per Bq intake for inhalation. These data are provided for all absorption types and for the most common isotope(s) of each element. The electronic annex that accompanies the OIR series of publications contains a comprehensive set of committed effective and equivalent dose coefficients, committed effective dose per content functions, and reference bioassay functions. Data are provided for inhalation, ingestion, and direct input to blood. This third publication in the series provides the above data for the following elements: ruthenium (Ru), antimony (Sb), tellurium (Te), iodine (I), caesium (Cs), barium (Ba), iridium (Ir), lead (Pb), bismuth (Bi), polonium (Po), radon (Rn), radium (Ra), thorium (Th), and uranium (U).

National low-level waste management program radionuclide report series, Volume 14: Americium-241

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Winberg, M.R.; Garcia, R.S.

1995-09-01

This report, Volume 14 of the National Low-Level Waste Management Program Radionuclide Report Series, discusses the radiological and chemical characteristics of americium-241 ({sup 241}Am). This report also includes discussions about waste types and forms in which {sup 241}Am can be found and {sup 241}Am behavior in the environment and in the human body.

Fission cross section of 239Th and 232Th relative to 235U

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Meadows, J. W.

1979-01-01

The fission cross sections of /sup 230/Th and /sup 232/Th were measured relative to /sup 235/U from near threshold to near 10 MeV. The weights of the thorium samples were determined by isotopic dilution. The weight of the uranium deposit was based on specific activity measurements of a /sup 234/U-/sup 235/U mixture and low geometry alpha counting. Corrections were made for thermal background, loss of fragments in the deposits, neutron scattering in the detector assembly, sample geometry, sample composition and the spectrum of the neutron source. Generally the systematic errors were approx. 1%. The combined systematic and statistical errors weremore » typically 1.5%. 17 references.« less

Integrated multi-site U-Th chronology of the last glacial Lake Lisan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Torfstein, Adi; Goldstein, Steven L.; Kagan, Elisa J.; Stein, Mordechai

2013-03-01

We present a new integrated multi-site chronology for Lake Lisan, which occupied the Dead Sea basin and Jordan Valley during the last glacial period (70-14 kka, Marine Isotope Stages 4, 3, 2). The Dead Sea basin lacustrine deposits are unique among closed basin sediments in that they formed in a deep, hypersaline water body that precipitated primary aragonite which is amenable to radiometric dating by U-series, providing a solid basis for studies of the relationship of Middle East climate to other changes in the high latitudes or the tropics. The application of U-Th dating for lacustrine carbonates requires corrections for detrital U and Th and hydrogenous ("initial") 230Th. Here we followed an iterative approach, in which we evaluate the composition of the detrital contamination independently for every set of coeval samples to determine the corrected ages. These were further filtered and combined with lithological-limnological considerations, which were used to construct age-height models for all studied stratigraphic sections. Finally, the ages of stratigraphic tie-points were used to integrate the individual age-height models into a unified chronology. The resulting chronological framework indicates that the ages of several primary gypsum units associated with catastrophic lake level drops correspond with the timing of Heinrich events in the North Atlantic. Thus, a final iterative step involves refining the ages of "Lisan-gypsum events" based on the ages of Heinrich events 6, 5, 5a, 4, and 1. This approach yields an unprecedented basin-wide, unified, event-anchored chronology for the Lisan Formation, with typical age uncertainties ca. 1000-2000 years (95% confidence limit) across the entire last glacial, well below those typically related to individual U-Th and radiocarbon dating of "dirty" carbonates from similar time intervals. The results can be further extrapolated to new sites and serve as a geochronometric reference for the reconstruction of the

Subduction and melting processes inferred from U-Series, Sr Nd Pb isotope, and trace element data, Bicol and Bataan arcs, Philippines

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

DuFrane, S. Andrew; Asmerom, Yemane; Mukasa, Samuel B.; Morris, Julie D.; Dreyer, Brian M.

2006-07-01

We present U-series, Sr-Nd-Pb isotope, and trace element data from the two principal volcanic chains on Luzon Island, developed over oppositely dipping subduction zones, to explore melting and mass transfer processes beneath arcs. The Bataan (western) and Bicol (eastern) arcs are currently subducting terrigenous and pelagic sediments, respectively, which have different trace element and isotopic compositions. The range of ( 230Th/ 238U) disequilibria for both arcs is 0.85-1.15; only lavas from Mt. Mayon (Bicol arc) have 230Th activity excesses. Bataan lavas have higher 87Sr/ 86Sr and lower 143Nd/ 144Nd than Bicol lavas ( 87Sr/ 86Sr = 0.7042-0.7046, 143Nd/ 144Nd = 0.51281-0.51290 vs. 87Sr/ 86Sr = 0.70371-0.70391, 143Nd/ 144Nd = 0.51295-0.51301) and both arcs show steep linear arrays towards sediment values on 207Pb/ 204Pb vs. 206Pb/ 204Pb diagrams. Analysis of incompatible element and isotopic data allows identification of a sediment component that, at least in part, was transferred as a partial melt to the mantle wedge peridotite. Between 1% and 5% sediment melt addition can explain the isotopic and trace element variability in the rocks from both arcs despite the differences in sediment supply. We therefore propose that sediment transfer to the mantle wedge is likely mechanically or thermally limited. It follows that most sediments are either accreted, reside in the sub-arc lithosphere, or are recycled into the convecting mantle. However, whole-sale sediment recycling into the upper mantle is unlikely in light of the global mid-ocean ridge basalt data. Fluid involvement is more difficult to characterize, but overall the Bicol arc appears to have more fluid influence than the Bataan arc. Rock suites from each arc can be related by a dynamic melting process that allows for 230Th ingrowth, either by dynamic or continuous flux melting, provided the initial ( 230Th/ 232Th) of the source is ˜0.6-0.7. The implication of either model is that inclined arrays on the U-Th

Annual committed effective dose from olive oil (due to 238U, 232Th, and 222Rn) estimated for members of the Moroccan public from ingestion and skin application.

PubMed

Misdaq, M A; Touti, R

2012-03-01

Olive oil is traditionally refined and widely consumed by Moroccan rural populations. Uranium (238U), thorium (232Th), radon (222Rn), and thoron (220Rn) contents were measured in various locally produced olive oil samples collected in rural areas of Morocco. These radionuclides were also measured inside various bottled virgin olive oils consumed by the Moroccan populations. CR-39 and LR-115 type II solid state nuclear track detectors (SSNTDs) were used. Annual committed effective doses due to 238U, 232Th, and 222Rn from the ingestion of olive oil by the members of the general public were determined. The maximum total committed effective dose due to 238U, 232Th, and 222Rn from the ingestion of olive oil by adult members of Moroccan rural populations was found equal to 5.9 µSv y-1. The influence of pollution due to building material dusts and phosphates on the radiation dose to workers from the ingestion of olive oil was investigated, and it was found that the maximum total committed effective dose due to 238U, 232Th, and 222Rn was on the order of 0.22 mSy y-1. Committed effective doses to skin due to 238U, 232Th, and 222Rn from the application of olive oil masks by rural women were evaluated. The maximum total committed effective dose to skin due to 238U, 232Th, and 222Rn was found equal to 0.07 mSy y-1 cm-2.

Analysis of 238U, 232Th, 222Rn, and 220Rn in different medical drug preparations by using CR-39 and LR-115 typE II SSNTDs and resulting radiation doses to adult patients.

PubMed

Misdaq, M A; Karime, M

2009-01-01

Uranium (238U) and thorium (232Th) concentrations as well as radon (222Rn) and thoron (220Rn) alpha activities per unit volume have been measured inside 18 medical drugs (4 liquid and 14 solid materials), widely prescribed by doctors to the Moroccan adult patients, by using CR-39 and LR-115 type II solid state nuclear track detectors (SSNTDs). The measured 238U, 232Th, 222Rn, and 220Rn concentrations ranged from (4.7 +/- 0.1) mBq L-1 to (14.3 +/- 0.7) mBq L-1, (0.32 +/- 0.02) mBq L-1 to (2.7 +/- 0.2) mBq L-1, (4.7 +/- 0.2) Bq L-1 to (14.3 +/- 0.7) Bq L-1, and (0.32 +/- 0.02) Bq L-1 to (2.7 +/- 0.2) Bq L-1 for the medical drug samples studied, respectively. These radionuclides were also measured inside the preparations of the solid medical drugs studied. The influence of the drinking water nature and pollution on the concentrations of these radionuclides inside the considered medical drug preparations was investigated. Annual committed equivalent doses due to 238U, 232Th, and 222Rn were evaluated in the human body compartments of adult patients from the ingestion of the medical drug preparations studied. The maximum total committed effective dose due to 238U, 232Th, and 222Rn from the ingestion of the studied medical drug preparations, prepared from unpolluted waters, by adult patients was found equal to 1.44 microSv y.

Matrix effects for elemental fractionation within ICPMS: applications for U-Th-Pb geochronology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, W.

2016-12-01

Recent development in instruments provides significant technical supports for daily, quick, money saving geochemical analyses. Laser ablation ICPMS stands out due to these reasons, especially for the U-Th-Pb isotopic dating. Matrix-matched external standardization is by far the most common approach used in U-Th-Pb dating via LA-ICPMS. However, matrix-effects between standard and sample for in-situ dating have shown to be both significant and insignificant. It remains mysterious whether a well matrix-matched standard is needed for U-Th-Pb dating by LA-ICPMS. This study provides an experimental framework for the understanding of matrix effects induced elemental fractionation for U-Th-Pb associated with ICPMS. A preliminary study on the influence of varied U, Th and Pb amounts on their fractionations has been carried out. Experimental data show that different U, Th and Pb contents result in varied 238U/206Pb and 232Th/208Pb ratios. The fractionations of U/Pb and Th/Pb increase with the increasing contents (1 ppb to 100 ppb) with a strong positive anomaly at 10 ppb. Matrixes representing minerals frequently used in dating have been investigated for the influences on U/Pb and Th/Pb fractionations, which suggest a complicated effect. Little fractionations observed between mineral pairs (e.g., monazite and apatite; zircon and perovskite; rutile and perovskite; xenotime and baddeleyite), whereas large fractionations identified for other minerals (e.g., zircon and baddeleyite; monazite and sphene; rutile and baddeleyite). Single element matrix (i.e., Si, P, Ca, Zr, Ti) has been studied to identify their effects on the fractionations. U/Pb ratio increases with the increasing Si and P contents, whereas it decreases for Zr, Ca and Ti. Th/Pb ratio increases with increasing Si contents, decreases for P and Zr, and increases first then decreases for Ca and Ti. Above all, different matrix and U, Th and Pb amounts show distinct U/Pb and Th/Pb fractionations within ICPMS. The

Separation of uranium from (U, Th)O 2 and (U, Pu)O 2 by solid state reactions route

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Keskar, Meera; Mudher, K. D. Singh; Venugopal, V.

2005-01-01

Solid state reactions of UO 2, ThO 2, PuO 2 and their mixed oxides (U, Th)O 2 and (U, Pu)O 2 were carried out with sodium nitrate upto 900 °C, to study the formation of various phases at different temperatures, which are amenable for easy dissolution and separation of the actinide elements in dilute acid. Products formed by reacting unsintered as well as sintered UO 2 with NaNO 3 above 500 °C were readily soluble in 2 M HNO 3, whereas ThO 2 and PuO 2 did not react with NaNO 3 to form any soluble products. Thus reactions of mixed oxides (U, Th)O 2 and (U, Pu)O 2 with NaNO 3 were carried out to study the quantitative separation of U from (U, Th)O 2 and (U, Pu)O 2. X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, thermal analysis and chemical analysis techniques were used for the characterization of the products formed during the reactions.

Uranium-series disequilibrium in tuffs from Yucca Mountain, Nevada, as evidence of pore-fluid flow over the last million years

USGS Publications Warehouse

Gascoyne, M.; Miller, N.H.; Neymark, L.A.

2002-01-01

Samples of tuff from boreholes drilled into fault zones in the Exploratory Studies Facility (ESF) and relatively unfractured rock of the Cross Drift tunnels, at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, have been analysed by U-series methods. This work is part of a project to verify the finding of fast flow-paths through the tuff to ESF level, indicated by the presence of 'bomb' 36Cl in pore fluids. Secular radioactive equilibrium in the U decay series, (i.e. when the radioactivity ratios 234U/238U, 230Th/234U and 226Ra/230Th all equal 1.00) might be expected if the tuff samples have not experienced radionuclide loss due to rock-water interaction occurring within the last million years. However, most fractured and unfractured samples were found to have a small deficiency of 234U (weighted mean 234U/238U=0.95??0.01) and a small excess of 230Th (weighted mean 230Th/234U 1.10??0.02). The 226Ra/230Th ratios are close to secular equilibrium (weighted mean = 0.94??0.07). These data indicate that 234U has been removed from the rock samples in the last ???350 ka, probably by pore fluids. Within the precision of the measurement, it would appear that 226Ra has not been mobilized and removed from the tuff, although there may be some localised 226Ra redistribution as suggested by a few ratio values that are significantly different from 1.0. Because both fractured and unfractured tuffs show approximately the same deficiency of 234U, this indicates that pore fluids are moving equally through fractured and unfractured rock, More importantly, fractured rock appears not to be a dominant pathway for groundwater flow (otherwise the ratio would be more strongly affected and the Th and Ra isotopic ratios would likely also show disequilibrium). Application of a simple mass-balance model suggests that surface infiltration rate is over an order of magnitude greater than the rate indicated by other infiltration models and that residence time of pore fluids at ESF level is about 400 a. Processes of U

In situ detrital zircon (U-Th)/He thermochronology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tripathy, A.; Monteleone, B. D.; van Soest, M. C.; Hodges, K.; Hourigan, J. K.

2010-12-01

Detrital studies of both sand and rock are relevant to many problems, ranging from the climate and tectonics feedback debate to the long-term record of orogenic evolution. When applying the conventional (U-Th)/He technique to such studies, two important issues arise. Often, only euhedral grains are permissible for analysis in order to make simple geometric corrections for α-recoil. In detrital samples, this is problematic because euhedral grains can be scarce due to mechanical abrasion during transport, and potentially introduce bias in favour of more proximally sourced grains. Second, inherent to detrital studies is the need to date many grains (>100) per sample to ensure a representative sampling of the sediment source region, thus making robust conventional detrital studies both expensive and time-consuming. UV laser microprobes can improve this by permitting careful targeting of the grain interior away from the α-ejection zone, rendering the α-recoil correction unnecessary, thus eliminating bias toward euhedral grains. In the Noble Gas, Geochemistry, and Geochronology Laboratory at ASU, apatite and zircon have been successfully dated using in situ methods. For this study, the conventional and in situ techniques are compared by dating zircons from a modern river sand that drains a small catchment in the Mesozoic-Cenozoic Ladakh Batholith in NW India. This sample has a simple provenance, which allows us to demonstrate the robustness of the in situ method. Moreover, different microbeam techniques will be explored to establish the most efficient approach to obtain accurate and precise U-Th concentrations using synrock, which is our powdered, homogenized, and reconstituted zircon-rock standard. Without this, such in situ U-Th data would be difficult to obtain. 117 zircons were dated using the conventional (U-Th)/He method, revealing dates ranging from 9.70±0.35 to 106.6±3.5 Ma (2σ) with the major mode at 26 Ma. For comparison, 44 grains were dated using the in

Conodont (U Th)/He thermochronology: Initial results, potential, and problems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peppe, Daniel J.; Reiners, Peter W.

2007-06-01

We performed He diffusion experiments and (U-Th)/He age determinations on conodonts from a variety of locations to explore the potential of conodont (U-Th)/He thermochronology to constrain thermal and exhumation histories of some sedimentary-rock dominated terrains. Based on two diffusion experiments and age results from some specimens, He diffusion in conodont elements appears to be similar to that in Durango apatite fragments of similar size, and closure temperatures are approximately 60-70 °C (for cooling rates of ˜ 10 °C/m.y.). (U-Th)/He ages of conodonts from some locations yield reproducible ages consistent with regional thermal history constraints and, in at least two cases, require a closure temperature lower than ˜ 80 °C. Other samples however, yield irreproducible ages, and in one case yield ages much younger than expected based on regional geologic considerations. These irreproducible samples show inverse correlations between parent nuclides and age consistent with late-stage open-system U-Th behavior.

238U sbnd 230Th sbnd 226Ra disequilibria in young Mount St. Helens rocks: time constraint for magma formation and crystallization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Volpe, Alan M.; Hammond, Paul E.

1991-12-01

We use 238U-series nuclides and 230Th/ 232Th ratios measured by mass spectrometry to constrain processes and time scales of calc-alkaline magma genesis at Mount St. Helens, Washington. Olivine basalt, pyroxene andesites and dacites that erupted 10-2 ka ago show 3-14% ( 230Th) sbnd ( 238U) and 6-54% 226Ra sbnd 230Th disequilibria. Mineral phases exhibit robust ( 226Ra) sbnd ( 230Th) fractionation. Plagioclase has large 65-280% ( 226Ra) excesses, and magnetite has large 65% ( 226Ra) deficits relative to ( 230Th). Calculated partition coefficients for Ba, Th, and U in mineral-groundmass pairs, except Ba in plagioclase, are low (⩽ 0.04). Correlation between ( 226Ra/ 230Th ) activity ratios and rm/BaTh element ratios in the minerals suggests that 226Ra partitions similar to Ba during crystallization. Internal ( 230Th) sbnd ( 238U) isochrons for 1982 summit and East Dome dacites and Goat Rocks and Kalama andesites show that closed Th sbnd U system fractionation occurred 2-6 ka ago. Apparent internal isochrons for Castle Creek basalt (34 ka) and andesite (27 ka) suggest longer magma chamber residence times and mixing of old crystals and young melt. Mineral ( 226Ra) sbnd ( 230Th) disequilibrium on Ba-normalized internal isochron diagrams suggests average magma chamber residence times of 500-3000 years. In addition, radioactive ( 226Ra/ 230Th ) heterogeneity between minerals and groundmass or whole rock is evidence for open-system Ra sbnd Th behavior. This heterogeneity suggests there has been recent, post-crystallization, changes in melt chemical composition that affected 226Ra more than 230Th. Clearly, magma fractionation, residence and transport of crystal-melt before eruption of chemically diverse lavas at Mount St. Helens occurs over geologically short periods.

U-Th systematics and 230Th ages of carbonate chimneys at the Lost City Hydrothermal Field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ludwig, Kristin A.; Shen, Chuan-Chou; Kelley, Deborah S.; Cheng, Hai; Edwards, R. Lawrence

2011-04-01

The Lost City Hydrothermal Field (LCHF) is a serpentinite-hosted vent field located 15 km west of the spreading axis of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. In this study, uranium-thorium (U-Th) geochronological techniques have been used to examine the U-Th systematics of hydrothermal fluids and the 230Th ages of hydrothermally-precipitated carbonate chimneys at the LCHF. Fluid sample analyses indicate that endmember fluids likely contain only 0.0073 ng/g U or less compared to 3.28 ± 0.03 ng/g of U in ambient seawater. For fluid samples containing only 2-21% ambient seawater (1.1-11 mmol/kg Mg), Th concentration is 0.11-0.13 pg/g and surrounding seawater concentrations average 0.133 ± 0.016 pg/g. The 230Th/ 232Th atomic ratios of the vent fluids range from 1 (±10) × 10 -6 to 11 (±5) × 10 -6, are less than those of seawater, and indicate that the vent fluids may contribute a minor amount of non-radiogenic 230Th to the LCHF carbonate chimney deposits. Chimney 238U concentrations range from 1 to 10 μg/g and the average chimney corrected initial δ 234U is 147.2 ± 0.8, which is not significantly different from the ambient seawater value of 146.5 ± 0.6. Carbonate 232Th concentrations range broadly from 0.0038 ± 0.0003 to 125 ± 16 ng/g and 230Th/ 232Th atomic ratios vary from near seawater values of 43 (±8) × 10 -6 up to 530 (±25) × 10 -3. Chimney ages, corrected for initial 230Th, range from 17 ± 6 yrs to 120 ± 13 kyrs. The youngest chimneys are at the intersection of two active, steeply-dipping normal faults that cut the Atlantis Massif; the oldest chimneys are located in the southwest portion of the field. Vent deposits on a steep, fault-bounded wall on the east side of the field are all <4 kyrs old, indicating that mass wasting in this region is relatively recent. Comparison of results to prior age-dating investigations of submarine hydrothermal systems shows that the LCHF is the most long-lived hydrothermal system known to date. It is likely that seismic

U/Th dating by SHRIMP RG ion-microprobe mass spectrometry using single ion-exchange beads

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bischoff, James L.; Wooden, Joe; Murphy, Fred; Williams, Ross W.

2005-04-01

We present a new analytical method for U-series isotopes using the SHRIMP RG (Sensitive High mass Resolution Ion MicroProbe) mass spectrometer that utilizes the preconcentration of the U-series isotopes from a sample onto a single ion-exchange bead. Ion-microprobe mass spectrometry is capable of producing Th ionization efficiencies in excess of 2%. Analytical precision is typically better than alpha spectroscopy, but not as good as thermal ionization mass spectroscopy (TIMS) and inductively coupled plasma multicollector mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Like TIMS and ICP-MS the method allows analysis of small samples sizes, but also adds the advantage of rapidity of analysis. A major advantage of ion-microprobe analysis is that U and Th isotopes are analyzed in the same bead, simplifying the process of chemical separation. Analytical time on the instrument is ˜60 min per sample, and a single instrument-loading can accommodate 15-20 samples to be analyzed in a 24-h day. An additional advantage is that the method allows multiple reanalyses of the same bead and that samples can be archived for reanalysis at a later time. Because the ion beam excavates a pit only a few μm deep, the mount can later be repolished and reanalyzed numerous times. The method described of preconcentrating a low concentration sample onto a small conductive substrate to allow ion-microprobe mass spectrometry is potentially applicable to many other systems.

U/Th dating by SHRIMP RG ion-microprobe mass spectrometry using single ion-exchange beads

USGS Publications Warehouse

Bischoff, J.L.; Wooden, J.; Murphy, F.; Williams, Ross W.

2005-01-01

We present a new analytical method for U-series isotopes using the SHRIMP RG (Sensitive High mass Resolution Ion MicroProbe) mass spectrometer that utilizes the preconcentration of the U-series isotopes from a sample onto a single ion-exchange bead. Ion-microprobe mass spectrometry is capable of producing Th ionization efficiencies in excess of 2%. Analytical precision is typically better than alpha spectroscopy, but not as good as thermal ionization mass spectroscopy (TIMS) and inductively coupled plasma multicollector mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Like TIMS and ICP-MS the method allows analysis of small samples sizes, but also adds the advantage of rapidity of analysis. A major advantage of ion-microprobe analysis is that U and Th isotopes are analyzed in the same bead, simplifying the process of chemical separation. Analytical time on the instrument is ???60 min per sample, and a single instrument-loading can accommodate 15-20 samples to be analyzed in a 24-h day. An additional advantage is that the method allows multiple reanalyses of the same bead and that samples can be archived for reanalysis at a later time. Because the ion beam excavates a pit only a few ??m deep, the mount can later be repolished and reanalyzed numerous times. The method described of preconcentrating a low concentration sample onto a small conductive substrate to allow ion-microprobe mass spectrometry is potentially applicable to many other systems. Copyright ?? 2005 Elsevier Ltd.

RADIOACTIVE DISEQUILIBRIUM AND DYNAMIC OF NATURAL RADIONUCLIDES IN SOILS IN THE STATE OF PERNAMBUCO-BRAZIL.

PubMed

Dos Santos Júnior, José Araújo; Dos Santos Amaral, Romilton; do Nascimento Santos, Josineide Marques; da Silva, Arykerne Nascimento Casado; Rojas, Lino Angel Valcárcel; Milan, Marvic Ortueta; de Almeida Maciel Neto, José; Bezerra, Jairo Dias; Araújo, Eduardo Eudes Nóbrega de

2018-06-15

Environmental radioactivity studies have been allowed establishing radiometric patterns in several area of the earth's crust. The work was conducted through radiometric analyses of regions with high levels of radionuclides and others with no history of anomalies. The research allowed establishing the radiometric profile of soils in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil, using a gamma spectrometry system. The specific activities ranged from 16.5 to 287.5 Bq kg-1 for 238U, 2.0 to 191.7 Bq kg-1 for 226Ra, 1.3 to 281.4 Bq kg-1 for 232Th and from 5.0 to 2600.9 Bq kg-1 for 40K. The results showed areas with low levels of ionizing radiation. However, for 40K some points presented high values, although non-representative of the number of samples investigated. The 226Ra/238U and 232Th/238U ratios allowed to determine the radioactive imbalance condition and to obtain information about aspects of soil availability providing an assessment of the dynamics of these radionuclides.

Estimation of annual effective dose due to ingestion of natural radionuclides in foodstuffs and water at a proposed uranium mining site in India.

PubMed

Giri, Soma; Jha, V N; Singh, Gurdeep; Tripathi, R M

2013-12-01

To study the distribution of (210)Po, (226)Ra, (230)Th and U(nat) (naturally occurring radioisotopes of uranium [(234)U, (235)U and (238)U]) in food and water around the Bagjata uranium mining area in India. Radionuclides were analyzed in food samples of plant and animal origin after acid digestion. Intake and ingestion dose of the radionuclides were estimated. (210)Po, (226)Ra, (230)Th and U(nat) in all the dietary components ranged widely from < 0.2-36, < 0.02-1.58, < 0.01-2.8 and < 0.017-0.39 Bqkg(-1), respectively. The range of (226)Ra and U(nat) in water was < 3.5-206 and < 12.6-693 mBql(-1), respectively. The intake of radionuclides considering food and water was calculated to be 760 BqY(-1) while the ingestion dose was 601 μSvY(-1). The estimated doses reflect the natural background dose via route of ingestion, which is below the 1 mSvY(-1) limit set by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). However, the doses are more than the dose constraint of 300 μSvY(-1) as suggested by the ICRP for members of the public for planned disposal of long-lived radioactive waste. The study confirms that current levels of radionuclides do not pose significant radiological risk to the local inhabitants, but they need close investigation in the near future.

206Pb-230Th-234U-238U and 207Pb-235U geochronology of Quaternary opal, Yucca Mountain, Nevada

USGS Publications Warehouse

Neymark, Leonid A.; Amelin, Yuri V.; Paces, James B.

2000-01-01

U–Th–Pb isotopic systems have been studied in submillimeter-thick outermost layers of Quaternary opal occurring in calcite–silica fracture and cavity coatings within Tertiary tuffs at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, USA. These coatings preserve a record of paleohydrologic conditions at this site, which is being evaluated as a potential high-level nuclear waste repository. The opal precipitated from groundwater is variably enriched in 234U (measured 234U/238U activity ratio 1.124–6.179) and has high U (30–313 ppm), low Th (0.008–3.7 ppm), and low common Pb concentrations (measured 206Pb/204Pb up to 11,370). It has been demonstrated that the laboratory acid treatment used in this study to clean sample surfaces and to remove adherent calcite, did not disturb U–Th–Pb isotopic systems in opal. The opal ages calculated from 206Pb∗/238U and 207Pb∗/235U ratios display strong reverse discordance because of excess radiogenic 206Pb∗ derived from the elevated initial 234U. The data are best interpreted using projections of a new four-dimensional concordia diagram defined by 206Pb∗/238U, 207Pb∗/235U, 234U/238Uactivity, and 230Th/238Uactivity. Ages and initial 234U/238U activity ratios have been calculated using different projections of this diagram and tested for concordance. The data are discordant, that is observed 207Pb∗/235U ages of 170 ± 32 (2σ) to 1772 ± 40 ka are systematically older than 230Th/U ages of 34.1 ± 0.6 to 452 ± 32 ka. The age discordance is not a result of migration of uranium and its decay products under the open system conditions, but a consequence of noninstantaneous growth of opal. Combined U–Pb and 230Th/U ages support the model of slow mineral deposition at the rates of millimeters per million years resulting in layering on a scale too fine for mechanical sampling. In this case, U–Pb ages provide more accurate estimates of the average age for mixed multiage samples than 230Th/U ages, because ages based on shorter

U-Th-Pb and Rb-Sr systematics of Allende and U-Th-Pb systematics of Orgueil

USGS Publications Warehouse

Tatsumoto, M.; Unruh, D.M.; Desborough, G.A.

1976-01-01

U-Th-Pb systematics study of Allende inclusions showed that U, Th and Sr concentrations in Ca, Al (pyroxene)-rich chondrules and white and pinkish-white aggregate separates of Allende are five to ten times higher than those of the matrix, whereas Mg (olivine)-rich chondrules have U and Th concentrations about twice as high as the matrix. Th concentrations are extremely high in white aggregates and in pinkish-white (spinel-rich) aggregates while U and Sr concentrations in white aggregates are more than twice as high as those in pinkish-white aggregates. Large enrichment of these refractory elements in the white aggregates indicates that they contain high-temperature condensates from the solar nebula. The Pb concentrations in the inclusions are less than half of those in the whole rock and matrix, indicating that the matrix is a lower-temperature condensate. The isotopic composition of lead in the matrix is less radiogenic than that of the whole meteorite, whereas lead in Ca- and Al-rich chondrules and aggregates is extremely radiogenic. The 206Pb/204Pb ratio reaches as high as 55.9 in a white aggregate separate. The lead of Mg-rich chondrules is moderately radiogenic and the 206Pb/204Pb ratio ranges from 18 to 26. A striking linear relationship exists among leads in the chondrules, aggregates and matrix on the 207Pb/204Pb vs 204Pb/204Pb plot. The slope of the best fit line is 0.6188 ?? 0.0016, yielding an isochron age of 4553 ?? 4 m.y. The regression line passes through primordial lead values obtained from Canyon Diablo troilite. The data, when corrected for Canyon Diablo troilite Pb and plotted on a U-Pb concordia diagram, show that the pink and white aggregates and the Ca-Al-rich and Mg-rich inclusions have excess Pb and define a chord which intersects the concordia curve at 4548 ?? 25 m.y. and 107 ?? 70 m.y. The intercepts might correspond to the agglomeration age of the meteorite and a time of probably later disturbance, respectively. The matrix and some

Regolith formation rate from U-series nuclides: Implications from the study of a spheroidal weathering profile in the Rio Icacos watershed (Puerto Rico)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chabaux, F.; Blaes, E.; Stille, P.; di Chiara Roupert, R.; Pelt, E.; Dosseto, A.; Ma, L.; Buss, H. L.; Brantley, S. L.

2013-01-01

A 2 m-thick spheroidal weathering profile, developed on a quartz diorite in the Rio Icacos watershed (Luquillo Mountains, eastern Puerto Rico), was analyzed for major and trace element concentrations, Sr and Nd isotopic ratios and U-series nuclides (238U-234U-230Th-226Ra). In this profile a 40 cm thick soil horizon is overlying a 150 cm thick saprolite which is separated from the basal corestone by a ˜40 cm thick rindlet zone. The Sr and Nd isotopic variations along the whole profile imply that, in addition to geochemical fractionations associated to water-rock interactions, the geochemical budget of the profile is influenced by a significant accretion of atmospheric dusts. The mineralogical and geochemical variations along the profile also confirm that the weathering front does not progress continuously from the top to the base of the profile. The upper part of the profile is probably associated with a different weathering system (lateral weathering of upper corestones) than the lower part, which consists of the basal corestone, the associated rindlet system and the saprolite in contact with these rindlets. Consequently, the determination of weathering rates from 238U-234U-230Th-226Ra disequilibrium in a series of samples collected along a vertical depth profile can only be attempted for samples collected in the lower part of the profile, i.e. the rindlet zone and the lower saprolite. Similar propagation rates were derived for the rindlet system and the saprolite by using classical models involving loss and gain processes for all nuclides to interpret the variation of U-series nuclides in the rindlet-saprolite subsystem. The consistency of these weathering rates with average weathering and erosion rates derived via other methods for the whole watershed provides a new and independent argument that, in the Rio Icacos watershed, the weathering system has reached a geomorphologic steady-state. Our study also indicates that even in environments with differential

Natural radionuclide dose and lifetime cancer risk due to ingestion of fish and water from fresh water reservoirs near the proposed uranium mining site.

PubMed

Annamalai, Sathesh Kumar; Arunachalam, Kantha Deivi; Selvaraj, Rajaram

2017-06-01

Ten sampling locations in Nagarjuna Sagar Dam have been selected to assess the suitability of the reservoir water for human consumption. The sediment, water, and fish samples were collected and analyzed for radionuclide ( 238 U, 232 Th, 210 Po, 226 Ra, 210 Pb) and physicochemical parameters like pH, TOC, total hardness, alkalinity, DO, cation exchange capacity, and particle size. The spatial variations among the radionuclides ( 238 U, 232 Th, 210 Po, 226 Ra, 210 Pb) in water and bottom sediments of Nagarjuna Sagar Dam were determined. The uranium concentration in the sediment and water was in BDL (<0.5 ppb). The maximum permissible limits in water samples of the analyzed radionuclides are 238 U-10 Bq/l, 210 Po-0.1 Bq/l, 226 Ra-1 Bq/l, and 210 Pb-0.1 Bq/l. The radionuclides in our water samples were approximately 50 times far below the recommended limit. The ingestion of water and fish would not pose any significant radiological impact on health or cancer risk to the public, implicating that the fishes from Nagarjuna Sagar Dam reservoir are safe for human consumption except the fisherman community.

Uranium series dating of Allan Hills ice

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fireman, E. L.

1986-01-01

Uranium-238 decay series nuclides dissolved in Antarctic ice samples were measured in areas of both high and low concentrations of volcanic glass shards. Ice from the Allan Hills site (high shard content) had high Ra-226, Th-230 and U-234 activities but similarly low U-238 activities in comparison with Antarctic ice samples without shards. The Ra-226, Th-230 and U-234 excesses were found to be proportional to the shard content, while the U-238 decay series results were consistent with the assumption that alpha decay products recoiled into the ice from the shards. Through this method of uranium series dating, it was learned that the Allen Hills Cul de Sac ice is approximately 325,000 years old.

On the Quality of ENSDF {gamma}-Ray Intensity Data for {gamma}-Ray Spectrometric Determination of Th and U and Their Decay Series Disequilibria, in the Assessment of the Radiation Dose Rate in Luminescence Dating of Sediments

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Corte, Frans de; Vandenberghe, Dimitri; Wispelaere, Antoine de

In luminescence dating of sediments, one of the most interesting tools for the determination of the annual radiation dose is Ge {gamma}-ray spectrometry. Indeed, it yields information on both the content of the radioelements K, Th, and U, and on the occurrence - in geological times - of disequilibria in the Th and U decay series. In the present work, two methodological variants of the {gamma}-spectrometric analysis were tested, which largely depend on the quality of the nuclear decay data involved: (1) a parametric calibration of the sediment measurements, and (2) the correction for the heavy spectral interference of themore » 226Ra 186.2 keV peak by 235U at 185.7 keV. The performance of these methods was examined via the analysis of three Certified Reference Materials, with the introduction of {gamma}-ray intensity data originating from ENSDF. Relevant conclusions were drawn as to the accuracy of the data and their uncertainties quoted.« less

Direct Measurement of Initial 230TH/ 232TH Ratios in Central Texas Speleothems for More Accurate Age Determination

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wortham, B. E.; Banner, J. L.; James, E.; Loewy, S. L.

2013-12-01

Speleothems, calcite deposits in caves, preserve a record of climate in their growth rate, isotope ratios and trace element concentrations. These variables must be tied to precise ages to produce pre-instrumental records of climate. The 238U-234U- 230Th disequilibrium method of dating can yield precise ages if the amount of 230Th from the decay of radiogenic 238U can be constrained. 230Th in a speleothem calcite growth layer has two potential sources - 1) decay of radioactive 238U since the time of growth of the calcite layer; and 2) initial detrital 230Th, incorporated along with detrital 232Th, into the calcite layer at the time it grew. Although the calcite lattice does not typically incorporate Th, samples can contain impurities with relatively high Th contents. Initial 230Th/232Th is commonly estimated by assuming a source with bulk-Earth U/Th values in a state of secular equilibrium in the 238U-decay chain. The uncertainty in this 230Th/232Th estimate is also assumed, typically at +/-100%. Both assumptions contribute to uncertainty in ages determined for young speleothems. If the amount of initial detrital 230Th can be better quantified for samples or sites, then U-series ages will have smaller uncertainties and more precisely define the time series of climate proxies. This study determined the initial 230Th/232Th of modern calcite to provide more precise dates for central Texas speleothems. Calcite was grown on glass-plate substrates placed under active drips in central Texas caves. The 230Th/232Th of this modern calcite was determined using thermal ionization mass spectrometry. Results show that: 1) initial 230Th/232Th ratios can be accurately determined in these young samples and 2) measuring 230Th/232Th reduces the uncertainties in previously-determined ages on stalagmites from under the same drips. For example, measured initial 230Th/232Th in calcite collected on substrates from different locations in the cave at Westcave Preserve are 15.3 × 0.67 ppm

Natural radionuclide mobility and its influence on U-Th-Pb dating of secondary minerals from the unsaturated zone at Yucca Mountain, Nevada

USGS Publications Warehouse

Neymark, L.A.; Amelin, Y.V.

2008-01-01

Extreme U and Pb isotope variations produced by disequilibrium in decay chains of 238U and 232Th are found in calcite, opal/chalcedony, and Mn-oxides occurring as secondary mineral coatings in the unsaturated zone at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. These very slowly growing minerals (mm my-1) contain excess 206Pb and 208Pb formed from excesses of intermediate daughter isotopes and cannot be used as reliable 206Pb/238U geochronometers. The presence of excess intermediate daughter isotopes does not appreciably affect 207Pb/235U ages of U-enriched opal/chalcedony, which are interpreted as mineral formation ages. Opal and calcite from outer (younger) portions of coatings have 230Th/U ages from 94.6 ?? 3.7 to 361.3 ?? 9.8 ka and initial 234U/238U activity ratios (AR) from 4.351 ?? 0.070 to 7.02 ?? 0.12, which indicate 234U enrichment from percolating water. Present-day 234U/238U AR is ???1 in opal/chalcedony from older portions of the coatings. The 207Pb/235U ages of opal/chalcedony samples range from 0.1329 ?? 0.0080 to 9.10 ?? 0.21 Ma, increase with microstratigraphic depth, and define slow long-term average growth rates of about 1.2-2.0 mm my-1, in good agreement with previous results. Measured 234U/238U AR in Mn-oxides, which pre-date the oldest calcite and opal/chalcedony, range from 0.939 ?? 0.006 to 2.091 ?? 0.006 and are >1 in most samples. The range of 87Sr/86Sr ratios (0.71156-0.71280) in Mn-oxides overlaps that in the late calcite. These data indicate that Mn-oxides exchange U and Sr with percolating water and cannot be used as a reliable dating tool. In the U-poor calcite samples, measured 206Pb/207Pb ratios have a wide range, do not correlate with Ba concentration as would be expected if excess Ra was present, and reach a value of about 1400, the highest ever reported for natural Pb. Calcite intergrown with opal contains excesses of both 206Pb and 207Pb derived from Rn diffusion and from direct ??-recoil from U-rich opal. Calcite from coatings devoid of opal

The enrichment behavior of natural radionuclides in pulverized oil shale-fired power plants.

PubMed

Vaasma, Taavi; Kiisk, Madis; Meriste, Tõnis; Tkaczyk, Alan Henry

2014-12-01

The oil shale industry is the largest producer of NORM (Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material) waste in Estonia. Approximately 11-12 million tons of oil shale containing various amounts of natural radionuclides is burned annually in the Narva oil shale-fired power plants, which accounts for approximately 90% of Estonian electricity production. The radionuclide behavior characteristics change during the fuel combustion process, which redistributes the radionuclides between different ash fractions. Out of 24 operational boilers in the power plants, four use circulating fluidized bed (CFB) technology and twenty use pulverized fuel (PF) technology. Over the past decade, the PF boilers have been renovated, with the main objective to increase the efficiency of the filter systems. Between 2009 and 2012, electrostatic precipitators (ESP) in four PF energy blocks were replaced with novel integrated desulphurization technology (NID) for the efficient removal of fly ash and SO2 from flue gases. Using gamma spectrometry, activity concentrations and enrichment factors for the (238)U ((238)U, (226)Ra, (210)Pb) and (232)Th ((232)Th, (228)Ra) family radionuclides as well as (40)K were measured and analyzed in different PF boiler ash fractions. The radionuclide activity concentrations in the ash samples increased from the furnace toward the back end of the flue gas duct. The highest values in different PF boiler ash fractions were in the last field of the ESP and in the NID ash, where radionuclide enrichment factors were up to 4.2 and 3.3, respectively. The acquired and analyzed data on radionuclide activity concentrations in different PF boiler ashes (operating with an ESP and a NID system) compared to CFB boiler ashes provides an indication that changes in the fuel (oil shale) composition and boiler working parameters, as well as technological enhancements in Estonian oil shale fired power plants, have had a combined effect on the distribution patterns of natural radionuclides

Glaciation control of melting rates in the mantle: U-Th systematics of young basalts from Southern Siberia and Central Mongolia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rasskazov, S.; Chebykin, E.

2012-04-01

Eastern Sayans, Siberia and Hangay, Central Mongolia are mountainous uplifts effected by Quaternary volcanism, but only the former area was covered by glaciers that were as thick as 500 m. Glaciation time intervals were marked by moraines and sub-glacial hyaloclastite-bearing volcanic edifices, whereas interglacial ones were exhibited by sub-aerial "valley" flows and cinder cones. To estimate temporal variations of maximum rates of melting and mantle upwelling in the glacial and glacial-free areas, we measured radionuclides of the U-Th system for 74 samples of the Middle-Late Pleistocene through Holocene basalts by ICP-MS technique (Chebykin et al. Russian Geol. Geophys. 2004. 45: 539-556) using mass-spectrometer Agilent 7500ce. The obtained U-Th isochron ages for the Pleistocene volcanic units in the age interval of the last 400 Kyr are mostly consistent with results of K-Ar dating. The measured (230Th/238U) ratios for the Holocene basalts from both areas are within the same range of 1.08-1.16 (parentheses denote units of activity), whereas the 50 Kyr lavas yield, respectively, the higher and lower initial (230Th0/238U) ratios (1.18-1.46 and 1.05-1.13). This discrepancy demonstrates contrast maximum rates of melting in conventional garnet peridotite sources. We suggest that this dynamical feature was provided by the abrupt Late Pleistocene deglaciation that caused the mantle decompression expressed by the earlier increasing melting beneath Eastern Sayans than beneath Hangay. In the last 400 Kyr, magmatic liquids from both Eastern Sayans and Hangay showed the overall temporal decreasing (230Th0/238U) (i.e. relative increasing rates of melting and upwelling of the mantle) with the systematically lower isotopic ratios (i.e. increased mantle activity) in the former area than in the latter. The 400 Kyr phonotephrites in Hangay showed elevated concentrations of Th (6-8 ppm) and Th/U (3.7-3.9). The high (230Th0/238U) (4.3-6.0) reflected slow fractional melting

Importance of coccolithophore-associated organic biopolymers for fractionating particle-reactive radionuclides (234Th, 233Pa, 210Pb, 210Po, and 7Be) in the ocean

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Peng; Xu, Chen; Zhang, Saijin; Sun, Luni; Schwehr, Kathleen A.; Bretherton, Laura; Quigg, Antonietta; Santschi, Peter H.

2017-08-01

Laboratory incubation experiments using the coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi were conducted in the presence of 234Th, 233Pa, 210Pb, 210Po, and 7Be to differentiate radionuclide uptake to the CaCO3 coccosphere from coccolithophore-associated biopolymers. The coccosphere (biogenic calcite exterior and its associated biopolymers), extracellular (nonattached and attached exopolymeric substances), and intracellular (sodium-dodecyl-sulfate extractable and Fe-Mn-associated metabolites) fractions were obtained by sequentially extraction after E. huxleyi reached its stationary growth phase. Radionuclide partitioning and the composition of different organic compound classes, including proteins, total carbohydrates (TCHO), and uronic acids (URA), were assessed. 210Po was closely associated with the more hydrophobic biopolymers (high protein/TCHO ratio, e.g., in attached exopolymeric substances), while 234Th and 233Pa showed similar partitioning behavior with most activity being distributed in URA-enriched, nonattached exopolymeric substances and intracellular biopolymers. 234Th and 233Pa were nearly undetectable in the coccosphere, with a minor abundance of organic components in the associated biopolymers. These findings provide solid evidence that biogenic calcite is not the actual main carrier phase for Th and Pa isotopes in the ocean. In contrast, both 210Pb and 7Be were found to be mostly concentrated in the CaCO3 coccosphere, likely substituting for Ca2+ during coccolith formation. Our results demonstrate that even small cells (E. huxleyi) can play an important role in the scavenging and fractionation of radionuclides. Furthermore, the distinct partitioning behavior of radionuclides in diatoms (previous studies) and coccolithophores (present study) explains the difference in the scavenging of radionuclides between diatom- and coccolithophore-dominated marine environments.

Quantitative analysis of thoria phase in Th-U alloys using diffraction studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thakur, Shital; Krishna, P. S. R.; Shinde, A. B.; Kumar, Raj; Roy, S. B.

2017-05-01

In the present study the quantitative phase analysis of Th-U alloys in bulk form namely Th-52 wt% U and Th-3wt%U has been performed over the data obtained from both X ray diffraction and neutron diffraction technique using Rietveld method of FULLPROF software. Quantifying thoria (ThO2) phase present in bulk of the sample is limited due to surface oxidation and low penetration of x rays in high Z material. Neutron diffraction study probing bulk of the samples has been presented in comparison with x-ray diffraction study.

Experimental determination of U and Th partitioning between clinopyroxene and natural and synthetic basaltic liquid

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Latourrette, T. Z.; Burnett, D. S.

1992-01-01

Experimental measurements of U and the partition coefficients between clinopyroxene and synthetic and natural basaltic liquid are presented. The results demonstrate that crystal-liquid U-Th fractionation is fO2-dependent and that U in terrestrial magmas is not entirely tetravalent. During partial melting, the liquid will have a Th/U ratio less than the clinopyroxene in the source. The observed U-238 - Th-230 disequilibrium in MORB requires that the partial melt should have a U/Th ratio greater than the bulk source and therefore cannot result from clinopyroxene-liquid partitioning. Further, the magnitudes of the measured partition coefficients are too small to generate significant U-Th fractionation in either direction. Assuming that clinopyroxene contains the bulk of the U and Th in the MORB source, the results indicate that U-238 - Th-230 disequilibrium in MORB may not be caused by partial melting at all.

Radionuclides in ground water of the Carson River Basin, western Nevada and eastern California, U.S.A.

USGS Publications Warehouse

Thomas, J.M.; Welch, A.H.; Lico, M.S.; Hughes, J.L.; Whitney, R.

1993-01-01

Ground water is the main source of domestic and public supply in the Carson River Basin. Ground water originates as precipitation primarily in the Sierra Nevada in the western part of Carson and Eagle Valleys, and flows down gradient in the direction of the Carson River through Dayton and Churchill Valleys to a terminal sink in the Carson Desert. Because radionuclides dissolved in ground water can pose a threat to human health, the distribution and sources of several naturally occurring radionuclides that contribute to gross-alpha and gross-beta activities in the study area were investigated. Generally, alpha and beta activities and U concentration increase from the up-gradient to down-gradient hydrographic areas of the Carson River Basin, whereas 222Rn concentration decreases. Both 226Ra and 228Ra concentrations are similar throughout the study area. Alpha and beta activities and U concentration commonly exceed 100 pCi/l in the Carson Desert at the distal end of the flow system. Radon-222 commonly exceeds 2,000 pCi/l in the western part of Carson and Eagle Valleys adjacent to the Sierra Nevada. Radium-226 and 228Ra concentrations are <5 pCi/l. Four ground water samples were analyzed for 210Po and one sample contained a high concentration of 21 pCi/l. Seven samples were analyzed for 210Pb; six contained <3 pCi/l and one contained 12 pCi/l. Thorium-230 was detected at concentrations of 0.15 and 0.20 pCi/l in two of four samples. Alpha-emitting radionuclides in the ground water originated from the dissolution of U-rich granitic rocks in the Sierra Nevada by CO2, oxygenated water. Dissolution of primary minerals, mainly titanite (sphene) in the granitic rocks, releases U to the water. Dissolved U is probably removed from the water by adsorption on Fe- and Mn-oxide coatings on fracture surfaces and fine-grained sediment, by adsorption on organic matter, and by coprecipitation with Fe and Mn oxides. These coated sediments are transported throughout the basin by fluvial

Hydrogeological interpretation of natural radionuclide contents in Austrian groundwaters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schubert, Gerhard; Berka, Rudolf; Hörhan, Thomas; Katzlberger, Christian; Landstetter, Claudia; Philippitsch, Rudolf

2010-05-01

The Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES) stores comprehensive data sets of radionuclide contents in Austrian groundwater. There are several analyses concerning Rn-222, Ra-226, gross alpha and gross beta as well as selected analyses of Ra-228, Pb-210, Po-210, Uranium and U-234/U-238. In a current project financed by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management, AGES and the Geological Survey of Austria (GBA) are evaluating these data sets with regard to the geological backgrounds. Several similar studies based on groundwater monitoring have been made in the USA (for instance by Focazio, M.J., Szabo, Z., Kraemer, T.F., Mullin, A.H., Barringer, T.H., De Paul, V.T. (2001): Occurrence of selected radionuclides in groundwater used for drinking water in the United States: a reconnaissance survey, 1998. U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 00-4273). The geological background for the radionuclide contents of groundwater will be derived from geological maps in combination with existing Thorium and Uranium analyses of the country rocks and stream-sediments and from airborne radiometric maps. Airborne radiometric data could contribute to identify potential radionuclide hot spot areas as only airborne radiometric mapping could provide countrywide Thorium and Uranium data coverage in high resolution. The project will also focus on the habit of the sampled wells and springs and the hydrological situation during the sampling as these factors can have an important influence on the Radon content of the sampled groundwater (Schubert, G., Alletsgruber, I., Finger, F., Gasser, V., Hobiger, G. and Lettner, H. (2010): Radon im Grundwasser des Mühlviertels (Oberösterreich) Grundwasser. - Springer (in print). Based on the project results an overview map (1:500,000) concerning the radionuclide potential should be produced. The first version should be available in February 2011.

Radionuclides in the soil around the largest coal-fired power plant in Serbia: radiological hazard, relationship with soil characteristics and spatial distribution.

PubMed

Ćujić, Mirjana; Dragović, Snežana; Đorđević, Milan; Dragović, Ranko; Gajić, Boško; Miljanić, Šćepan

2015-07-01

Primordial radionuclides, (238)U, (232)Th and (40)K were determined in soil samples collected at two depths (0-10 and 10-20 cm) in the vicinity of the largest coal-fired power plant in Serbia, and their spatial distribution was analysed using ordinary kriging. Mean values of activity concentrations for these depths were 50.7 Bq kg(-1) for (238)U, 48.7 Bq kg(-1) for (232)Th and 560 Bq kg(-1) for (40)K. Based on the measured activity concentrations, the radiological hazard due to naturally occurring radionuclides in soil was assessed. The value of the mean total absorbed dose rate was 76.3 nGy h(-1), which is higher than the world average. The annual effective dose due to these radionuclides ranged from 51.4 to 114.2 μSv. Applying cluster analysis, correlations between radionuclides and soil properties were determined. The distribution pattern of natural radionuclides in the environment surrounding the coal-fired power plant and their enrichment in soil at some sampling sites were in accordance with dispersion models of fly ash emissions. From the results obtained, it can be concluded that operation of the coal-fired power plant has no significant negative impact on the surrounding environment with regard to the content of natural radionuclides.

U, Th, and K in planetary cores: Implications for volatile elements and heat production

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boujibar, A.; Habermann, M.; Righter, K.; Ross, D. K.; Righter, M.; Chidester, B.; Rapp, J. F.; Danielson, L. R.; Pando, K.; Andreasen, R.

2016-12-01

The accretion of terrestrial planets is known to be accompanied with volatile loss due to strong solar winds produced by the young Sun and due to energetic impacts. It was previously expected that Mercury, the innermost planet is depleted in volatile elements in comparison to other terrestrial planets. These predictions have been recently challenged by the MESSENGER mission to Mercury that detected relatively high K/U and K/Th ratios on Mercury's surface, suggesting a volatile content similar to Earth and Mars. However previous studies showed that Fe-rich metals can incorporate substantial U, Th and K under reducing conditions and with high sulfur contents, which are two conditions relevant to Mercury. In order to quantify the fractionation of these heat-producing elements during core segregation, we determined experimentally their partition coefficients (Dmet/sil) between metal and silicate at varying pressure, temperature, oxygen fugacity and sulfur content. Our data confirm that U, Th, and K become more siderophile with decreasing fO2 and increasing sulfur content, with a stronger effect for U and Th in comparison to K. Hence Mercury's core is likely to have incorporated more U and Th than K, resulting in the elevated K/U and K/Th ratios measured on the surface. The bulk concentrations of U, Th, and K in terrestrial planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars) are calculated based on geochemical constraints on core-mantle differentiation. Significant amounts of U, Th and K are partitioned into the cores of Mercury, Venus and Earth, but much less into Mars' core. The resulting bulk planet K/U and K/Th correlate with the heliocentric distance, which suggests an overall volatile depletion in the inner Solar System. These results have important implications for internal heat production. The role of impact erosion on the evolution of Th/U ratio will also be addressed.

Natural radionuclides in lichens, mosses and ferns in a thermal power plant and in an adjacent coal mine area in southern Brazil.

PubMed

Galhardi, Juliana Aparecida; García-Tenorio, Rafael; Díaz Francés, Inmaculada; Bonotto, Daniel Marcos; Marcelli, Marcelo Pinto

2017-02-01

The radio-elements 234 U, 235 U, 238 U, 230 Th, 232 Th and 210 Po were characterized in lichens, mosses and ferns species sampled in an adjacent coal mine area at Figueira City, Paraná State, Brazil, due to their importance for the assessment of human exposure related to the natural radioactivity. The coal is geologically associated with a uranium deposit and has been used as a fossil fuel in a thermal power plant in the city. Samples were initially prepared at LABIDRO (Isotopes and Hydrochemistry Laboratory), UNESP, Rio Claro (SP), Brazil. Then, alpha-spectrometry after several radiochemical steps was used at the Applied Nuclear Physics Laboratories, University of Seville, Seville, Spain, for measuring the activity concentration of the radionuclides. It was 210 Po the radionuclide that most bio-accumulates in the organisms, reaching the highest levels in mosses. The ferns species were less sensitive as bio-monitor than the mosses and lichens, considering polonium in relation to other radionuclides. Fruticose lichens exhibited lower polonium content than the foliose lichens sampled in the same site. Besides biological features, environmental characteristics also modify the radio-elements absorption by lichens and mosses like the type of vegetation covering these organisms, their substrate, the prevailing wind direction, elevation and climatic conditions. Only 210 Po and 238 U correlated in ferns and in soil and rock materials, being particulate emissions from the coal-fired power plant the most probable U-source in the region. Thus, the biomonitors used were able to detect atmospheric contamination by the radionuclides monitored. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Preparation of UO2, ThO2 and (Th,U)O2 pellets from photochemically-prepared nano-powders

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pavelková, Tereza; Čuba, Václav; de Visser-Týnová, Eva; Ekberg, Christian; Persson, Ingmar

2016-02-01

Photochemically-induced preparation of nano-powders of crystalline uranium and/or thorium oxides and their subsequent pelletizing has been investigated. The preparative method was based on the photochemically induced formation of amorphous solid precursors in aqueous solution containing uranyl and/or thorium nitrate and ammonium formate. The EXAFS analyses of the precursors shown that photon irradiation of thorium containing solutions yields a compound with little long-range order but likely "ThO2 like" and the irradiation of uranium containing solutions yields the mixture of U(IV) and U(VI) compounds. The U-containing precursors were carbon free, thus allowing direct heat treatment in reducing atmosphere without pre-treatment in the air. Subsequent heat treatment of amorphous solid precursors at 300-550 °C yielded nano-crystalline UO2, ThO2 or solid (Th,U)O2 solutions with high purity, well-developed crystals with linear crystallite size <15 nm. The prepared nano-powders of crystalline oxides were pelletized without any binder (pressure 500 MPa), the green pellets were subsequently sintered at 1300 °C under an Ar:H2 (20:1) mixture (UO2 and (Th,U)O2 pellets) or at 1600 °C in ambient air (ThO2 pellets). The theoretical density of the sintered pellets varied from 91 to 97%.

The activity ratio of 228Th to 228Ra in bone tissue of recently deceased humans: a new dating method in forensic examinations.

PubMed

Zinka, Bettina; Kandlbinder, Robert; Schupfner, Robert; Haas, Gerald; Wolfbeis, Otto S; Graw, Matthias

2012-01-01

Reliable determination of time since death in human skeletons or single bones often is limited by methodically difficulties. Determination of the specific activity ratio of natural radionuclides, in particular of 232Th (Thorium), 228Th and 228Ra (Radium) seems to be a new appropriate method to calculate the post mortem interval. These radionuclides are incorporated by any human being, mainly from food. So with an individual's death the uptake of radionuclides ends. But the decay of 232Th produces 228Ra and 228Th due to its decay series, whereas 228Th is continuously built up in the human's bones. Thus, it can be concluded that in all deceased humans at different times after death different activity ratios of 228Th to 228Ra will develop in bone. According to this fact it should be possible to calculate time since death of an individual by first analysing the specific activities of 228Th and 228Ra in bones of deceased and then determining the 228Th/228Ra activity ratio, which can be assigned to a certain post-mortem interval.

U-TH-PA-RA study of the Kamchatka arc: new constraints on the genesis of arc lavas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dosseto, Anthony; Bourdon, Bernard; Joron, Jean-Louis; Dupré, Bernard

2003-08-01

The 238U- 230Th- 226Ra and 235U- 231Pa disequilibria have been measured by mass spectrometry in historic lavas from the Kamchatka arc. The samples come from three closely located volcanoes in the Central Kamchatka Depression (CKD), the most active region of subducted-related volcanism in the world. The large excesses of 226Ra over 230Th found in the CKD lavas are believed to be linked to slab dehydration. Moreover, the samples show the uncommon feature of ( 230Th/ 238U) activity ratios both lower and higher than 1. The U-series disequilibria are characterized by binary trends between activity ratios, with ( 231Pa/ 235U) ratios all >1. It is shown that these correlations cannot be explained by a simple process involving a combination of slab dehydration and melting. We suggest that they are more likely to reflect mixing between two end-members: a high-magnesia basalt (HMB) end-member with a clear slab fluid signature and a high-alumina andesite (HAA) end-member reflecting the contribution of a slab-derived melt. The U-Th-Ra characteristics of the HMB end-member can be explained either by a two-step fluid addition with a time lag of 150 ka between each event or by continuous dehydration. The inferred composition for the dehydrating slab is a phengite-bearing eclogite. Equilibrium transport or dynamic melting can both account for 231Pa excess over 235U in HMB end-member. Nevertheless, dynamic melting is preferred as equilibrium transport melting requires unrealistically high upwelling velocities to preserve fluid-derived 226Ra/ 230Th. A continuous flux melting model is also tested. In this model, 231Pa- 235U is quickly dominated by fluid addition and, for realistic extents of melting, this process cannot account for ( 231Pa/ 235U) ratios as high as 1.6, as observed in the HMB end-member. The involvement of a melt derived from the subducted oceanic crust is more likely for explaining the HAA end-member compositions than crustal assimilation. Melting of the oceanic

Prospects for Practical Laser Ablation U/Pb and (U-Th)/He Double-Dating (LADD) of Detrital Apatite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Horne, A.; Hodges, K. V.; Van Soest, M. C.

2017-12-01

A laser ablation micro-analytical technique for (U-Th)/He dating has been shown to be an effective approach to the thermochronologic study of detrital zircons (Tripathy-Lang et al., J. Geophys. Res., 2013), while Evans et al. (J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2015) and Horne et al. (Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta, 2016) demonstrated how the technique could be modified to enable laser ablation U/Pb and (U-Th)/He double-dating (LADD) of detrital zircon and titanite. These successes beg the question of whether or not LADD is viable for another commonly encountered detrital mineral: apatite. Exploratory LADD studies in Arizona State University's Group 18 Laboratories - using Durango fluorapatite, apatite from the Fish Canyon tuff, and detrital apatite from modern fluvial sediments in the eastern Sierra Nevada of California - illustrate that the method is indeed viable for detrital apatite. However, the method may not be appropriate for all detrital samples. For example, many apatite grains encountered in detrital samples from young orogenic settings have low concentrations of U and Th and small crystal sizes. This can lead to imprecise laser ablation (U-Th)/He dates, especially for very young grains potentially obscuring or inhibiting relevant interpretations of the data set.

Effects of radionuclides on the recent foraminifera from the clastic sediments of the Çanakkale Strait-Turkey

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yümün, Zeki Ünal; Kam, Erol

2017-07-01

The radionuclides that cause radioactivity accumulate in the sediments as they descend to the seabed, similar to heavy metals. As radionuclides are present on the surface of the sediment or within the sediment, marine benthic foraminifera can be affected by the radioactive pollution. In this study, the habitat of benthic foraminifera was evaluated for radioactive pollution in the Çanakkale Strait, which constitutes the passage of the Marmara Sea and the Aegean Sea. In 2015, seven core samples and one drilling sample were taken from the shallow marine environment, which is the habitat of benthic foraminifera, in the Çanakkale Strait. Locations of the core samples were specifically selected to be pollution indicators in port areas. Gamma spectrometric analysis was used to determine the radioactivity properties of sediments. The radionuclide concentration activity values in the sediment samples obtained from the locations were Cs-137: <2-20 (Bq/kg), Th-232: 17.5-58.3 (Bq/kg), Ra-226: 16.9-48.6 (Bq/kg) and K-40: 443.7-725.6 (Bq/kg). These values were compared with the Turkish Atomic Energy Agency (TAEK) and the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) data and environmental analysis was carried out. The Ra-226 series, the Th-232 series and the K-40 radionuclides accumulate naturally and increase continuously due to anthropogenic pollution. Although the Ra-226 values obtained in the study areas remained within normal limits according to UNSCEAR values, the K-40 and Th-232 series values were observed to be high in almost all locations. The values of Cs-137 were found to be maximum 20 in Çanakkale Dere Port and they were parallel to the values in the other places. In the study, 13 genera and 20 species were identified from core and drilling samples. The number of foraminifera species and individuals obtained at locations with high pollution was very low compared to those in non-polluted zones.

New zircon (U-Th)/He and U/Pb eruption age for the Rockland tephra, western USA

USGS Publications Warehouse

Coble, Matthew A.; Burgess, Seth; Klemetti, Erik W.

2017-01-01

Eruption ages of a number of prominent Quaternary volcanic deposits remain inaccurately and/or imprecisely constrained, despite their importance as regional stratigraphic markers in paleo-environment reconstruction and as evidence of climate-altering eruptions. Accurately dating volcanic deposits presents challenging analytical considerations, including poor radiogenic yield, scarcity of datable minerals, and contamination of crystal populations by magma, eruption, and transport processes. One prominent example is the Rockland tephra, which erupted from the Lassen Volcanic Center in the southern Cascade arc. Despite a range in published eruption ages from 0.40 to 0.63 Ma, the Rockland tephra is extensively used as a marker bed across the western United States. To more accurately and precisely constrain the age of the Rockland tephra-producing eruption, we report U/Pb crystallization dates from the outermost ∼2 μm of zircon crystal faces (surfaces) using secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). Our new weighted mean 238U/206Pb age for Rockland tephra zircon surfaces is 0.598 ± 0.013 Ma (2σ) and MSWD = 1.11 (mean square weighted deviation). As an independent test of the accuracy of this age, we obtained new (U-Th)/He dates from individual zircon grains from the Rockland tephra, which yielded a weighted mean age of 0.599 ± 0.012 Ma (2σ, MSWD = 5.13). We also obtained a (U-Th)/He age of 0.628 ± 0.014 Ma (MSWD = 1.19) for the Lava Creek Tuff member B, which was analyzed as a secondary standard to test the accuracy of the (U-Th)/He technique for Quaternary tephras, and to evaluate assumptions made in the model-age calculation. Concordance of new U/Pb and (U-Th)/He zircon ages reinforces the accuracy of our preferred Rockland tephra eruption age, and confirms that zircon surface dates sample zircon growth up to the time of eruption. We demonstrate the broad applicability of coupled U/Pb zircon-surface and single-grain zircon (U-Th)/He geochronology to

New zircon (U-Th)/He and U/Pb eruption age for the Rockland tephra, western USA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Coble, Matthew A.; Burgess, Seth D.; Klemetti, Erik W.

2017-09-01

Eruption ages of a number of prominent Quaternary volcanic deposits remain inaccurately and/or imprecisely constrained, despite their importance as regional stratigraphic markers in paleo-environment reconstruction and as evidence of climate-altering eruptions. Accurately dating volcanic deposits presents challenging analytical considerations, including poor radiogenic yield, scarcity of datable minerals, and contamination of crystal populations by magma, eruption, and transport processes. One prominent example is the Rockland tephra, which erupted from the Lassen Volcanic Center in the southern Cascade arc. Despite a range in published eruption ages from 0.40 to 0.63 Ma, the Rockland tephra is extensively used as a marker bed across the western United States. To more accurately and precisely constrain the age of the Rockland tephra-producing eruption, we report U/Pb crystallization dates from the outermost ∼2 μm of zircon crystal faces (surfaces) using secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). Our new weighted mean 238U/206Pb age for Rockland tephra zircon surfaces is 0.598 ± 0.013 Ma (2σ) and MSWD = 1.11 (mean square weighted deviation). As an independent test of the accuracy of this age, we obtained new (U-Th)/He dates from individual zircon grains from the Rockland tephra, which yielded a weighted mean age of 0.599 ± 0.012 Ma (2σ, MSWD = 5.13). We also obtained a (U-Th)/He age of 0.628 ± 0.014 Ma (MSWD = 1.19) for the Lava Creek Tuff member B, which was analyzed as a secondary standard to test the accuracy of the (U-Th)/He technique for Quaternary tephras, and to evaluate assumptions made in the model-age calculation. Concordance of new U/Pb and (U-Th)/He zircon ages reinforces the accuracy of our preferred Rockland tephra eruption age, and confirms that zircon surface dates sample zircon growth up to the time of eruption. We demonstrate the broad applicability of coupled U/Pb zircon-surface and single-grain zircon (U-Th)/He geochronology to accurate

Radionuclide concentration variations in the fuel and residues of oil shale-fired power plants: Estimations of the radiological characteristics over a 2-year period.

PubMed

Vaasma, Taavi; Loosaar, Jüri; Kiisk, Madis; Tkaczyk, Alan Henry

2017-07-01

Several multi-day samplings were conducted over a 2-year period from an oil shale-fired power plant operating with pulverized fuel type of boilers that were equipped with either novel integrated desulphurization system and bag filters or with electrostatic precipitators. Oil shale, bottom ash and fly ash samples were collected and radionuclides from the 238 U and 232 Th series as well as 40 K were determined. The work aimed at determining possible variations in the concentrations of naturally occurring radionuclides within the collected samples and detect the sources of these fluctuations. During the continuous multi-day samplings, various boiler parameters were recorded as well. With couple of exceptions, no statistically significant differences were detected (significance level 0.05) between the measured radionuclide mean values in various ash samples within the same sampling. When comparing the results between multiple years and samplings, no statistically significant variations were observed between 238 U and 226 Ra values. However, there were significant differences between the values in the fly ashes when comparing 210 Pb, 40 K, 228 Ra and 232 Th values between the various samplings. In all cases the radionuclide activity concentrations in the specific fly ash remained under 100 Bq kg -1 , posing no radiological concerns when using this material as an additive in construction or building materials. Correlation analysis between the registered boiler parameters and measured radionuclide activity concentrations showed weak or no correlation. The obtained results suggest that the main sources of variations are due to the characteristics of the used fuel. The changes in the radionuclide activity concentrations between multiple years were in general rather modest. The radionuclide activity concentrations varied dominantly between 4% and 15% from the measured mean within the same sampling. The relative standard deviation was however within the same range as the

Levels in 223Th populated by α decay of 227U

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kalaninová, Z.; Antalic, S.; Heßberger, F. P.; Ackermann, D.; Andel, B.; Kindler, B.; Laatiaoui, M.; Lommel, B.; Maurer, J.

2015-07-01

Levels in 223Th populated by the α decay of 227U were investigated using α -γ decay spectroscopy. The 227U isotope was produced in the fusion-evaporation reaction 22Ne +208Pb at the velocity filter separator for heavy-ion reaction products at Gesellschaft für Schwerionenforschung in Darmstadt (Germany). Several new excited levels and γ transitions were identified in 223Th . An improved α -decay scheme of 227U was suggested. The experimental α -decay energy spectrum of 227U was compared with the Monte Carlo simulation performed using the toolkit geant4.

Evolution of mare basalts - The complexity of the U-Th-Pb system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Unruh, D. M.; Tatsumoto, M.

1977-01-01

An attempt has been made to gain more insight into mare-basalt evolution by performing a very detailed leaching and mineral-separation U-Th-Pb systematics study on mare basalt 15085. It is found that about 20-50% of the U, Th, and Pb reside on the grain boundaries or in the mesostasis and that the Pb-207/Pb-206 ratios of the grain boundaries and crystal interiors are distinctly different. These distinct trends appear to represent either continuous or episodic postcrystallizational disturbances to the U-Th-Pb system of this rock. Using U and Pb partition coefficients, it is concluded that existing two- and three-stage U-Pb evolution models do not accurately describe mare-basalt genesis. An alternative two-stage + KREEP mixing model is proposed as a simple approximation to U-Pb evolution in lunar rocks. Most Rb-Sr and Sm-Nd data are compatible with this model.

Laser ablation U-Th-Sm/He dating of detrital apatite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guest, B.; Pickering, J. E.; Matthews, W.; Hamilton, B.; Sykes, C.

2016-12-01

Detrital apatite U-Th-Sm/He thermochronology has the potential to be a powerful tool for conducting basin thermal history analyses as well as complementing the well-established detrital zircon U-Pb approach in source to sink studies. A critical roadblock that prevents the routine application of detrital apatite U-Th-Sm/He thermochronology to solving geological problems is the costly and difficult whole grain approach that is generally used to obtain apatite U-Th-Sm/He data. We present a new analytical method for laser ablation thermochronology on apatite. Samples are ablated using a Resonetics™ 193 nm excimer laser and liberated 4He is measured using an ASI (Australian Scientific Instruments) Alphachron™ quadrupole mass spectrometer system; collectively known as the Resochron™. The ablated sites are imaged using a Zygo ZescopeTM optical profilometer and ablated pit volume measured using PitVol, a custom MatLabTM algorithm. The accuracy and precision of the method presented here was confirmed using well-characterized Durango apatite and Fish Canyon Tuff (FCT) apatite reference materials, with Durango apatite used as a primary reference and FCT apatite used as a secondary reference. The weighted average of our laser ablation Durango ages (30.5±0.35 Ma) compare well with ages obtained using conventional whole grain degassing and dissolution U-Th-Sm/He methods (32.56±0.43 Ma) (Jonckheere et.al., 1 993; Farley, 2000; McDowell et.al., 2005) for chips of the same Durango crystal. These Durango ages were used to produce a K-value to correct the secondary references and unknown samples. After correction, FCT apatite has a weighted average age of 28.37 ± 0.96 Ma, which agrees well with published ages. As a further test of this new method we have conducted a case study on a set of samples from the British Mountains of the Yukon Territory in NW Canada. Sandstone samples collected across the British Mountains were analyzed using conventional U-Th-Sm/He whole grain

Bonding nature and electron delocalization of An(COT)2, An = Th, Pa, U.

PubMed

Páez-Hernández, Dayán; Murillo-López, Juliana A; Arratia-Pérez, Ramiro

2011-08-18

A systematic study of a series of An(COT)(2) compounds, where An = Th, Pa, U, and COT represents cyclooctatetraene, has been performed using relativistic density functional theory. The ZORA Hamiltonian was applied for the inclusion of relativistic effects, taking into account all of the electrons for the optimization and explicitly including spin-orbit coupling effects. Time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) was used to calculate the excitation energies with the GGA SAOP functional, and the electronic transitions were analyzed using double group irreducible representations. The calculated excitation energies are in perfect correlation with the increment of the ring delocalization as it increases along the actinide series. These results are sufficient to ensure that, for these complexes, the increment in delocalization, as indicated by ELF bifurcation and NICS analysis, leads to a shift in the maximum wavelength of absorption in the visible region. Also, delocalization in the COT ring increases along the actinide series, so the systems become more aromatic because of a modulation induced by the actinides. © 2011 American Chemical Society

Assessing Natural Radionuclide Migration in the Legacy Tailings of Uranium Production

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bondarenko, G.; Koliabina, I.; Marinich, O.

2011-12-01

The former Prydniprovsky Chemical Plant in Dniprodzerzhynsk, Ukraine, processed uranium ore from 1949 until 1991. Multiple tailing ponds containing solid residual waste products from the uranium leaching and processing of uranium were accumulated along the Dnieper River, including the largest, adjacent to the Dnieper Reservoir, containing over 12 million tons of tailings. Samples for this study were selected from a core recovered from the Dnieper tailing pit in 2009, and used to assess radionuclide migration from tailing ponds. Samples were selected from different depths of the tailing pit core, analyzed for total radionuclide concentrations [Marinich et al., 2009], and successively leached using distilled water, followed by 1N ammonium acetate solution, and finally by 1N HCl solution. Leaching times were ~24 h at 15.17 °C. 238U, 230Th and 226Ra leachate activities were measured by γ-spectrometry with a Ge(Li) detector. 210Pb activity was measured using a SEB-01 scintillation β-spectrometer. Errors depended on measuring method, radionuclide, activity and exposure time: 238U, 11.9%; 230Th, 10.9%; 226Ra, 9.3%; 210Pb ~30%. The average total 238U activity in the tailing profile was 4 Bq/g. The concentration of 238U in the water leachates increased with depth from 14.5% (7-7.5 m), to 43% (11-11.5 m). The concentration of 238U in the acid leachates behaved similarly, increasing from 5.5 % to 15.5% with depth. While the total 230Th activity in increased from 30 Bq/g (7-7.5 m) to 540 Bq/g (11-11.5 m), the 230Th concentration in ammonium acetate leachates decreased from ˜15% to ˜1%. The concentration of 226Ra in all leachates was <1%, indicating that, under conditions of the Dnieper tailing pit, 226Ra is essentially immobile. The concentration of 210Pb in the leachates was as high as 10%. In general, the magnitude of mobile activity from the Dnieper tailing pit core samples decreases in the order 238U>230Th≥210Pb> 226Ra. Secular radioactive equilibrium in the 238U

Void reactivity feedback analysis for U-based and Th-based LWR incineration cycles

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lindley, B.A.; Parks, G.T.; Franceschini, F.

2013-07-01

In reduced-moderation LWRs, an external supply of transuranic (TRU) can be incinerated by mixing it with a fertile isotope ({sup 238}U or {sup 232}Th) and recycling all the actinides after each cycle. Performance is limited by coolant reactivity feedback - the moderator density coefficient (MDC) must be kept negative. The MDC is worse when more TRU is loaded, but TRU feed is also needed to maintain criticality. To assess the performance of this fuel cycle in different neutron spectra, three LWRs are considered: 'reference' PWRs and reduced-moderation PWRs and BWRs. The MDC of the equilibrium cycle is analysed by reactivitymore » decomposition with perturbed coolant density by isotope and neutron energy. The results show that using {sup 232}Th as a fertile isotope yields superior performance to {sup 238}U. This is due essentially to the high resonance η of U bred from Th (U3), which increases the fissility of the U3-TRU isotope vector in the Th-fueled system relative to the U-fueled system, and also improves the MDC in a sufficiently hard spectrum. Spatial separation of TRU and U3 in the Th-fueled system renders further improvement by hardening the neutron spectrum in the TRU and softening it in the U3. This improves the TRU η and increases the negative MDC contribution from reduced thermal fission in U3. (authors)« less

238U-Series in Fe Oxy/Hydroxides by LA-MC-ICP-MS, New Insights Into Weathering Geochronology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bernal, J.; McCulloch, M.; Eggins, S.; Grun, R.; Eggleton, R.

2003-12-01

The establishment of a geochronological framework for weathering processes is essential for an understanding of the evolution of the regolith and its dynamics. However, there are few robust answers regarding the absolute age of weathering and its rates. Nowadays, 40Ar/39Ar analysis of Mn-Oxides (cryptomelane) and K-bearing secondary sulphates have provided one of the few generally reliable chronometers (e.g. 1), but is restricted to high-K secondary phases. This work presents a different approach to obtain geochronological information from weathering minerals, namely measurement of 238U-series disequilibria in authigenic Fe oxy/hydroxides. These may be potentially useful recorders of weathering processes as they commonly occur as weathering products and have high affinity towards dissolved uranyl complexes. Furthermore, U-Th fractionation during weathering has been extensively reported [2], effectively resetting the U/230Th geochronometer. LA-MC-ICP-MS facilitates in situ measurement of 238U-series disequilibria in authigenic microcrystalline iron oxy/hydroxides (precipitated between cracks and veins in partially and heavily weathered chlorite-muscovite schist) and pisoliths (ferruginous concretions). Contrary to previous studies [e.g. 3], in situ measurement of 238U-nuclides enables selective analysis or iron oxy/hydroxides phases, minimizes contributions from allogenic phases and, reduces the need of mathematical corrections to obtain the activity ratios for the authigenic phase [4, 5]. The results suggest that supergene iron oxy/hydroxides are good recorders of weathering processes; they precipitate during the early stages of weathering, reflect the U-isotopic composition of the groundwater, appear to act as closed-systems in weathering conservative environments, and behave in a predictable fashion when subjected to intense weathering and leaching conditions. The 230Th-ages of the iron oxy/hydroxides indicate that the timing and intensity of weathering appears

Assessment of radionuclide contents in food in Hong Kong

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yu, K.N.; Mao, S.Y.

1999-12-01

Baseline values of concentrations of the natural radionuclides ({sup 238}U, {sup 226}Ra, {sup 228}Ra/{sup 232}Th, {sup 210}Pb) and artificial radionuclides ({sup 137}Cs, {sup 60}Co) in food and drinks (tap water, milk, and water-based drinks) were determined by gamma spectroscopy. All food and drinks were found to contain detectable {sup 40}K contents: 0.1 to 160 Bq Kg{sup {minus}1} for food and 0.006 to 61 Bq L{sup {minus}1} for drinks. Most of the other natural radionuclides in solid food were found to have contents below the minimum detectable activities (MDA). More samples in the leafy vegetable, tomato, carrot and potato categories containedmore » detectable amounts of {sup 228}Ra than the meat, cereal, and fish categories, with concentrations up to 1.2 Bq kg{sup {minus}1} for the former categories and 0.35 Bq kg{sup {minus}1} for the latter categories. The {sup 238}U and {sup 226}Ra radionuclides were detectable in most of the water-based drink samples, and the {sup 228}Ra and {sup 210}Pb radionuclides were detectable in fewer water-based drink samples. The {sup 137}Cs contents in solid food were detectable in most of the solid food samples (reaching 0.59 Bq kg{sup {minus}1}), but in drinks the {sup 137}Cs contents were very low and normally lower than the MDA values. Nearly all the {sup 60}Co contents in food and drinks were below the MDA values and their contents were below those of {sup 137}Cs.« less

Quantifying K, U and Th contents of marine sediments using shipboard natural gamma radiation spectra measured on DV JOIDES Resolution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

De Vleeschouwer, David; Dunlea, Ann G.; Auer, Gerald; Anderson, Chloe H.; Brumsack, Hans; de Loach, Aaron; Gurnis, Michael C.; Huh, Youngsook; Ishiwa, Takeshige; Jang, Kwangchul; Kominz, Michelle A.; März, Christian; Schnetger, Bernhard; Murray, Richard W.; Pälike, Heiko; Expedition 356 shipboard scientists, IODP

2017-04-01

During International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) expeditions, shipboard-generated data provide the first insights into the cored sequences. The natural gamma radiation (NGR) of the recovered material, for example, is routinely measured on the ocean drilling research vessel DV JOIDES Resolution. At present, only total NGR counts are readily available as shipboard data, although full NGR spectra (counts as a function of gamma-ray energy level) are produced and archived. These spectra contain unexploited information, as one can estimate the sedimentary contents of potassium (K), thorium (Th), and uranium (U) from the characteristic gamma-ray energies of isotopes in the 40K, 232Th, and 238U radioactive decay series. Dunlea et al. [2013] quantified K, Th and U contents in sediment from the South Pacific Gyre by integrating counts over specific energy levels of the NGR spectrum. However, the algorithm used in their study is unavailable to the wider scientific community due to commercial proprietary reasons. Here, we present a new MATLAB algorithm for the quantification of NGR spectra that is transparent and accessible to future NGR users. We demonstrate the algorithm's performance by comparing its results to shore-based inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), inductively coupled plasma-emission spectrometry (ICP-ES), and quantitative wavelength-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyses. Samples for these comparisons come from eleven sites (U1341, U1343, U1366-U1369, U1414, U1428-U1430, U1463) cored in two oceans during five expeditions. In short, our algorithm rapidly produces detailed high-quality information on sediment properties during IODP expeditions at no extra cost. Dunlea, A. G., R. W. Murray, R. N. Harris, M. A. Vasiliev, H. Evans, A. J. Spivack, and S. D'Hondt (2013), Assessment and use of NGR instrumentation on the JOIDES Resolution to quantify U, Th, and K concentrations in marine sediment, Scientific Drilling, 15, 57-63.

Quantifying K, U, and Th contents of marine sediments using shipboard natural gamma radiation spectra measured on DV JOIDES Resolution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

De Vleeschouwer, David; Dunlea, Ann G.; Auer, Gerald; Anderson, Chloe H.; Brumsack, Hans; de Loach, Aaron; Gurnis, Michael; Huh, Youngsook; Ishiwa, Takeshige; Jang, Kwangchul; Kominz, Michelle A.; März, Christian; Schnetger, Bernhard; Murray, Richard W.; Pälike, Heiko

2017-03-01

During International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) expeditions, shipboard-generated data provide the first insights into the cored sequences. The natural gamma radiation (NGR) of the recovered material, for example, is routinely measured on the ocean drilling research vessel DV JOIDES Resolution. At present, only total NGR counts are readily available as shipboard data, although full NGR spectra (counts as a function of gamma-ray energy level) are produced and archived. These spectra contain unexploited information, as one can estimate the sedimentary contents of potassium (K), thorium (Th), and uranium (U) from the characteristic gamma-ray energies of isotopes in the 40K, 232Th, and 238U radioactive decay series. Dunlea et al. (2013) quantified K, Th, and U contents in sediment from the South Pacific Gyre by integrating counts over specific energy levels of the NGR spectrum. However, the algorithm used in their study is unavailable to the wider scientific community due to commercial proprietary reasons. Here, we present a new MATLAB algorithm for the quantification of NGR spectra that is transparent and accessible to future NGR users. We demonstrate the algorithm's performance by comparing its results to shore-based inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), inductively coupled plasma-emission spectrometry (ICP-ES), and quantitative wavelength-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyses. Samples for these comparisons come from eleven sites (U1341, U1343, U1366-U1369, U1414, U1428-U1430, and U1463) cored in two oceans during five expeditions. In short, our algorithm rapidly produces detailed high-quality information on sediment properties during IODP expeditions at no extra cost.

Spatial variability of initial 230Th/ 232Th in modern Porites from the inshore region of the Great Barrier Reef

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Clark, Tara R.; Zhao, Jian-xin; Feng, Yue-xing; Done, Terry J.; Jupiter, Stacy; Lough, Janice; Pandolfi, John M.

2012-02-01

The main limiting factor in obtaining precise and accurate uranium-series (U-series) ages of corals that lived during the last few hundred years is the ability to constrain and correct for initial thorium-230 ( 230Th 0), which is proportionally much higher in younger samples. This is becoming particularly important in palaeoecological research where accurate chronologies, based on the 230Th chronometer, are required to pinpoint changes in coral community structure and the timing of mortality events in recent time (e.g. since European settlement of northern Australia in the 1850s). In this study, thermal ionisation mass spectrometry (TIMS) U-series dating of 43 samples of known ages collected from living Porites spp. from the far northern, central and southern inshore regions of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) was performed to spatially constrain initial 230Th/ 232Th ( 230Th/ 232Th 0) variability. In these living Porites corals, the majority of 230Th/ 232Th 0 values fell within error of the conservative bulk Earth 230Th/ 232Th atomic value of 4.3 ± 4.3 × 10 -6 (2 σ) generally assumed for 230Th 0 corrections where the primary source is terrestrially derived. However, the results of this study demonstrate that the accuracy of 230Th ages can be further improved by using locally determined 230Th/ 232Th 0 values for correction, supporting the conclusion made by Shen et al. (2008) for the Western Pacific. Despite samples being taken from regions adjacent to contrasting levels of land modification, no significant differences were found in 230Th/ 232Th 0 between regions exposed to varying levels of sediment during river runoff events. Overall, 39 of the total 43 230Th/ 232Th 0 atomic values measured in samples from inshore reefs across the entire region show a normal distribution ranging from 3.5 ± 1.1 to 8.1 ± 1.1 × 10 -6, with a weighted mean of 5.76 ± 0.34 × 10 -6 (2 σ, MSWD = 8.1). Considering the scatter of the data, the weighted mean value with a more

Modelling the thermal conductivity of (U xTh 1-x)O 2 and (U xPu 1-x)O 2

DOE PAGES

Cooper, M. W. D.; Middleburgh, S. C.; Grimes, R. W.

2015-07-15

The degradation of thermal conductivity due to the non-uniform cation lattice of (U xTh 1-x)O 2 and (U xPu 1-x)O 2 solid solutions has been investigated by molecular dynamics, using the non-equilibrium method, from 300 to 2000 K. Degradation of thermal conductivity is predicted in (U xTh 1-x)O 2 and (U xPu 1-x)O 2 as compositions deviate from the pure end members: UO 2, PuO 2 and ThO 2. The reduction in thermal conductivity is most apparent at low temperatures where phonon-defect scattering dominates over phonon-phonon interactions. The effect is greater for (U xTh 1-x)O 2 than U xPu 1-x)Omore » 2 due to the greater mismatch in cation size. Parameters for an analytical expressions have been developed that describe the predicted thermal conductivities over the full temperature and compositional ranges. Finally, these expressions may be used in higher level fuel performance codes.« less

Evaluation of processes occurring in the bottom nepheloid layer (BNL) of an eastern Mediterranean area using 234Th/238U disequilibria.

PubMed

Evangeliou, Nikolaos; Florou, Heleny

2013-09-01

Particle-reactive radionuclide (234)Th and its ratios with the conservative (238)U were used to trace the marine processes occurring over short timescales in the bottom nepheloid layer (BNL) of seven stations in the Saronikos Gulf and the Elefsis Bay (Greece) during three seasons (summer 2008, autumn 2008 and winter 2009). Summer was considered as a steady season where low physical processes occur and stratification is well established, autumn as a commutative period and winter as period of extensive trawling and physical activities. The obtained ratio profiles showed excess of (234)Th relative to (238)U in the BNL of the sampling area during summer, caused by the dissolved fraction of (234)Th. During autumn, the situation was different with large (234)Th deficit throughout the water column leading to large export fluxes of particles from the water column. Finally, during winter the ratios showed that predominant phenomenon in the area was likely resuspension of bottom sediments. The resuspension signature was additionally evaluated by total suspended matter (TSM) inventories in the BNL. Despite the intense resuspension, small scavenging of dissolved (234)Th was recorded in the BNL resulting in high residence times of dissolved (234)Th. A 1 order of magnitude difference between dissolved and particulate (234)Th residence times was observed indicating that scavenging from dissolved to particulate (234)Th could be highly variable and, as a result, the Saronikos Gulf is a highly dynamic environment, in terms of temporal and spatial particle uptake and removal. Comparing these values to literature ones consistent results were obtained. The possibility of sediment resuspension in the BNL during winter was amplified by the bloom of phytoplankton resulting in even decreased residence times of particulate (234)Th (average values). In contrast, the respective residence times of the dissolved fraction of (234)Th in the BNL were higher showing a maximum in winter at the

Mid-ocean ridge basalt generation along the slow-spreading, South Mid-Atlantic Ridge (5-11°S): Inferences from 238U-230Th-226Ra disequilibria

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Turner, Simon; Kokfelt, Thomas; Hauff, Folkmar; Haase, Karsten; Lundstrom, Craig; Hoernle, Kaj; Yeo, Isobel; Devey, Colin

2015-11-01

U-series disequilibria have provided important constraints on the physical processes of partial melting that produce basaltic magma beneath mid-ocean ridges. Here we present the first 238U-230Th-226Ra isotope data for a suite of 83 basalts sampled between 5°S and 11°S along the South Mid-Atlantic Ridge. This section of the ridge can be divided into 5 segments (A0-A4) and the depths to the ridge axis span much of the global range, varying from 1429 to 4514 m. Previous work has also demonstrated that strong trace element and radiogenic isotope heterogeneity existed in the source regions of these basalts. Accordingly, this area provides an ideal location in which to investigate the effects of both inferred melt column length and recycled materials. 226Ra-230Th disequilibria indicate that the majority of the basalts are less than a few millennia old such that their 230Th values do not require any age correction. The U-Th isotope data span a significant range from secular equilibrium up to 32% 230Th excess, also similar to the global range, and vary from segment to segment. However, the (230Th/238U) ratios are not negatively correlated with axial depth and the samples with the largest 230Th excesses come from the deepest ridge segment (A1). Two sub-parallel and positively sloped arrays (for segments A0-2 and A3 and A4) between (230Th/238U) and Th/U ratios can be modelled in various ways as mixing between melts from peridotite and recycled mafic lithologies. Despite abundant evidence for source heterogeneity, there is no simple correlation between (230Th/238U) and radiogenic isotope ratios suggesting that at least some of the trace element and radiogenic isotope variability may have been imparted to the source regions >350 kyr prior to partial melting to produce the basalts. In our preferred model, the two (230Th/238U) versus Th/U arrays can be explained by mixing of melts from one or more recycled mafic lithologies with melts derived from chemically heterogeneous

DETERMINATION OF REPORTABLE RADIONUCLIDES FOR DWPF SLUDGE BATCH 7B (MACROBATCH 9)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Crawford, C. L.; Diprete, D. P.

relate to radionuclide inventory. This work was initiated through Technical Task Request (TTR) HLW-DWPF-TTR-2011-0004; Rev. 0 entitled Sludge Batch 7b Qualification Studies. Specifically, this report details results from performing Subtask II, Item 2 of the TTR and, in part, meets Deliverable 6 of the TTR. The work was performed following the Task Technical and Quality Assurance Plan (TTQAP), SRNL-RP-2011-00247, Rev. 0 and Analytical Study Plan (ASP), SRNL-RP-2011-00248, Rev. 0. In order to determine the reportable radionuclides for SB7b (MB9), a list of radioisotopes that may meet the criteria as specified by the Department of Energy’s (DOE) WAPS was developed. All radioactive U- 235 fission products and all radioactive activation products that could be in the SRS HLW were considered. In addition, all U and Pu isotopes identified in WAPS 1.6 were included in the list. This list was then evaluated and some isotopes were excluded from the projection calculations. Based on measurements and analytical detection limits, 27 radionuclides have been identified as reportable for DWPF SB7b as specified by WAPS 1.2. The WCP and WQR require that all of the radionuclides present in the Design Basis glass be considered as the initial set of reportable radionuclides. For SB7b, all of the radionuclides in the Design Basis glass are reportable except for three radionuclides: Pd-107, Cs-135, and Th-230. At no time during the 1100- year period between 2015 and 3115 did any of these three radionuclides contribute to more than 0.01% of the radioactivity on a Curie basis. Two additional uranium isotopes (U-235 and -236) must be added to the list of reportable radionuclides in order to meet WAPS 1.6. All of the Pu isotopes (Pu-238, -239, -240, -241, and -242) and other U isotopes (U-233, -234, and -238) identified in WAPS 1.6 were already determined to be reportable according to WAPS 1.2 This brings the total number of reportable radionuclides for SB7b to 29. The radionuclide measurements

Determination Of Reportable Radionuclides For DWPF Sludge Batch 7B (Macrobatch 9)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Crawford, C. L.; DiPrete, D. P.

relate to radionuclide inventory. This work was initiated through Technical Task Request (TTR) HLW-DWPF-TTR-2011-0004; Rev. 0 entitled Sludge Batch 7b Qualification Studies. Specifically, this report details results from performing Subtask II, Item 2 of the TTR and, in part, meets Deliverable 6 of the TTR. The work was performed following the Task Technical and Quality Assurance Plan (TTQAP), SRNL-RP-2011-00247, Rev. 0 and Analytical Study Plan (ASP), SRNL-RP-2011-00248, Rev. 0. In order to determine the reportable radionuclides for SB7b (MB9), a list of radioisotopes that may meet the criteria as specified by the Department of Energy’s (DOE) WAPS was developed. All radioactive U-235 fission products and all radioactive activation products that could be in the SRS HLW were considered. In addition, all U and Pu isotopes identified in WAPS 1.6 were included in the list. This list was then evaluated and some isotopes were excluded from the projection calculations. Based on measurements and analytical detection limits, 27 radionuclides have been identified as reportable for DWPF SB7b as specified by WAPS 1.2. The WCP and WQR require that all of the radionuclides present in the Design Basis glass be considered as the initial set of reportable radionuclides. For SB7b, all of the radionuclides in the Design Basis glass are reportable except for three radionuclides: Pd-107, Cs-135, and Th-230. At no time during the 1100-year period between 2015 and 3115 did any of these three radionuclides contribute to more than 0.01% of the radioactivity on a Curie basis. Two additional uranium isotopes (U-235 and -236) must be added to the list of reportable radionuclides in order to meet WAPS 1.6. All of the Pu isotopes (Pu-238, -239, -240, -241, and -242) and other U isotopes (U-233, -234, and -238) identified in WAPS 1.6 were already determined to be reportable according to WAPS 1.2 This brings the total number of reportable radionuclides for SB7b to 29. The radionuclide measurements

The enrichment of natural radionuclides in oil shale-fired power plants in Estonia--the impact of new circulating fluidized bed technology.

PubMed

Vaasma, Taavi; Kiisk, Madis; Meriste, Tõnis; Tkaczyk, Alan Henry

2014-03-01

Burning oil shale to produce electricity has a dominant position in Estonia's energy sector. Around 90% of the overall electric energy production originates from the Narva Power Plants. The technology in use has been significantly renovated - two older types of pulverized fuel burning (PF) energy production units were replaced with new circulating fluidized bed (CFB) technology. Additional filter systems have been added to PF boilers to reduce emissions. Oil shale contains various amounts of natural radionuclides. These radionuclides concentrate and become enriched in different boiler ash fractions. More volatile isotopes will be partially emitted to the atmosphere via flue gases and fly ash. To our knowledge, there has been no previous study for CFB boiler systems on natural radionuclide enrichment and their atmospheric emissions. Ash samples were collected from Eesti Power Plant's CFB boiler. These samples were processed and analyzed with gamma spectrometry. Activity concentrations (Bq/kg) and enrichment factors were calculated for the (238)U ((238)U, (226)Ra, (210)Pb) and (232)Th ((232)Th, (228)Ra) family radionuclides and for (40)K in different CFB boiler ash fractions. Results from the CFB boiler ash sample analysis showed an increase in the activity concentrations and enrichment factors (up to 4.5) from the furnace toward the electrostatic precipitator block. The volatile radionuclide ((210)Pb and (40)K) activity concentrations in CFB boilers were evenly distributed in finer ash fractions. Activity balance calculations showed discrepancies between input (via oil shale) and output (via ash fractions) activities for some radionuclides ((238)U, (226)Ra, (210)Pb). This refers to a situation where the missing part of the activity (around 20% for these radionuclides) is emitted to the atmosphere. Also different behavior patterns were detected for the two Ra isotopes, (226)Ra and (228)Ra. A part of (226)Ra input activity, unlike (228)Ra, was undetectable in the

Transfer Rates of 238U and 232Th for E. globulus, A. mearnsii, H. filipendula and Hazardous Effects of the Usage of Medicinal Plants From Around Gold Mine Dump Environs

PubMed Central

Tshivhase, Victor M.; Njinga, Raymond L.; Mathuthu, Manny; Dlamini, Thulani C.

2015-01-01

Medicinal plant consumption can be a source of human exposure to radioactive elements such as 238U and 232Th, which can lead to internal radiation doses. The uptake of 238U and 232Th from soils to the leaf samples of three different medicinal plant species (Eucalyptus globulus, Acacia mearnsii and Hyparrhenia filipendula) from the purlieu of the Princess gold mine dump, an abandoned contaminated tailings storage site (TSS), located at longitude 27°55′00″E and latitude 26°09′30″S in Davidsonville (Roodepoort, west of Johannesburg, South Africa) was measured. This was done using ICP-MS spectrometry and substantial differences were observed in the soil-plant transfer factor (TF) values between these radionuclides. The plant species E. globulus exhibited the highest uptake of 238U, with an average TF of 3.97, while that of H. filipendula was 0.01 and the lowest TF of 0.15 × 10−2 was measured for A. mearnsii. However, in the case of 232Th, the highest average TF was observed for A. mearnsii (0.29), followed by E. globulus (0.10) and lowest was measured for H. filipendula (0.27 × 10−2). The ratio of TF average value i.e., 238U to 232Th in the soil-plant leaves was 38.05 for E. globulus, 0.01 for A. mearnsii and 4.38 for H. filipendula. PMID:26690462

Laser Ablation in situ (U-Th-Sm)/He and U-Pb Double-Dating of Apatite and Zircon: Techniques and Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McInnes, B.; Danišík, M.; Evans, N.; McDonald, B.; Becker, T.; Vermeesch, P.

2015-12-01

We present a new laser-based technique for rapid, quantitative and automated in situ microanalysis of U, Th, Sm, Pb and He for applications in geochronology, thermochronometry and geochemistry (Evans et al., 2015). This novel capability permits a detailed interrogation of the time-temperature history of rocks containing apatite, zircon and other accessory phases by providing both (U-Th-Sm)/He and U-Pb ages (+trace element analysis) on single crystals. In situ laser microanalysis offers several advantages over conventional bulk crystal methods in terms of safety, cost, productivity and spatial resolution. We developed and integrated a suite of analytical instruments including a 193 nm ArF excimer laser system (RESOlution M-50A-LR), a quadrupole ICP-MS (Agilent 7700s), an Alphachron helium mass spectrometry system and swappable flow-through and ultra-high vacuum analytical chambers. The analytical protocols include the following steps: mounting/polishing in PFA Teflon using methods similar to those adopted for fission track etching; laser He extraction and analysis using a 2 s ablation at 5 Hz and 2-3 J/cm2fluence; He pit volume measurement using atomic force microscopy, and U-Th-Sm-Pb (plus optional trace element) analysis using traditional laser ablation methods. The major analytical challenges for apatite include the low U, Th and He contents relative to zircon and the elevated common Pb content. On the other hand, apatite typically has less extreme and less complex zoning of parent isotopes (primarily U and Th). A freeware application has been developed for determining (U-Th-Sm)/He ages from the raw analytical data and Iolite software was used for U-Pb age and trace element determination. In situ double-dating has successfully replicated conventional U-Pb and (U-Th)/He age variations in xenocrystic zircon from the diamondiferous Ellendale lamproite pipe, Western Australia and increased zircon analytical throughput by a factor of 50 over conventional methods

Distribution of natural radionuclides in soils and beach sands of Abana-Çatalzeytin (Kastamonu)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kurnaz, Aslı; Özcan, Murat; ćetiner, M. Atıf

2016-03-01

A gamma spectrometric study of distribution of natural radionuclides in soil and beach sand samples collected from the terrestrial and coastal environment of Abana and Çatalzeytin counties of Kastamonu Province in Turkey was performed with the aim of estimating the radiation hazard of the tourist area and the concentrations of 238U, 232Th and 40K were determined. The activity concentrations of 238U, 232Th and 40K were determined in the ranges 14.95-56.0, 46.5-99.4 and 357.5-871.3 Bqkg-1 for soil samples and the mean concentrations were ascertained as 42.34, 71.24 and 624.18 Bqkg-1, respectively. In sand samples, 238U, 232Th and 40K contents were varied in the ranges of 13.35-41.6, 30.9-53.4 and 275.5-601.3 Bqkg-1 and the mean concentrations were ascertained as 20.57, 45.05 and 411.71 Bqkg-1, respectively. The mean annual effective doses were calculated as 113.08 and 69.16 µSvy-1 for the soil and sand samples, respectively.

Distribution of low-level natural radioactivity in a populated marine region of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.

PubMed

Evangeliou, Nikolaos; Florou, Heleny; Kritidis, Panayotis

2012-12-01

The levels of natural radioactivity have been evaluated in the water column of an eastern Mediterranean region (Saronikos Gulf), with respect to the relevant environmental parameters. A novel methodology was used for the determination of natural radionuclides, which substitutes the time-consuming radiochemical analysis, based on an in situ sample preconcentration using ion-selective manganese fibres placed on pumping systems. With regard to the results obtained, (238)U-series radionuclides were found at the same level or lower than those observed previously in Mediterranean regions indicating the absence of technologically enhanced naturally occurring radioactive material (TENORM) activities in the area. Similar results were observed for the (232)Th-series radionuclides and (40)K in the water column in comparison with the relevant literature on the Mediterranean Sea. The calculated ratios of (238)U-(232)Th and (40)K-(232)Th verified the lack of TENORM contribution in the Saronikos Gulf. Finally, a rough estimation was attempted concerning the residence times of fresh water inputs from a treatment plant of domestic wastes (Waste Water Treatment Plant of Psitalia) showing that fresh waters need a maximum of 15.7±7.6 d to be mixed with the open sea water.

Long-term modelling of fly ash and radionuclide emissions as well as deposition fluxes due to the operation of large oil shale-fired power plants.

PubMed

Vaasma, Taavi; Kaasik, Marko; Loosaar, Jüri; Kiisk, Madis; Tkaczyk, Alan H

2017-11-01

Two of the world's largest oil shale-fired power plants (PPs) in Estonia have been operational over 40 years, emitting various pollutants, such as fly ash, SO x , NO x , heavy metals, volatile organic compounds as well as radionuclides to the environment. The emissions from these PPs have varied significantly during this period, with the maximum during the 1970s and 1980s. The oil shale burned in the PPs contains naturally occurring radionuclides from the 238 U and 232 Th decay series as well as 40 K. These radionuclides become enriched in fly ash fractions (up to 10 times), especially in the fine fly ash escaping the purification system. Using a validated Gaussian-plume model, atmospheric dispersion modelling was carried out to determine the quantity and a real magnitude of fly ash and radionuclide deposition fluxes during different decades. The maximum deposition fluxes of volatile radionuclides ( 210 Pb and 210 Po) were around 70 mBq m -2 d -1 nearby the PPs during 1970s and 1980s. Due to the reduction of burned oil shale and significant renovations done on the PPs, the deposition fluxes were reduced to 10 mBq m -2 d -1 in the 2000s and down to 1.5 mBq m -2 d -1 in 2015. The maximum deposition occurs within couple of kilometers of the PPs, but the impacted area extends to over 50 km from the sources. For many radionuclides, including 210 Po, the PPs have been larger contributors of radionuclides to the environment via atmospheric pathway than natural sources. This is the first time that the emissions and deposition fluxes of radionuclides from the PPs have been quantified, providing the information about their radionuclide deposition load on the surrounding environment during various time periods. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Environmental impact assessment of radionuclides and trace elements at the Kurday U mining site, Kazakhstan.

PubMed

Salbu, B; Burkitbaev, M; Strømman, G; Shishkov, I; Kayukov, P; Uralbekov, B; Rosseland, B O

2013-09-01

The Kurday uranium mining site in Kazakhstan operated from 1954 to 1965 as part of the USSR nuclear weapon programme. To assess the environmental impact of radionuclides and trace elements associated with the Kurday mining site, field expeditions were performed in 2006. In addition to in situ gamma and (220)Rn dose rate measurements, sampling included at site fractionation of water as well as sampling of water, fish, sediment, soils and vegetation. The concentrations of U and associated trace metals were enriched in the Pit Lake and in the artesian water (U exceeding the WHO guideline value for drinking water), and decreased downstream from the mining area. Uranium, As, Mo and Ni were predominantly present as mobile low molecular mass species in waters, while a significant proportion of Cr, Mn and Fe were associated with colloids and particles. Due to oxidation of divalent iron in the artesian ground water upon contact with air, Fe served as scavenger for other elements, and peak concentrations of U-, Ra-isotopes, As and Mn were seen. Most radionuclides and trace elements were contained in minerals in soils and sediments, and good correlations were obtained between U and As, Cd, Mo and (226)Ra. Based on sequential extractions, a significant fraction of U, Pb and Cd could be considered mobile. Radioactive particles carrying significant amount of trace metals may represent a hazard during strong wind events. The transfer of radionuclides and metals from soils or sediments to water was in general low. The Kd levels varied with the element in question, ranging from 0.5 to 3 × 10(2) L/kg d.w. for (238)U being relatively mobile, 10(3) for (226)Ra, As, Cd, Ni, to 10(4) L/kg d.w. for Cu, Cr and Pb being rather inert The transfer of radionuclides and metals from soils to vegetation (TF) was low, while higher if the transfer to vegetation, especially underwater mosses, occurred via water (e.g., BCF 37 L/kg w.w. for (238)U and 3 × 10(3) L/kg w.w. for (226)Ra). The transfer

Photocopy of Photograph, 14th ND PHOG No. N.H.82816 U.S. Navy ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

Photocopy of Photograph, 14th ND PHOG No. N.H.82816 U.S. Navy photograph, circa 1945. AERIAL OF MAKALAPA ADMINISTRATION ARE IN WORLD WAR II, from National Park Service, U.S.S. Arizona Memorial, 14th Naval District Photograph Collection. - U.S. Naval Base, Pearl Harbor, Makalapa Support Facilities, Makalapa Administration Area, Pearl City, Honolulu County, HI

The fission cross sections of /sup 230/Th, /sup 232/Th, /sup 233/U, /sup 234/U, /sup 236/U, /sup 238/U, /sup 237/Np, /sup 239/Pu and /sup 242/Pu relative /sup 235/U at 14. 74 MeV neutron energy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Meadows, J.W.

1986-12-01

The measurement of the fission cross section ratios of nine isotopes relative to /sup 235/U at an average neutron energy of 14.74 MeV is described with particular attention to the determination of corrections and to sources of error. The results are compared to ENDF/B-V and to other measurements of the past decade. The ratio of the neutron induced fission cross section for these isotopes to the fission cross section for /sup 235/U are: /sup 230/Th - 0.290 +- 1.9%; /sup 232/Th - 0.191 +- 1.9%; /sup 233/U - 1.132 +- 0.7%; /sup 234/U - 0.998 +- 1.0%; /sup 236/U -more » 0.791 +- 1.1%; /sup 238/U - 0.587 +- 1.1%; /sup 237/Np - 1.060 +- 1.4%; /sup 239/Pu - 1.152 +- 1.1%; /sup 242/Pu - 0.967 +- 1.0%. 40 refs., 11 tabs., 9 figs.« less

Apatite (U-Th)/He thermochronometry using a radiation damage accumulation and annealing model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Flowers, Rebecca M.; Ketcham, Richard A.; Shuster, David L.; Farley, Kenneth A.

2009-04-01

Helium diffusion from apatite is a sensitive function of the volume fraction of radiation damage to the crystal, a quantity that varies over the lifetime of the apatite. Using recently published laboratory data we develop and investigate a new kinetic model, the radiation damage accumulation and annealing model (RDAAM), that adopts the effective fission-track density as a proxy for accumulated radiation damage. This proxy incorporates creation of crystal damage proportional to α-production from U and Th decay, and the elimination of that damage governed by the kinetics of fission-track annealing. The RDAAM is a version of the helium trapping model (HeTM; Shuster D. L., Flowers R. M. and Farley K. A. (2006) The influence of natural radiation damage on helium diffusion kinetics in apatite. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett.249, 148-161), calibrated by helium diffusion data in natural and partially annealed apatites. The chief limitation of the HeTM, now addressed by RDAAM, is its use of He concentration as the radiation damage proxy for circumstances in which radiation damage and He are not accumulated and lost proportionately from the crystal. By incorporating the RDAAM into the HeFTy computer program, we explore its implications for apatite (U-Th)/He thermochronometry. We show how (U-Th)/He dates predicted from the model are sensitive to both effective U concentration (eU) and details of the temperature history. The RDAAM predicts an effective He closure temperature of 62 °C for a 28 ppm eU apatite of 60 μm radius that experienced a 10 °C/Ma monotonic cooling rate; this is 8 °C lower than the 70 °C effective closure temperature predicted using commonly assumed Durango diffusion kinetics. Use of the RDAAM is most important for accurate interpretation of (U-Th)/He data for apatite suites that experienced moderate to slow monotonic cooling (1-0.1 °C/Ma), prolonged residence in the helium partial retention zone, or a duration at temperatures appropriate for radiation

Illicit Trafficking of Natural Radionuclides

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Friedrich, Steinhaeusler; Lyudmila, Zaitseva

2008-08-07

Natural radionuclides have been subject to trafficking worldwide, involving natural uranium ore (U 238), processed uranium (yellow cake), low enriched uranium (<20% U 235) or highly enriched uranium (>20% U 235), radium (Ra 226), polonium (Po 210), and natural thorium ore (Th 232). An important prerequisite to successful illicit trafficking activities is access to a suitable logistical infrastructure enabling an undercover shipment of radioactive materials and, in case of trafficking natural uranium or thorium ore, capable of transporting large volumes of material. Covert en route diversion of an authorised uranium transport, together with covert diversion of uranium concentrate from anmore » operating or closed uranium mines or mills, are subject of case studies. Such cases, involving Israel, Iran, Pakistan and Libya, have been analyzed in terms of international actors involved and methods deployed. Using international incident data contained in the Database on Nuclear Smuggling, Theft and Orphan Radiation Sources (DSTO) and international experience gained from the fight against drug trafficking, a generic Trafficking Pathway Model (TPM) is developed for trafficking of natural radionuclides. The TPM covers the complete trafficking cycle, ranging from material diversion, covert material transport, material concealment, and all associated operational procedures. The model subdivides the trafficking cycle into five phases: (1) Material diversion by insider(s) or initiation by outsider(s); (2) Covert transport; (3) Material brokerage; (4) Material sale; (5) Material delivery. An Action Plan is recommended, addressing the strengthening of the national infrastructure for material protection and accounting, development of higher standards of good governance, and needs for improving the control system deployed by customs, border guards and security forces.« less

Illicit Trafficking of Natural Radionuclides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Friedrich, Steinhäusler; Lyudmila, Zaitseva

2008-08-01

Natural radionuclides have been subject to trafficking worldwide, involving natural uranium ore (U 238), processed uranium (yellow cake), low enriched uranium (<20% U 235) or highly enriched uranium (>20% U 235), radium (Ra 226), polonium (Po 210), and natural thorium ore (Th 232). An important prerequisite to successful illicit trafficking activities is access to a suitable logistical infrastructure enabling an undercover shipment of radioactive materials and, in case of trafficking natural uranium or thorium ore, capable of transporting large volumes of material. Covert en route diversion of an authorised uranium transport, together with covert diversion of uranium concentrate from an operating or closed uranium mines or mills, are subject of case studies. Such cases, involving Israel, Iran, Pakistan and Libya, have been analyzed in terms of international actors involved and methods deployed. Using international incident data contained in the Database on Nuclear Smuggling, Theft and Orphan Radiation Sources (DSTO) and international experience gained from the fight against drug trafficking, a generic Trafficking Pathway Model (TPM) is developed for trafficking of natural radionuclides. The TPM covers the complete trafficking cycle, ranging from material diversion, covert material transport, material concealment, and all associated operational procedures. The model subdivides the trafficking cycle into five phases: (1) Material diversion by insider(s) or initiation by outsider(s); (2) Covert transport; (3) Material brokerage; (4) Material sale; (5) Material delivery. An Action Plan is recommended, addressing the strengthening of the national infrastructure for material protection and accounting, development of higher standards of good governance, and needs for improving the control system deployed by customs, border guards and security forces.

Regolith production rates calculated with uranium-series isotopes at Susquehanna/Shale Hills Critical Zone Observatory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, Lin; Chabaux, Francois; Pelt, Eric; Blaes, Estelle; Jin, Lixin; Brantley, Susan

2010-08-01

In the Critical Zone where rocks and life interact, bedrock equilibrates to Earth surface conditions, transforming to regolith. The factors that control the rates and mechanisms of formation of regolith, defined here as material that can be augered, are still not fully understood. To quantify regolith formation rates on shale lithology, we measured uranium-series (U-series) isotopes ( 238U, 234U, and 230Th) in three weathering profiles along a planar hillslope at the Susquehanna/Shale Hills Observatory (SSHO) in central Pennsylvania. All regolith samples show significant U-series disequilibrium: ( 234U/ 238U) and ( 230Th/ 238U) activity ratios range from 0.934 to 1.072 and from 0.903 to 1.096, respectively. These values display depth trends that are consistent with fractionation of U-series isotopes during chemical weathering and element transport, i.e., the relative mobility decreases in the order 234U > 238U > 230Th. The activity ratios observed in the regolith samples are explained by i) loss of U-series isotopes during water-rock interactions and ii) re-deposition of U-series isotopes downslope. Loss of U and Th initiates in the meter-thick zone of "bedrock" that cannot be augered but that nonetheless consists of up to 40% clay/silt/sand inferred to have lost K, Mg, Al, and Fe. Apparent equivalent regolith production rates calculated with these isotopes for these profiles decrease exponentially from 45 m/Myr to 17 m/Myr, with increasing regolith thickness from the ridge top to the valley floor. With increasing distance from the ridge top toward the valley, apparent equivalent regolith residence times increase from 7 kyr to 40 kyr. Given that the SSHO experienced peri-glacial climate ˜ 15 kyr ago and has a catchment-wide averaged erosion rate of ˜ 15 m/Myr as inferred from cosmogenic 10Be, we conclude that the hillslope retains regolith formed before the peri-glacial period and is not at geomorphologic steady state. Both chemical weathering reactions of clay

U-series dating of pillow rim glass from recent volcanism at an Axial Volcanic Ridge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thomas, L. E.; van Calsteren, P. W.; Jc024 Shipboard Party

2010-12-01

Visual observations using camera systems on the tethered ROV Isis deployed during the 2008 JC024 cruise to the Mid Atlantic Ridge at 45°N showed1 numerous monogenetic volcanoes that are essentially piles of lava pillows. The pillows are usually ˜1m diameter and >2m long and form mounds with average dimensions around 300m diameter, ˜150m altitude, and 0.005km3 volume. Small protrusions, 10-50cm long, which are numerous on pillows appear to be the youngest regions, were sampled using the pincers on the hydraulic arms of Isis, and returned to the surface. On the surface, any glass crust on the pillow protrusions was chiselled off using clean tools and double bagged in polythene. In the laboratory a portion of the glass was crushed in a jeweller’s roller mill and sieved using stainless steel sieves to obtain a sufficient amount of the fraction 0.125-0.250mm for hand picking, using a binocular microscope with the glass submerged in a mix of water and iso-propyl alcohol. The samples were subsequently leached using the procedure of Standish & Sims2. Samples were spiked with a mixed 229Th-236U spike and the U, Th and Ra fractions were separated and purified using standard chemistry methods. U and Th isotope ratios were determined using a Nu Instruments MC-ICPMS and Ra isotope ratios were determined using a MAT-262-RPQII TIMS instrument. The U-series data were evaluated using a MathCad program based on published4,5,6 equations. The data can be successfully modelled by assuming the ‘accepted’ mantle upwelling rate for the region of 11mm.y-1. The U-Th characteristics are mostly derived during ‘porous flow’ magma upwelling in the garnet stability zone, ranging to a depth of 60km with incipient melting starting at 70km. Above 60km depth the melt fraction will be >3% and the mantle mineralogy devoid of phases that fractionate U-Th significantly. Moreover, at melt fractions >3%, channel flow will be dominant and magma will transit to eruption on time-scales that are

U-series Chronology of volcanoes in the Central Kenya Peralkaline Province, East African Rift

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Negron, L. M.; Ma, L.; Deino, A.; Anthony, E. Y.

2012-12-01

exploration of present U-series data set of the youngest samples from the rest of the CKPP volcanoes including: Menengai, more from Longonot, and Olkaria. And since it is observed that there is the presence of lateral migration along an axial dike swarm that has operated in other parts of the EARS, we have chosen to run samples from the adjacent mafic fields of Elmenteita, Tandamara, and Ndabibi to see if there is a trend in the correlation of the 230/232Th ratios at the time of eruption as well as observing how close these samples get to unity. This would answer questions as to whether similar 230/232Th ratios imply that the mafic fields feed the calderas.

U-series ages of solitary corals from the California coast by mass spectrometry

USGS Publications Warehouse

Stein, Martin; Wasserburg, G.J.; Lajoie, K.R.; Chen, J.-H.

1991-01-01

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of dating fossil solitary corals from Pleistocene marine strandlines outside tropical latitudes using the recently developed high sensitivity, high-precision U-series technique based on thermal-ionization mass-spectrometry (TIMS). The TIMS technique is much more efficient than conventional a spectrometry and, as a result, multiple samples of an individual coral skeleton, or different specimens from the same bed can be analyzed. Detached and well-rounded fossil specimens of the solitary coral Balanophyllia elegans were collected from relict littoral deposits on emergent marine terraces along the California coast at Cayucos terrace (elevation 8 m, previously dated at 124 and 117 Ky by ?? counting), Shell Beach terrace (elevation about 25 m, previously undated), Nestor terrace, San Diego (elevation 23 m, previously dated at 131 to 109 Ky ), Bird Rock terrace, San Diego ( elevation 8 m, previously dated at 81 Ky ). Attached living specimens were collected from the intertidal zone on the modern terrace at Moss Beach. Concentrations of 232Th in both living and fossil specimens are much higher than in reef-building corals (12 to 624 pmol/g vs. 0.1 to 1.6 pmol/g, respectively). However, because 230Th/232Th in Balanophyllia elegans are very low (2.22 ?? 10-3 to 4.33 ?? 10-4), the high 232Th concentrations have negligible effect on the 230Th-234U dates. The high 232Th concentration in the living specimen (33.1 pmol/g) indicates that a significant amount of 232Th is incorporated in the aragonitic skeleton during growth, or attached to clay-sized silicates trapped in the skeletal material. The calculated initial 234U activities in the fossil specimens of Balanophyllia elegans are higher than the 234U activity in modern seawater or in the modern specimen. The higher initial activities could possibly reflect the influx of 234U-enriched continental water into Pleistocene coastal waters, or it could reflect minor diagenetic

Relatively Recent Volcanism on Oahu, Hawaii: New U-series and Paleomagnetic Age Constraints on the Hanauma Bay Eruption

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rubin, K. H.; Jurado-Chichay, Z.; Urrutia-Fucugauchi, J.

2002-12-01

The Koko Rift Zone (KRZ), eastern Oahu, is generally regarded as among the youngest volcanic features on the island. Previous workers have suggested that the 9 or 10 vents of this rift erupted near-simultaneously. However, K-Ar data in the literature (32-39 ka vs 320 ka) provide only general guidance on the youthfulness of these eruptions. We present new age constraints on KRZ volcanism using deposits of the phreatomagmatic eruption that produced Hanauma Bay (a popular snorkeling spot) and spatially associated lava flows. Numerous continuous basaltic ash units within the walls of Hanauma crater contain lithic fragments of well-preserved coral reef, beach rock, and marine mollusks, indicating that the eruption occurred in a near shore environment. 238U-234U-230Th dating of coral clasts in the deposit demonstrates that the eruption breached reef of MIS stage 7 age (200 +/- 30 ka), thereby ruling out the K-Ar age of 320 ka. U-series nuclides in "normal" MIS 7 coral lithics are indistinguishable from those in the island encircling Waianae Reef of the same age. However, U-series components in some originally aragonitic coral clasts were offset during the eruption when the rims recrystallized to calcite. 87Sr/86Sr, 234U/238U and Sr and U concentration indicate chemical mixing with host basaltic ash during this event, from which potential ages of the eruption can be constructed using isochron methods. More modeling of the data remains to be done but our preliminary estimate places the eruption at less than 100 ka. This result is consistent with new data on paleointensity and paleomagnetic secular variation within the lava flows exposed in or around the crater. This U-series dating approach should prove useful for eruptions in other locales where carbonate bioclast lithics are present in the deposits.

Consequences of slow growth for 230Th/U dating of Quaternary opals, Yucca Mountain, NV, USA

USGS Publications Warehouse

Neymark, L.A.; Paces, J.B.

2000-01-01

Thermal ionization mass-spectrometry 234U/238U and 230Th/238U data are reported for uranium-rich opals coating fractures and cavities within the silicic tuffs forming Yucca Mountain, NV, the potential site of a high-level radioactive waste repository. High uranium concentrations (up to 207 ppm) and extremely high 230Th/232Th activity ratios (up to about 106) make microsamples of these opals suitable for precise 230Th/U dating. Conventional 230Th/U ages range from 40 to greater than 600 ka, and initial 234U/238U activity ratios between 1.03 and 8.2. Isotopic evidence indicates that the opals have not experienced uranium mobility; however, wide variations in apparent ages and initial 234U/238U ratios for separate subsamples of the same outermost mineral surfaces, positive correlation between ages and sample weights, and negative correlation between 230Th/U ages and calculated initial 234U/238U are inconsistent with the assumption that all minerals in a given subsample was deposited instantaneously. The data are more consistent with a conceptual model of continuous deposition where secondary mineral growth has occurred at a constant, slow rate up to the present. This model assumes that individual subsamples represent mixtures of older and younger material, and that calculations using the resulting isotope ratios reflect an average age. Ages calculated using the continuous-deposition model for opals imply average mineral growth rates of less than 5 mm/m.y. The model of continuous deposition also predicts discordance between ages obtained using different radiometric methods for the same subsample. Differences in half-lives will result in younger apparent ages for the shorter-lived isotope due to the greater influence of younger materials continuously added to mineral surfaces. Discordant 14C, 230Th/U and U-Pb ages obtained from outermost mineral surfaces at Yucca Mountain support this model. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

The Sima de los Huesos hominids date to beyond U/Th equilibrium (>350 kyr) and perhaps to 400-500 kyr: New radiometric dates

USGS Publications Warehouse

Bischoff, J.L.; Shamp, D.D.; Aramburu, Arantza; Arsuaga, J.L.; Carbonell, E.; Bermudez de Castro, Jose Maria

2003-01-01

The Sima de los Huesos site of the Atapuerca complex near Burgos, Spain contains the skeletal remains of at least 28 individuals in a mud breccia underlying an accumulation of the Middle Pleistocene cave bear (U. deningeri). Earlier dating estimates of 200 to 320 kyr were based on U-series and ESR methods applied to bones, made inaccurate by unquantifiable uranium cycling. We report here on a new discovery within the Sima de los Huesos of human bones stratigraphically underlying an in situ speleothem. U-series analyses of the speleothem shows the lower part to be at isotopic U/Th equilibrium, translating to a firm lower limit of 350 kyr for the SH hominids. Finite dates on the upper part suggest a speleothem growth rate of c. 1 cm/32 kyr. This rate, along with paleontological constraints, place the likely age of the hominids in the interval of 400 to 600 kyr. ?? 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Community-based Approaches to Improving Accuracy, Precision, and Reproducibility in U-Pb and U-Th Geochronology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McLean, N. M.; Condon, D. J.; Bowring, S. A.; Schoene, B.; Dutton, A.; Rubin, K. H.

2015-12-01

The last two decades have seen a grassroots effort by the international geochronology community to "calibrate Earth history through teamwork and cooperation," both as part of the EARTHTIME initiative and though several daughter projects with similar goals. Its mission originally challenged laboratories "to produce temporal constraints with uncertainties approaching 0.1% of the radioisotopic ages," but EARTHTIME has since exceeded its charge in many ways. Both the U-Pb and Ar-Ar chronometers first considered for high-precision timescale calibration now regularly produce dates at the sub-per mil level thanks to instrumentation, laboratory, and software advances. At the same time new isotope systems, including U-Th dating of carbonates, have developed comparable precision. But the larger, inter-related scientific challenges envisioned at EARTHTIME's inception remain - for instance, precisely calibrating the global geologic timescale, estimating rates of change around major climatic perturbations, and understanding evolutionary rates through time - and increasingly require that data from multiple geochronometers be combined. To solve these problems, the next two decades of uranium-daughter geochronology will require further advances in accuracy, precision, and reproducibility. The U-Th system has much in common with U-Pb, in that both parent and daughter isotopes are solids that can easily be weighed and dissolved in acid, and have well-characterized reference materials certified for isotopic composition and/or purity. For U-Pb, improving lab-to-lab reproducibility has entailed dissolving precisely weighed U and Pb metals of known purity and isotopic composition together to make gravimetric solutions, then using these to calibrate widely distributed tracers composed of artificial U and Pb isotopes. To mimic laboratory measurements, naturally occurring U and Pb isotopes were also mixed in proportions to mimic samples of three different ages, to be run as internal

The 230Th correction is the 1st priority for accurate dates of young zircons: U/Th partitioning experiments and measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krawczynski, M.; McLean, N.

2017-12-01

One of the most accurate and useful ways of determining the age of rocks that formed more than about 500,000 years ago is uranium-lead (U-Pb) geochronology. Earth scientists use U-Pb geochronology to put together the geologic history of entire regions and of specific events, like the mass extinction of all non-avian dinosaurs about 66 million years ago or the catastrophic eruptions of supervolcanoes like the one currently centered at Yellowstone. The mineral zircon is often utilized because it is abundant, durable, and readily incorporates uranium into its crystal structure. But it excludes thorium, whose isotope 230Th is part of the naturally occurring isotopic decay chain from 238U to 206Pb. Calculating a date from the relative abundances of 206Pb and 238U therefore requires a correction for the missing 230Th. Existing experimental and observational constraints on the way U and Th behave when zircon crystallizes from a melt are not known precisely enough, and thus currently the uncertainty in dates introduced by they `Th correction' is one of the largest sources of systematic error in determining dates. Here we present preliminary results on our study of actinide partitioning between zircon and melt. Experiments have been conducted to grow zircon from melts doped with U and Th that mimic natural magmas at a range of temperatures, and compositions. Synthetic zircons are separated from their coexisting glass and using high precision and high-spatial-resolution techniques, the abundance and distribution of U and Th in each phase is determined. These preliminary experiments are the beginning of a study that will result in precise determination of the zircon/melt uranium and thorium partition coefficients under a wide variety of naturally occurring conditions. This data will be fit to a multidimensional surface using maximum likelihood regression techniques, so that the ratio of partition coefficients can be calculated for any set of known parameters. The results of

Combined analysis of KamLAND and Borexino neutrino signals from Th and U decays in the Earth's interior

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Fogli, G. L.; Rotunno, A. M.; INFN, Sezione di Bari, Via Orabona 4, 70126, Bari

2010-11-01

The KamLAND and Borexino experiments have detected electron antineutrinos produced in the decay chains of natural thorium and uranium (Th and U geoneutrinos). We analyze the energy spectra of current geoneutrino data in combination with solar and long-baseline reactor neutrino data, with marginalized three-neutrino oscillation parameters. We consider the case with unconstrained Th and U event rates in KamLAND and Borexino, as well as cases with fewer degrees of freedom, as obtained by successively assuming for both experiments a common Th/U ratio, a common scaling of Th+U event rates, and a chondritic Th/U value. In combination, KamLAND and Borexino canmore » reject the null hypothesis (no geoneutrino signal) at 5{sigma}. Interesting bounds or indications emerge on the Th+U geoneutrino rates and on the Th/U ratio, in broad agreement with typical Earth model expectations. Conversely, the results disfavor the hypothesis of a georeactor in the Earth's core, if its power exceeds a few TW. The interplay of KamLAND and Borexino geoneutrino data is highlighted.« less

Measurement of the total activity concentrations of Libyan oil scale

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Da Silva, F. C. A.; Bradley, D. A.; Regan, P. H.; Rozaila, Z. Siti

2017-08-01

Twenty-three oil scale samples obtained from the Libyan oil and gas industry production facilities onshore have been measured using high-resolution gamma-ray spectrometry with a shielded HPGe detector, the work being carried out within the Environmental Radioactivity Laboratory at the University of Surrey. The main objectives of this work were to determine the extent to which the predominant radionuclides associated with the uranium and thorium natural decay chains were in secular equilibrium with their decay progeny, also to compare differences between the total activity concentrations (TAC) in secular equilibrium and disequilibrium and to evaluate the measured activities for the predominant gamma-ray emitting decay radionuclides within the 232Th and 238U chains. The oil scale NORM samples did not exhibit radioactive equilibrium between the decay progeny and longer-lived parent radionuclides of the 238U and 232Th series.

Natural radionuclides in waste water discharged from coal-fired power plants in Serbia.

PubMed

Janković, Marija M; Todorović, Dragana J; Sarap, Nataša B; Krneta Nikolić, Jelena D; Rajačić, Milica M; Pantelić, Gordana K

2016-12-01

Investigation of the natural radioactivity levels in water around power plants, as well as in plants, coal, ash, slag and soil, and to assess the associated radiation hazard is becoming an emerging and interesting topic. This paper is focused on the results of the radioactivity analysis in waste water samples from five coal-fired power plants in Serbia (Nikola Tesla A, Nikola Tesla B, Kolubara, Morava and Kostolac), which were analyzed in the period 2003-2015. River water samples taken upstream and downstream from the power plants, drain water and overflow water were analyzed. In the water samples gamma spectrometry analysis was performed as well as determination of gross alpha and beta activity. Natural radionuclide 40 K was detected by gamma spectrometry, while the concentrations of other radionuclides, 226 Ra, 235 U and 238 U, usually were below the minimum detection activity (MDA). 232 Th and artificial radionuclide 137 Cs were not detected in these samples. Gross alpha and beta activities were determined by the α/β low level proportional counter Thermo Eberline FHT 770 T. In the analyzed samples, gross alpha activity ranged from MDA to 0.47 Bq L - 1 , while the gross beta activity ranged from MDA to 1.55 Bq L - 1 .

Direct Compositional Characterization of (U,Th)O2 Powders, Microspheres, and Pellets Using TXRF.

PubMed

Dhara, Sangita; Prabhat, Parimal; Misra, N L

2015-10-20

A total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) analysis method for direct compositional characterization of sintered and green (U,Th)O2 samples in different forms (e.g., pellets, powders, and microspheres) without sample dissolution has been developed for the first time. The methodology involves transfer of only a few nanograms of the sample on the TXRF sample support by gently rubbing the samples on supports or taking their tiny uniform slurry in collodion on the sample support, drying them to make thin film, and measuring the TXRF spectra of the specimens thus prepared. This approach minimizes the matrix effects. Uranium determinations from the TXRF spectra of such specimens were made with respect to thorium, considering it as an internal standard. Samples having uranium atom percent (at%) from 0 to 100 in (U,Th)O2 were analyzed for uranium in comparison to thorium. The results showed an average precision of 2.6% (RSD, 2σ, n = 8). The TXRF-determined results deviated from expected values within 5%. The TXRF results were compared with those of biamperometry with good agreement. The lattice parameters of the solid solutions were calculated using their XRD patterns. A good correlation between lattice parameters and TXRF-determined U at% and between TXRF-determined U at% and expected U at%, calculated on the basis of preparation of (U,Th)O2 solid solutions, was obtained. The developed method is capable of analyzing (U,Th)O2 samples directly with almost negligible sample preparation and is well suited for radioactive samples. The present study suggests that this method can be extended for the determination of U,Th and Pu in other nuclear fuel materials (e.g., nitrides, carbides, etc.) in the form of pellets, powders, and microspheres after suitable modifications in sample handling procedure.

Determination of naturally occurring radionuclides in soil samples of Ayranci, Turkey

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Agar, Osman; Eke, Canel; Boztosun, Ismail; Emin Korkmaz, M.

2015-04-01

The specific activity, radiation hazard index and the annual effective dose of the naturally occurring radioactive elements (238U, 232Th and 40K) were determined in soil samples collected from 12 different locations in Ayranci region by using a NaI(Tl) gamma-ray spectrometer. The measured activity concentrations of the natural radionuclides in studied soil samples were compared with the corresponding results of different countries and the internationally reported values. From the analysis, it is found that these materials may be safely used as construction materials and do not pose significant radiation hazards.

Characterization of microstructural, mechanical and thermophysical properties of Th-52U alloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Das, Santanu; Kaity, S.; Kumar, R.; Banerjee, J.; Roy, S. B.; Chaudhari, G. P.; Daniel, B. S. S.

2016-11-01

Th-52 wt.% U alloy has a microstructure featuring interspersed networks of uranium rich and thorium rich phases. Room temperature hardness of the alloy is more than twice that of unalloyed thorium. The alloy age hardens (550 °C) only slightly (peak hardness/hardness of solution heated and quenched = 1.05). Room temperature thermal conductivity (25.6 W m-1 °C-1) is close to that of uranium and most of the binary and ternary metallic alloy fuel materials. Average linear coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of Th-52 wt.% U alloy [11.2 × 10-06 °C-1 (27-290 °C) and 16.75 × 10-06 °C-1 (27-600 °C)] are comparable with that of many metallic alloy fuel candidates. Th-52 wt.% U alloy with non-age hardenable microstructure, appreciable thermal conductivity, moderate thermal expansion may find metallic fuel applications in nuclear reactors.

Preparation of graphene oxide-manganese dioxide for highly efficient adsorption and separation of Th(IV)/U(VI).

PubMed

Pan, Ning; Li, Long; Ding, Jie; Li, Shengke; Wang, Ruibing; Jin, Yongdong; Wang, Xiangke; Xia, Chuanqin

2016-05-15

Manganese dioxide decorated graphene oxide (GOM) was prepared via fixation of crystallographic MnO2 (α, γ) on the surface of graphene oxide (GO) and was explored as an adsorbent material for simultaneous removal of thorium/uranium ions from aqueous solutions. In single component systems (Th(IV) or U(VI)), the α-GOM2 (the weight ratio of GO/α-MnO2 of 2) exhibited higher maximum adsorption capacities toward both Th(IV) (497.5mg/g) and U(VI) (185.2 mg/g) than those of GO. In the binary component system (Th(IV)/U(VI)), the saturated adsorption capacity of Th(IV) (408.8 mg/g)/U(VI) (66.8 mg/g) on α-GOM2 was also higher than those on GO. Based on the analysis of various data, it was proposed that the adsorption process may involve four types of molecular interactions including coordination, electrostatic interaction, cation-pi interaction, and Lewis acid-base interaction between Th(IV)/U(VI) and α-GOM2. Finally, the Th(IV)/U(VI) ions on α-GOM2 can be separated by a two-stage desorption process with Na2CO3/EDTA. Those results displayed that the α-GOM2 may be utilized as an potential adsorbent for removing and separating Th(IV)/U(VI) ions from aqueous solutions. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

U and Th in some brown coals of Serbia and Montenegro and their environmental impact.

PubMed

Zivotić, Dragana; Grzetić, Ivan; Lorenz, Hans; Simić, Vladimir

2008-03-01

The objective of this paper is to determine and compare the concentrations of U and Th in soft to hard brown (lignite to sub-bituminous) coals of Serbia and Montenegro. It also presents comparison of the obtained data on U and Th concentrations with the published data on coals located in some other countries of the world. Almost the whole coal production of Serbia and Montenegro is used as feed coals for combustion in thermal power plants. Channel samples from open pit and underground mines and core samples were collected for hard and soft brown coals. For the analysis the samples were decomposed using microwave technique. Obtained solutions containing U and Th were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) using NIST standards. Concentration of U from the investigated basins and the corresponding mine fields ranges within 0.60-70.10 mg/kg, 0.65-3.20 mg/kg, 0.95-6.59 mg/kg, 1.20-6.05 mg/kg, 0.80-6.66 mg/kg, 0.18-89.90 mg/kg, 0.19-4.14 mg/kg, and 0.28-3.52 mg/kg for the Kostolac, Kolubara, Krepoljin, Sjenica, Soko Banja, Bogovina East field, Senje-Resavica and Pljevlja basins, respectively. Concentration of Th ranges within 0.20-2.60 mg/kg, 0.84-6.57 mg/kg, 1.48-6.48 mg/kg, 0.12-2.71 mg/kg, 0.13-4.95 mg/kg, 0.14-3.48 mg/kg, 0.29-3.56 mg/kg, and 0.17-1.89 mg/kg for the Kostolac, Kolubara, Krepoljin, Sjenica, Soko Banja, Bogovina East field, Senje-Resavica and Pljevlja basins, respectively. Brown coal from Senje-Resavica, Kolubara, Kostolac and Pljevlja is characterized by low U concentration. Coals form the Krepoljin, Soko Banja and Sjenica basins have slightly higher U concentrations than the mentioned group. The highest concentration of U is characteristic for the coal from the Bogovina East field. Concentration of Th in coals from Serbia and Montenegro has proved to be low. Out of all investigated coal basins, only the coal from the Krepoljin and Kolubara basins has high concentration of Th. The hydrothermally altered rocks of the Timok

Equilibrium and Disequilibrium of 230Th-238U in Zircon from the Minoan Eruption, Santorini, Aegean Sea, Greece

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schmitt, A. K.; Stockli, D. F.; Song, E. J.; Storm, S.

2016-12-01

The Minoan eruption (ca. 1600 BCE; 40-80 km3 dense rock equivalent) occurred after a ca. 18 ka period of dormancy followed by rapid reinvigoration through arrival of new magma from deep reservoirs colliding with evolved magmas in shallow storage. Although zoned phenocrysts indicate brief timescales ranging between years to decades for final pre-eruptive magma recharge and mixing, it remains unclear how magma accumulation vs. crystallization were balanced in the subvolcanic reservoir during the preceding inter-eruptive cycle. To directly probe magma presence over the repose interval prior to the Minoan eruption and further back in time, we reconnoitered the potential of U-Th zircon geochronology to date the crystallization of individual zircon crystals from pumice from the Minoan eruption. Zircon crystals were extracted from composite pumice samples (several kg each) from basal fall out deposits using gravity and magnetic separation. Etching in cold HF removed adherent glass and revealed the shape of crystals, which were pressed into indium metal to expose unpolished rims to the ion beam of a CAMECA IMS 1270 secondary ionization mass spectrometer. Adherent glass was ubiquitous, indicating that crystals were in contact with melt at the time of eruption. Six of 18 crystals were in 230Th/238U secular equilibrium, two crystals yielded ages of ca. 160 ka, and the remaining rims dated between eruption age and ca. 20 ka. Low Th/U of some secular equilibrium zircon suggests recycling of metamorphic basement zircon, which is also indicated by the presence of rutile in heavy mineral separates. U-Th dates also reveal recycling of zircon from Pleistocene intrusions that likely represent left-over magma from antecedent eruption cycles. We tentatively interpret the dominant zircon population with near-eruption to ca. 20 ka ages to indicate continuous melt presence underneath Santorini during the last repose interval. Distinguishing a hiatus in zircon crystallization between 20 ka

Measurement of 238U and 232Th radionuclides in ilmenite and synthetic rutile

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Idris, M. I.; Siong, K. K.; Fadzil, S. M.

2018-01-01

The only factory that currently processes ilmenite to produce synthetic rutile is Tor Minerals in Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia. These two minerals contain radioactive elements such as uranium and thorium. Furthermore, this factory was built close to the residential areas. Thus, the primary issues are radiation exposure attributed to the decay of the radionuclides. Hence, the objectives of this study are to measure the dose and to evaluate activity levels of uranium and thorium. Dose rates from surrounding area of factory indicate the normal range for both on the surface and 1 meter above the ground (0.3-0.7 μSv/hr) lower than the global range of 0.5-1.3 μSv/hr set by UNSCEAR. The mean activity levels of uranium and thorium for ilmenite are 235 Bq/kg and 503 Bq/kg while for synthetic rutile are 980 Bq/kg and 401 Bq/kg, respectively. The result shows that uranium activity levels of synthetic rutile is 4 times higher than ilmenite but it is still lower than the regulatory exemption limit of 1000 Bq/kg set by IAEA Basic Safety Standards. Even though the dose rates at the factory and the activity levels are within safe limits, safety precautions must be followed by the factory management to prevent any unwanted accident to occur.

LA-ICP-MS and SIMS U-Pb and U-Th zircon geochronological data of Late Pleistocene lava domes of the Ciomadul Volcanic Dome Complex (Eastern Carpathians).

PubMed

Lukács, Réka; Guillong, Marcel; Schmitt, Axel K; Molnár, Kata; Bachmann, Olivier; Harangi, Szabolcs

2018-06-01

This article provides laser-ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) and secondary ionization mass spectrometry (SIMS) U-Pb and U-Th zircon dates for crystals separated from Late Pleistocene dacitic lava dome rocks of the Ciomadul Volcanic Dome Complex (Eastern Carpathians, Romania). The analyses were performed on unpolished zircon prism faces (termed rim analyses) and on crystal interiors exposed through mechanical grinding an polishing (interior analyses). 206 Pb/ 238 U ages are corrected for Th-disequilibrium based on published and calculated distribution coefficients for U and Th using average whole-rock and individually analyzed zircon compositions. The data presented in this article were used for the Th-disequilibrium correction of (U-Th)/He zircon geochronology data in the research article entitled "The onset of the volcanism in the Ciomadul Volcanic Dome Complex (Eastern Carpathians): eruption chronology and magma type variation" (Molnár et al., 2018) [1].

U, Th, and Pb isotopes in hot springs on the Juan de Fuca Ridge

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chen, J. H.

1987-01-01

Concentrations and isotopic compositions of U, Th, and Pb in three hydrothermal fluids from the Juan de Fuca Ridge were determined from samples obtained by the Alvin submersible. The samples were enriched in Pb and Th relative to deep-sea water, and were deficient in U. No clear relationship with Mg was found, suggesting nonideal mixing between the hot hydrothermal fluids and the cold ambient seawater. Values for U-234/U-238 have a seawater signature, and show a U-234 enrichment relative to the equilibrium value. The Pb isotopic composition has a uniform midocean ridge basalt signature, and it is suggested that Pb in these fluids may represent the best average value of the local oceanic crust.

Nondestructive determination of radionuclides in lunar samples using a large low-background gamma-ray spectrometer and a novel application of least-squares fitting

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Eldridge, J. S.; Okelly, G. D.; Northcutt, K. J.; Schonfeld, E.

1972-01-01

Dual-parameter gamma ray spectrometer systems with large volume Nal (Tl) crystals and low backgrounds were used for nondestructive determination of K, Th, U and cosmic ray produced radionuclides in 60 lunar samples. The total weight of samples measured with this system is 28 kg, and the individual sample weights varied from 2 to 2300 g. Samples from Apollo 11, 12, 14, 15 and 16 were measured. Operation of the spectrometers in the coincidence mode and analyzing single coincidence spectra permits the simultaneous determination of 8-10 radionuclides in each lunar sample.

Radiological Impact of Phosphogypsum Application in Agriculture

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dias, Nivea M. P.; Caires, Eduardo F.; Pires, Luiz F.

2010-08-04

Phosphogypsum (PG) contains radionuclides from {sup 238}U and {sup 232}Th decay series. Due to the presence of these radionuclides, many countries restricted the use of PG in agriculture, however there is not such restriction in Brazil. The main objective of this work was to evaluate the impact of PG application on {sup 226}Ra ({sup 238}U) and {sup 228}Ra ({sup 232}Th) concentrations in soil. Gamma-spectrometry was carried out using HPGe detector. No increment of {sup 226}Ra and {sup 228}Ra was observed for increasing PG doses. Average values found for {sup 226}Ra and {sup 228}Ra were respectively 37 Bq kg{sup -1} andmore » 57 Bq kg{sup -1}. The results showed that the increasing PG doses in the specific conditions of the experiment did not cause a significant increment of radionuclides.« less

A comment on the thermal conductivity of (U,Pu)O 2 and (U,Th)O 2 by molecular dynamics with adjustment for phonon-spin scattering

DOE PAGES

Cooper, Michael William D.; Liu, Xiang -Yang; Stanek, Christopher Richard; ...

2016-07-15

In this study, a new approach for adjusting molecular dynamics results on UO 2 thermal conductivity to include phonon-spin scattering has been used to improve calculations on U x Pu 1–x O 2 and U xTh 1xO 2. We demonstrate that by including spin scattering a strong asymmetry as a function of uranium actinide fraction, x, is obtained. Greater degradation is shown for U xTh 1–xO 2 than U xPu 1-xO 2. Minimum thermal conductivities are predicted at U 0.97Pu 0.03O 2 and U 0.58Th 0.42O 2, although the degradation in U xPu 1–xO 2 is negligible relative to puremore » UO 2.« less

A combined experimental and computational thermodynamic investigation of the U-Th-O system

DOE PAGES

McMurray, Jake Wesley; Voit, Stewart L.; Besmann, Theodore M.

2016-03-21

Here, the thermodynamics of the U–Th–O system have been assessed using the Calphad method. The compound energy formalism (CEF) and a partially ionic two-sublattice liquid model (TSLM) were used for the fluorite U 1–yTh yO 2±x, γ-(U,Th) 4O 9, and the U–Th–O melt. The O 2 activity of fluorite U 1–yTh yO 2±x with temperature and composition was determined by thermogravimetric analysis. Thermodynamic studies for the Th–O binary and U–Th–O ternary available in the open literature were critically reviewed. A self-consistent data set was selected and compiled with the equilibrium oxygen pressures determined by thermogravimetry in order to optimize themore » adjustable parameters of models selected to represent the phases in the Th–O and U–Th–O systems.« less

Integrated Laser Ablation U/Pb and (U-Th)/He Dating of Detrital Accessory Minerals from the Naryani River, Central Nepal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Horne, A.; Hodges, K. V.; Van Soest, M. C.

2015-12-01

The newly developed 'laser ablation double dating' (LADD) technique, an integrated laser microprobe U/Pb and (U-Th)/He dating method, could be an exceptionally valuable tool in detrital thermochronology for identifying sedimentary provenance and evaluating the exhumation history of a source region. A recent proof-of-concept study has used LADD to successfully date both zircon and titanite crystals from the well-characterized Fish Canyon tuff, but we also believe that another accessory mineral, rutile, could be amenable to dating via the LADD technique. To continue the development of the method, we present an application of LADD to detrital zircon, titanite, and rutile from a sample collected on the lower Naryani River of central Nepal. Preliminary analyses of the sample have yielded zircon U/Pb dates ranging from 31.4 to 2405 Ma; zircon (U-Th)/He from 1.8 to 15.4 Ma; titanite U/Pb between 18 and 110 Ma; titanite (U-Th)/He between 1 and 16 Ma; rutile U/Pb from 6 to 45 Ma; and rutile (U-Th)/He from 2 to 25 Ma. In addition to the initial data, we can use Ti-in-zircon, Zr-in-titanite, and Zr-in-rutile thermometers to determine the range of possible long-term cooling rates from grains with U/Pb ages younger than collision. Thus far our results from zircon analyses imply a cooling rate of approximately 15°C/Myr; titanite analyses imply between 10 and 67°C/Myr; and rutile between 9 and 267°C/Myr. This spread in potential cooling rates, especially in the order of magnitude differences of cooling rates calculated from the rutile grains, suggests that the hinterland source regions of the Naryani river experienced dramatically different exhumation histories during Himalayan orogenisis. Ongoing analyses will expand the dataset such that we can more adequately characterize the range of possibilities represented in the sample.

U-Th-Pb systematics. [geochemical analysis on lunar rocks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nunes, P. D.; Tatsumoto, M.

1974-01-01

The following boulder samples are analyzed for U, Th, and Pb concentrations and for Pb isotopic compositions: 72275,53/matrix; 72275,73/matrix; 72275,81/dark rind, clast #1; 72275,117/white interior, clast #1; 72255,49/Civet Cat clast; 72255,54/light gray matrix; and 72255,67/dark gray matrix.

Evaluating the utility of detrital thermochronometric studies: detrital laser ablation (U-Th)/He dating and conventional bedrock zircon (U-Th)/He analyses from the eastern Sierra Nevada, California

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Horne, A.; Hodges, K. V.; Van Soest, M. C.

2016-12-01

Recent applications of the newly developed `laser ablation double dating' (LADD) technique, an integrated laser microprobe U/Pb and (U-Th)/He dating method, have showcased the potential utility of LADD for detrital thermochronologic studies. However, detrital thermochronologic techniques rely on confidence that detrital data adequately represent the full range of bedrock cooling ages within a catchment. To test this primary assumption, we compare (U-Th)/He zircon ages from age-elevation transects to LADD (U-Th)/He zircon ages from modern fluvial detritus collected at the range front in the eastern Sierra Nevada, California. Terminated by a normal fault escarpment, the small, steep catchments along the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada batholith are apropos locations for comparing the ability of detrital data to deduce the exhumation history of a source terrain with standard age-elevation transects. Additionally, the exhumation of the Sierra Nevada batholith is also intriguing, as past evaluations of the post-emplacement exhumation history of the range have yielded discrepant results. Thus far, analyses from the southern extent of the eastern Sierra Nevada show narrow ranges of cooling ages consistent with simple, relatively rapid exhumation. Ongoing analyses will expand the dataset such that we can fully compare bedrock and detrital age ranges as well as characterize the exhumation history of the range with a thermochronometer that has not been used to date the batholith.

Metal-Silicate-Sulfide Partitioning of U, Th, and K: Implications for the Budget of Volatile Elements in Mercury

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Habermann, M.; Boujibar, A.; Righter, K.; Danielson, L.; Rapp, J.; Righter, M.; Pando, K.; Ross, D. K.; Andreasen, R.

2016-01-01

During formation of the solar system, the Sun produced strong solar winds, which stripped away a portion of the volatile elements from the forming planets. Hence, it was expected that planets closest to the sun, such as Mercury, are more depleted in volatile elements in comparison to other terrestrial planets. However, the MESSENGER mission detected higher than expected K/U and K/Th ratios on Mercury's surface, indicating a volatile content between that of Mars and Earth. Our experiments aim to resolve this discrepancy by experimentally determining the partition coefficients (D(sup met/sil)) of K, U, and Th between metal and silicate at varying pressure (1 to 5 GPa), temperature (1500 to 1900 C), oxygen fugacity (IW-2.5 to IW-6.5) and sulfur-content in the metal (0 to 33 wt%). Our data show that U, Th, and K become more siderophile with decreasing fO2 and increasing sulfur-content, with a stronger effect for U and Th in comparison to K. Using these results, the concentrations of U, Th, and K in the bulk planet were calculated for different scenarios, where the planet equilibrated at a fO2 between IW-4 and IW-7, assuming the existence of a FeS layer, between the core and mantle, with variable thickness. These models show that significant amounts of U and Th are partitioned into Mercury's core. The elevated superficial K/U and K/Th values are therefore only a consequence of the sequestration of U and Th into the core, not evidence of the overall volatile content of Mercury.

Distribution of natural radionuclides in soils and beach sands of Abana-Çatalzeytin (Kastamonu)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kurnaz, Aslı, E-mail: akurnaz@kastamonu.edu.tr; Özcan, Murat, E-mail: murat-ozcan@kastamonu.edu.tr; Çetiner, M. Atıf, E-mail: macetiner@kastamonu.edu.tr

A gamma spectrometric study of distribution of natural radionuclides in soil and beach sand samples collected from the terrestrial and coastal environment of Abana and Çatalzeytin counties of Kastamonu Province in Turkey was performed with the aim of estimating the radiation hazard of the tourist area and the concentrations of {sup 238}U, {sup 232}Th and {sup 40}K were determined. The activity concentrations of {sup 238}U, {sup 232}Th and {sup 40}K were determined in the ranges 14.95–56.0, 46.5–99.4 and 357.5–871.3 Bqkg{sup −1} for soil samples and the mean concentrations were ascertained as 42.34, 71.24 and 624.18 Bqkg{sup −1}, respectively. In sandmore » samples, {sup 238}U, {sup 232}Th and {sup 40}K contents were varied in the ranges of 13.35-41.6, 30.9-53.4 and 275.5-601.3 Bqkg{sup −1} and the mean concentrations were ascertained as 20.57, 45.05 and 411.71 Bqkg{sup −1}, respectively. The mean annual effective doses were calculated as 113.08 and 69.16 µSvy{sup −1} for the soil and sand samples, respectively.« less

[Determination of trace Cs, Th and U in ten kinds of human autopsy tissues by ICP-MS].

PubMed

Wang, Jing-yu; Zhu, Hong-da; Ouyang, Li; Liu, Ya-qiong; Wang, Xiao-yan; Huang, Zhuo; Wang, Nai-fen; Liu, Hu-sheng

2004-09-01

This paper studied the trace elements Cs, Th and U in ten kinds of human autopsy tissues by ICP-MS. The instrumental operating conditions were optimized for the measurement of Cs, Th and U. Rhodium (Rh) was used as an internal standard element to compensate matrix effect. Detection limits for Th, U and Cs were 5.7-17.8 pg x mL(-1). The recoveries for spiking liver samples were 96%-107%, and their RSDs were 4.8%-8.9%. Reference materials of NIST SRM 8414 Bovine and NIST SRM 1486 Bone Meal were analyzed by the described method, and the analytical results agreed well with the reference values. Human autopsy tissues samples were digested by mixed acid (HNO3 + HClO4). The determination of Cs, Th and U in lung, liver, bone, heart, stomach, spleen, muscle, kidney, thyroid gland and intestinum tenue was performed by ICP-MS without separation and enrichment procedures. The obtained results indicated that this method is rapid, sensitive and accurate; the distribution of the three elements is different from one to another human organ sample; the main organ targets for Th and U are lungs and kidneys; and a coordinated variation of Cs, Th and U concentration in lungs was found in the samples collected from Hebei and Sichuan provinces.

Method of separating short half-life radionuclides from a mixture of radionuclides

DOEpatents

Bray, Lane A.; Ryan, Jack L.

1999-01-01

The present invention is a method of removing an impurity of plutonium, lead or a combination thereof from a mixture of radionuclides that contains the impurity and at least one parent radionuclide. The method has the steps of (a) insuring that the mixture is a hydrochloric acid mixture; (b) oxidizing the acidic mixture and specifically oxidizing the impurity to its highest oxidation state; and (c) passing the oxidized mixture through a chloride form anion exchange column whereupon the oxidized impurity absorbs to the chloride form anion exchange column and the 22.sup.9 Th or 2.sup.27 Ac "cow" radionuclide passes through the chloride form anion exchange column. The plutonium is removed for the purpose of obtaining other alpha emitting radionuclides in a highly purified form suitable for medical therapy. In addition to plutonium; lead, iron, cobalt, copper, uranium, and other metallic cations that form chloride anionic complexes that may be present in the mixture; are removed from the mixture on the chloride form anion exchange column.

Method of separating short half-life radionuclides from a mixture of radionuclides

DOEpatents

Bray, L.A.; Ryan, J.L.

1999-03-23

The present invention is a method of removing an impurity of plutonium, lead or a combination thereof from a mixture of radionuclides that contains the impurity and at least one parent radionuclide. The method has the steps of (a) insuring that the mixture is a hydrochloric acid mixture; (b) oxidizing the acidic mixture and specifically oxidizing the impurity to its highest oxidation state; and (c) passing the oxidized mixture through a chloride form anion exchange column whereupon the oxidized impurity absorbs to the chloride form anion exchange column and the {sup 229}Th or {sup 227}Ac ``cow`` radionuclide passes through the chloride form anion exchange column. The plutonium is removed for the purpose of obtaining other alpha emitting radionuclides in a highly purified form suitable for medical therapy. In addition to plutonium, lead, iron, cobalt, copper, uranium, and other metallic cations that form chloride anionic complexes that may be present in the mixture are removed from the mixture on the chloride form anion exchange column. 8 figs.

Intake of ²³⁸U and ²³²Th through the consumption of foodstuffs by tribal populations practicing slash and burn agriculture in an extremely high rainfall area.

PubMed

Jha, S K; Gothankar, S; Iongwai, P S; Kharbuli, B; War, S A; Puranik, V D

2012-01-01

The concentration of naturally occurring radionuclides ²³²Th, ²³⁸U was determined using Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) in different food groups namely cereals, vegetables, leafy vegetables, roots and tubers cultivated and consumed by tribal population residing around the proposed uranium mine. The study area is a part of rural area K. P. Mawthabah (Domiasiat) in the west Khasi Hills District of Meghalaya, India located in the tropical region of high rainfall that remains steeped in tribal tradition without much outside influence. Agriculture by Jhum (slash and burn) cultivation and animal husbandry are the main occupation of the tribal populations. A total of 89 samples from locally grown food products were analyzed. The concentration of ²³⁸U and ²³²Th in the soil of the study area was found to vary 1.6-15.5 and 2.0-5.0 times respectively to the average mean value observed in India. The estimated daily dietary intake of ²³⁸U and ²³²Th were 2.0 μg d⁻¹ (25 mBq d⁻¹) and 3.4 μg d⁻¹ (14 mBq d⁻¹) is comparable with reported range 0.5-5.0 μg d⁻¹ and 0.15-3.5 μg d⁻¹ respectively for the Asian population. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

U-Th isotopic systematics and ages of carbonate chimneys at the Lost City Hydrothermal Field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ludwig, K. A.; Shen, C.; Kelley, D. S.; Cheng, H.; Edwards, R.

2009-12-01

The Lost City Hydrothermal Field (LCHF) is a serpentinite-hosted vent field located 15 km west of the spreading axis of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. In this study, uranium-thorium (U-Th) geochronological techniques have been used to examine the U-Th isotopic systematics of hydrothermal fluids and the 230Th ages of hydrothermally-precipitated carbonate chimneys at the LCHF. Fluid sample analyses indicate that endmember fluids likely contain only 0.0073 ng/g U or less compared to 3.28 ± 0.03 ng/g of U in ambient seawater. For fluid samples with <15 mmol/kg Mg, 232Th concentration is 0.11 to 0.13 pg/g and surrounding seawater concentration average is 0.133 ± 0.016 pg/g. The 230Th/232Th atomic ratios of the vent fluids range from 1 ± 10 to 26 ± 4 ×10-6 and are less than those of seawater. Chimney U is seawater-derived and 238U concentrations range from 1-10 μg/g and the mean chimney corrected initial δ234U is 146.9 ± 0.5, which is not significantly different from the ambient seawater value of 146.5 ± 0.6. Carbonate thorium concentrations range broadly from 0.035-125 ng/g and 230Th/232Th atomic ratios vary from near seawater values of 43 ± 8 × 10-6 up to 530 ± 25 × 10-3. Chimney ages range from 18 ± 6 yrs to 122 ± 12 kyrs. The youngest chimneys are at the intersection of two active, steeply-dipping normal faults that cut the Atlantis Massif; the oldest chimneys are located in the southwest portion of the field. Vent deposits on a steep, fault-bounded wall on the east side of the field are all <4 kyrs old, indicating that mass wasting in this region is relatively recent. Comparison of results to prior age-dating investigations of submarine hydrothermal systems shows that the LCHF is the most long-lived hydrothermal system known to date. It is likely that seismic activity and active faulting within the Atlantis Massif and the Atlantis Fracture Zone, coupled with volumetric expansion of the underlying serpentinized host rocks play major roles in sustaining

Quantifying weathering advance rates in basaltic andesite rinds with uranium-series isotopes: a case study from Guadeloupe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, L.; Chabaux, F. J.; Pelt, E.; Granet, M.; Sak, P. B.; Gaillardet, J.; Brantley, S. L.

2010-12-01

Weathering of basaltic rocks plays an important role in many Earth surface processes. It is thus of great interest to quantify their weathering rates. Because of their well-documented behaviors during water-rock interaction, U-series isotopes have been shown to have utility as a potential chronometer to constrain the formation rates of weathering rinds developed on fresh basaltic rocks. In this study, U-series isotopes and trace element concentrations were analyzed in a basaltic andesite weathering rind collected from the Bras David watershed, Guadeloupe. From the clast, core and rind samples were obtained by drilling along a 63.8 mm linear profile across a low curvature segment of the core-rind boundary. Trace element concentrations reveal: significant loss of REE, Y, Rb, Sr, and Ba in the weathering rind; conservative behaviors of Ti and Th; and external addition of U into the rind during clast weathering. Measured (234U/238U) activity ratios of the rind samples are much higher than the core samples and show excess 234U. Measured (238U/232Th) and (230Th/232Th) activity ratios of the core and rind samples increase gradually from the core into the weathering rind. The observed depletion profiles for the trace elements in the clast suggest that the earliest chemical reaction that creates significant porosity is dissolution of plagioclase, consistent with the previous study [Sak et al., 2010, CG, in press]. The porosity growth within the rind allows for an influx of soil solution that carries dissolved U with (234U/238U) activity ratios >1 into the clast. The deposition of U in the rind is most likely associated with precipication of secondary minerals during clast weathering. Such a continuous U addition is responsible for the observed gradual increase of (238U/232Th) activity ratios in the rind. Subsequent production of 230Th in the rind over time from the decay of excess 234U accounts for the observed continuous increase of (230Th/232Th) activity ratios. The U-series

U-Th-Pb systematics of the Estherville mesosiderite

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brouxel, M.; Tatsumoto, M.

1990-01-01

Results are presented on a detailed U-Th-Pb systematics of the Estherville mososiderite, which was performed in a study involving stepwise leaching experiments. The Pb-Pb internal 'isochrons' for Estherville yielded ages of 4556 + or - 35 Ma, 4506 + or - 75 Ma, and 4422 + or - 50 Ma, indicating that the silicate fraction of the Estherville mesosiderite is very heterogeneous and was formed early in the solar system history. Results clearly identifies the Pb-Pb isochron as a mixing line. The U-Pb lower-intercept ages could be divided into two groups: (1) around 3 Ga, and likely related to the 3.6 Ga heating event, and (2) close to 0 Ma and to 62 Ma.

Uranium series, volcanic rocks

USGS Publications Warehouse

Vazquez, Jorge A.

2014-01-01

Application of U-series dating to volcanic rocks provides unique and valuable information about the absolute timing of crystallization and differentiation of magmas prior to eruption. The 238U–230Th and 230Th-226Ra methods are the most commonly employed for dating the crystallization of mafic to silicic magmas that erupt at volcanoes. Dates derived from the U–Th and Ra–Th methods reflect crystallization because diffusion of these elements at magmatic temperatures is sluggish (Cherniak 2010) and diffusive re-equilibration is insignificant over the timescales (less than or equal to 10^5 years) typically associated with pre-eruptive storage of nearly all magma compositions (Cooper and Reid 2008). Other dating methods based on elements that diffuse rapidly at magmatic temperatures, such as the 40Ar/39Ar and (U–Th)/He methods, yield dates for the cooling of magma at the time of eruption. Disequilibrium of some short-lived daughters of the uranium series such as 210Po may be fractionated by saturation of a volatile phase and can be employed to date magmatic gas loss that is synchronous with volcanic eruption (e.g., Rubin et al. 1994).

238U-230Th dating of chevkinite in high-silica rhyolites from La Primavera and Yellowstone calderas

USGS Publications Warehouse

Vazquez, Jorge A.; Velasco, Noel O.; Schmitt, Axel K.; Bleick, Heather A.; Stelten, Mark E.

2014-01-01

Application of 238U-230Th disequilibrium dating of accessory minerals with contrasting stabilities and compositions can provide a unique perspective on magmatic evolution by placing the thermochemical evolution of magma within the framework of absolute time. Chevkinite, a Th-rich accessory mineral that occurs in peralkaline and metaluminous rhyolites, may be particularly useful as a chronometer of crystallization and differentiation because its composition may reflect the chemical changes of its host melt. Ion microprobe 128U-230Th dating of single chevkinite microphenocrysts from pre- and post-caldera La Primavera, Mexico, rhyolites yields model crystallization ages that are within 10's of k.y. of their corresponding K-Ar ages of ca. 125 ka to 85 ka, while chevkinite microphenocrysts from a post-caldera Yellowstone, USA, rhyolite yield a range of ages from ca. 110 ka to 250 ka, which is indistinguishable from the age distribution of coexisting zircon. Internal chevkinite-zircon isochrons from La Primavera yield Pleistocene ages with ~5% precision due to the nearly two order difference in Th/U between both minerals. Coupling chevkinite 238U-230Th ages and compositional analyses reveals a secular trend of Th/U and rare earth elements recorded in Yellowstone rhyolite, likely reflecting progressive compositional evolution of host magma. The relatively short timescale between chevkinite-zircon crystallization and eruption suggests that crystal-poor rhyolites at La Primavera were erupted shortly after differentiation and/or reheating. These results indicate that 238U-230Th dating of chevkinite via ion microprobe analysis may be used to date crystallization and chemical evolution of silicic magmas.

In-Situ Apatite Laser Ablation U-Th-Sm/He Dating, Methods and Challenges

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pickering, J. E.; Matthews, W.; Guest, B.; Hamilton, B.; Sykes, C.

2015-12-01

In-situ, laser ablation U-Th-Sm/He dating is an emerging technique in thermochronology that has been proven as a means to date zircon and monzonite1-5. In-situ U-Th-Sm/He thermochronology eliminates many of the problems and inconveniences associated with traditional, whole grain methods, including; reducing bias in grain selection based on size, shape and clarity; allowing for the use of broken grains and grains with inclusions; avoiding bad neighbour effects; and eliminating safety hazards associated with dissolution. In-situ apatite laser ablation is challenging due to low concentrations of U and Th and thus a low abundance of radiogenic He. For apatite laser ablation to be effective the ultra-high-vacuum (UHV) line must have very low and consistent background levels of He. To reduce He background, samples are mounted in a UHV stable medium. Our mounting process uses a MicroHePP (Microscope Mounted Heated Platen Press) to press samples into FEP (fluorinated ethylene propylene) bonded to an aluminum backing plate. Samples are ablated using a Resonetics 193 nm excimer laser and liberated He is measured using a quadrupole mass spectrometer on the ASI Alphachron noble gas line; collectively this system is known as the Resochron. The ablated sites are imaged using a Zygo Zescope optical profilometer and ablated pit volume measured using PitVol, a custom MatLab algorithm developed to enable precise and unbiased measurement of the ablated pit geometry. We use the well-characterized Durango apatite to demonstrate the accuracy and precision of the method. He liberated from forty-two pits, having volumes between 1700 and 9000 um3, were measured using the Resochron. The ablated sites were imaged using a Zygo Zescope optical profilometer and ablated pit volume measured using PitVol. U, Th and Sm concentrations were measured by laser ablation and the U-Th-Sm/He age calculated by standard age equation. An age of 33.8±0.31 Ma was determined and compares well with conventional

Committed effective dose from naturally occuring radionuclides in shellfish

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khandaker, Mayeen Uddin; Wahib, Norfadira Binti; Amin, Yusoff Mohd.; Bradley, D. A.

2013-07-01

Recognizing their importance in the average Malaysian daily diet, the radioactivity concentrations in mollusc- and crustacean-based food have been determined for key naturally occuring radionuclides. Fresh samples collected from various maritime locations around peninsular Malaysia have been processed using standard procedures; the radionuclide concentrations being determined using an HPGe γ-ray spectrometer. For molluscs, assuming secular equilibrium, the range of activities of 238U (226Ra), 232Th (228Ra) and 40K were found to be 3.28±0.35 to 5.34±0.52, 1.20±0.21 to 2.44±0.21 and 118±6 to 281±14 Bq kg-1 dry weight, respectively. The respective values for crustaceans were 3.02±0.57 to 4.70±0.52, 1.38±0.21 to 2.40±0.35 and 216±11 to 316±15 Bq kg-1. The estimated average daily intake of radioactivity from consumption of molluscs are 0.37 Bq kg-1 for 238U (226Ra), 0.16 Bq kg-1 for 232Th (228Ra) and 18 Bq kg-1 for 40K; the respective daily intake values from crustaceans are 0.36 Bq kg-1, 0.16 Bq kg-1 and 23 Bq kg-1. Associated annual committed effective doses from molluscs are estimated to be in the range 21.3 to 34.7 μSv for 226Ra, 19.3 to 39.1 μSv for 228Ra and 17.0 to 40.4 μSv for 40K. For crustaceans, the respective dose ranges are 19.6 to 30.5 μSv, 22.0 to 38.4 μSv and 31.1 to 45.5 μSv, being some several times world average values.

Activity measurements of a suite of radionuclides (241Am, 239,240Pu, 238Pu, 238U, 234U, 235U, 232Th, 230Th, 228Th, 228Ra, 137Cs, 210Pb, 90Sr and 40K) in biota reference material (Ocean Shellfish): CCRI(II)-S3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nour, S.; Karam, L. R.; Inn, K. G. W.

2012-01-01

In 2005, the CCRI decided that a comparison undertaken from 2002 to 2008 by the NIST (under the auspices of the Inter-America Metrology System [SIM]) in the development of a new biota (Ocean Shellfish) standard reference material (SRM) was sufficiently well constructed that it could be converted into a supplementary comparison under CCRI(II), with comparison identifier CCRI(II)-S3. This would enable the comparison to be used to support calibration and measurement capability (CMC) claims for radionuclide measurements in reference materials (specifically, animal-based organic materials). Previous comparisons of radionuclides have been of single or multiple nuclides in non-complex matrices and results of such could not be extended to support capabilities to measure the same nuclides in reference materials. The results of this comparison have been used to determine the certified reference value of the SRM. The key comparison working group (KCWG) of the CCRI(II) has approved this approach as a mechanism to link all the results to certified 'reference values' in lieu of the key comparison reference value (KCRV) of these specified radionuclides in this type of matrix (shellfish) so as to support CMCs of similar materials submitted by the present participants. Main text. To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/. The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCRI, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).

45. Master plan of 4th floor, building 1, U.S. Naval ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

45. Master plan of 4th floor, building 1, U.S. Naval supply activities, New York, Brooklyn, New York, public works department, March 2, 1953. Drawing #BK-S1-4. Scale 1/16=1. - U.S. Navy Fleet Supply Base, Storehouse No. 1, 830 Third Avenue, Brooklyn, Kings County, NY

The Th and U abundances in chondritic meteorites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chen, J. H.; Wasserburg, G. J.; Papanastassiou, D. A.

1993-01-01

We present new analyses of Th-232/U-238 in CI and CM meteorites. The relative abundance of these nuclides is important in estimates of the age of r-process elements. The cosmochronology based upon the Th-232/U-238 ratio (kappa) depends on the precise determinations of these two different elements in meteorites and on the production ratios. Both parameters are subject to substantial errors. Recent recalculations of this chronology have used selected values from compilations but do not adequately address the errors in terms of a reliable data base. Morgan and Lovering provided extensive neutron activation analyses for ordinary chondrites which yield an average kappa of 3.6 +/- 0.4. Their work on carbonaceous chondrites showed a wide range in kappa from 2 to 6. More recent investigations by isotopic dilution have established the following: (1) highly variable kappa from 2.7 to 11 in Allende Ca-Al-rich inclusions and a value of 3.6 in the Orgueil CI1 chondrite; (2) a range from 2.71 to 6.63 for 7 L-type chondrites and a range from 2.7 to 4.4 for 6 L, H, and LL chondrites. A further investigation of this subject matter is presented.

Distribution of some natural and man-made radionuclides in soil from the city of Veles (Republic of Macedonia) and its environs.

PubMed

Dimovska, Snezana; Stafilov, Trajce; Sajn, Robert; Frontasyeva, Marina

2010-02-01

A systematic study of soil radioactivity in the metallurgical centre of the Republic of Macedonia, the city of Veles and its environs, was carried out. The measurement of the radioactivity was performed in 55 samples from evenly distributed sampling sites. The gross alpha and gross beta radioactivity measurements were made as a screening, using a low background gas-flow proportional counter. For the analysis of (40)K, (238)U, (232)Th and (137)Cs, a P-type coaxial high purity germanium detector was used. The values for the activity concentrations of the natural radionuclides fall well within the worldwide range as reported in the literature. It is shown that the activity of man-made radionuclides, except for (137)Cs, is below the detection limit. (137)Cs originated from the atmospheric deposition and present in soil in the activity concentration range of 2-358 Bq kg(-1) is irregularly distributed over the sampled territory owing to the complicated orography of the land. The results of gamma spectrometry are compared to the K, U, and Th concentrations previously obtained by the reactor neutron activation analysis in the same soil samples.

Natural radionuclides in rocks and soils of the high-mountain regions of the Great Caucasus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Asvarova, T. A.; Abdulaeva, A. S.; Magomedov, M. A.

2012-06-01

The results of the radioecological survey in the high-mountain regions of the Great Caucasus at the heights from 2200 to 3800 m a.s.l. are considered. This survey encompassed the territories of Dagestan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Chechnya, Northern Ossetia-Alania, Kabardino-Balkaria, Karachay-Cherkessia, and the Stavropol and Krasnodar regions. The natural γ background radiation in the studied regions is subjected to considerable fluctuations and varies from 6 to 40 μR/h. The major regularities of the migration of natural radionuclides 238U, 232Th, 226Ra, and 40K in soils in dependence on the particular environmental conditions (the initial concentration of the radionuclides in the parent material; the intensity of pedogenesis; the intensity of the vertical and horizontal migration; and the geographic, climatic, and landscape-geochemical factors) are discussed.

THE USE OF BATCH TESTS AS A SCREENING TOOL FOR RADIONUCLIDE SORPTION CHARACTERIZATION STUDIES, HANFORD, WASHINGTON, U.S.A.

EPA Science Inventory

The U.S. Department of Energy was studying the feasibility of locating a high-level radioactive waste repository in basalt at the Hanford site in south-central Washington. This is a saturated site where ground water transport of radionuclides away from a repository is the mechani...

U-Th and 10Be constraints on sediment recycling in proglacial settings, Lago Buenos Aires, Patagonia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cogez, Antoine; Herman, Frédéric; Pelt, Éric; Reuschlé, Thierry; Morvan, Gilles; Darvill, Christopher M.; Norton, Kevin P.; Christl, Marcus; Märki, Lena; Chabaux, François

2018-03-01

The estimation of sediment transfer times remains a challenge to our understanding of sediment budgets and the relationships between erosion and climate. Uranium (U) and thorium (Th) isotope disequilibria offer a means of more robustly constraining sediment transfer times. Here, we present new uranium and thorium disequilibrium data for a series of nested moraines around Lago Buenos Aires in Argentine Patagonia. The glacial chronology for the area is constrained using in situ cosmogenic 10Be analysis of glacial outwash. Sediment transfer times within the periglacial domain were estimated by comparing the deposition ages of moraines to the theoretical age of sediment production, i.e., the comminution age inferred from U disequilibrium data and recoil loss factor estimates. Our data show first that the classical comminution age approach must include weathering processes accounted for by measuring Th disequilibrium. Second, our combined data suggest that the pre-deposition history of the moraine sediments is not negligible, as evidenced by the large disequilibrium of the youngest moraines despite the equilibrium of the corresponding glacial flour. Monte Carlo simulations suggest that weathering was more intense before the deposition of the moraines and that the transfer time of the fine sediments to the moraines was on the order of 100-200 kyr. Long transfer times could result from a combination of long sediment residence times in the proglacial lake (recurrence time of a glacial cycle) and the remobilization of sediments from moraines deposited during previous glacial cycles. 10Be data suggest that some glacial cycles are absent from the preserved moraine record (seemingly every second cycle), supporting a model of reworking moraines and/or fluctuations in the extent of glacial advances. The chronological pattern is consistent with the U-Th disequilibrium data and the 100-200 kyr transfer time. This long transfer time raises the question of the proportion of freshly

Zircon, titanite, and apatite (U-Th)/He ages and age-eU correlations from the Fennoscandian Shield, southern Sweden

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guenthner, William R.; Reiners, Peter W.; Drake, Henrik; Tillberg, Mikael

2017-07-01

Craton cores far from plate boundaries have traditionally been viewed as stable features that experience minimal vertical motion over 100-1000 Ma time scales. Here we show that the Fennoscandian Shield in southeastern Sweden experienced several episodes of burial and exhumation from 1800 Ma to the present. Apatite, titanite, and zircon (U-Th)/He ages from surface samples and drill cores constrain the long-term, low-temperature history of the Laxemar region. Single grain titanite and zircon (U-Th)/He ages are negatively correlated (104-838 Ma for zircon and 160-945 Ma for titanite) with effective uranium (eU = U + 0.235 × Th), a measurement proportional to radiation damage. Apatite ages are 102-258 Ma and are positively correlated with eU. These correlations are interpreted with damage-diffusivity models, and the modeled zircon He age-eU correlations constrain multiple episodes of heating and cooling from 1800 Ma to the present, which we interpret in the context of foreland basin systems related to the Neoproterozoic Sveconorwegian and Paleozoic Caledonian orogens. Inverse time-temperature models constrain an average burial temperature of 217°C during the Sveconorwegian, achieved between 944 Ma and 851 Ma, and 154°C during the Caledonian, achieved between 366 Ma and 224 Ma. Subsequent cooling to near-surface temperatures in both cases could be related to long-term exhumation caused by either postorogenic collapse or mantle dynamics related to the final assembly of Rodinia and Pangaea. Our titanite He age-eU correlations cannot currently be interpreted in the same fashion; however, this study represents one of the first examples of a damage-diffusivity relationship in this system, which deserves further research attention.

Contributions of 18 food categories to intakes of 232Th and 238U in Japan.

PubMed

Shiraishi, K; Tagami, K; Muramastu, Y; Yamamoto, M

2000-01-01

Daily intakes of 232Th and 238U and contributions of food categories to those nuclide intakes in Japanese were estimated using a market basket study for 18 food categories. Food categories having higher 238U contents (per g-fresh) were found to be as follows: seaweeds 1,140 microBq; fishes and shellfishes 37 microBq; nuts and seeds 11 microBq; bean products 8.6 microBq; and cooked meals 7.3 microBq. Big contributors to the daily 238U intake in Japan were as follows: seaweeds (50%); fishes and shellfishes (26%); and bean products (4.3%). For 232Th, higher contents (per g-fresh) were found as follows: seaweeds 28 microBq; fishes and shellfishes 13 microBq; nuts and seeds 8.2 microBq; green vegetables 3.9 microBq; cooked meals 3.5 microBq; and bean products 2.9 microBq. Big contributors to the daily 232Th intake were as follows: fishes and shellfishes (44%); green vegetables (11%); bean products (7.4%); and seaweeds (6.0%). For both nuclides, marine food products were big contributors, while minor contributors were oil and fats, eggs, and cooked meals. Daily intakes of 232Th and 238U in Japan were estimated to be 2.7 mBq and 14 mBq per person from the intakes of the 18 categories, respectively. Annual effective doses were estimated to be 232Th, 2.2 x 10(-7) Sv, and 238U, 2.2 x 10(-7) Sv.

Soil and sediment sample analysis for the sequential determination of natural and anthropogenic radionuclides.

PubMed

Michel, H; Levent, D; Barci, V; Barci-Funel, G; Hurel, C

2008-02-15

A new sequential method for the determination of both natural (U, Th) and anthropogenic (Sr, Cs, Pu, Am) radionuclides has been developed for application to soil and sediment samples. The procedure was optimised using a reference sediment (IAEA-368) and reference soils (IAEA-375 and IAEA-326). Reference materials were first digested using acids (leaching), 'total' acids on hot plate, and acids in microwave in order to compare the different digestion technique. Then, the separation and purification were made by anion exchange resin and selective extraction chromatography: transuranic (TRU) and strontium (SR) resins. Natural and anthropogenic alpha radionuclides were separated by uranium and tetravalent actinide (UTEVA) resin, considering different acid elution medium. Finally, alpha and gamma semiconductor spectrometer and liquid scintillation spectrometer were used to measure radionuclide activities. The results obtained for strontium-90, cesium-137, thorium-232, uranium-238, plutonium-239+240 and americium-241 isotopes by the proposed method for the reference materials provided excellent agreement with the recommended values and good chemical recoveries. Plutonium isotopes in alpha spectrometry planchet deposits could be also analysed by ICPMS.

Late Pleistocene eruptive history of the Mono Craters rhyolites, eastern California, from U-Th dating of explosive and effusive products

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marcaida, M.; Vazquez, J. A.; Calvert, A. T.; Miller, J. S.

2016-12-01

During late Pleistocene-Holocene time, repeated explosive and effusive eruptions of high-silica rhyolite magma south of Mono Lake, California, have produced a chain of massive domes known as the Mono Craters and a time-series of tephra deposits preserved in sediments of the Wilson Creek formation of ancestral Mono Lake. The record of late Holocene volcanism at Mono Craters is relatively well constrained by tephrostratigraphy and 14C dating, and the timing of late Pleistocene eruptions is similarly well constrained by tephrochronology and magnetostratigraphy of the Wilson Creek formation. However, the chronology of eruptions for the Mono Craters chain, comprising at least 28 individual domes, has thus far been based on age estimates from hydration rind dating of obsidian that is highly dependent on local calibration. We constrain the timing of late Pleistocene dome emplacement by linking independently dated Wilson Creek tephras to their dome equivalents in the Mono Craters using combined titanomagnetite geochemistry and U-Th geochronology. Ion microprobe 238U-230Th dating of unpolished allanite and zircon rims gives isochron dates of ca. 42 ka, ca. 38 ka, ca. 26 ka, and ca. 20 ka for domes 19, 24, 31 (newly recognized), and 11 of the Mono Craters, respectively. These domes are biotite-bearing rhyolites with titanomagnetites that are compositionally identical to those from several Wilson Creek tephras. Specifically, we correlate Ash 15, Ash 7, and Ash 3 of the Wilson Creek formation to domes 19, 31, and 11 of the Mono Craters, respectively, based on matching titanomagnetite compositions and indistinguishable U-Th ages. 40Ar/39Ar dating of single sanidines from domes 19 and 31 yield mean dates that are 10 k.y. older than their corresponding U-Th dates, likely due to excess argon from melt inclusions and/or incompletely re-equilibrated antecrysts. Based on our new U-Th isochron date of ca. 34 ka for allanite-zircon from Ash 8 pumice and the ca. 26-27 ka age of Ash 7

Radiogenic isotopic approaches for quantifying radionuclide transport (Invited)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maher, K.; Depaolo, D. J.; Singleton, M. J.; Christensen, J. N.; Conrad, M. E.

2009-12-01

Naturally occurring variations in the isotopic compositions of U and Sr provide unique opportunities for assessing the fate and transport of radionuclides at field-scale conditions. When coupled with reactive transport models, U and Sr isotopes may also provide additional constraints on the rates of sediment-fluid or sediment-waste interactions. Such isotopic approaches can be useful for sites where subsurface characterization is complicated by a lack of accessibility or the presence of substantial heterogeneity. In addition, a variety of quantitative modeling approaches of different complexity can be used to evaluate experimentally determined parameters for radionuclide mobility at the field-scale. At the Hanford Site in eastern Washington, 87Sr/86Sr and 234U/238U ratios have been used to quantify the residence time of Sr and U in the unsaturated zone, the long-term background infiltration rate through the unsaturated zone, and to assess the influence of enhanced wastewater discharge on the regional unconfined aquifer. As a result of different processing techniques or due to interactions between caustic waste and the natural sediment, waste plumes may also inherit isotopic fingerprints (e.g. 234U/238U, 235U/238U, 236U/238U; δ15N & δ18O of nitrate) that can be used to resolve multiple sources of contamination. Finally, enriched isotopic tracers can be applied to experimental manipulations to assess the retardation of a variety of contaminants. Collectively this isotopic data contributes unique perspectives on both the hydrologic conditions across the site and the mobility of key radionuclides. Predicting the long-term fate and transport of radionuclides in the environment is often challenging due to natural heterogeneity and incomplete characterization of the subsurface, however detailed analysis of isotopic variations can provide one additional means of characterizing the subsurface.

He, U, and Th Depth Profiling of Apatite and Zircon Using Laser Ablation Noble Gas Mass Spectrometry and SIMS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Monteleone, B. D.; van Soest, M. C.; Hodges, K. V.; Hervig, R.; Boyce, J. W.

2008-12-01

Conventional (U-Th)/He thermochronology utilizes single or multiple grain analyses of U- and Th-bearing minerals such as apatite and zircon and does not allow for assessment of spatial variation in concentration of He, U, or Th within individual crystals. As such, age calculation and interpretation require assumptions regarding 4He loss through alpha ejection, diffusive redistribution of 4He, and U and Th distribution as an initial condition for these processes. Although models have been developed to predict 4He diffusion parameters, correct for the effect of alpha ejection on calculated cooling ages, and account for the effect of U and Th zonation within apatite and zircon, measurements of 4He, U, and Th distribution have not been combined within a single crystal. We apply ArF excimer laser ablation, combined with noble gas mass spectrometry, to obtain depth profiles within apatite and zircon crystals in order to assess variations in 4He concentration with depth. Our initial results from pre-cut, pre-heated slabs of Durango apatite, each subjected to different T-t schedules, suggest a general agreement of 4He profiles with those predicted by theoretical diffusion models (Farley, 2000). Depth profiles through unpolished grains give reproducible alpha ejection profiles in Durango apatite that deviate from alpha ejection profiles predicted for ideal, homogenous crystals. SIMS depth profiling utilizes an O2 primary beam capable of sputtering tens of microns and measuring sub-micron resolution variation in [U], [Th], and [Sm]. Preliminary results suggest that sufficient [U] and [Th] zonation is present in Durango apatite to influence the form of the 4He alpha ejection profile. Future work will assess the influence of measured [U] and [Th] zonation on previously measured 4He depth profiles. Farley, K.A., 2000. Helium diffusion from apatite; general behavior as illustrated by Durango fluorapatite. J. Geophys. Res., B Solid Earth Planets 105 (2), 2903-2914.

Soil and vegetation influence in plants natural radionuclides uptake at a uranium mining site

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Charro, E.; Moyano, A.

2017-12-01

The main objective of this work is to investigate the uptake of several radionuclides by the vegetation characteristic of a dehesa ecosystem in uranium mining-impacted soils in Central-West of Spain. The activity concentration for 238U, 226Ra, 210Pb, 232Th, and 224Ra was measured in soil and vegetation samples using a Canberra n-type HPGe gamma-ray spectrometer. Transfer factors of natural radionuclides in different tissues (leaves, branches, twigs, and others) of native plants were evaluated. From these data, the influence of the mine, the physicochemical parameters of the soils and the type of vegetation were analyzed in order to explain the accumulation of radionuclides in the vegetation. A preferential uptake of 210Pb and 226Ra by plants, particularly by trees of the Quercus species (Quercus pyrenaica and Quercus ilex rotundifolia), has been observed, being the transfer factors for 226Ra and 210Pb in these tree species higher than those for other plants (like Pinus pinaster, Rubur ulmifolius and Populus sp.). The analysis of radionuclide contents and transfer factors in the vegetation showed no evidence of influence of the radionuclide concentration in soils, although it could be explained in terms of the type of plants and, in particular, of the tree's species, with special attention to the tree's rate of growth, being higher in slow growing species.

Elevated concentrations of naturally occurring radionuclides in heavy mineral-rich beach sands of Langkawi Island, Malaysia.

PubMed

Khandaker, Mayeen Uddin; Asaduzzaman, Khandoker; Sulaiman, Abdullah Fadil Bin; Bradley, D A; Isinkaye, Matthew Omoniyi

2018-02-01

Study is made of the radioactivity in the beach sands of Langkawi island, a well-known tourist destination. Investigation is made of the relative presence of the naturally occurring radionuclide 40 K and the natural-series indicator radionuclides 226 Ra and 232 Th, the gamma radiation exposure also being estimated. Sample quantities of black and white sand were collected for gamma ray spectrometry, yielding activity concentration in black sands of 226 Ra, 232 Th and 40 K from 451±9 to 2411±65Bqkg -1 (mean of 1478Bqkg -1 ); 232±4 to 1272±35Bqkg -1 (mean of 718Bqkg -1 ) and 61±6 to 136±7Bqkg -1 (mean of 103Bqkg -1 ) respectively. Conversely, in white sands the respective values for 226 Ra and 232 Th were appreciably lower, at 8.3±0.5 to 13.7±1.4Bqkg -1 (mean of 9.8Bqkg -1 ) and 4.5±0.7 to 9.4±1.0Bqkg -1 (mean of 5.9Bqkg -1 ); 40 K activities differed insubstantially from that in black sands, at 85±4 to 133±7Bqkg -1 with a mean of 102Bqkg -1 . The mean activity concentrations of 226 Ra and 232 Th in black sands are comparable with that of high background areas elsewhere in the world. The heavy minerals content gives rise to elevated 226 Ra and 232 Th activity concentrations in all of black sand samples. Evaluation of the various radiological risk parameters points to values which in some cases could be in excess of recommendations providing for safe living and working. Statistical analysis examines correlations between the origins of the radionuclides, also identifying and classifying the radiological parameters. Present results may help to form an interest in rare-earth resources for the electronics industry, power generation and the viability of nuclear fuels cycle resources. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

TH-AB-206-01: Advances in Radionuclide Therapy - From Radioiodine to Nanoparticles

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Humm, J.

In the past few decades, the field of nuclear medicine has made long strides with the continued advancement of related sciences and engineering and the availability of diagnostic and therapeutic radionuclides. Leveraging these advancements while combining the advantages of therapeutic and diagnostic radionuclides into one radiopharmaceutical has also created a new subfield “theranostics” in nuclear medicine that has the potential to further propel the field into the future. This session is composed of two talks; one focused on the physics principles of theranostics from properties of beta and alpha emitting radionuclides to dosimetric models and quantification; while the second describesmore » preclinical and clinical applications of theranostics and discusses the challenges and opportunities of bringing them to the clinic. At the end of the session the listener should be able to identify: The different properties of beta and alpha emitting radionuclides Which radionuclides are selected for which nuclear medicine therapies and why How PET can be used to accurately quantify the uptake of tumor targeting molecules How individualized dosimetry can be performed from the management of thyroid cancer to novel radiolabeled antibody therapies Promising pre-clinical radiopharmaceutical pairs in prostate cancer and melanoma. Promising clinical Theranostics in neuroendocrine cancers. Challenges of bringing Theranostics to the clinic. E. Delpassand, RITA Foundation -Houston; SBIR Grant; CEO and share holder of RadioMedix.« less

230Th-234U Model-Ages of Some Uranium Standard Reference Materials

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Williams, R W; Gaffney, A M; Kristo, M J

The 'age' of a sample of uranium is an important aspect of a nuclear forensic investigation and of the attribution of the material to its source. To the extent that the sample obeys the standard rules of radiochronometry, then the production ages of even very recent material can be determined using the {sup 230}Th-{sup 234}U chronometer. These standard rules may be summarized as (a) the daughter/parent ratio at time=zero must be known, and (b) there has been no daughter/parent fractionation since production. For most samples of uranium, the 'ages' determined using this chronometer are semantically 'model-ages' because (a) some assumptionmore » of the initial {sup 230}Th content in the sample is required and (b) closed-system behavior is assumed. The uranium standard reference materials originally prepared and distributed by the former US National Bureau of Standards and now distributed by New Brunswick Laboratory as certified reference materials (NBS SRM = NBL CRM) are good candidates for samples where both rules are met. The U isotopic standards have known purification and production dates, and closed-system behavior in the solid form (U{sub 3}O{sub 8}) may be assumed with confidence. We present here {sup 230}Th-{sup 234}U model-ages for several of these standards, determined by isotope dilution mass spectrometry using a multicollector ICP-MS, and compare these ages with their known production history.« less

Accumulation of radionuclides in selected marine biota from Manjung coastal area

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abdullah, Anisa; Hamzah, Zaini; Saat, Ahmad; Wood, Ab. Khalik; Alias, Masitah

2015-04-01

Distribution of radionuclides from anthropogenic activities has been intensively studied due to the accumulation of radionuclides in marine ecosystem. Manjung area is affected by rapid population growth and socio-economic development such as heavy industrial activities including coal fired power plant, iron foundries, port development and factories, agricultural runoff, waste and toxic discharge from factories.It has radiological risk and toxic effect when effluent from the industries in the area containing radioactive materials either being transported to the atmosphere and deposited back over the land or by run off to the river and flow into coastal area and being absorbed by marine biota. Radionuclides presence in the marine ecosystem can be adversely affect human health when it enters the food chain. This study is focusing on the radionuclides [thorium (Th), uranium (U), radium-226 (226Ra), radium-228 (228Ra) and potassium-40 (40K)] content in marine biota and sea water from Manjung coastal area. Five species of marine biota including Johnius dussumieri (Ikan Gelama), Pseudorhombus malayanus (Ikan Sebelah), Arius maculatus (Ikan Duri), Portunus pelagicus (Ketam Renjong) and Charybdis natator (Ketam Salib) were collected during rainy and dry seasons. Measurements were carried out using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICPMS). The results show that the concentration of radionuclides varies depends on ecological environment of respective marine biota species. The concentrations and activity concentrations are used for the assessment of potential internal hazard index (Hin), transfer factor (TF), ingestion dose rate (D) and health risk index (HRI) to monitor radiological risk for human consumption.

U-Th-Pb and Sm-Nd Isotopic Systematics of the Goalpara Ureilite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Torigoye, N.; Misawa, K.; Tatsumoto, M.

1993-07-01

One of the interesting features of ureilites is the light REE-enriched component that is dissolved by HNO3 leaching [1,2]. In this work, we performed acid-leaching of several mineral fractions from Goalpara ureilite for U-Th-Pb and Sm-Nd analyses. Olivine and pyroxene grains were hand-picked from 150-300- micrometer-sized fraction. Because they still contained carbon and metal sulfide they were further crushed to <63 micrometers and metal was removed with a hand magnet. These separates and whole-rock powders were washed by ethanol, and leached in 0.01N HBr, 1N HNO3, and in some cases, 7N HNO3. Concentrations of U, Th, and Pb in residues are 0.05-0.3 ppb, 0.1-0.7 ppb, and 5-100 ppb, respectively, corresponding to <=0.01X CI chondrites. Lead isotopic compositions of the residues are less radiogenic and close to Canon Diablo troilite (CDT) Pb [3] (Fig. 1). The U-Pb and Th-Pb ages of all the fractions are older than 4.5 Ga, indicating terrestrial Pb contamination (MT). Because of low concentration of U, Th, and Pb, a small amount of Pb can have a significant effect on the U-Pb and Th-Pb model ages. 238U/204Pb (mu) value of the least contaminated residue is 3, which is higher than mu (0.14-0.5) value of carbonaceous chondrites [3,4]. The higher mu value may be due to either volatile depletion by nebula fractionation or to depletion of Pb during segregation of sulfide that occurred prior to the formation of ureilite as an ultramafic cumulate. The Sm and Nd abundances in the residues are also extremely low; 0.4-2 ppb and 1-2.5 ppb, respectively, corresponding to 0.002-0.01X CI chondritic abundances. All the residues show high 147Sm/144Nd ratios (0.23 ~ 0.44), and the fraction with the highest Sm/Nd plots on the 4.55 Ga chondritic isochron (Fig. 2). The 1N HNO3 leachates do not contain light-REE-enriched components, except for the samples containing black metal-carbon phases, which also contain a large amount of terrestrial Pb in the residual fractions. Therefore

Association of actinides with microorganisms and clay: Implications for radionuclide migration from waste-repository sites

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ohnuki, T.; Francis, A.; Kozai, N.

2010-04-01

We conducted a series of basic studies on the microbial accumulation of actinides to elucidate their migration behavior around backfill materials used in the geological disposal of radioactive wastes. We explored the interactions of U(VI) and Pu(VI) with Bacillus subtilis, kaolinite clay, and within a mixture of the two, directly analyzing their association with the bacterium in the mixture by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The accumulation of U by the mixture rose as the numbers of B. subtilis cells increased. Treating the kaolinite with potassium acetate (CH{sub 3}COOK) removed approximately 80% of the associated uraniummore » while only 65% was removed in the presence of B. subtilis. TEM-EDS analysis confirmed that most of the U taken from solution was associated with B. subtilis. XANES analyses revealed that the oxidation state of uranium associated with B. subtilis, kaolinite, and with the mixture containing both was U(VI). The amount of Pu sorbed by B. subtilis increased with time, but did not reach equilibrium in 48 h; in kaolinite alone, equilibrium was attained within 8 h. After 48 h, the oxidation state of Pu in the solutions exposed to B. subtilis and to the mixture had changed to Pu(V), whereas the oxidation state of the Pu associated with both was Pu(IV). In contrast, there was no change in the oxidation state of Pu in the solution nor on kaolinite after exposure to Pu(VI). SEM-EDS analysis indicated that most of the Pu in the mixture was associated with the bacteria. These results suggest that U(VI) and Pu(VI) preferentially are sorbed to bacterial cells in the presence of kaolinite clay, and that the mechanism of accumulation of U and Pu differs. U(VI) is sorbed directly to the bacterial cells, whereas Pu(VI) first is reduced to Pu(V) and then to Pu(IV), and the latter is associated with the cells. These results have important implications on the migrations of radionuclides around the repository sites

Absorbed Dose Rate Due to Intake of Natural Radionuclides by Tilapia Fish (Tilapia nilotica,Linnaeus, 1758) Estimated Near Uranium Mining at Caetité, Bahia, Brazil

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pereira, Wagner de S.; Kelecom, Alphonse; Py Júnior, Delcy de Azevedo

2008-08-01

The uranium mining at Caetité (Uranium Concentrate Unit—URA) is in its operational phase. Aiming to estimate the radiological environmental impact of the URA, a monitoring program is underway. In order to preserve the biota of the deleterious effects from radiation and to act in a pro-active way as expected from a licensing body, the present work aims to use an environmental protection methodology based on the calculation of absorbed dose rate in biota. Thus, selected target organism was the Tilapia fish (Tilapia nilotica, Linnaeus, 1758) and the radionuclides were: uranium (U-238), thorium (Th-232), radium (Ra-226 and Ra-228) and lead (Pb-210). As, in Brazil there are no radiation exposure limits adopted for biota the value proposed by the Department of Energy (DOE) of the United States of 3.5×103 μGy y-1 has been used. The derived absorbed dose rate calculated for Tilapia was 2.51×100 μGy y-1, that is less than 0.1% of the dose limit established by DOE. The critical radionuclide was Ra-226, with 56% of the absorbed dose rate, followed by U-238 with 34% and Th-232 with 9%. This value of 0.1% of the limit allows to state that, in the operational conditions analyzed, natural radionuclides do not represent a radiological problem to biota.

210Po and 238U isotope concentrations in commercial bottled mineral water samples in Spain and their dose contribution.

PubMed

Díaz-Francés, I; Mantero, J; Manjón, G; Díaz, J; García-Tenorio, R

2013-09-01

(210)Po is a naturally occurring radionuclide, belonging to the uranium series, which is present in minute amounts in the different environmental compartments (water, soil, biota). Through its route along the trophic chain, it can be incorporated in the human body via ingestion of waters and/or food. This radionuclide is highly radiotoxic, being one of the main contributors to the committed effective dose via ingestion by the general population. In this work, the contribution of this radionuclide to the committed effective dose received by the Spanish population via consumption of bottled mineral waters is evaluated. With this end, the (210)Po activity concentrations in a total of 32 different commercial bottled mineral waters have been determined by alpha-particle spectrometry. The determined contribution is also compared with the contributions of other natural radionuclides such as (234)U and (238)U.

Potential effects of alpha-recoil on uranium-series dating of calcrete

USGS Publications Warehouse

Neymark, L.A.

2011-01-01

Evaluation of paleosol ages in the vicinity of Yucca Mountain, Nevada, at the time the site of a proposed high-level nuclear waste repository, is important for fault-displacement hazard assessment. Uranium-series isotope data were obtained for surface and subsurface calcrete samples from trenches and boreholes in Midway Valley, Nevada, adjacent to Yucca Mountain. 230Th/U ages of 33 surface samples range from 1.3 to 423 thousand years (ka) and the back-calculated 234U/238U initial activity ratios (AR) are relatively constant with a mean value of 1.54 ± 0.15 (1σ), which is consistent with the closed-system behavior. Subsurface calcrete samples are too old to be dated by the 230Th/U method. U-Pb data for post-pedogenic botryoidal opal from a subsurface calcrete sample show that these subsurface calcrete samples are older than ~ 1.65 million years (Ma), old enough to have attained secular equilibrium had their U-Th systems remained closed. However, subsurface calcrete samples show U-series disequilibrium indicating open-system behavior of 238U daughter isotopes, in contrast with the surface calcrete, where open-system behavior is not evident. Data for 21 subsurface calcrete samples yielded calculable 234U/238U model ages ranging from 130 to 1875 ka (assuming an initial AR of 1.54 ± 0.15, the mean value calculated for the surface calcrete samples). A simple model describing continuous α-recoil loss predicts that the 234U/238U and 230Th/238U ARs reach steady-state values ~ 2 Ma after calcrete formation. Potential effects of open-system behavior on 230Th/U ages and initial 234U/238U ARs for younger surface calcrete were estimated using data for old subsurface calcrete samples with the 234U loss and assuming that the total time of water-rock interaction is the only difference between these soils. The difference between the conventional closed-system and open-system ages may exceed errors of the calculated conventional ages for samples older than ~ 250 ka, but is

Mobility of Source Zone Heavy Metals and Radionuclides: The Mixed Roles of Fermentative Activity on Fate and Transport of U and Cr. Final Report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gerlach, Robin; Peyton, Brent M.; Apel, William A.

2014-01-29

Various U. S. Department of Energy (DOE) low and medium-level radioactive waste sites contain mixtures of heavy metals, radionuclides and assorted organic materials. In addition, there are numerous sites around the world that are contaminated with a mixture of organic and inorganic contaminants. In most sites, over time, water infiltrates the wastes, and releases metals, radionuclides and other contaminants causing transport into the surrounding environment. We investigated the role of fermentative microorganisms in such sites that may control metal, radionuclide and organics migration from source zones. The project was initiated based on the following overarching hypothesis: Metals, radionuclides and othermore » contaminants can be mobilized by infiltration of water into waste storage sites. Microbial communities of lignocellulose degrading and fermenting microorganisms present in the subsurface of contaminated DOE sites can significantly impact migration by directly reducing and immobilizing metals and radionuclides while degrading complex organic matter to low molecular weight organic compounds. These low molecular weight organic acids and alcohols can increase metal and radionuclide mobility by chelation (i.e., certain organic acids) or decrease mobility by stimulating respiratory metal reducing microorganisms. We demonstrated that fermentative organisms capable of affecting the fate of Cr6+, U6+ and trinitrotoluene can be isolated from organic-rich low level waste sites as well as from less organic rich subsurface environments. The mechanisms, pathways and extent of contaminant transformation depend on a variety of factors related to the type of organisms present, the aqueous chemistry as well as the geochemistry and mineralogy. This work provides observations and quantitative data across multiple scales that identify and predict the coupled effects of fermentative carbon and electron flow on the transport of radionuclides, heavy metals and organic

(U-Th)/He dating and He diffusion in calcite from veins and breccia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gautheron, C.; Cros, A.; Pagel, M.; Berthet, P.; Tassan-Got, L.; Douville, E.; Pinna-Jamme, R.; Sarda, P.

2013-12-01

Knowledge of He retention in crystalline calcite is mandatory to estimate the possibility of (U-Th)/He dating of calcite. To this aim, fault-filling calcite crystals from the Eocene/Oligocene Gondrecourt graben, Paris Basin, Eastern France, have been sampled, based on their relatively old, Eocene-Oligocene, precipitation age and cold thermal history (<40°C since precipitation). The samples were sorted into three main tectonic and morphological groups, including successively (1) micro-fracture calcites, (2) breccia and associated geodic calcites, and (3) vein and associated geodic calcites. (U-Th)/He dating of 63 calcite fragments yields ages dispersed from 0.2×0.02 to 35.8×2.7 Ma, as well as two older dates of 117×10 and 205×28 Ma (1s). These He ages correlate to grain chemistry, such as to Sr and ΣREE concentrations or (La/Yb)N ratios, and these correlations probably reflect the evolution of parent fluid. Only the oldest He ages are in agreement with the He-retentive character of calcite as determined by Copeland et al. (2007), and these ages were obtained for the most recently precipitated crystals. To better understand the large He-age scatter and why calcites precipitated earlier show younger ages, He diffusion experiments have been conducted on 10 Gondrecourt calcite fragments from 3 samples with He ages of 0.2 to 6 Ma. In addition, a crystallographic investigation by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) performed on similar samples reveals that the crystal structure evolves with increasing temperature, showing with micro-cracks and cleavage opening. These XRD results indicate that, in fault-filling calcite, He retention is controlled by multiple diffusion domains (MDD, Lovera et al., 1991) with various sizes, and therefore, evolves through time with strong consequences on (U-Th)/He age. We thus interpret the Gondrecourt calcite (U-Th)/He age scatter of older samples as a consequence of cleavage opening due to a succession of calcite crystallization phases related to

Partitioning of U, Th and K Between Metal, Sulfide and Silicate, Insights into the Volatile-Content of Mercury

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Habermann, M.; Boujibar, A.; Righter, K.; Danielson, L.; Rapp, J.; Righter, M.; Pando, K.; Ross, D. K.; Andreasen, R.; Chidester, B.

2016-01-01

During the early stages of the Solar System formation, especially during the T-Tauri phase, the Sun emitted strong solar winds, which are thought to have expelled a portion of the volatile elements from the inner solar system. It is therefore usually believed that the volatile depletion of a planet is correlated with its proximity to the Sun. This trend was supported by the K/Th and K/U ratios of Venus, the Earth, and Mars. Prior to the MESSENGER mission, it was expected that Mercury is the most volatile-depleted planet. However, the Gamma Ray Spectrometer of MESSENGER spacecraft revealed elevated K/U and K/Th ratios for the surface of Mercury, much higher than previous expectations. It is possible that the K/Th and K/U ratios on the surface are not a reliable gauge of the bulk volatile content of Mercury. Mercury is enriched in sulfur and is the most reduced of the terrestrial planets, with oxygen fugacity (fO2) between IW-6.3 and IW-2.6 log units. At these particular compositions, U, Th and K behave differently and can become more siderophile or chalcophile. If significant amounts of U and Th are sequestered in the core, the apparent K/U and K/Th ratios measured on the surface may not represent the volatile budget of the whole planet. An accurate determination of the partitioning of these elements between silicate, metal, and sulfide phases under Mercurian conditions is therefore essential to better constrain Mercury's volatile content and assess planetary formation models.

Apatite (U-Th)/He thermochronology dataset interpretation: New insights from physical point of view

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gautheron, Cécile; Mbongo-Djimbi, Duval; Gerin, Chloé; Roques, Jérôme; Bachelet, Cyril; Oliviero, Erwan; Tassan-Got, Laurent

2015-04-01

The apatite (U-Th)/He (AHe) system has rapidly become a very popular thermochronometer to constrain burial and exhumation phases in a variety of geological contexts. However, the interpretation of AHe data depends on a precise knowledge of He diffusion in apatite. Several studies suggest that radiation damage generated by U and Th decay can create traps for He atoms, increasing He retention for irradiated minerals. The radiation damage also anneals with temperature and the amount of damage in an apatite crystal is at any time a balance between production and annealing, controlled by U-Th concentration, grain chemistry and thermal history (Flowers et al., 2009; Gautheron et al., 2009; 2013). However the models are not well constrained and do not fully explain the mechanism of He retention. In order to have a deeper insight on this issue, multidisciplinary studies on apatite combining diffusion experiments by Elastic Recoil Diffusion Analysis (ERDA) with a multi-scale theoretical diffusion calculation based on Density Functional Theory (DFT) and Kinetic Monte Carlo were performed. ERDA experiments were conducted on different macro-crystals, and we probed the shape of a He profile implanted into a planar and polished surface of the crystal. The helium profile evolves with temperature and allows quantifying the He diffusivity and damage impact. Additionally, DFT calculations of a damage-free crystal of apatite with different F and Cl compositions, in similar proportion as natural ones, have been run to find the favored paths of a helium atom between interstitial sites, leading to a computation of the activation energy and the diffusion coefficient. We show that damage free apatite crystals are characterized by low retention behavior and closure temperature range from 33-36°C for pure F-apatite to higher value for Cl riche apatite (up to 12°C higher), for typical grain size and cooling rate (Mbongo-Djimbi et al., in review). Using ERDA and DFT approaches, we

Partitioning of K, U, and TH between sulfide and silicate liquids: Implications for radioactive heating of planetary cores

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murrell, M. T.; Burnett, D. S.

1986-07-01

The possibility of heating of planetary cores by K radioactivity has been extensively discussed, as well as the possibility that K partitioning into the terrestrial core is the reason for the difference between the terrestrial and chondritic K/U. We had previously suggested that U and Th partitioning into FeFeS liquids was more important than K. Laboratory FeFeS liquid, silicate liquid partition coefficient measurements (D) for K, U, and Th were made to test this suggestion. For a basaltic liquid at 1450°C and 1.5 GPa, DU is 0.013 and DK is 0.0026; thus U partitioning into FeFeS liquids is 5 times greater than K partitioning under these conditions. There are problems with 1-atm experiments in that they do not appear to equilibrate or reverse. However, measurable U and Th partitioning into sulfide was nearly always observed, but K partitioning was normally not observed (DK <~ 10-4). A typical value for DU from a granitic silicate liquid at one atmosphere, 1150°C, and low f02 is about 0.02; DTh is similar. At low f02 and higher temperature, experiments with basaltic liquids produce strong Ca and U partitioning into the sulfide liquid with DU > 1. DTh is less strongly affected. Because of the consistently low DK/DU, pressure effects near the core-mantle boundary would need to increase DK by factors of ~103 with much smaller increases in DU in order to have the terrestrial K and U abundances at chondritic levels. In addition, if radioactive heating is important for planetary cores, U and Th will be more important than K unless the lower mantle has K/U greater than 10 times chondritic or large changes in partition coefficients with conditions reverse the relative importance of K versus U and Th from our measurements.

Distribution and Multivariate Pollution Risks Assessment of Heavy Metals and Natural Radionuclides Around Abandoned Iron-Ore Mines in North Central Nigeria

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Isinkaye, Omoniyi Matthew

2018-02-01

The Itakpe abandoned iron-ore mines constitute the largest iron-ore deposits in Nigeria with an estimated reserve of about three million metric tons of ore. The present effort is a part of a comprehensive study to estimate the environmental and radiological health hazards associated with previous mining operations in the study area. In this regard, heavy metals (Fe, Zn, Cu, Cd, Cr, Mn, Pb, Ni, Co and As) and natural radionuclides (U, Th and K) were measured in rock, soil and water samples collected at different locations within the mining sites. Atomic absorption and gamma-ray spectrometry were utilized for the measurements. Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Ni, Cd, Cr, Co Pb and As were detected at varying concentrations in rock and soil samples. Cd, Cr, Pb and As were not detected in water samples. The concentrations of heavy metals vary according to the following pattern; rock ˃ soil ˃ water. The mean elemental concentrations of K, U and Th are 2.9%, 0.8 and 1.2 ppm and 1.3%, 0.7 and 1.7 ppm, respectively, for rock and soil samples. Pearson correlation analyses of the results indicate that the heavy metals are mostly negatively correlated with natural radionuclides in the study area. Cancer and non-cancer risks due to heavy metals and radiological hazards due to natural radionuclides to the population living within the vicinity of the abandoned mines are lower than acceptable limits. It can, therefore, be concluded that no significant environmental or radiological health hazard is envisaged.

Accumulation of radionuclides in selected marine biota from Manjung coastal area

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Abdullah, Anisa, E-mail: coppering@ymail.com; Hamzah, Zaini; Wood, Ab. Khalik

Distribution of radionuclides from anthropogenic activities has been intensively studied due to the accumulation of radionuclides in marine ecosystem. Manjung area is affected by rapid population growth and socio-economic development such as heavy industrial activities including coal fired power plant, iron foundries, port development and factories, agricultural runoff, waste and toxic discharge from factories.It has radiological risk and toxic effect when effluent from the industries in the area containing radioactive materials either being transported to the atmosphere and deposited back over the land or by run off to the river and flow into coastal area and being absorbed by marinemore » biota. Radionuclides presence in the marine ecosystem can be adversely affect human health when it enters the food chain. This study is focusing on the radionuclides [thorium (Th), uranium (U), radium-226 ({sup 226}Ra), radium-228 ({sup 228}Ra) and potassium-40 ({sup 40}K)] content in marine biota and sea water from Manjung coastal area. Five species of marine biota including Johnius dussumieri (Ikan Gelama), Pseudorhombus malayanus (Ikan Sebelah), Arius maculatus (Ikan Duri), Portunus pelagicus (Ketam Renjong) and Charybdis natator (Ketam Salib) were collected during rainy and dry seasons. Measurements were carried out using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICPMS). The results show that the concentration of radionuclides varies depends on ecological environment of respective marine biota species. The concentrations and activity concentrations are used for the assessment of potential internal hazard index (H{sub in}), transfer factor (TF), ingestion dose rate (D) and health risk index (HRI) to monitor radiological risk for human consumption.« less

Preliminary Report on U-Th-Pb Isotope Systematics of the Olivine-Phyric Shergottite Tissint

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Moriwaki, R.; Usui, T.; Yokoyama, T.; Simon, J. I.; Jones, J. H.

2014-01-01

Geochemical studies of shergottites suggest that their parental magmas reflect mixtures between at least two distinct geochemical source reservoirs, producing correlations between radiogenic isotope compositions, and trace element abundances.. These correlations have been interpreted as indicating the presence of a reduced, incompatible-element- depleted reservoir and an oxidized, incompatible-element-rich reservoir. The former is clearly a depleted mantle source, but there has been a long debate regarding the origin of the enriched reservoir. Two contrasting models have been proposed regarding the location and mixing process of the two geochemical source reservoirs: (1) assimilation of oxidized crust by mantle derived, reduced magmas, or (2) mixing of two distinct mantle reservoirs during melting. The former clearly requires the ancient martian crust to be the enriched source (crustal assimilation), whereas the latter requires a long-lived enriched mantle domain that probably originated from residual melts formed during solidification of a magma ocean (heterogeneous mantle model). This study conducts Pb isotope and U-Th-Pb concentration analyses of the olivine-phyric shergottite Tissint because U-Th-Pb isotope systematics have been intensively used as a powerful radiogenic tracer to characterize old crust/sediment components in mantle- derived, terrestrial oceanic island basalts. The U-Th-Pb analyses are applied to sequential acid leaching fractions obtained from Tissint whole-rock powder in order to search for Pb isotopic source components in Tissint magma. Here we report preliminary results of the U-Th-Pb analyses of acid leachates and a residue, and propose the possibility that Tissint would have experienced minor assimilation of old martian crust.

Absorbed Dose Rate Due to Intake of Natural Radionuclides by Tilapia Fish (Tilapia nilotica,Linnaeus, 1758) Estimated Near Uranium Mining at Caetite, Bahia, Brazil

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pereira, Wagner de S; Universidade Federal Fluminense, Programa de Pos-graduacao em Biologia Marinha; Kelecom, Alphonse

2008-08-07

The uranium mining at Caetite (Uranium Concentrate Unit--URA) is in its operational phase. Aiming to estimate the radiological environmental impact of the URA, a monitoring program is underway. In order to preserve the biota of the deleterious effects from radiation and to act in a pro-active way as expected from a licensing body, the present work aims to use an environmental protection methodology based on the calculation of absorbed dose rate in biota. Thus, selected target organism was the Tilapia fish (Tilapia nilotica, Linnaeus, 1758) and the radionuclides were: uranium (U-238), thorium (Th-232), radium (Ra-226 and Ra-228) and lead (Pb-210).more » As, in Brazil there are no radiation exposure limits adopted for biota the value proposed by the Department of Energy (DOE) of the United States of 3.5x10{sup 3} {mu}Gy y{sup -1} has been used. The derived absorbed dose rate calculated for Tilapia was 2.51x10{sup 0} {mu}Gy y{sup -1}, that is less than 0.1% of the dose limit established by DOE. The critical radionuclide was Ra-226, with 56% of the absorbed dose rate, followed by U-238 with 34% and Th-232 with 9%. This value of 0.1% of the limit allows to state that, in the operational conditions analyzed, natural radionuclides do not represent a radiological problem to biota.« less

Mobility of 232Th and 210Po in red mud.

PubMed

Hegedűs, Miklós; Tóth-Bodrogi, Edit; Jónás, Jácint; Somlai, János; Kovács, Tibor

2018-04-01

The valorization of industrial by-products such as red mud became a tempting opportunity, but the understanding of the risks involved is required for the safe utilization of these products. One of the risks involved are the elevated levels of radionuclides (in the 100-1300 Bq/kg range for both the 238 U and 232  Th decay chains, but usually lower than 1000 Bq/kg, which is the recommended limit for excemption or clearance according to the EU BSS released in 2013) in red mud that can affect human health. There is no satisfactory answer for the utilization of red mud; the main current solution is still almost exclusively disposal into a landfill. For the safe utilization and deposition of red mud, it is important to be able to assess the leaching behaviour of radionuclides. Because there is no commonly accepted measurement protocol for testing the leaching of radionuclides in the EU a combined measurement protocol was made and tested based on heavy metal leaching methods. The leaching features of red mud were studied by methods compliant with the MSZ-21470-50 Hungarian standard, the CEN/TS 14429 standard and the Tessier sequential extraction method for 232 Th and 210 Po. The leached solutions were taken to radiochemical separation followed by spontaneous deposition for Po and electrodeposition for Th. The 332 ± 33 Bq/kg 232 Th content was minimally mobile, 1% became available for distilled water 1% and 6% for Lakanen-Erviö solution; the Tessier extraction showed minimal mobility in the first four steps, while more than 85% remained in the residue. The 210 Po measurements had a severe disturbing effect in many cases, probably due to large amounts of iron present in the red mud, from the 310 ± 12 Bq/kg by aqua regia digestion, distilled water mobilized 23%, while Lakanen-Erviö solution mobilized ∼13%. The proposed protocol is suitable for the analysis of Th and Po leaching behaviour. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Radionuclide Transport in Fracture-Granite Interface Zones

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hu, Q; Mori, A

In situ radionuclide migration experiments, followed by excavation and sample characterization, were conducted in a water-conducting shear zone at the Grimsel Test Site (GTS) in Switzerland to study diffusion paths of radionuclides in fractured granite. In this work, we employed a micro-scale mapping technique that interfaces laser ablation sampling with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA/ICP-MS) to measure the fine-scale (micron-range) distribution of actinides ({sup 234}U, {sup 235}U, and {sup 237}Np) in the fracture-granite interface zones. Long-lived {sup 234}U, {sup 235}U, and {sup 237}Np were detected in flow channels, as well as in the adjacent rock matrix, using the sensitive, feature-basedmore » mapping of the LA/ICP-MS technique. The injected sorbing actinides are mainly located within the advective flowing fractures and the immediately adjacent regions. The water-conducting fracture studied in this work is bounded on one side by mylonite and the other by granitic matrix regions. These actinides did not penetrate into the mylonite side as much as the relatively higher-porosity granite matrix, most likely due to the low porosity, hydraulic conductivity, and diffusivity of the fracture wall (a thickness of about 0.4 mm separates the mylonite region from the fracture) and the mylonite region itself. Overall, the maximum penetration depth detected with this technique for the more diffusive {sup 237}Np over the field experimental time scale of about 60 days was about 10 mm in the granitic matrix, illustrating the importance of matrix diffusion in retarding radionuclide transport from the advective fractures. Laboratory tests and numerical modeling of radionuclide diffusion into granitic matrix was conducted to complement and help interpret the field results. Measured apparent diffusivity of multiple tracers in granite provided consistent predictions for radionuclide transport in the fractured granitic rock.« less

Partitioning of K, U, and Th between sulfide and silicate liquids - Implications for radioactive heating of planetary cores

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Murrell, M. T.; Burnett, D. S.

1986-01-01

Experimental partitioning studies are reported of K, U, and Th between silicate and FeFeS liquids designed to test the proposal that actinide partitioning into sulfide liquids is more important then K partitioning in the radioactive heating of planetary cores. For a basaltic liquid at 1450 C and 1.5 GPa, U partitioning into FeFeS liquids is five times greater than K partitioning. A typical value for the liquid partition coefficient for U from a granitic silicate liquid at one atmosphere at 1150 C and low fO2 is about 0.02; the coefficient for Th is similar. At low fO2 and higher temperature, experiments with basaltic liquids produce strong Ca and U partitioning into the sulfide liquid with U coefficient greater than one. The Th coefficient is less strongly affected.

Tracking Radionuclide Fractionation in the First Atomic Explosion Using Stable Elements.

PubMed

Bonamici, Chloë E; Hervig, Richard L; Kinman, William S

2017-09-19

Compositional analysis of postdetonation fallout is a tool for forensic identification of nuclear devices. However, the relationship between device composition and fallout composition is difficult to interpret because of the complex combination of physical mixing, nuclear reactions, and chemical fractionations that occur in the chaotic nuclear fireball. Using a combination of in situ microanalytical techniques (electron microprobe analysis and secondary ion mass spectrometry), we show that some heavy stable elements (Rb, Sr, Zr, Ba, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Nd, Sm, Dy, Lu, U, Th) in glassy fallout from the first nuclear test, Trinity, are reliable chemical proxies for radionuclides generated during the explosion. Stable-element proxies show that radionuclides from the Trinity device were chemically, but not isotopically, fractionated by condensation. Furthermore, stable-element proxies delineate chemical fractionation trends that can be used to connect present-day fallout composition to past fireball composition. Stable-element proxies therefore offer a novel approach for elucidating the phenomenology of the nuclear fireball as it relates to the formation of debris and the fixation of device materials within debris.

Natural radionuclides in fish species from surface water of Bagjata and Banduhurang uranium mining areas, East Singhbhum, Jharkhand, India.

PubMed

Giri, Soma; Singh, Gurdeep; Jha, V N; Tripathi, R M

2010-11-01

To study the natural radionuclides in the freshwater fish samples around the uranium mining areas of Bagjata and Banduhurang, East Singhbhum, Jharkhand, India. The naturally occurring radioisotopes of uranium, U(nat), consisting of (234)U, (235)U and (238)U; (226)Ra, (230)Th and (210)Po were analysed in the fish samples from the surface water of Bagjata and Banduhurang mining areas after acid digestion. The ingestion dose, concentration factor and excess lifetime cancer risk of the radionuclides were estimated. The geometric mean activity of U(nat), (226)Ra, (230)Th and (210)Po in the fish samples was found to be 0.05, 0.19, 0.29 and 0.95 Bq kg(-1)(fresh) (Becquerel per kilogram fresh fish), respectively, in the Bagjata mining area, while for Banduhurang mining area it was estimated to be 0.08, 0.41, 0.22 and 2.48 Bq kg(-1)(fresh), respectively. The ingestion dose was computed to be 1.88 and 4.16 μSvY(-1), respectively, for both the areas which is much below the 1 mSv limit set in the new International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) recommendations. The estimation of the Concentration Factors (CF) reveal that the CF from water is greater than 1 l/kg(-1)in most of the cases while from sediment CF is less than 1. The excess individual lifetime cancer risk due to the consumption of fish was calculated to be 2.53 × 10(-5) and 6.48 × 10(-5), respectively, for Bagjata and Banduhurang areas, which is within the acceptable excess individual lifetime cancer risk value of 1 × 10(-4). The study confirms that current levels of radioactivity do not pose a significant radiological risk to freshwater fish consumers.

U-Th-Pb systematics of selected samples from Apollo 17, Boulder 1, Station 2

USGS Publications Warehouse

Nunes, P.D.; Tatsumoto, M.

1975-01-01

Nine U-Th-Pb whole-rock analyses of selected brecciated materials from sample 72215 and one analysis of a pigeonite basalt clast from 72275 are presented. Both samples are from Boulder 1, Apollo 17. These data supplement previous Boulder 1 U-Th-Pb analyses of samples 72275 and 72255. U and Th concentrations indicate that most of the samples contain a moderate to large KREEP component. Samples containing the least KREEP are a noritic clast (72255,49; Civet Cat clast) and an anorthositic clast (72275,117). Evidence for the migration of Pb from Pb-rich matrix material into relatively Pb-poor clasts is presented for two clasts. Most of the Boulder 1 data define a linear trend that intersects concordia at ??? 3.9 and 4.4 b.y. when plotted on a U-Pb concordia diagram. The presence of one anorthositic clast distinctly off this trend indicates that a simple two-stage U-Pb evolution history is inadequate to explain all the data. Accordingly physical significance is only attached to the lower concordia intercept age of 3.9-4.0 b.y. The older concordia intercept age of ??? 4.4 b.y. is interpreted to reflect an averaging of events both older and younger than 4.4 b.y. The data suggest that significant differentiation and/or metamorphism occurred ??? 4.2 b.y. ago. The age of this event, however, is not accurately defined by these data. ?? 1975 D. Reidel Publishing Company, Dordrecht-Holland.

Calibration of the C-14 timescale over the past 30,000 years using mass spectrometric U-Th ages from Barbados corals

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bard, Edouard; Hamelin, Bruno; Fairbanks, Richard G.; Zindler, Alan

1990-01-01

Uranium-thorium ages obtained by mass spectrometry from corals raised off the island of Barbados confirm the high precision of this technique over at least the past 30,000 years. Comparison of the U-Th ages with C-14 ages obtained on the Holocene samples shows that the U-Th ages are accurate, because they accord with the dendrochronological calibration. Before 9,000 yr BP, the C-14 ages are systematically younger than the U-Th ages, with a maximum difference of about 3500 yr at about 20,000 yr BP. The U-Th technique thus provides a way of calibrating the radiocarbon timescale beyond the range of dendrochronological calibration.

U-Th-Pb measurements of Luna 20 soil

USGS Publications Warehouse

Tatsumoto, M.

1973-01-01

The concentrations of uranium, thorium and lead and the lead isotopic composition of Luna 20 soil were determined. The data indicate that the Luna 20 soil is mainly a mixture of highland anorthosites and low-K basalt, but little KREEP basalt. The U-Th-Pb systematics are discussed in comparison with other lunar soils, especially with Apollo 16 soils which were collected from a 'typical' highland region. The data fit well in the Apollo 16 soil array on a U-Pb evolution diagram, and they exhibit excess lead relative to uranium. This relationship appears to be a characteristic of highland localities. Considering the previous observations of lunar samples, we infer that lead enrichment in the soil relative to uranium occurred between 3.2 and 3.9 b.y. ago and that the soil was disturbed by 'third events' about 2.0 b.y. ago. A lunar evolution model is discussed. ?? 1973.

Thermal and exhumation history of the central Tianshan (NW China): Constraints by U-Pb geochronology and Ar-Ar and (U-Th)/He thermochronology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yin, J.; Chen, W.; Hodges, K. V.; Xiao, W.; Van Soest, M. C.; Cai, K.; Zhang, B.; Mercer, C. M.; Yuan, C.

2015-12-01

Geochronology and thermochronology using multiple mineral-isotopic chronometers reveals the thermo-tectonic history of the central Tianshan (NW China) from emplacement to exhumation. Granites from the central Tianshan, which are associated with the southward subduction of the northern Tianshan Ocean, have been dated at 362-354 Ma using the LA-ICP-MS Zircon U-Pb method. A younger diorite sample (282 ± 1 Ma, Zircon U-Pb method by LA-ICP-MS) from northern Tianshan formed during the final closure of the Northern Tianshan Ocean when the Junggar Block collided with the Yili-Central Tianshan Block. 40Ar/39Ar step-wise heating plateau dates (biotite Ar/Ar: 312-293 Ma; Plagioclase Ar/Ar: 270-229 Ma) from the Central Tianshan show rapid post-magmatic cooling during the Late Carboniferous-Early Permian followed by a more modest rate of cooling from the middle Permian to the middle Jurassic. The northern Tianshan diorite (biotite Ar/Ar: 240 ± 1 Ma) also reveals a middle Jurassic cooling. Apatite (U-Th )/He dates from the central Tianshan samples range from ca. 130 Ma to ca. 116 Ma. The Apatite (U-Th )/He date for the northern Tianshan sample is ca. 27 Ma. Previous studies also reported Apatite (U-Th)/He ages of ca. 44 Ma-11 Ma in the Baluntai area of the southern Central Tianshan[1]. Two episodes of cooling are distinguished by thermal history modelling: (1) Mesozoic cooling occurred as the result of the exhumation and tectonic reactivation of the central Tianshan; and (2) The Tianshan orogenic belt has been rapidly exhumed since the Middle Cenozoic. References [1] Lü, H.H., Chang, Y., Wang, W., Zhou, Z.Y., 2013. Rapid exhumation of the Tianshan Mountains since the early Miocene: Evidence from combined apatite fission track and (U-Th)/He thermochronology. Science China: Earth Sciences, 43(12): 1964-1974 (in Chinese).

The potential of two Salix genotypes for radionuclide/heavy metal accumulation. A case study of Rovinari ash pit (Gorj District, Romania)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hernea, Cornelia; Neţoiu, Constantin; Corneanu, Gabriel; Crăciun, Constantin; Corneanu, Mihaela; Cojocaru, Luminiţa; Rovena Lăcătuşu, Anca; Popescu, Ion

2014-05-01

Thermo Electric Power Plants (TEPP) produce a high amount of ash, that contains heavy metals and radionuclides. Ash is usually stored in ash-pits, in mixture with water and contains U235, Th 234 and their decay products, that are released from the coal matrix, during combustion, as well as heavy metals. Warm weather dried the ash and it can be spread by the wind in surrounded area. This paper presents the results of an experiment with two Salix genotypes, cultivated on an old closed ash-pit, nearby the Rovinari TEPP, in the middle Jiu valley (Gorj District, Romania), in order to evaluate its tolerance to heavy metals and radionuclides. Ash analysis revealed the presence of natural radionuclides, beloging from ash and coal dust, as well as of Cs 137, of Chernobil provenance. Radionuclides content over the normal limits for Romania were registered for Th 234, Pb210, U235 and Ra226. The heavy metals level in ash was over the normal limits, but under the alerts limits. In order to establish the woody plants tolerance to heavy metals and radionuclides, it is important to study the seedlings behavior. In this respect Salix alba and Salix viminalis whips and cuttings culture have been establish on Rovinari ash-pit. The observations made on survival and growth rate pointed out the superiority of Salix viminalis behaviour. After a period of three years Salix viminalis registered a 96% survival rate, while in Salix alba annual decreases, reaching to 14%. These results are supported by the radionuclides content in leaves and by the electron microscopy studies. In Salix alba the leaves parenchimatic cells present a low sinthesis activity. The exogenous particles are accumulated in parenchima cells vacuola, the chloroplasts are usually agranal, with few starch grains and mitocondria presents slightly dillated crista. The ultrastructural features of the mature leaf cells, evidenced the natural adaptation of Salix viminalins for development in an environment with a big amount of

Mesozoic fault reactivation along the St. Lawrence Rift System as constrained by (U-Th/He) thermochronology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bouvier, L.; Pinti, D. L.; Tremblay, A.; Minarik, W. G.; Roden-Tice, M. K.; Pik, R.

2011-12-01

The Saint Lawrence Rift System (SLRS) is a half-graben, extending for 1000 km along St. Lawrence River valley. Late Proterozoic-Early Paleozoic faults of the graben form the contact with the metamorphic Grenvillian basement to the northwest and extend under the Paleozoic sedimentary sequences of the St. Lawrence Lowlands to the southeast. The SLRS is the second most seismically active area in Canada, but the causes of this activity remain unclear. Reactivation of the SLRS is believed to have occurred along Late Proterozoic to Early Paleozoic normal faults related to the opening of the Iapetus Ocean. The absence of strata younger than the Ordovician makes difficult to determine when the faults reactivated after the Ordovician. Field relations between the normal faults bordering the SLRS and those produced by the Charlevoix impact crater suggest a reactivation of the rift younger than the Devonian, the estimated age of the impact. Apatite (U-Th)/He thermochronology is an adequate tool to recognize thermal events related to fault movements. A thermochronology study was then started along three transects across the SLRS, from Québec up to Charlevoix. Apatites were extracted and separated from five granitic to charnockitic gneisses and an amphibolite of Grenvillian age. The samples were exposed on hanging wall and footwall of the Montmorency and Saint-Laurent faults at three different locations along the SLRS. For precision and accuracy, each of the six samples was analyzed for radiogenic 4He and U-Th contents at least twice. Apatite grains were isolated by heavy liquids and magnetic separation. For each sample, ten apatite grains were selected under optical microscope and inserted into Pt capsules. Particular care was taken to isolate apatite free of mineral and fluid inclusions. Indeed, SEM investigations showed that some inclusions are U-rich monazite, which is a supplementary source of 4He to be avoided. The 4He content was determined by using a static noble gas

230Th/U dating of Last Interglacial brain corals from Bonaire (southern Caribbean) using bulk and theca wall material

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Obert, J. Christina; Scholz, Denis; Felis, Thomas; Brocas, William M.; Jochum, Klaus P.; Andreae, Meinrat O.

2016-04-01

We compared the suitability of two skeletal materials of the Atlantic brain coral Diploria strigosa for 230Th/U-dating: the commonly used bulk material comprising all skeletal elements and the denser theca wall material. Eight fossil corals of presumably Last Interglacial age from Bonaire, southern Caribbean Sea, were investigated, and several sub-samples were dated from each coral. For four corals, both the ages and the activity ratios of the bulk material and theca wall agree within uncertainty. Three corals show significantly older ages for their bulk material than for their theca wall material as well as substantially elevated 232Th content and (230Th/238U) ratios. The bulk material samples of another coral show younger ages and lower (230Th/238U) ratios than the corresponding theca wall samples. This coral also contains a considerable amount of 232Th. The application of the available open-system models developed to account for post-depositional diagenetic effects in corals shows that none of the models can successfully be applied to the Bonaire corals. The most likely explanation for this observation is that the assumptions of the models are not fulfilled by our data set. Comparison of the theca wall and bulk material data enables us to obtain information about the open-system processes that affected the corals. The corals showing apparently older ages for their bulk material were probably affected by contamination with a secondary (detrital) phase. The most likely source of the detrital material is carbonate sand. The higher (230Th/232Th) ratio of this material implies that detrital contamination would have a much stronger impact on the ages than a contaminant with a bulk Earth (230Th/232Th) ratio and that the threshold for the commonly applied 232Th reliability criterion would be much lower than the generally used value of 1 ng g-1. The coral showing apparently younger ages for its bulk material was probably influenced by more than one diagenetic process. A

Effect of Spin-Orbit Coupling on the Actinide Dioxides AnO2 (An=Th, Pa, U, Np, Pu, and Am): A Screened Hybrid Density Functional Study

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wen, Xiaodong; Martin, Richard L.; Roy, Lindsay E.

2012-10-21

We present a systematic comparison of the lattice structures, electronic density of states, and band gaps of actinide dioxides, AnO₂ (An=Th, Pa, U, Np, Pu, and Am) predicted by the Heyd-Scuseria-Ernzerhof screened hybrid density functional (HSE) with the self-consistent inclusion of spin-orbit coupling(SOC). The computed HSE lattice constants and band gaps of AnO₂ are in consistently good agreement with the available experimental data across the series, and differ little from earlier HSE results without SOC. ThO₂ is a simple band insulator (f⁰), while PaO₂, UO₂, and NpO₂ are predicted to be Mott insulators. The remainders (PuO₂ and AmO₂) show considerablemore » O2p/An5f mixing and are classified as charge-transfer insulators. We also compare our results for UO₂, NpO₂, and PuO₂with the PBE+U, self interaction correction (SIC), and dynamic mean-field theory (DMFT) many-body approximations.« less

Geochronology and petrogenesis of MORB from the Juan de Fuca and Gorda ridges by 238U230Th disequilibrium

USGS Publications Warehouse

Goldstein, S.J.; Murrell, M.T.; Janecky, D.R.; Delaney, J.R.; Clague, D.A.

1991-01-01

A highly precise mass spectrometric method of analysis was used to determine 238U234U230Th232Th in axial and off-axis basalt glasses from Juan de Fuca (JDF) and Gorda ridges. Initial 230Th activity excesses in the axial samples range from 3 to 38%, but generally lie within a narrow range of 12 to 15%. Secondary alteration effects were evaluated using ??234U and appear to be negligible; hence the 230Th excesses are magmatic in origin. Direct dating of MORB was accomplished by measuring the decrease in excess 230Th in off-axis samples. 238U230Th ages progressively increase with distance from axis. Uncertainties in age range from 10 to 25 ka for UTh ages of 50 to 200 ka. The full spreading rate based on UTh ages for Endeavour segment of JDF is 5.9 ?? 1/2 cm/yr, with asymmetry in spreading between the Pacific (4.0 ?? 0.6 cm/yr) and JDF (1.9 ?? 0.6 cm/yr) plates. For northern Gorda ridge, the half spreading rate for the JDF plate is found to be 3.0 ?? 0.4 cm/yr. These rates are in agreement with paleomagnetic spreading rates and topographic constraints. This suggests that assumptions used to determine ages, including constancy of initial 230Th 232Th ratio over time, are generally valid for the areas studied. Samples located near the axis of spreading are typically younger than predicted by these spreading rates, which most likely reflects recent volcanism within a 1-3 km wide zone of crustal accretion. Initial 230Th/232Th ratios and 230Th activity were also used to examine the recent Th/U evolution and extent of melting of mantle sources beneath these ridges. A negative anomaly in 230Th 232Th for Axial seamount lavas provides the first geochemical evidence of a mantle plume source for Axial seamount and the Cobb-Eickelberg seamount chain and indicates recent depletion of other JDF segment sources. Large 230Th activity excesses for lavas from northern Gorda ridge and Endeavour segment indicate formation from a lower degree of partial melting than other segments. An

U and Th isotope constraints on the duration of Heinrich events H0-H4 in the southeastern Labrador Sea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Veiga-Pires, C. C.; Hillaire-Marcel, C.

1999-04-01

The duration and sequence of events recorded in Heinrich layers at sites near the Hudson Strait source area for ice-rafted material are still poorly constrained, notably because of the limit and uncertainties of the 14C chronology. Here we use high-resolution 230Th-excess measurements, in a 6 m sequence raised from Orphan Knoll (southern Labrador Sea), to constrain the duration of the deposition of the five most recent Heinrich (H) layers. On the basis of maximum/minimum estimates for the mean glacial 230Th-excess flux at the studied site a minimum/maximum duration of 1.0/0.6, 1.4/0.8, 1.3/0.8, 1.5/0.9, and 2.1/1.3 kyr is obtained for H0 (˜Younger Dryas), Hl, H2, H3, and H4, respectively. Thorium-230-excess inventories and other sedimentological features indicate a reduced but still significant lateral sedimentary supply by the Western Boundary Undercurrent during the glacial interval. U and Th series systematics also provide insights into source rocks of H layer sediments (i.e., into distal Irminger Basin/local Labrador Sea supplies).

Environmental impact assessment of radionuclide and metal contamination at the former U site at Kadji Sai, Kyrgyzstan.

PubMed

Lind, O C; Stegnar, P; Tolongutov, B; Rosseland, B O; Strømman, G; Uralbekov, B; Usubalieva, A; Solomatina, A; Gwynn, J P; Lespukh, E; Salbu, B

2013-09-01

During 1949-1967, a U mine, a coal-fired thermal power plant and a processing plant for the extraction of U from the produced ash were operated at the Kadji Sai U mining site in Tonsk district, Issyk-Kul County, Kyrgyzstan. The Kadji Sai U legacy site represents a source of contamination of the local environment by naturally occurring radionuclides and associated trace elements. To assess the environmental impact of radionuclides and trace metals at the site, field expeditions were performed in 2007 and 2008 by the Joint collaboration between Norway, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan (JNKKT) project and the NATO SfP RESCA project. In addition to in situ gamma and Rn dose rate measurements, sampling included at site fractionation of water and sampling of water, fish, sediment, soils and vegetation. The concentrations of radionuclides and trace metals in water from Issyk-Kul Lake were in general low, but surprisingly high for As. Uptake of U and As was also observed in fish from the lake with maximum bioconcentration factors for liver of 1.6 and 75, respectively. The concentrations of U in water within the Kadji Sai area varied from 0.01 to 0.05 mg/L, except for downstream from the mining area where U reached a factor of 10 higher, 0.2 mg/L. Uranium concentrations in the drinking water of Kadji Sai village were about the level recommended by the WHO for drinking water. The (234)U/(238)U activity ratio reflected equilibrium conditions in the mining pond, but far from equilibrium outside this area (reaching 2.3 for an artesian well). Uranium, As and Ni were mainly present as low molecular mass (LMM, less than 10 kDa) species in all samples, indicating that these elemental species are mobile and potentially bioavailable. The soils from the mining sites were enriched in U, As and trace metals. Hot spots with elevated radioactivity levels were easily detected in Kadji Sai and radioactive particles were observed. The presence of particles carrying significant amount of

In Situ XANES of U and Th in Silicate Liquids at High Pressure and Temperature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mallmann, G.; Wykes, J.; Berry, A.; O'Neill, H. S.; Cline, C. J., II; Turner, S.; Rushmer, T. A.

2016-12-01

Although the chemical environments of elements in silicate melts at specific conditions of temperature, pressure and oxygen fugacity (fO2) are often inferred from measurements after quenching the melts to glasses, it is widely recognized that changes may occur during the quenching process, making measurements in situ at high pressure and temperature highly desirable. A case of importance in geochemistry is the speciation of uranium in silicate melts as a function of pressure. Evidence from mineral-melt partitioning and XANES (X-ray Absorption Near-Edge Structure) spectroscopy of glasses suggests that U5+ may be stable at low pressures in the Earth's crust (along with U4+ or U6+, depending on fO2) where basaltic liquids crystallize, but not in the Earth's upper mantle where peridotite partially melts to produce such liquids. To test these observations we recorded in situ transmission U and Th L3-edge XANES spectra of U and Th-doped silicate liquids at 1.6 GPa and 1350°C using the D-DIA apparatus at the X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy Beamline of the Australian Synchrotron. Data for thorium, which occurs exclusively as a tetravalent cation under terrestrial fO2 conditions, were collected as a `control' to monitor for changes in coordination. The cell assembly consisted of a boron-epoxy cube as pressure medium, alumina sleeve and cylindrical graphite heater. The starting mix, a powdered synthetic average MORB silicate glass doped with 2 wt.% of U and Th, was loaded into San Carlos olivine capsules along with solid oxygen buffers (either Re-ReO2 or Ru-RuO2) in a sandwich arrangement. The capsule was then placed inside the graphite heater and insulated with crushable MgO powder. Temperature was monitored using a type D thermocouple. U and Th L3-edge XANES spectra were recorded throughout the heating/compression cycle and then after quenching. Our preliminary assessment indicates that the U-XANES spectra recorded for the liquid in situ at high pressure and temperature and

Eruption Recurrence Rates and Compositional Variability of Discrete Lava Flows on the S-EPR from 238U-230Th-226Ra- 210Pb-232Th

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rubin, K. H.; Smith, M. C.; Sinton, J. M.; Sacks, L. F.; Bergmanis, E.

2001-12-01

Quantification of the absolute ages and geochemistry of individual seafloor lava flows provides important constraints on the magmatic processes responsible for building the oceanic crust. Here we present new 238U-230Th-226Ra-210Pb radioactive disequilibrium age constraints (decadal to millennial time scale) for 3 mid-ocean ridge lava flows at 17° 26'S on the East Pacific Rise (EPR): Aldo-Kihi, Rehu-Marka, and a neighboring unnamed flow. Our continuing study using high-resolution surveys and manned-submersible sampling (NAUDUR, 1993, and STOWA, 1991, expeditions) has previously shown that Aldo-Kihi is compositionally variable, is probably one of the youngest axial lavas in the 17° -19° S region, and was most likely erupted from a series of fissures extending >18 km along the ridge axis (Sinton et al., JGR, in revision). Rehu Marka has a more trace element enriched and evolved composition. The strongest age constraints in our U-series data set are from the 210Pb-226Ra (half-life = 22.3 yrs) and 226Ra-230Th (half life = 1600 yrs) systems. 210Pb-226Ra disequilibrium (as 5-7% Pb deficits) is common in lavas from our S-EPR study area and slightly lower than disequilibria we have measured in lavas erupted in 1991 and 1992 at 9° 50'N EPR. Although we are still developing our understanding of how this disequilibrium arises in MORB (e.g., how the radioactive "clock" is set for this isotope pair) a number of features of our preliminary data support the idea that these lavas are very young and that geologically observed contact relationships in the field separate the products of chronologically distinguishable eruptions. Also, the extent of 226Ra-210Pb disequilibrium in 3 Aldo-Kihi samples compared to that observed at 9° 50'N indicates that the Aldo-Kihi lava probably erupted within the last 10-20 yrs, and the higher but still <1 (210Pb/226Ra) activity ratio in a lava sampled near to but outside the boundaries of Aldo-Kihi indicates it is slightly older, but probably only

Radionuclides and radiation doses in heavy mineral sands and other mining operations in Mozambique.

PubMed

Carvalho, Fernando P; Matine, Obete F; Taímo, Suzete; Oliveira, João M; Silva, Lídia; Malta, Margarida

2014-01-01

Sites at the littoral of Mozambique with heavy mineral sands exploited for ilmenite, rutile and zircon and inland mineral deposits exploited for tantalite, uranium and bauxite were surveyed for ambient radiation doses, and samples were collected for the determination of radionuclide concentrations. In heavy mineral sands, (238)U and (232)Th concentrations were 70±2 and 308±9 Bq kg(-1) dry weight (dw), respectively, whereas after separation of minerals, the concentrations in the ilmenite fraction were 2240±64 and 6125±485 Bq kg(-1) (dw), respectively. Tantalite displayed the highest concentrations with 44 738±2474 Bq kg(-1) of (238)U. Radiation exposure of workers in mining facilities is likely to occur at levels above the dose limit for members of the public (1 mSv y(-1)) and therefore radiation doses should be assessed as occupational exposures. Local populations living in these regions in general are not exposed to segregated minerals with high radionuclide concentrations. However, there is intensive artisanal mining and a large number of artisanal miners and their families may be exposed to radiation doses exceeding the dose limit. A radiation protection programme is therefore needed to ensure radiation protection of the public and workers of developing mining projects.

U.S. Dietary and Physical Activity Guideline Knowledge and Corresponding Behaviors among 4th and 5th Grade Students: A Multi-Site Pilot Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bea, Jennifer W.; Martinez, Stephanie; Armstrong-Florian, Traci; Farrell, Vanessa; Martinez, Cathy; Whitmer, Evelyn; Hartz, Vern; Blake, Samuel; Nicolini, Ariana; Misner, Scottie

2014-01-01

Knowledge of U.S. dietary and physical activity recommendations and corresponding behaviors were surveyed among 4th and 5th graders in five Arizona counties to determine the need for related education in SNAP-Ed eligible schools. A <70% target response rate was the criterion. Participants correctly identified recommendations for: fruit, 20%;…

Precise Th/U-dating of small and heavily coated samples of deep sea corals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lomitschka, Michael; Mangini, Augusto

1999-07-01

Marine carbonate skeletons like deep-sea corals are frequently coated with iron and manganese oxides/hydroxides which adsorb additional thorium and uranium out of the sea water. A new cleaning procedure has been developed to reduce this contamination. In this further cleaning step a solution of Na 2EDTA (Na 2H 2T B) and ascorbic acid is used which composition is optimised especially for samples of 20 mg of weight. It was first tested on aliquots of a reef-building coral which had been artificially contaminated with powdered ferromanganese nodule. Applied on heavily contaminated deep-sea corals (scleractinia), it reduced excess 230Th by another order of magnitude in addition to usual cleaning procedures. The measurement of at least three fractions of different contamination, together with an additional standard correction for contaminated carbonates results in Th/U-ages corrected for the authigenic component. A good agreement between Th/U- and 14C-ages can be achieved even for extremely coated corals.

Concentrations of Radionuclides (226Ra, 232Th, 40K, and 137Cs) in Chernozems of Volgograd Oblast Sampled in Different Years

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aparin, B. F.; Mingareeva, E. V.; Sanzharova, N. I.; Sukhacheva, E. Yu.

2017-12-01

Data on the concentrations of natural (226Ra, 232Th and 40K) and artificial (137Cs) radionuclides and on the physicochemical properties of chernozems sampled in different years are presented. In 1952, upon the creation of the Penza-Kamensk state shelterbelt, three deep (up to 3 m) soil pits were examined within the former arable field under two-year-old plantations of ash and maple along the transect crossing the territory of the Beloprudskaya Experimental Station of the USSR Academy of Sciences in Volgograd oblast. The samples from these pits were included into the collection of dated soil samples of the Dokuchaev Central Soil Science Museum. Five pits were examined along the same transect in 2009: three pits under shelterbelts (analogues of the pits studied in 1952) and two pits on arable fields between the shelterbelts. In the past 57 years, certain changes took place in the soil structure, bulk density, and the content and composition of humus. The salt profile of soils changed significantly under the forests. The comparison of distribution patterns of natural soil radionuclides in 1952 and 2009 demonstrated their higher contents at the depth of 10-20 cm in 2009 (except for the western shelterbelt). Background concentrations of natural radionuclides in parent materials and relationships between their distributions and the salt profiles of soils have been determined; they are most clearly observed is the soils under shelterbelts. Insignificant contamination with 137Cs (up to 34 Bq/kg) has been found in the samples of 2009 from the upper (0-20 cm) horizon. The activity of 137Cs regularly decreases from the east to the west; the highest concentrations of this radionuclide are found in the topmost 10 cm. This allows us to suppose that 137Cs was brought with aerial dust by eastern winds, and the shelterbelts served as barriers to the wind flow.

Thermal ionization mass spectrometry U-series dating of a hominid site near Nanjing, China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Jian-Xin; Hu, Kai; Collerson, Kenneth D.; Xu, Han-Kui

2001-01-01

Mass spectrometric U-series dating of speleothems from Tangshan Cave, combined with ecological and paleoclimatic evidence, indicates that Nanjing Man, a typical Homo erectus morphologically correlated with Peking Man at Zhoukoudian, should be at least 580 k.y. old, or more likely lived during the glacial oxygen isotope stage 16 (˜620 ka). Such an age estimate, which is ˜270 ka older than previous electron spin resonance and alpha-counting U-series dates, has significant implications for the evolution of Asian H. erectus. Dentine and enamel samples from the coexisting fossil layer yield significantly younger apparent ages, that of the enamel sample being only less than one-fourth of the minimum age of Nanjing Man. This suggests that U uptake history is far more complex than existing models can handle. As a result, great care must be taken in the interpretation of electron spin resonance and U-series dates of fossil teeth.

U-Th-Pb isotope data indicate phanerozoic age for oxidation of the 3.4 Ga Apex Basalt

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Weiqiang; Johnson, Clark M.; Beard, Brian L.

2012-02-01

The occurrence of ferric oxides in Archean rocks has played an important role in discussions on the amount of free oxygen in the atmosphere of the ancient Earth. Recognizing that post-Archean weathering may also produce oxide minerals, drill cores have been used to obtain samples beneath the depth of Phanerozoic weathering. The first core of the Archean Biosphere Drilling Project (ABDP-1) documented hematite as alteration products in 3.4 Ga basalts from the Marble Bar area of the Pilbara Craton, NW Australia, and this has been used to infer the presence of an O2-bearing atmosphere in the Archean. It is possible, however, that despite recovery of samples from > 100 m depth, oxidation of the basalts occurred much younger than the depositional age. In this study, the age of oxidation of the Apex Basalt from the ABDP-1 drill core at Marble Bar is constrained by U-Th-Pb geochronology. Lead and U concentrations of the basalts from the ABDP-1 drill core vary greatly, between < 1-58 ppm and 0.08-1.04 ppm, respectively, whereas Th contents are more restricted (0.24-0.71 ppm). 206Pb/204Pb ratios are non-radiogenic and vary from 12.44 to 14.69. The linear array in terms of 206Pb/204Pb-207Pb/204Pb variations does not reflect an age but reflects two-component mixing between a non-radiogenic "ore lead" end member and a radiogenic "basalt lead" end member. The samples do not form isochrons on 238U/204Pb-206Pb/204Pb, 235U/204Pb-207Pb/204Pb, or 232Th/204Pb-208Pb/204Pb diagrams, indicating post-formation U and Pb addition. Comparison of measured U/Th ratios with "model" U/Th ratios calculated based on 208Pb/204Pb-206Pb/204Pb variations indicates that U enrichment most likely occurred in the last 200 Ma. The degree of U enrichment in the samples is correlated with Fe(III)/FeTotal ratios, indicating that U addition and oxidation were related, most likely reflecting penetration of oxygenated surface waters in the Phanerozoic along bedding planes and shear zones. These results

Radiation doses to individuals due to ²³⁸U, ²³²Th and ²²²Rn from the immersion in thermal waters and to radon progeny from the inhalation of air inside thermal stations.

PubMed

Misdaq, M A; Ghilane, M; Ouguidi, J; Outeqablit, K

2012-11-01

In Morocco, thermal waters have been used for decades for the treatment of various diseases. To explore the exposure pathway of (238)U, (232)Th and (222)Rn to the skin of bathers from the immersion in thermal waters, these radionuclides were measured inside waters collected from different Moroccan thermal springs, by means of CR-39 and LR-115 type II solid-state nuclear track detectors (SSNTDs), and corresponding annual committed effective doses to skin were determined. Accordingly, to assess radiation dose due to radon short-lived decay products from the inhalation of air by individuals, concentrations of these radionuclides were measured in indoor air of two thermal stations by evaluating mean critical angles of etching of the CR-39 and LR-115 II SSNTDs. Committed effective doses due to the short-lived radon decay products (218)Po and (214)Po by bathers and working personnel inside the thermal stations studied were determined.

The Hetu'u Global Network: Using the rare June 5th/6th Transit of Venus to Bring Astronomy to the Remote Easter Island

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Faherty, Jacqueline; Rodriguez, D.

2013-01-01

There are rare times in astronomy when a celestial event, visible in broad daylight, can be used to measure a fundamental parameter and inspire a globe full of school age students. The June 5th/6th transit of Venus was one such event. In celebration, nine astronomy postdocs from the Chilean mainland traveled to Easter Island to lead a series of astronomy outreach activities over three days, culminating in a transit-viewing event. Our team dubbed "Equipo Hetu'u" or "Team Star" in the Rapa Nui (Easter Island native) language spent two days giving astronomy talks and doing hands-on demonstrations at the Museo Antropologico P. Sebastian Englert. In the final day-and-a-half leading up to the transit, we visited the science classes in the majority of the schools on the island, in order to spread the message about the once-in-a-lifetime transit event, highlighting how we planned on using it to measure the distance to the Sun. We estimate over 25% 1500 people) of this remote island participated in one or more of our organized activities. Our experience with this project is an excellent lesson on how to organize, lead, and fully execute a major outreach endeavor that inspires hundreds with minimal resources (save the spectacular event provided by the cosmos).

Activity concentrations of radionuclides in energy production from peat, wood chips and straw

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hedvall, Robert Hans

1997-11-01

In this thesis quantitative analyses of radionuclide concentrations in bioenergy fuels such as peat, wood chips and straw are presented. For comparison a brief description is included of radionuclide concentrations and radiation doses from other sources of power and also from some industrial applications. Radiation is a natural phenomenon and radionuclides occur naturally. The first man-made spread of concentrated radioactivity occurred some 100,000 years ago when the first fireplace was lit, with fallout as a later consequence. Radioactive potassium is found in most materials and is the most easily detected nuclide in fuels. Its activity concentration in Bq kg-1 normally dominates over the concentration of other natural radionuclides. The radiation dose from potassium in the emission is nevertheless negligible. The most important radionuclides in the dose to humans are the U- and Th-isotopes and also 210Pb and 210Po. Of fission products in fallout from the atmospheric nuclear tests and after the Chernobyl accident, 137Cs was shown to be the most common nuclide. Compared to natural nuclides, the contribution from emission of 137Cs was shown to be the most common nuclide. Compared to natural nuclides, the contribution from emission of 137Cs is less than a few percent of the total dose to the population. A total dose of approximately a few μSv from inhalation only can be calculated from the emission of a district heating plant in Sweden. This dose can be compared with the annual dose limit to the public from nuclear industry, which is 0.1 mSv and the global collective effective dose of 5 person Sv a-1.

Early diagenesis of travertine deposits from the Tibetan Plateau - implications for 230Th/234U dating and palaeoenvironmental reconstruction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Zhijun; Meyer, Michael; Hoffmann, Dirk; Spötl, Christoph; Aldenderfer, Mark; Sanders, Diethard

2014-05-01

Travertine is calcium carbonate precipitated from hydrothermal springs. These terrestrial carbonate deposits can be used as high-resolution archives for reconstructing palaeoclimatic and palaeoenvironmental change and are also suitable for uranium-series disequilibrium (230Th/234U) dating. In many instances such spring deposits are associated with archaeological remains (e.g. stone artifacts and other traces of prehistoric human activity) and are therefore of interest for palaeoclimatologists and archaeologists alike. However, travertines are often affected by early diagenesis that can impact on the closed-system U-series behavior and on their geochemical signature. Hence, careful evaluation of the travertine microfabrics is required before these types of hot spring deposits can be accurately dated and used for paleoenviromental reconstruction. The Tibetan plateau hosts numerous hydrothermal spring deposits that occur along neotectonic faults. In this study, samples were collected from two archaeological travertine sites, i.e. Chusang and Tirthapuri, located in southern and western Tibet, respectively. Microscopic analysis of thin sections reveals a wide variety of crystal fabrics, including micrite, microspar and sparite, the latter can be composed of columnar or mosaic crystals, respectively. Areas where dendritic crystals are preserved are identified in our micrographs as well. Many of the Chusang and Tirthapuri travertine samples are porous. Drusy sparite is rimming most of the pore walls and a complex succession of secondary calcite phases precipitated in these pore spaces as well. The different generations of pore cement comprise micrite and sparite that can be laminated or fibrous in character and show sometimes evidence of an aragonite precursor. Detrital material like quartz, feldspar and other grains as well as humic and fulvic acids have been washed into the travertine pores too. Based on our microscopic analysis a complex growth history can be

Unlipidated Outer Membrane Protein Omp16 (U-Omp16) from Brucella spp. as Nasal Adjuvant Induces a Th1 Immune Response and Modulates the Th2 Allergic Response to Cow’s Milk Proteins

PubMed Central

Ibañez, Andrés E.; Smaldini, Paola; Coria, Lorena M.; Delpino, María V.; Pacífico, Lucila G. G.; Oliveira, Sergio C.; Risso, Gabriela S.; Pasquevich, Karina A.; Fossati, Carlos Alberto; Giambartolomei, Guillermo H.; Docena, Guillermo H.; Cassataro, Juliana

2013-01-01

The discovery of novel mucosal adjuvants will help to develop new formulations to control infectious and allergic diseases. In this work we demonstrate that U-Omp16 from Brucella spp. delivered by the nasal route (i.n.) induced an inflammatory immune response in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and lung tissues. Nasal co-administration of U-Omp16 with the model antigen (Ag) ovalbumin (OVA) increased the amount of Ag in lung tissues and induced OVA-specific systemic IgG and T helper (Th) 1 immune responses. The usefulness of U-Omp16 was also assessed in a mouse model of food allergy. U-Omp16 i.n. administration during sensitization ameliorated the hypersensitivity responses of sensitized mice upon oral exposure to Cow’s Milk Protein (CMP), decreased clinical signs, reduced anti-CMP IgE serum antibodies and modulated the Th2 response in favor of Th1 immunity. Thus, U-Omp16 could be used as a broad Th1 mucosal adjuvant for different Ag formulations. PMID:23861971

Variation of Nb-Ta, Zr-Hf, Th-U and K-Cs in two diabase-granophyre suites

USGS Publications Warehouse

Gottfried, D.; Greenland, L.P.; Campbell, E.Y.

1968-01-01

comparison of the abundance of some of these elements is made with those reported on oceanic tholeiites from the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Trace elements with large ionic radii (Th, U, Cs) are present in significantly greater concentrations in the two continental tholeiitic series than in the oceanic tholeiites. However, this does not seem to be true for lithophilic elements of smaller ionic radii (Zr and Nb). These trace element distribution patterns, when considered with other minor element and isotopic studies, indicate that 1. (1) crustal contamination does not entirely account for differences between continental and oceanic tholeiites, and 2. (2) the oceanic tholeiites do not necessarily delimit the geochemical characteristics of the mantle. ?? 1968.

Tectono-thermal evolution of north Kuqa Depression and South Tian Shan: constraints from apatite (U-Th)/He thermochronology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xiao, Y.; Qiu, N.; Chang, J.

2017-12-01

The Kuqa Depression, located between Tarim Basin and South Tian Shan Orogen, is considered the most promising site for study the tectono-thermal evolution of the Central Asia Orogenic Belt (CAOB). (U-Th)/He is a new dating method and apatite He ages can record the cooling histories at low temperature between 40 ° 75°1. At present, the low temperature thermochronological data, especially the (U-Th)/He, from north Kuqa Depression are scarce, resulting in controversial issues regarding the cooling history of the upper crust and the latest uplift of South Tian Shan. We present new apatite (U-Th)/He (AHe) thermochronologic data from kuqa depression, aiming to provide insights into exhumation and thermal history of the north kuqa depression. In this study, we firstly present 43 apatite (U-Th)/He ages of 9 samples in north rim of Kuqa Depression. The (U-Th)/He ages range from 1.4±1.0Ma to 17.9±1.2Ma, which are obviously both younger than both the depositional ages and the corresponding AFT ages. To better understand the deformation evolution and thermal history of north Tarim Basin, we use these thermochronological data as inputs for HeFTy software implemented with radiation damage accumulation and annealing model (RDAAM) for time-temperature reconstruction1,2. The relationship between AHe or AFT ages and the relative stratigraphic ages shows that the AHe ages are young and almost about 10 Ma.Thermal modeling using apatite (U-Th)/He ages and geological background information in the same area allow us to obtain a cooling history. The sample T-03 suffered a cooling between 170 and 130Ma, they were re-heated at around 100° between 100 and 40Ma then rapidly cooled and exhumed to reach the surface temperature at around 5Ma. The thermal modeling results indicated the north Kuqa Depression experienced a Miocene rapid cooling event initialed at 12Ma and continued to 5Ma, resulting from far field effect of India-Asia collision. References1. Ketcham, R.A. Forward and reverse

Cooling rates and the depth of detachment faulting at oceanic core complexes: Evidence from zircon Pb/U and (U-Th)/He ages

USGS Publications Warehouse

Grimes, Craig B.; Cheadle, Michael J.; John, Barbara E.; Reiners, P.W.; Wooden, J.L.

2011-01-01

Oceanic detachment faulting represents a distinct mode of seafloor spreading at slow spreading mid-ocean ridges, but many questions persist about the thermal evolution and depth of faulting. We present new Pb/U and (U-Th)/He zircon ages and combine them with magnetic anomaly ages to define the cooling histories of gabbroic crust exposed by oceanic detachment faults at three sites along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) holes 1270D and 1275D near the 15??20???N Transform, and Atlantis Massif at 30??N). Closure temperatures for the Pb/U (???800??C-850??C) and (U-Th)/He (???210??C) isotopic systems in zircon bracket acquisition of magnetic remanence, collectively providing a temperature-time history during faulting. Results indicate cooling to ???200??C in 0.3-0.5 Myr after zircon crystallization, recording time-averaged cooling rates of ???1000??C- 2000??C/Myr. Assuming the footwalls were denuded along single continuous faults, differences in Pb/U and (U-Th)/He zircon ages together with independently determined slip rates allow the distance between the ???850??C and ???200??C isotherms along the fault plane to be estimated. Calculated distances are 8.4 ?? 4.2 km and 5.0 2.1 km from holes 1275D and 1270D and 8.4 ?? 1.4 km at Atlantis Massif. Estimating an initial subsurface fault dip of 50 and a depth of 1.5 km to the 200??C isotherm leads to the prediction that the ???850??C isotherm lies ???5-7 km below seafloor at the time of faulting. These depth estimates for active fault systems are consistent with depths of microseismicity observed beneath the hypothesized detachment fault at the TAG hydrothermal field and high-temperature fault rocks recovered from many oceanic detachment faults. Copyright 2011 by the American Geophysical Union.

U.S. Army Reserve 88th Readiness Division Finds Big Savings

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

None

Fact sheet features lighting work done for the U.S. Army Reserve 88th Readiness Division, which was recognized in two 2017 Interior Lighting Campaign exemplary recognition categories. The troffer lighting upgrade projects at the two recognized sites are expected to save more than 246,000 kWh annually or roughly enough electricity to run 23 homes for a year.

230Th-U dating of surficial deposits using the ion microprobe (SHRIMP-RG): A microstratigraphic perspective

USGS Publications Warehouse

Maher, K.; Wooden, J.L.; Paces, J.B.; Miller, D.M.

2007-01-01

We used the sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe reverse-geometry (SHRIMP-RG) to date pedogenic opal using the 230Th-U system. Due to the high-spatial resolution of an ion microprobe (typically 30 ??m), regions of pure opal within a sample can be targeted and detrital material can be avoided. In addition, because the technique is non-destructive, the sample can be preserved for other types of analyses including electron microprobe or other stable isotope or trace element ion microprobe measurements. The technique is limited to material with U concentrations greater than ???50 ppm. However, the high spatial resolution, small sample requirements, and the ability to avoid detrital material make this technique a suitable technique for dating many Pleistocene deposits formed in semi-arid environments. To determine the versatility of the method, samples from several different deposits were analyzed, including silica-rich pebble coatings from pedogenic carbonate horizons, a siliceous sinter deposit, and opaline silica deposited as a spring mound. U concentrations for 30-??m-diameter spots ranged from 50 to 1000 ppm in these types of materials. The 230Th/232Th activity ratios also ranged from ???100 to 106, eliminating the need for detrital Th corrections that reduce the precision of traditional U-Th ages for many milligram- and larger-sized samples. In pedogenic material, layers of high-U opal (ca. 500 ppm) are commonly juxtaposed next to layers of calcite with much lower U concentrations (1-2 ppm). If these types of samples are not analyzed using a technique with the appropriate spatial resolution, the ages may be strongly biased towards the age of the opal. Comparison with standard TIMS (Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry) measurements from separate microdrilled samples suggests that although the analytical precision of the ion microprobe (SHRIMP-RG) measurements is less than TIMS, the high spatial resolution results in better accuracy in the age determination for

Extreme fractionation of 234U 238U and 230Th 234U in spring waters, sediments, and fossils at the Pomme de Terre Valley, southwestern Missouri

USGS Publications Warehouse

Szabo, B. J.

1982-01-01

Isotopic fractionation as great as 1600% exists between 234U and 238U in spring waters, sediments, and fossils in the Pomme de Terre Valley, southwestern Missouri. The activity ratios of 234U 238U in five springs range from 7.2 to 16 in water which has been discharged for at least the past 30,000 years. The anomalies in 234U 238U ratio in deep water have potential usefulness in hydrologic investigations in southern Missouri. Clayey units overlying the spring bog sediments of Trolinger Spring are enriched in 230Th relative to their parent 234U by as much as 720%. The results indicate that both preferential displacement via alpha recoil ejection and the preferential emplacement via recoiling and physical entrapment are significant processes that are occurring in the geologic environment. ?? 1982.

Radionuclides and heavy metals in Borovac, Southern Serbia.

PubMed

Popovic, Dragana; Todorovic, Dragana; Frontasyeva, Marina; Ajtic, Jelena; Tasic, Mirjana; Rajsic, Slavica

2008-09-01

The paper presents the complex approach to the assessment of the state of the environment in Southern Serbia, surroundings of Bujanovac, the region which is of great concern as being exposed to contamination by depleted uranium (DU) ammunition during the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) attacks in 1999. It includes studies on concentrations of radionuclides and heavy metals in different environmental samples 5 years after the military actions. In October 2004, samples of soil, grass, lichen, moss, honey, and water were collected at two sites, in the immediate vicinity of the targeted area and 5 km away from it. Radionuclide ((7)Be, (40)K, (137)Cs, (210)Pb, (226)Ra, (232)Th, (235)U, (238)U) activities in solid samples were determined by standard gamma spectrometry and total alpha and beta activity in water was determined by proportional alpha-beta counting. Concentrations of 35 elements were determined in the samples of soil, moss, grass, and lichen by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). The results are discussed in the context of a possible contamination by DU that reached the environment during the attacks as well as in the context of an environmental pollution by radionuclides and heavy metals in Southern Serbia. The results are compared to the state of environment in the region and other parts of the country both prior to and following the attacks. This is the first comprehensive study of the contents of radionuclides and heavy metals in Southern Serbia and consequently highly important for the assessment of the state of environment in this part of the country concerning possible effects of DU ammunition on the environment, as well as anthropogenic source of pollution by radionuclides and heavy metals and other elements. Also, the highly sensitive method of INAA was used for the first time to analyze the environmental samples from this area. The results of the study of radionuclides in the samples of soils, leaves, grass, moss, lichen

Spectra of Th/Ar and U/Ne hollow cathode lamps for spectrograph calibration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nave, Gillian; Shlosberg, Ariel; Kerber, Florian; Den Hartog, Elizabeth; Neureiter, Bianca

2018-01-01

Low-current Th/Ar hollow cathode lamps have long been used for calibration of astronomical spectrographs on ground-based telescopes. Thorium is an attractive element for calibration as it has a single isotope, has narrow spectral lines, and has a dense spectrum covering the whole of the visible region. However, the high density of the spectrum that makes it attractive for calibrating high-resolution spectrographs is a detriment for lower resolution spectrographs and this is not obvious by examination of existing linelists. In addition, recent changes in regulations regarding the handling of thorium have led to a degradation in the quality of Th/Ar calibration lamps, with contamination by molecular ThO lines that are strong enough to obscure the calibration lines of interest.We are pursuing two approaches to these problems. First, we have expanded and improved the NIST Standard Reference Database 161, "Spectrum of Th-Ar Hollow Cathode Lamps" to cover the region 272 nm to 5500 nm. Spectra of hollow cathode lamps at up to 3 different currents can now be displayed simultaneously. Interactive zooming and the ability to convolve any of the spectra with a Gaussian or uploaded instrument profile enable the user to see immediately what the spectrum would look like at the particular resolution of their spectrograph. Second, we have measured the spectrum of a recent, contaminated Th/Ar hollow cathode lamp using a high-resolution Echelle spectrograph (Madison Wisconsin) at a resolving power (R~ 250,000). This significantly exceeds the resolving power of most astronomical spectrographs and resolves many of the molecular lines of ThO. With these spectra we are measuring and calibrating the positions of these molecular lines in order to make them suitable for spectrograph calibration.In the near infrared region, U/Ne hollow cathode lamps give a higher density of calibration lines than Th/Ar lamps and will be implemented on the upgraded CRIRES+ spectrograph on ESO’s Very Large

Radionuclide inventories for the F- and H-area seepage basin groundwater plumes

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hiergesell, Robert A; Kubilius, Walter P.

2016-05-01

Within the General Separations Areas (GSA) at the Savannah River Site (SRS), significant inventories of radionuclides exist within two major groundwater contamination plumes that are emanating from the F- and H-Area seepage basins. These radionuclides are moving slowly with groundwater migration, albeit more slowly due to interaction with the soil and aquifer matrix material. The purpose of this investigation is to quantify the activity of radionuclides associated with the pore water component of the groundwater plumes. The scope of this effort included evaluation of all groundwater sample analyses obtained from the wells that have been established by the Environmental Compliancemore » & Area Completion Projects (EC&ACP) Department at SRS to monitor groundwater contamination emanating from the F- and H-Area Seepage Basins. Using this data, generalized groundwater plume maps for the radionuclides that occur in elevated concentrations (Am-241, Cm-243/244, Cs-137, I-129, Ni-63, Ra-226/228, Sr-90, Tc-99, U-233/234, U-235 and U-238) were generated and utilized to calculate both the volume of contaminated groundwater and the representative concentration of each radionuclide associated with different plume concentration zones.« less

Response of gadolinium doped liquid scintillator to charged particles: measurement based on intrinsic U/Th contamination

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Du, Q.; Lin, S. T.; He, H. T.; Liu, S. K.; Tang, C. J.; Wang, L.; Wong, H. T.; Xing, H. Y.; Yue, Q.; Zhu, J. J.

2018-04-01

A measurement is reported for the response to charged particles of a liquid scintillator named EJ-335 doped with 0.5% gadolinium by weight. This liquid scintillator was used as the detection medium in a neutron detector. The measurement is based on the in-situ α-particles from the intrinsic Uranium and Thorium contamination in the scintillator. The β–α and the α–α cascade decays from the U/Th decay chains were used to select α-particles. The contamination levels of U/Th were consequently measured to be (5.54±0.15)× 10‑11 g/g, (1.45±0.01)× 10‑10 g/g and (1.07±0.01)× 10‑11 g/g for 232Th, 238U and 235U, respectively, assuming secular equilibrium. The stopping power of α-particles in the liquid scintillator was simulated by the TRIM software. Then the Birks constant, kB, of the scintillator for α-particles was determined to be (7.28±0.23) mg/(cm2ṡMeV) by Birks' formulation. The response for protons is also presented assuming the kB constant is the same as for α-particles.

Enthalpies of formation of U-, Th-, Ce-brannerite: implications for plutonium immobilization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Helean, K. B.; Navrotsky, A.; Lumpkin, G. R.; Colella, M.; Lian, J.; Ewing, R. C.; Ebbinghaus, B.; Catalano, J. G.

2003-08-01

Brannerite, ideally MTi 2O 6, (M=actinides, lanthanides and Ca) occurs in titanate-based ceramics proposed for the immobilization of plutonium. Standard enthalpies of formation, Δ H0f at 298 K, for three brannerite compositions (kJ/mol): CeTi 2O 6 (-2948.8 ± 4.3), U 0.97Ti 2.03O 6 (-2977.9 ± 3.5) and ThTi 2O 6 (-3096.5 ± 4.3) were determined by high temperature oxide melt drop solution calorimetry at 975 K using 3Na 2O · 4MoO 3 solvent. The enthalpies of formation were also calculated from an oxide phase assemblage (Δ H0f-ox at 298 K): MO 2 + 2TiO 2=MTi 2O 6. Only UTi 2O 6 is energetically stable with respect to an oxide assemblage: U 0.97Ti 2.03O 6 (Δ H0f-ox=-7.7±2.8 kJ/mol). Both CeTi 2O 6 and ThTi 2O 6 are higher in enthalpy with respect to their oxide assemblages with (Δ H0f-ox=+29.4±3.6 kJ/mol) and (Δ H0f-ox=+19.4±1.6 kJ/mol) respectively. Thus, Ce- and Th-brannerite are entropy stabilized and are thermodynamically stable only at high temperature.

Evaluation of new geological reference materials for uranium-series measurements: Chinese Geological Standard Glasses (CGSG) and macusanite obsidian.

PubMed

Denton, J S; Murrell, M T; Goldstein, S J; Nunn, A J; Amato, R S; Hinrichs, K A

2013-10-15

Recent advances in high-resolution, rapid, in situ microanalytical techniques present numerous opportunities for the analytical community, provided accurately characterized reference materials are available. Here, we present multicollector thermal ionization mass spectrometry (MC-TIMS) and multicollector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS) uranium and thorium concentration and isotopic data obtained by isotope dilution for a suite of newly available Chinese Geological Standard Glasses (CGSG) designed for microanalysis. These glasses exhibit a range of compositions including basalt, syenite, andesite, and a soil. Uranium concentrations for these glasses range from ∼2 to 14 μg g(-1), Th/U weight ratios range from ∼4 to 6, (234)U/(238)U activity ratios range from 0.93 to 1.02, and (230)Th/(238)U activity ratios range from 0.98 to 1.12. Uranium and thorium concentration and isotopic data are also presented for a rhyolitic obsidian from Macusani, SE Peru (macusanite). This glass can also be used as a rhyolitic reference material, has a very low Th/U weight ratio (around 0.077), and is approximately in (238)U-(234)U-(230)Th secular equilibrium. The U-Th concentration data agree with but are significantly more precise than those previously measured. U-Th concentration and isotopic data agree within estimated errors for the two measurement techniques, providing validation of the two methods. The large (238)U-(234)U-(230)Th disequilibria for some of the glasses, along with the wide range in their chemical compositions and Th/U ratios should provide useful reference points for the U-series analytical community.

Geochemistry of speleothem records from southern Illinois: Development of (234U)/(238U) as a proxy for paleoprecipitation

USGS Publications Warehouse

Zhou, Juanzuo; Lundstrom, C.C.; Fouke, B.; Panno, S.; Hackley, K.; Curry, B.

2005-01-01

Natural waters universally show fractionation of uranium series (U-series) parent-daughter pairs, with the disequilibrium between 234U and 238U (234U)/(238U) commonly used as a tracer of groundwater flow. Because speleothems provide a temporal record of geochemical variations in groundwater precipitating calcite, (234U)/(238U) variations in speleothems provide a unique method of investigating water-rock interaction processes over millennium time scales. We present high precision Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometric (TIMS) U-series analyses of speleothems and drip waters from Fogelpole Cave in southern Illinois. Data from all speleothems from the cave show an inverse correlation between (234U)/(238U) and U concentration, following the pattern observed in groundwaters globally. Within a 65-cm-long stalagmite, concordant 234U-238 U-230Th and 235U-231Pa ages for 5 samples indicate accurate chronology from 78.5 ka to 30 ka. Notably, (234U)/(238U)o which differs from most speleothems by having (234U)/(238U)o <1, positively correlates with speleothem growth rate. We generalize this to the observation that speleothems globally show (234U)/ (238U)o deviating farther from secular equilibrium at lower growth rates and approaching secular equilibrium at higher grow rates. Based on the Fogelpole observations, we suggest that groundwater (234U)/(238U) is controlled by the U oxidation state, the U concentration of the water and the fluid velocity. A transport model whereby U-series nuclides react and exchange with mineral surfaces can reproduce the observed trend between growth rate and (234U)/(238U)o. Based on this result, we suggest that (234U)/(238U)o in speleothems may record changes in hydrologic flux with time and thus could provide a useful proxy for long term records of paleoprecipitation. ?? 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Cross sections of the reaction {sup 231}Pa(d,3n){sup 230}U for the production of {sup 230}U/{sup 226}Th for targeted {alpha} therapy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Morgenstern, A.; Bruchertseifer, F.; Zielinska, B.

2009-11-15

{sup 230}U and its daughter nuclide {sup 226}Th are novel therapeutic nuclides for application in targeted {alpha} therapy of cancer. We investigated the feasibility of producing {sup 230}U/{sup 226}Th via deuteron irradiation of {sup 231}Pa according to the reaction {sup 231}Pa(d,3n){sup 230}U. The experimental excitation function for a deuteron-induced reaction on {sup 231}Pa is reported for the first time. Cross sections were measured using thin targets of {sup 231}Pa prepared by electrodeposition and {sup 230}U yields were analysed using {alpha} spectrometry. Beam energies were calculated from measured beam orbits and compared with the values obtained via monitor reactions on aluminiummore » foils using high-resolution {gamma} spectrometry and IAEA recommended cross sections. Beam intensities were determined using a beam current integrator. The experimental cross sections are in excellent agreement with model calculations allowing for deuteron breakup using the EMPIRE 3 code. According to thick-target yields calculated from the experimental excitation function, the reaction {sup 231}Pa(d,3n){sup 230}U allows the production of {sup 230}U/{sup 226}Th at moderate levels.« less

The use of Eupatorium Odoratum as bio-monitor for radionuclides determination in Manjung, Perak

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zainal, Fetri, E-mail: fetrizainal@yahoo.com; Hamzah, Zaini; Wood, Khalik

2015-04-29

The accumulation of radionuclides in plants can be used as bio-monitoring in the environment. This technique is a cost-effective as the plants used to uptake deposited radionuclides from soil, commonly as soil-to-plant transfer factor (TF), which is widely used for calculating radiological risk. Radionuclides deposited in the soil carry by the air as particles or gases lead to the accumulation in soil. Eupatorium odoratum, known as pokok kapal terbang in Malaysia was chosen as sample for their abundances and properties to measure surface soil contamination. The plants were collected in three different directions (North, North-East and South-East) from Manjung district.more » The plants were collected in same size and then separated in to three parts (roots, stems and leaves) to determine the transfer factor from soil to each part. The concentrations of thorium (Th) and uranium (U) were analyzed using Energy Disperse X-Ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) and found in the range of 1.20-3.50 mg/kg and 1.20-3.90 mg/kg in roots, 1.40-3.90 mg/kg and 1.50-5.90 mg/kg in stems and 1.50-2.50 mg/kg and 2.00-6.00 mg/kg in leaves, respectively. Transfer factor (TF) was calculated through concentrations as reported in this article and show that the plants have transferred and accumulated radionuclides in significant values. From radionuclides concentrations in topsoil, the radiological risk was calculated and the present result show that external hazard index (H{sub ex}) is below than unity indicate low radiological risk at that area.« less

Environmental impacts of heavy metals, rare earth elements and natural radionuclides in marine sediment from Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia along the Arabian Gulf.

PubMed

El-Taher, Atef; Alshahri, Fatimh; Elsaman, Reda

2018-02-01

Ras Tanura city is one of the most important cities in Saudi Arabia because of the presence of the largest and oldest oil refinery in the Middle East which was began operations in September 1945. Also its contains gas plant and two ports. The concentration of natural radionuclides, heavy metals and rare earth elements were measured in marine sediment samples collected from Ras Tanura. The specific activities of 238 U, 226 Ra, 232 Th, 40 K and 137 Cs (Bq/kg) were measured using A hyper-pure Germanium detector (HPGe), and ranged from (20.4 ± 4.0-55.1 ± 9.9), (6.71 ± 0.7-46.1 ± 4.5), (3.51 ± 0.5-18.2 ± 1.5), (105 ± 4.4-492 ± 13) and from (0.33 ± 0.04-2.10 ± 0.4) for 238 U, 226 Ra, 232 Th, 40 K and 137 Cs respectively. Heavy metals and rare earth elements were measured using ICPE-9820 Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometer. Also the frequency distributions for all radioactive variables in sediment samples were analyzed. Finally the radiological hazards due to natural radionuclides in marine sediment were calculated to the public and it's diagramed by Surfer program in maps. Comparing with the international recommended values, its values found to be within the international level. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Dating kimberlite emplacement with zircon and perovskite (U-Th)/He geochronology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stanley, Jessica; Flowers, Rebecca

2017-04-01

Kimberlites provide rich information about the composition and evolution of cratonic lithosphere. They can entrain xenoliths and xenocrysts from the entire lithospheric column as they transit rapidly to the surface, providing information on the state of the deep lithosphere as well as any sedimentary units covering the craton at the time of eruption. Accurate geochronology of these eruptions is key for interpreting this information and discerning spatiotemporal trends in lithospheric evolution, but kimberlites can sometimes be difficult to date with available methods. Here we explore whether (U-Th)/He dating of zircon and perovskite can serve as reliable techniques for determining kimberlite emplacement ages by dating a suite of sixteen southern African kimberlites by zircon and/or perovskite (U-Th)/He (ZHe, PHe). Most samples with abundant zircon yielded ZHe dates reproducible to ≤15% dispersion that are in good agreement with published eruption ages, though there were several samples that were more scattered. Since the majority of dated zircon were xenocrystic, zircon with reproducible dates were fully reset during eruption or resided at temperatures above the ZHe closure temperature ( 180 °C) prior to entrainment in the kimberlite magma. We attribute scattered ZHe dates to shallowly sourced zircon that underwent incomplete damage annealing and/or partial He loss during the eruptive process. All seven kimberlites dated with PHe yielded dates reproducible to ≤15% dispersion and reasonable results. As perovskite has not previously been used as a (U-Th)/He chronometer, we conducted two preliminary perovskite 4He diffusion experiments to obtain initial estimates of its temperature sensitivity. These experiments suggest a PHe closure temperature of >300 °C. Perovskite in kimberlites is unlikely to be xenocrystic and its relatively high temperature sensitivity suggests that PHe dates will typically record emplacement rather than post-emplacement processes. ZHe

AMS 14C and 230Th/U dating on stalagmites from North Altai Mountain, Siberia, Russia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, H. C.; Yin, J. J.; Blyakharchuk, T.; Shen, C. C.

2017-12-01

Three stalagmites, two from Lunnaya Cave (LUN-1 and LUN-2, 52º40.729'N, 88º43.854' E, 481 m a.s.l.), one from Nadezhda Cave (HOP-1, 52º38.872'N, 88º39.194'E, 550 m a.s.l.) located along Mrassy River in the northern Altai Mountains, Siberia, Russia were collected in the summer of 2016 for paleoclimate reconstruction. HOP-1 is a 21-cm long stalagmite which contains very low U content (238U = 70 ppb) and relatively high Th content (232Th = 2 9.3 ppb), resulting in unsuccessful 230Th/U dating (-262 ± 284 yr BP in the top and -19,935 ± 22,246 yr BP). Thirty one AMS 14C dates from 27 horizons of the stalagmite provide a detailed chronology, showing that the stalagmite grew from 6,350 ± 45 yr BP to 490 ± 10 Calib. yr BP. Both LUN-1 and LUN-2 are about 20-cm long. The growth feature of LUN-2 is similar to that of HOP-1 with continuous growth, clear bands of depositional cycles in white non-transparent calcite, whereas LUN-1 has light yellow transparent calcite in the center part with multiple growth hiatuses. The 230Th/U dates show that LUN-1 from 2725 ± 775 yr BP at 193 mm depth to 823 ± 28 yr BP at 12 mm depth with very fast growth rate during 900 1500 yr BP. The AMS 14C dates of LUN-1 provide similar growth pattern with very fast growth between the first hiatus at 12 mm depth and the second hiatus at 155 cm depth. Six 14C dates from this fast growth period are all around 1500 Calib. yr BP without a correct age sequence. Two 14C dates from the top 12 mm exhibit "nuclear bomb signal" (percentage of modern carbon >100%). Similar ages of AMS 14C and 230Th/U dating results in the lower part indicate that dead carbon influence in radiocarbon ages are negligible. 230Th/U dating is not successful for LUN-2. The preliminary AMS 14C dating on LUN-2 shows that the stalagmite continuously deposited from 13335 ± 150 Calib. yr BP. All three stalagmites do not have growth deposition during the Little Ice Age due to cold and dry climates. Further work on stable isotope

Radon-222 and its parent radionuclides in groundwater from two study areas in New Jersey and Maryland, U.S.A.

USGS Publications Warehouse

Wanty, R.B.; Johnson, S.L.; Briggs, P.H.

1991-01-01

A study of groundwater chemistry and radionuclide mobility in New Jersey and Maryland was conducted to investigate natural processes that control the mobility of radionuclides in the water-rock system. Groundwater was sampled from two geological units in New Jersey and from six in Maryland. The water sampled was from aquifiers in fractured metamorphic rocks of varying composition and metamorphic grade. In both areas, groundwater chemistry was affected most by aquifier mineralogy and lithology; concentrations of total dissolved U, 226Ra and 222Rn were similarly affected. In evey sample for which measurements were made, dissolved Utotal and 226Ra were present in much lower concentrations than 222Rn when expressed in terms of their radioactivity. On the other hand, the total amount of 222Rn that could be produced in these rocks, given their U contents, is much higher than the concentrations observed in groundwater. Thus, the emanating efficiencies of the aquifer rocks studied must be near 10% or less. Such low emanating efficiencies require that a fraction of the 226Ra in the rock be located close to the water-rock interface so that 222Rn, when produced, can be rapidly and efficiently transferred to the aqueous phase. This condition is established when a similar fraction of the U is in a readily leachable position. No known U or Ra solids were supersaturated in any of the samples. Thus, adsorption processes probably play a role in limiting mobilities of Utotal and 226Ra. Concentrations of Utotal and 226Ra found in the water samples are comparable to those found in experimental studies of adsorption onto mineral surfaces. ?? 1991.

Implications of Nb/U, Th/U and Sm/Nd in plume magmas for the relationship between continental and oceanic crust formation and the development of the depleted mantle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Campbell, Ian H.

2002-05-01

The Nb/U and Th/U of the primitive mantle are 34 and 4.04 respectively, which compare with 9.7 and 3.96 for the continental crust. Extraction of continental crust from the mantle therefore has a profound influence on its Nb/U but little influence on its Th/U. Conversely, extraction of midocean ridge-type basalts lowers the Th/U of the mantle residue but has little influence on its Nb/U. As a consequence, variations in Th/U and Nb/U with Sm/Nd can be used to evaluate the relative importance of continental and basaltic crust extraction in the formation of the depleted (Sm/Nd enriched) mantle reservoir. This study evaluates Nb/U, Th/U, and Sm/Nd variations in suites of komatiites, picrites, and their associated basalts, of various ages, to determine whether basalt and/or continental crust have been extracted from their source region. Emphasis is placed on komatiites and picrites because they formed at high degrees of partial melting and are expected to have Nb/U, Th/U, and Sm/Nd that are essentially the same as the mantle that melted to produce them. The results show that all of the studied suites, with the exception of the Barberton, have had both continental crust and basaltic crust extracted from their mantle source region. The high Sm/Nd of the Gorgona and Munro komatiites require the elevated ratios seen in these suites to be due primarily to extraction of basaltic crust from their source regions, whereas basaltic and continental crust extraction are of subequal importance in the source regions of the Yilgarn and Belingwe komatiites. The Sm/Nd of modern midocean ridge basalts lies above the crustal extraction curve on a plot of Sm/Nd against Nb/U, which requires the upper mantle to have had both basaltic and continental crust extracted from it. It is suggested that the extraction of the basaltic reservoir from the mantle occurs at midocean ridges and that the basaltic crust, together with its complementary depleted mantle residue, is subducted to the core

Revolution and Intervention: U.S.-Cuban Relations in the 20th Century. SSEC American History Series.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tegnell, Geoffrey; Ladenburg, Thomas

This unit for U.S. history courses examines a number of questions raised by U.S.-Cuban relations beginning with the Spanish-American War of 1898 and ending with the missile crisis 64 years later. These questions are on such topics as the appropriate U.S. stance toward a nationalistic reform movement, a social revolution, and a military build up in…

Major element, trace element, nutrient, and radionuclide mobility in a mining by-product-amended soil.

PubMed

Douglas, G; Adeney, J; Johnston, K; Wendling, L; Coleman, S

2012-01-01

This study investigates the use of a mineral processing by-product, neutralized used acid (NUA), primarily composed of gypsum and Fe-oxyhydroxide, as a soil amendment. A 1489-d turf farm field trial assessed nutrient, trace element, and radionuclide mobility of a soil amended with ∼5% by mass to a depth of 15 cm of NUA. Average PO-P fluxes collected as subsoil leachates were 0.7 and 26.6 kg ha yr for NUA-amended and control sites, respectively, equating to a 97% reduction in PO-P loss after 434 kg P ha was applied. Total nitrogen fluxes in NUA-amended soil leachates were similarly reduced by 82%. Incorporation of NUA conferred major changes in leachate geochemistry with a diverse suite of trace elements depleted within NUA-amended leachates. Gypsum dissolution from NUA resulted in an increase from under- to oversaturation of the soil leachates for a range of Fe- and Ca-minerals including calcite and ferrihydrite, many of which have a well-documented ability to assimilate PO-P and trace elements. Isotopic analysis indicated little Pb addition from NUA. Both Sr and Nd isotope results revealed that NUA and added fertilizer became an important source of Ca to leachate and turf biomass. The NUA-amended soils retained a range of U-Th series radionuclides, with little evidence of transfer to soil leachate or turf biomass. Calculated radioactivity dose rates indicate only a small increment due to NUA amendment. With increased nutrient, trace element, and solute retention, and increased productivity, a range of potential agronomic benefits may be conferred by NUA amendment of soils, in addition to the potential to limit offsite nutrient loss and eutrophication. Copyright © by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America, Inc.

US Topo - A new national map series

USGS Publications Warehouse

Moore, Laurence R.

2011-01-01

In the second half of the 20th century, the foundation of the U.S. Geological Survey's national map series was the handcrafted 7.5-minute topographic map. Times change, budgets get squeezed and currency expectations become ever more challenging. The USGS's Larry Moore, who oversees data production operations at two National Geospatial Technical Operations Centers, provides an introduction to the new US Topo quadrangle maps.

Radon Outgassing from the Surface of Mercury Evidenced by Its Low Th/U Ratio

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meslin, P.-Y.; Peplowski, P. N.; Deprez, G.

2018-05-01

The low, subchondritic Th/U ratio measured by MESSENGER can be explained by the release of radon from the Hermean regolith, and the corresponding exhalation rate is significantly larger than on the Moon, possibly indicating a thicker regolith.

Waste site reclamation with recovery of radionuclides and metals

DOEpatents

Francis, A.J.; Dodge, C.J.

1994-03-08

A method for decontaminating radionuclides and other toxic metal-contaminate The U.S. government has certain rights in this invention pursuant to Contract Number DE-AC02-76CH00016 between the U.S. Department of Energy and Associated Universities, Inc.

Waste site reclamation with recovery of radionuclides and metals

DOEpatents

Francis, Arokiasamy J.; Dodge, Cleveland J.

1994-01-01

A method for decontaminating radionuclides and other toxic metal-contaminate The U.S. government has certain rights in this invention pursuant to Contract Number DE-AC02-76CH00016 between the U.S. Department of Energy and Associated Universities, Inc.

Noble Gases in Alpine Gold: U/Th-He Dating and Excesses of Radiogenic He and AR

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eugster, O.; Hofmann, B.; Krahenbuhl, U.; Neuenschwander, J.

1992-07-01

Gold precipitates in hydrothermal fluids along with other heavy elements, such as Ag and Pt. In order to explore the possibility of dating the formation of gold we determined the concentrations of U, Th, and their decay product ^4He, as well as the K and ^40Ar concentrations in vein-type gold and in placer gold samples. The gold-quartz veins at Brusson in the south-western alps were formed approximately 32 Ma ago during an episode of tectonic uplift (Diamond, 1990). Alpine material was deposited as sediment layers in the region of central Switzerland and placer gold is thus relatively abundant in the rivers of the Napf area. We washed placer gold from the river Grosse Fontanne in 1990 and 1991. Placer gold that had been collected from the river Kruempelgraben in 1933 and a sample of vein-type free gold grown on quartz rock from the Brusson area (Val d'Ayas) have been obtained from the Museum of Natural History in Bern. Table 1 gives the results. Most of the ^4He is released above 1050 degrees C, that is when gold melts, indicating that gold is extremely well retentive for He. From the ^4He concentration of (269 +- 20) x 10^-8 cm^3 STP/g, (0.4 +- 0.1) ppm U, and (0.9 +- 0.3) ppm Th for vein-type gold we calculate a U/Th-He age of (36 +- 8)Ma. This age agrees within errors with the proposed age of 32 Ma. The data given in Table 1 show that all placer gold samples contain excesses of radiogenic ^4He and ^40Ar relative to the concentrations expected from the U/Th and K decay, respectively, if we assume a formation age of 32 Ma. The quartz sample is depleted in ^4He but strongly enriched in radiogenic ^40Ar. The excess of ^40Ar(sub)rad is easier to explain than that of ^4He. Vein-type gold and placer gold contain quartz inclusions (Schmid, 1973). The high ^40Ar(sub)rad content of quartz (Table 1) indicates that the ^40Ar(sub)rad excess of gold originates from quartz inclusions. Excess ^4He in gold must be of radiogenic origin. Taking ^20Ne and ^36Ar as a measure for the

Radiation damage-He diffusivity models applied to deep-time thermochronology: Zircon and titanite (U-Th)/He datasets from cratonic settings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guenthner, W.; DeLucia, M. S.; Marshak, S.; Reiners, P. W.; Drake, H.; Thomson, S.; Ault, A. K.; Tillberg, M.

2017-12-01

Advances in understanding the effects of radiation damage on He diffusion in uranium-bearing accessory minerals have shown the utility of damage-diffusivity models for interpreting datasets from geologic settings with long-term, low-temperature thermal histories. Craton interiors preserve a billion-year record of long-term, long-wavelength vertical motions of the lithosphere. Prior thermochronologic work in these settings has focused on radiation damage models used in conjunction with apatite (U-Th)/He dates to constrain Phanerozoic thermal histories. Owing to the more complex damage-diffusivity relationship in zircon, the zircon (U-Th)/He system yields both higher and, in some cases, lower temperature sensitivities than the apatite system, and this greater range in turn allows researchers to access deeper time (i.e., Proterozoic) segments of craton time-temperature histories. Here, we show two examples of this approach by focusing on zircon (U-Th)/He datasets from 1.8 Ga granitoids of the Fennoscandian Shield in southeastern Sweden, and 1.4 Ga granites and rhyolites of the Ozark Plateau in southeastern Missouri. In the Ozark dataset, the zircon (U-Th)/He data, combined with a damage-diffusivity model, predict negative correlations between date and effective uranium (eU) concentration (a measurement proportional to radiation damage) from thermal histories that include an episode of Proterozoic cooling (interpreted as exhumation) following reheating (interpreted as burial) to temperature of 260°C at 850-680 Ma. In the Fennoscandian Shield, a similar damage model-based approach yields time-temperature constraints with burial to 217°C between 944 Ma and 851 Ma, followed by exhumation from 850 to 500 Ma, and burial to 154°C between 366 Ma and 224 Ma. Our Fennoscandian Shield samples also include titanite (U-Th)/He dates that span a wide range (945-160 Ma) and are negatively correlated with eU concentration, analogous to our zircon He dataset. These results support

U-series vs 14C ages of deep-sea corals from the southern Labrador Sea: Sporadic development of corals and geochemical processes hampering estimation of ambient water ventilation ages

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hillaire-Marcel, Claude; Maccali, Jenny; Ménabréaz, Lucie; Ghaleb, Bassam; Blénet, Aurélien; Edinger, Evan

2017-04-01

Deep-sea scleractinian corals were collected with the remotely operated ROPOS vehicle off Newfounland. Fossil specimens of Desmophyllum dianthus were raised from coral graveyards at Orphan Knoll (˜1700m depth) and Flemish cap (˜2200 m depth), while live specimens were collected directly in overlying steep rock slopes. D. dianthus has an aragonitic skeleton and is thus particularly suited for U-Th dating. We obtained > 70 U-series ages along with > 20 14C measurements. Results display a discrete age distribution with two age clusters: a Bølling-Allerød and Holocene cluster with > 20 samples, and a Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 5c cluster with ˜50 samples. Only two samples lay outside these clusters, at ˜ 64 ka and at ˜181 ka. Contrary to the New England seamounts where coral presence seems to have been continue through the last 70 ka, Orphan Knoll and Flemish Cap graveyards are marked by the absence of preserved specimens from MIS 2 to MIS 4 and throughout MIS 6. For filter-feeding deep-sea corals, access to food-rich waters is essential. Hence the Holocene and MIS 5 clusters observed in the Labrador basin might represent intervals linked to high food availability, either through production in the overlying water column, more effectively in relation to particulate and dissolved organic carbon transport via an active Western Boundary Undercurrent. Comparison of 230Th-ages vs 14C-ages in order to document changes in ventilation ages of the ambient water masses is equivocal due to the presence of some diagenetic and/or initial 230Th-excess. In addition, discrete diagenetic U-fluxes can be documented from 234U/238U vs 230Th/238U data. They point to a recent winnowing of sediment overlying the fossil corals that we link to the Holocene intensification of the Western Boundary Undercurrent, which resulted in driving Fe-Mn coatings.

The r-Process in the Neutrino Winds of Core-Collapse Supernovae and U-Th Cosmochronology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wanajo, Shinya; Itoh, Naoki; Ishimaru, Yuhri; Nozawa, Satoshi; Beers, Timothy C.

2002-10-01

The discovery of the second highly r-process-enhanced, extremely metal poor star, CS 31082-001 ([Fe/H]=-2.9) has provided a powerful new tool for age determination by virtue of the detection and measurement of the radioactive species uranium and thorium. Because the half-life of 238U is one-third that of 232Th, the U-Th pair can, in principle, provide a far more precise cosmochronometer than the Th-Eu pair that has been used in previous investigations. In the application of this chronometer, the age of (the progenitor of) CS 31082-001 can be regarded as the minimum age of the Galaxy, and hence of the universe. One of the serious limitations of this approach, however, is that predictions of the production ratio of U and Th have not been made in the context of a realistic astrophysical model of the r-process. We have endeavored to produce such a model, based on the ``neutrino winds'' that are expected to arise from the nascent neutron star of a core-collapse supernova. In this model, the proto-neutron star mass and the (asymptotic) neutrino sphere radius are assumed to be 2.0 Msolar and 10 km, respectively. Recent hydrodynamic studies indicate that there may exist difficulties in obtaining such a compact (massive and/or small in radius) remnant. Nevertheless, we utilize this set of parameter choices since previous work suggests that the third r-process peak (and thus U and Th) is hardly reached when one adopts a less compact proto-neutron star in the framework of the neutrino-wind scenario. The temperature and density histories of the material involved in the neutron-capture processes are obtained with the assumption of a steady flow of the neutrino-powered winds, with general relativistic effects taken into account. The electron fraction is taken to be a free parameter, constant with time. The r-process nucleosynthesis in these trajectories is calculated with a nuclear reaction network code including actinides up to Z=100. The mass-integrated r-process yields

Coupling data from U-series and 10Be CRN to evaluate soil steady-state in the Betic Cordillera

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schoonejans, Jerome; Vanacker, Veerle; Opfergelt, Sophie; Granet, Mathieu; Chabaux, François

2015-04-01

The regolith mantel is produced by weathering of bedrock through physical and biochemical processes. At the same time, the upper part of the regolith is eroded by gravity mass movements, water and wind erosion. Feedback's between production and erosion of soil material are important for soil development, and are essential to reach long-term steady-state in soil chemical and physical properties. Nowadays, long-term denudation rates of regolith can be quantified by using in-situ cosmogenic nuclides (CRN). If the soil thickness remains constant over sufficiently long time, soil production rates can be determined. However, the a priori assumption of long-term steady-state can be questionable in highly dynamic environments. In this study, we present analytical data from two independent isotopic techniques, in-situ cosmogenic nuclides and Uranium series disequilibrium. The disequilibrium of Uranium isotopes (238U, 234U, 230Th, 226Ra) is an alternative method that allows assessing soil formation rates through isotopic analysis of weathering products. Nine soil profiles were sampled in three different mountain ranges of the Betic Cordillera (SE Spain): Sierra Estancias, Filabres, Cabrera. All soils overly fractured mica schist and are very thin (< 60cm). In each soil profile, we sampled 4 to 6 depth slices in the soil profile, the soil-bedrock interface and (weathered) bedrock. Three of the nine soil profiles were sampled for U-series isotope measurements at EOST (University of Strasbourg). The surface denudation rates (CRN) are about the same in the Sierra Estancias and Filabres (26 ± 10 mm/ky) and increase up to 103 ± 47 mm/ky in the Sierra Cabrera. The spatial variation in soil denudation rates is in agreement with the variation in catchment-wide denudation rates presented by Bellin et al. (2014) which present the highest rates in the Sierra Cabrera (104-246mm/kyr). Moreover it roughly coincides with the pattern of long-term exhumation of the Betic Cordillera. Results

Reclamation with Recovery of Radionuclides and Toxic Metals from Contaminated Materials, Soils, and Wastes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Francis, A. J.; Dodge, C. J.

1993-01-01

A process has been developed at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) for the removal of metals and radionuclides from contaminated materials, soils, and waste sites. In this process, citric acid, a naturally occurring organic complexing agent, is used to extract metals such as Ba, Cd, Cr, Ni, Zn, and radionuclides Co, Sr, Th, and U from solid wastes by formation of water soluble, metal-citrate complexes. Citric acid forms different types of complexes with the transition metals and actinides, and may involve formation of a bidentate, tridentate, binuclear, or polynuclear complex species. The extract containing radionuclide/metal complex is then subjected to microbiological degradation followed by photochemical degradation under aerobic conditions. Several metal citrate complexes are biodegraded, and the metals are recovered in a concentrated form with the bacterial biomass. Uranium forms binuclear complex with citric acid and is not biodegraded. The supernatant containing uranium citrate complex is separated and upon exposure to light, undergoes rapid degradation resulting in the formation of an insoluble, stable polymeric form of uranium. Uranium is recovered as a precipitate (polyuranate) in a concentrated form for recycling or for appropriate disposal. This treatment process, unlike others which use caustic reagents, does not create additional hazardous wastes for disposal and causes little damage to soil which can then be returned to normal use.

U-Th-Pb systematics of some Apollo 17 lunar samples and implications for a lunar basin excavation chronology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nunes, P. D.; Tatsumoto, M.; Unruh, D. M.

1974-01-01

U, Th, and Pb concentrations and lead isotopic compositions of selected Apollo 17 soil and rock samples are presented. Concordia treatments of U-Pb whole samples of Apollo 17 mare basalts and highland rocks probably reflect several early thermal events about 4.5 b.y. old more consistently than do U-Pb ages of samples collected at other lunar sites. We propose that all lunar U-Th-Pb data reflect a multistate U-Pb evolution history most easily understood as being related to a complex planetesimal bombardment history of the moon which apparently dominated lunar events from about 4.5 to about 3.9 b.y. ago. Semi-distinct events at about 4.0, about 4.2, and 4.4-4.5 b.y. are evident on whole-rock frequency versus Pb-207/Pb-206 age histograms. Each of these events may reflect multiple cratering episodes. For mare basalts, complete resetting of the source rock U-Pb systems owing to Pb loss relative to U was apparently often approached after a major planetesimal impact.

Initial Radionuclide Inventories

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Miller, H

The purpose of this analysis is to provide an initial radionuclide inventory (in grams per waste package) and associated uncertainty distributions for use in the Total System Performance Assessment for the License Application (TSPA-LA) in support of the license application for the repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. This document is intended for use in postclosure analysis only. Bounding waste stream information and data were collected that capture probable limits. For commercially generated waste, this analysis considers alternative waste stream projections to bound the characteristics of wastes likely to be encountered using arrival scenarios that potentially impact the commercial spent nuclearmore » fuel (CSNF) waste stream. For TSPA-LA, this radionuclide inventory analysis considers U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) high-level radioactive waste (DHLW) glass and two types of spent nuclear fuel (SNF): CSNF and DOE-owned (DSNF). These wastes are placed in two groups of waste packages: the CSNF waste package and the codisposal waste package (CDSP), which are designated to contain DHLW glass and DSNF, or DHLW glass only. The radionuclide inventory for naval SNF is provided separately in the classified ''Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program Technical Support Document'' for the License Application. As noted previously, the radionuclide inventory data presented here is intended only for TSPA-LA postclosure calculations. It is not applicable to preclosure safety calculations. Safe storage, transportation, and ultimate disposal of these wastes require safety analyses to support the design and licensing of repository equipment and facilities. These analyses will require radionuclide inventories to represent the radioactive source term that must be accommodated during handling, storage and disposition of these wastes. This analysis uses the best available information to identify the radionuclide inventory that is expected at the last year of last emplacement, currently

Correlation consistent basis sets for actinides. I. The Th and U atoms.

PubMed

Peterson, Kirk A

2015-02-21

New correlation consistent basis sets based on both pseudopotential (PP) and all-electron Douglas-Kroll-Hess (DKH) Hamiltonians have been developed from double- to quadruple-zeta quality for the actinide atoms thorium and uranium. Sets for valence electron correlation (5f6s6p6d), cc - pV nZ - PP and cc - pV nZ - DK3, as well as outer-core correlation (valence + 5s5p5d), cc - pwCV nZ - PP and cc - pwCV nZ - DK3, are reported (n = D, T, Q). The -PP sets are constructed in conjunction with small-core, 60-electron PPs, while the -DK3 sets utilized the 3rd-order Douglas-Kroll-Hess scalar relativistic Hamiltonian. Both series of basis sets show systematic convergence towards the complete basis set limit, both at the Hartree-Fock and correlated levels of theory, making them amenable to standard basis set extrapolation techniques. To assess the utility of the new basis sets, extensive coupled cluster composite thermochemistry calculations of ThFn (n = 2 - 4), ThO2, and UFn (n = 4 - 6) have been carried out. After accurately accounting for valence and outer-core correlation, spin-orbit coupling, and even Lamb shift effects, the final 298 K atomization enthalpies of ThF4, ThF3, ThF2, and ThO2 are all within their experimental uncertainties. Bond dissociation energies of ThF4 and ThF3, as well as UF6 and UF5, were similarly accurate. The derived enthalpies of formation for these species also showed a very satisfactory agreement with experiment, demonstrating that the new basis sets allow for the use of accurate composite schemes just as in molecular systems composed only of lighter atoms. The differences between the PP and DK3 approaches were found to increase with the change in formal oxidation state on the actinide atom, approaching 5-6 kcal/mol for the atomization enthalpies of ThF4 and ThO2. The DKH3 atomization energy of ThO2 was calculated to be smaller than the DKH2 value by ∼1 kcal/mol.

238U-230Th-226Ra disequilibria in dacite and plagioclase from the 2004-2005 eruption of Mount St. Helens: Chapter 36 in A volcano rekindled: the renewed eruption of Mount St. Helens, 2004-2006

USGS Publications Warehouse

Cooper, Kari M.; Donnelly, Carrie T.; Sherrod, David R.; Scott, William E.; Stauffer, Peter H.

2008-01-01

230Th)/(232Th) measured for the 1980s reference suite. However, (230Th)/(232Th) for plagioclase separates for dome samples erupted during October and November 2004 are significantly different from corresponding whole-rock values, which suggests that a large fraction (>30 percent) of crystals in each sample are foreign to the host liquid. Furthermore, plagioclase in the two 2004 samples have U-series characteristics distinct from each other and from plagioclase in dacite erupted in 1982, indicating that (1) the current eruption must include a component of crystals (and potentially associated magma) that were not sampled by the 1980-86 eruption, and (2) dacite magmas erupted only a month apart in 2004 contain different populations of crystals, indicating that this foreign component is highly heterogeneous within the 2004-5 magma reservoir.

U-Th-Pb and Rb-Sr systematics of Apollo 17 boulder 7 from the North Massif of the Taurus-Littrow Valley

USGS Publications Warehouse

Nunes, P.D.; Tatsumoto, M.; Unruh, D.M.

1974-01-01

Portions of highland breccia boulder 7 collected during the Apollo 17 mission were studied using UThPb and RbSr systematics. A RbSr internal isochron age of 3.89 ?? 0.08 b.y. with an initial 87Sr/86Sr of 0.69926 ?? 0.00008 was obtained for clast 1 (77135,57) (a troctolitic microbreccia). A troctolitic portion of microbreccia clast 77215,37 yielded a UPb internal isochron of 3.8 ?? 0.2 b.y. and an initial 206Pb/207Pb of 0.69. These internal isochron age are interpreted as reflecting metamorphic events, probably related to impacts, which reset RbSr and UPb mineral systems of older rocks. Six portions of boulder 7 were analyzed for U, Th, and Pb as whole rocks. Two chemical groups appear to be defined by the U, Th, and Pb concentration data. Chemical group A is characterized by U, Th, and Pb concentrations and 238U/204Pb values which are higher than those of group B. Group A rocks have typical 232Th/238U ratios of ??? 3.85, whereas-group B rocks have unusually high Th/U values of ??? 4.1. Whole-rock UPb and PbPb ages are nearly concordant. Two events appear to be reflected in these data - one at ??? 4.4 b.y. and one at ??? 4.5 b.y. The chemical groupings show no correlation with documented ages. The old ages of ??? 4.4 b.y. and ??? 4.5 b.y. may, like the younger ??? 4.0 b.y. ages, be related to basin excavation events. ?? 1974.

New U/Th ages for Pleistocene megafauna deposits of southeastern Queensland, Australia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Price, Gilbert J.; Zhao, Jian-xin; Feng, Yue-xing; Hocknull, Scott A.

2009-02-01

Arguments over the extinction of Pleistocene megafauna have become particularly polarised in recent years. Causes for the extinctions are widely debated with climate change, human hunting and/or habitat modification, or a combination of those factors, being the dominant hypotheses. However, a lack of a spatially constrained chronology for many megafauna renders most hypotheses difficult to test. Here, we present several new U/Th dates for a series of previously undated, megafauna-bearing localities from southeastern Queensland, Australia. The sites were previously used to argue for or against various megafauna extinction hypotheses, and are the type localities for two now-extinct Pleistocene marsupials (including the giant koala, Phascolarctos stirtoni). The new dating allows the deposits to be placed in a spatially- and temporally constrained context relevant to the understanding of Australian megafaunal extinctions. The results indicate that The Joint (Texas Caves) megafaunal assemblage is middle Pleistocene or older (>292 ky); the Cement Mills (Gore) megafaunal assemblage is late Pleistocene or older (>53 ky); and the Russenden Cave Bone Chamber (Texas Caves) megafaunal assemblage is late Pleistocene (˜55 ky). Importantly, the new results broadly show that the sites date prior to the hypothesised megafaunal extinction 'window' (i.e., ˜30-50 ky), and therefore, cannot be used to argue exclusively for or against human/climate change extinction models, without first exploring their palaeoecological significance on wider temporal and spatial scales.

Crystal chemistry and thermal behavior of La doped (U, Th)O2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Keskar, Meera; Shelke, Geeta P.; Shafeeq, Muhammed; Krishnan, K.; Sali, S. K.; Kannan, S.

2017-12-01

X-ray diffraction, chemical and thermal studies of [(U0.2Th0.8)1-yLay]O2+x (LUTL) and [(U0.3Th0.7)1-yLay]O2+x (UTL); compounds (where y ≤ 0.4) were carried out. These compounds were synthesized by gel combustion method followed by heating in reduced atmospheres at 1673 K. To co-relate lattice parameters with metal and oxygen concentrations, reduced oxides were heated in Ar, CO2 and air atmospheres. Retention of FCC phase was confirmed in all mixed oxides with y ≤ 0.4. The cubic lattice parameters could be expressed in a linear equation of x and y as: a (Ǻ) = 5.5709 - 0.187 x + 0.032 y; [x < 0 and 0 ≤ y ≤ 0.40] for LUTL and a (Ǻ) = 5.5580 - 0.26 x + 0.015 y; [x < 0 and 0 ≤ y ≤ 0.36] for UTL. Oxidation studies and simple ionic model calculations suggested that uranium is predominantly present as a mixture of +5 and + 6 states when La/U ratio ∼2. Oxidation kinetics of mixed oxides was studied by non-isothermal method using thermogravimetry and was found to be a diffusion controlled reaction. High temperature X-ray diffraction studies of LUTL and UTL mixed oxides showed positive thermal expansion in the temperature range of 298-1273 K and % expansion increases with La concentration.

A method to reconstruct long precipitation series using systematic descriptive observations in weather diaries: the example of the precipitation series for Bern, Switzerland (1760-2003)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gimmi, U.; Luterbacher, J.; Pfister, C.; Wanner, H.

2007-01-01

In contrast to barometric and thermometric records, early instrumental precipitation series are quite rare. Based on systematic descriptive daily records, a quantitative monthly precipitation series for Bern (Switzerland) was reconstructed back to the year 1760 (reconstruction based on documentary evidence). Since every observer had his own personal style to fill out his diary, the main focus was to avoid observer-specific bias in the reconstruction. An independent statistical monthly precipitation reconstruction was performed using instrumental data from European sites. Over most periods the reconstruction based on documentary evidence lies inside the 2 standard errors of the statistical estimates. The comparison between these two approaches enables an independent verification and a reliable error estimate. The analysis points to below normal rainfall totals in all seasons during the late 18th century and in the 1820s and 1830s. Increased precipitation occurred in the early 1850s and the late 1870s, particularly from spring to autumn. The annual precipitation totals generally tend to be higher in the 20th century than in the late 18th and 19th century. Precipitation changes are discussed in the context of socioeconomic impacts and Alpine glacier dynamics. The conceptual design of the reconstruction procedure is aimed at application for similar descriptive precipitation series, which are known to be abundant from the mid-18th century in Europe and the U.S.

Coupling of Uranium and Thorium Series Isotope Systematics for Age Determination of Late Pleistocene Zircons using LA-ICP-MS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sakata, S.; Hirakawa, S.; Iwano, H.; Danhara, T.; Hirata, T.

2014-12-01

Zircon U-Th-Pb dating method is one of the most important tools for estimating the duration of magmatism by means of coupling of uranium, actinium and thorium decay series. Using U-Pb dating method, its reliability is principally guaranteed by the concordance between 238U-206Pb and 235U-207Pb ages. In case of dating Quaternary zircons, however, the initial disequilibrium effect on 230Th and 231Pa should be considered. On the other hands, 232Th-208Pb dating method can be a simple but powerful approach for investigating the age of crystallization because of negligible influence from initial disequilibrium effect. We have developed a new correction model for accurate U-Pb dating of the young zircon samples by taking into consideration of initial disequilibrium and a U-Pb vs Th-Pb concordia diagram for reliable age calibration was successfully established. Hence, the U-Th-Pb dating method can be applied to various zircons ranging from Hadean (4,600 Ma) to Quaternary (~50 ka) ages, and this suggests that further detailed information concerning the thermal history of the geological sequences can be made by the coupling of U-Th-Pb, fission track and Ar-Ar ages. In this presentation, we will show an example of U-Th-Pb dating for zircon samples from Sambe Volcano (3 to 100 ka), southwest Japan and the present dating technique using LA-ICP-MS.

U, Th, Pb and REE abundances and Pb 207/Pb 206 ages of individual minerals in returned lunar material by ion microprobe mass analysis.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Andersen, C. A.; Hinthorne, J. R.

1972-01-01

Results of ion microprobe analyses of Apollo 11, 12 and 14 material, showing that U, Th, Pb and REE are concentrated in accessory minerals such as apatite, whitlockite, zircon, baddeleyite, zirkelite, and tranquillityite. Th/U ratios are found to vary by over a factor of 40 in these minerals. K, Ba, Rb and Sr have been localized in a K rich, U and Th poor glass phase that is commonly associated with the U and Th bearing accessory minerals. Li is observed to be fairly evenly distributed between the various accessory phases. The phosphates have been found to have REE abundance patterns (normalized to the chondrite abundances) that are fairly flat, while the Zr bearing minerals have patterns that rise steeply, by factors of ten or more, from La to Gd. All the accessory minerals have large negative Eu anomalies. Radiometric age dates (Pb 207/Pb 206) of the individual U and Th bearing minerals compare favorably with the Pb 207/Pb 206 age of the bulk rocks.

Variation of radiation level and radionuclide enrichment in high background area.

PubMed

Shetty, P K; Narayana, Y

2010-12-01

Significantly high radiation level and radionuclide concentration along Quilon beach area of coastal Kerala have been reported by several investigators. Detailed gamma radiation level survey was carried out using a portable scintillometer. Detailed studies on radionuclides concentration in different environmental matrices of high background areas were undertaken in the coastal areas of Karunagapalli, Kayankulam, Chavara, Neendakara and Kollam to study the distribution and enrichment of the radionuclides in the region. The absorbed gamma dose rates in air in high background area are in the range 43-17,400nGyh⁻¹. Gamma radiation level is found to be maximum at a distance of 20m from the sea waterline in all beaches. The soil samples collected from different locations were analysed for primordial radionuclides by gamma spectrometry. The activity of primordial radionuclides was determined for the different size fractions of soil to study the enrichment pattern. The highest activity of (232)Th and (226)Ra was found to be enriched in 125-63μ size fraction. The preferential accumulation of (40)K was found in <63μ fraction. The minimum (232)Th activity was 30.2Bqkg⁻¹, found in 1000-500μ particle size fraction at Kollam and maximum activity of 3250.4Bqkg⁻¹ was observed in grains of size 125-63μ at Neendakara. The lowest (226)Ra activity observed was 33.9Bqkg⁻¹ at Neendakara in grains of size 1000-500μ and the highest activity observed was 482.6Bqkg⁻¹ in grains of size 125-63μ in Neendakara. The highest (40)K activity found was 1923Bqkg⁻¹ in grains of size <63μ for a sample collected from Neendakara. A good correlation was observed between computed dose and measured dose in air. The correlation between (232)Th and (226)Ra was also moderately high. The results of these investigations are presented and discussed in this paper. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Leaching of radionuclides from decaying blueberry leaves: Relative rate independent of concentration

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sheppard, S.C.; Evenden, W.G.

Leaching of radionuclides from decaying vegetation has not been extensively investigated, especially for radionuclides other than {sup 137}Cs. The authors obtained leaves of blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium {times} V. corymbosum) that contained over 25-fold ranges in Se, Cs, and I concentrations, as well as a small quantity of leaves containing detectable U. All were contaminated by way of root uptake. Leaching took place for a period of 1 yr in the laboratory, using leach water from forest litter. Monthly, measurements were made of the radionuclide contents and decaying leaf dry weights. The data conformed to an exponential decay model with twomore » first-order components. In no case did the relative loss rates vary systematically with the initial tissue radionuclide concentrations. Loss rates decreased in the order Cs > I > U > dry wt. > Se. Because of the low leaching rate of Se relative to the loss of dry weight, decaying litter may actually accumulate elements such as Se. Accumulation of radionuclides in litter could have important implications for lateral transport, recycling, and direct incorporation into edible mushrooms.« less

Geochemical and radionuclide profile of Tuzla geothermal field, Turkey.

PubMed

Baba, Alper; Deniz, Ozan; Ozcan, Hasan; Erees, Serap F; Cetiner, S Ziya

2008-10-01

Tuzla geothermal basin is situated in north-western Turkey on the Biga Peninsula, which is located at the west end of the Northern Anatolian Fault system. Soil and water samples were collected between August 2003 and June 2004 to initiate development of a geochemical profile of surface and subsurface waters in the geothermal basin and radionuclide concentrations in soils. All water samples were found to fall within Turkish Water Quality Class 4, meaning they were remarkably contaminated for any water consumption sector (industrial, human use or agricultural) based on sodium and chloride ions. Such waters could be used only after appropriate water treatment. The water samples are of the chloride type in terms of geochemical evaluation. Preliminary geochemical evidence shows that the N-S flowing part of the Tuzla River acts as a natural barrier within the basin. Heavy metal concentrations in the soil samples show slight elevations, especially those obtained from the east part of the basin where thermal springs are dominant. Geochemical calculations were carried out with PHREEQC software to determine equilibrium concentration of chemical species and saturation indices, by which it is suggested that chloride is the most important ligand to mobilize the heavy metals in the studied system. In addition, the activity concentration and gamma-absorbed dose rates of the terrestrial naturally occurring radionuclides were determined in the soil using gamma-ray spectrometry. The soil activity ranged from 42.77 to 988.66 Bq kg(-1) (averaging 138 Bq kg(-1)) for ( 238 )U, 13.27 to 106.31 Bq kg(-1) (averaging 32.42 Bq kg(-1)) for ( 232 )Th, and 99.28 to 935.36 Bq kg(-1) (averaging 515.44 Bq kg(-1)) for ( 40 )K. The highest value of ( 238 )U was found in the soil samples obtained from an area close to the hot spring.

Use of {sup 59}Ni, {sup 99}Tc, and {sup 236}U to monitor the release of radionuclides from objects containing spent nuclear fuel dumped in the Kara Sea

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mount, M.E.; Layton, D.W.; Lynn, N.M.

1998-04-01

Between 1965 and 1981, five objects - six naval reactor pressure vessels (RPVs) from four former Soviet Union submarines and a special containers from the icebreaker Lenin, each of which contained damaged spent nuclear fuel (SNF) - were dumped in a variety of containments, using a number of sealing methods, at four sites in the Kara Sea. All objects were dumped at sites that varied in depth from 12 to 300 m. This paper examines the use of the long-lived radionuclides {sup 59}Ni, {sup 99}Tc, and {sup 236}U encased within these objects to monitor the breakdown of the containments duemore » to corrosion. Included are discussions of the radionuclide inventory and their release rate model, the estimated radionuclide mass in a typical seawater sample, and the potential for radionuclide measurement via Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS).« less

Radionuclide transfer from feed to camel milk.

PubMed

Al-Masri, M S; Al-Hamwi, A; Amin, Y; Safieh, M B; Zarkawi, M; Soukouti, A; Dayyoub, R; Voigt, G; Fesenko, S

2014-06-01

The transfer of (137)Cs, (85)Sr, (131)I, (210)Po, (210)Pb and (238)U from feed to camel's milk was investigated in a pilot experiment with three lactating camels. For a period of 60 days, the animals were fed on spiked feed containing the studied radionuclides. They were subsequently returned to a contamination-free diet and monitored for another 90 days. The activity concentrations of (137)Cs, (85)Sr and (131)I in milk decreased with time and reached background levels after 20 days. Equilibrium transfer coefficients and biological half-lives were estimated and transfer coefficients were calculated as (8.1 ± 3.6) × 10(-4), (4.4 ± 1.6) × 10(-2), (7.8 ± 3.9) × 10(-4), (2.7 ± 3.5) × 10(-4), (1.8 ± 1.5) × 10(-4) and (7.0 ± 3.6) × 10(-3) d L(-1) for (85)Sr, (131)I, (137)Cs, (210)Po, (210)Pb and (238)U, respectively. The biological half-lives were estimated to be 6.4, 4.2, 8.9, and 53.3 days for (85)Sr, (131)I, (137)Cs, and (238)U, respectively. Estimates of the half-lives were based on a one component model: it was found that the half-life values measured for artificial radionuclides were slightly shorter than those for natural radionuclides. The data obtained in the study are the first published experimental data on radionuclide transfer to camel milk. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Deconvolution of trace element (As, Cr, Mo, Th, U) sources and pathways to surface waters of a gold mining-influenced watershed.

PubMed

Grosbois, C; Schäfer, J; Bril, H; Blanc, G; Bossy, A

2009-03-01

The Upper Isle River (SW France) drains the second most productive gold-mining district of France. A high resolution survey during one hydrological year of As, Cl(-), Cr, Fe, Mn, Mo, SO(4)(2-), Th and U dissolved concentrations in surface water aimed to better understand pathways of trace element export to the river system downstream from the mining district. Dissolved concentrations of As (up to 35000 ng/L) and Mo (up to 292 ng/L) were about 3-fold higher than the regional dissolved background and showed a negative logarithmic relation with discharge. Dissolved concentrations of Cr (up to 483 ng/L), Th (up to 48 ng/L) and U (up to 184 ng/L) increased with discharge. Geochemical relationships between molar ratios in surface water, geochemical background as well as rain- and groundwater data were combined. The contrasting behavior of distinct element groups was explained by a scenario involving three seasonal components: (i) The high flow component is poorly concentrated in As and Mo but highly concentrated in Cr, Th, U. This has been attributed to diffuse sources such as water-soil interactions, atmospheric inputs, bedrock and bed sediment weathering. Although this component probably also includes a contribution by weathering of sulfide veins, this signal is masked by dilution. (ii) One low flow component presents high SO(4)(2-), Fe, As and Mo and moderate Cr, Th and U concentrations. This component has been attributed to point sources such as mine gallery effluents, mining waste weathering and groundwater inputs from natural and/or mining-induced sulfide oxidation in the ore deposit. (iii) A second low flow component showing high As plus Mo concentrations associated with very low SO(4)(2-), Fe, Cr, Th and U concentrations, probably reflects trace element scavenging by ferric oxyhydroxide formation in the adjacent aquifer. This is supported by the decrease of Fe, Cr, Th and U in surface waters. Flux estimates suggest contrasting element-specific impacts on annual

UDATE1: A computer program for the calculation of uranium-series isotopic ages

USGS Publications Warehouse

Rosenbauer, R.J.

1991-01-01

UDATE1 is a FORTRAN-77 program with an interface for an Apple Macintosh computer that calculates isotope activities from measured count rates to date geologic materials by uranium-series disequilibria. Dates on pure samples can be determined directly by the accumulation of 230Th from 234U and of 231Pa from 235U. Dates for samples contaminated by clays containing abundant natural thorium can be corrected by the program using various mixing models. Input to the program and file management are made simple and user friendly by a series of Macintosh modal dialog boxes. ?? 1991.

Modelling and mitigating dose to firefighters from inhalation of radionuclides in wildland fire smoke

DOE PAGES

Viner, Brian J.; Jannik, Tim; Stone, Daniel; ...

2015-06-12

Firefighters responding to wildland fires where surface litter and vegetation contain radiological contamination will receive a radiological dose by inhaling resuspended radioactive material in the smoke. This may increase their lifetime risk of contracting certain types of cancer. Using published data, we modelled hypothetical radionuclide emissions, dispersion and dose for 70th and 97th percentile environmental conditions and for average and high fuel loads at the Savannah River Site. We predicted downwind concentration and potential dose to firefighters for radionuclides of interest ( 137Cs, 238Pu, 90Sr and 210Po). Predicted concentrations exceeded dose guidelines in the base case scenario emissions of 1.0more » × 10 7 Bq ha –1 for 238Pu at 70th percentile environmental conditions and average fuel load levels for both 4- and 14-h shifts. Under 97th percentile environmental conditions and high fuel loads, dose guidelines were exceeded for several reported cases for 90Sr, 238Pu and 210Po. Potential for exceeding dose guidelines was mitigated by including plume rise (>2 m s –1) or moving a small distance from the fire owing to large concentration gradients near the edge of the fire. As a result, our approach can quickly estimate potential dose from airborne radionuclides in wildland fire and assist decision-making to reduce firefighter exposure.« less

Radionuclide concentrations in benthic invertebrates from Amchitka and Kiska Islands in the Aleutian Chain, Alaska.

PubMed

Burger, Joanna; Gochfeld, Michael; Jewett, Stephen C

2007-05-01

Concentrations of 13 radionuclides (137Cs, 129I, 60Co, 152Eu, 90Sr, 99Tc, 241Am, 238Pu, 239,249Pu, 234U, 235U, 236U, 238U) were examined in seven species of invertebrates from Amchitka and Kiska Islands, in the Aleutian Chain of Alaska, using gamma spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy, and alpha spectroscopy. Amchitka Island was the site of three underground nuclear test (1965-1971), and we tested the null hypotheses that there were no differences in radionuclide concentrations between Amchitka and the reference site (Kiska) and there were no differences among species. The only radionuclides where composite samples were above the Minimum Detectable Activity (MDA) were 137Cs, 241Am, 239,249Pu, 234U, 235U, 236U, and 238U. Green sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus polyacanthus), giant chiton (Cryptochiton stelleri), plate limpets (Tectura scutum) and giant Pacific octopus (Enteroctopus dofleini) were only tested for 137Cs; octopus was the only species with detectable levels of 137Cs (0.262 +/- 0.029 Bq/kg, wet weight). Only rock jingle (Pododesmus macroschisma), blue mussel (Mytilus trossulus) and horse mussel (Modiolus modiolus) were analyzed for the actinides. There were no interspecific differences in 241Am and 239,240Pu, and almost no samples above the MDA for 238Pu and 236U. Horse mussels had significantly higher concentrations of 234U (0.844 +/- 0.804 Bq/kg) and 238U (0.730 +/- 0.646) than the other species (both isotopes are naturally occurring). There were no differences in actinide concentrations between Amchitka and Kiska. In general, radionuclides in invertebrates from Amchitka were similar to those from uncontaminated sites in the Northern Hemisphere, and below those from the contaminated Irish Sea. There is a clear research need for authors to report the concentrations of radionuclides by species, rather than simply as 'shellfish', for comparative purposes in determining geographical patterns, understanding possible effects, and for

Episodic Holocene eruption of the Salton Buttes rhyolites, California, from paleomagnetic, U-Th, and Ar/Ar dating

USGS Publications Warehouse

Wright, Heather M.; Vazquez, Jorge A.; Champion, Duane E.; Calvert, Andrew T.; Mangan, Margaret T.; Stelten, Mark E.; Cooper, Kari M.; Herzig, Charles; Schriener Jr., Alexander

2015-01-01

In the Salton Trough, CA, five rhyolite domes form the Salton Buttes: Mullet Island, Obsidian Butte, Rock Hill, North and South Red Hill, from oldest to youngest. Results presented here include 40Ar/39Ar anorthoclase ages, 238U-230Th zircon crystallization ages, and comparison of remanent paleomagnetic directions with the secular variation curve, which indicate that all domes are Holocene. 238U-230Th zircon crystallization ages are more precise than but within uncertainty of 40Ar/39Ar anorthoclase ages, suggesting that zircon crystallization proceeded until shortly before eruption in all cases except one. Remanent paleomagnetic directions require three eruption periods: (1) Mullet Island, (2) Obsidian Butte, and (3) Rock Hill, North Red Hill, and South Red Hill. Borehole cuttings logs document up to two shallow tephra layers. North and South Red Hills likely erupted within 100 years of each other, with a combined 238U-230Th zircon isochron age of: 2.83 ± 0.60 ka (2 sigma); paleomagnetic evidence suggests this age predates eruption by hundreds of years (1800 cal BP). Rock Hill erupted closely in time to these eruptions. The Obsidian Butte 238U-230Th isochron age (2.86 ± 0.96 ka) is nearly identical to the combined Red Hill age, but its Virtual Geomagnetic Pole position suggests a slightly older age. The age of aphyric Mullet Island dome is the least well constrained: zircon crystals are resorbed and the paleomagnetic direction is most distinct; possible Mullet Island ages include ca. 2300, 5900, 6900, and 7700 cal BP. Our results constrain the duration of Salton Buttes volcanism to between ca. 5900 and 500 years.

Measurement of 226Ra, 232Th, 137Cs and 40K activities of Wheat and Corn Products in Ilam Province – Iran and Resultant Annual Ingestion Radiation Dose

PubMed Central

CHANGIZI, Vahid; SHAFIEI, Elham; ZAREH, Mohammad Reza

2013-01-01

Background: Background: Natural background radiation is the main source of human exposure to radioactive material. Soils naturally have radioactive mineral contents. The aim of this study is to determine natural (238 U, 232 Th, 40 K) and artificial (137 Cs) radioactivity levels in wheat and corn fields of Eilam province. Methods: HPGe detector was used to measure the concentration activity of 238 U and 232 Th series, 40 K and 137 Cs in wheat and corn samples taken from different regions of Eilam province, in Iran. Results: In wheat and corn samples, the average activity concentrations of 226 Ra, 232 Th, 40 K and 137 Cs were found to be 1, 67, 0.5, 91.73, 0.01 and 0.81, 0.85, 101.52, 0.07 Bq/kg (dry weight), respectively. H ex and H in in the present work are lower than 1. The average value of H ex was found to be 0.02 and 0.025 and average value of H in to be found 0.025 and 0.027 in wheat fields samples and corn samples in Eilam provinces, respectively. The obtained values of AGDE are 30.49 mSv/yr for wheat filed samples and 37.89 mSv/yr for corn samples; the AEDE rate values are 5.28 mSv/yr in wheat filed samples and this average value was found to be 6.13 mSv/yr in corn samples in Eilam. Transfer factors (TFs) of long lived radionuclide such as 137 Cs, 226 Ra, 232 Th and 40 K from soils to corn and wheat plants have been studied by radiotracer experiments. Conclusion: The natural radioactivity levels in Eilam province are not at the range of high risk of morbidity and are under international standards. PMID:26056646

The Hetu'u Global Network: Measuring the Distance to the Sun Using the June 5th/6th Transit of Venus

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Faherty, Jacqueline K.; Rodriguez, David R.; Miller, Scott T.

2012-01-01

In the spirit of historic astronomical endeavors, we invited school groups across the globe to collaborate in a solar distance measurement using the rare June 5/6th transit of Venus. In total, we recruited 19 school groups spread over 6 continents and 10 countries to participate in our Hetu'u Global Network. Applying the methods of French…

Uranium series isotopes concentration in sediments at San Marcos and Luis L. Leon reservoirs, Chihuahua, Mexico

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Méndez-García, C.; Renteria-Villalobos, M.; García-Tenorio, R.; Montero-Cabrera, M. E.

2014-07-01

Spatial and temporal distribution of the radioisotopes concentrations were determined in sediments near the surface and core samples extracted from two reservoirs located in an arid region close to Chihuahua City, Mexico. At San Marcos reservoir one core was studied, while from Luis L. Leon reservoir one core from the entrance and another one close to the wall were investigated. 232Th-series, 238U-series, 40K and 137Cs activity concentrations (AC, Bq kg-1) were determined by gamma spectrometry with a high purity Ge detector. 238U and 234U ACs were obtained by liquid scintillation and alpha spectrometry with a surface barrier detector. Dating of core sediments was performed applying CRS method to 210Pb activities. Results were verified by 137Cs AC. Resulting activity concentrations were compared among corresponding surface and core sediments. High 238U-series AC values were found in sediments from San Marcos reservoir, because this site is located close to the Victorino uranium deposit. Low AC values found in Luis L. Leon reservoir suggest that the uranium present in the source of the Sacramento - Chuviscar Rivers is not transported up to the Conchos River. Activity ratios (AR) 234U/overflow="scroll">238U and 238U/overflow="scroll">226Ra in sediments have values between 0.9-1.2, showing a behavior close to radioactive equilibrium in the entire basin. 232Th/overflow="scroll">238U, 228Ra/overflow="scroll">226Ra ARs are witnesses of the different geological origin of sediments from San Marcos and Luis L. Leon reservoirs.

Enhanced provenance interpretation using combined U-Pb and (U-Th)/He double dating of detrital zircon grains from lower Miocene strata, proximal Gulf of Mexico Basin, North America

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Jie; Stockli, Daniel F.; Snedden, John W.

2017-10-01

Detrital zircon U-Pb analysis is an effective approach for investigating sediment provenance by relating crystallization age to potential crystalline source terranes. Studies of large passive margin basins, such as the Gulf of Mexico Basin, that have received sediment from multiple terranes with non-unique crystallization ages or sedimentary strata, benefit from additional constraints to better elucidate provenance interpretation. In this study, U-Pb and (U-Th)/He double dating analyses on single zircons from the lower Miocene sandstones in the northern Gulf of Mexico Basin reveal a detailed history of sediment source evolution. U-Pb age data indicate that most zircon originated from five major crystalline provinces, including the Western Cordillera Arc (<250 Ma), the Appalachian-Ouachita orogen (500-260 Ma), the Grenville (1300-950 Ma) orogen, the Mid-Continent Granite-Rhyolite (1500-1300 Ma), and the Yavapai-Mazatzal (1800-1600 Ma) terranes as well as sparse Pan-African (700-500 Ma) and Canadian Shield (>1800 Ma) terranes. Zircon (U-Th)/He ages record tectonic cooling and exhumation in the U.S. since the Mesoproterozoic related to the Grenville to Laramide Orogenies. The combined crystallization and cooling information from single zircon double dating can differentiate volcanic and plutonic zircons. Importantly, the U-Pb-He double dating approach allows for the differentiation between multiple possible crystallization-age sources on the basis of their subsequent tectonic evolution. In particular, for Grenville zircons that are present in all of lower Miocene samples, four distinct zircon U-Pb-He age combinations are recognizable that can be traced back to four different possible sources. The integrated U-Pb and (U-Th)/He data eliminate some ambiguities and improves the provenance interpretation for the lower Miocene strata in the northern Gulf of Mexico Basin and illustrate the applicability of this approach for other large-scale basins to reconstruct sediment

Themes for Teaching U.S. History: Conflict and Change. GPE Humanities Series.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

King, David C.; Long, Cathryn J.

The lessons in this handbook may be incorporated into individual courses in social studies, humanities, language arts, and science, or used as a basis for multidisciplinary or team teaching. The book is aimed at the middle grade level. With only minor changes, it can easily be adapted for grade 5 U.S. history or even for the 11th grade course. An…

U-Th-Pb age of the Barwell chondrite - Anatomy of a 'discordant' meteorite

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Unruh, D. M.; Tatsumoto, M.; Hutchison, R.

1979-01-01

A Pb-Pb internal isochron for the Barwell L5-6 chondrite yields an age of 4.530 plus or minus 0.005 billion years, using the measured U-238/U-235 ratio of 135.24 plus or minus .17. If the terrestrial U isotope composition is used, an age of 4.559 billion years is obtained. The Pb isotopic composition is distinctly different from that of a terrestrial contaminant found in the fusion crust of the Barwell stone. When the U-Th-Pb data are plotted on the concordia diagram, the data define a line that intersects the concordia curve at approximately 4.53 and 0 billion years, and nearly all of the data plot above the concordia curve, regardless of the initial Pb correction. This discordancy and the Pb isotopic composition of the triolite are attributed to a recent reequilibration of Pb and not to terrestrial contamination.

25th U.S. Department of Agriculture interagency research forum on invasive species [proceedings

Treesearch

Katherine A. McManus; Kurt W., comps Gottschalk

2014-01-01

This meeting was the 25th in a series of annual USDA Interagency Research Forums that are sponsored by the Forest Service, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, and Agriculture Research Service. The Group's original goal of fostering communication and providing a forum for the overview of ongoing research among the...

Single-Grain (U-Th)/He Ages of Phosphates from St. Severin Chondrite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Min, K. K.; Reiners, P. W.; Shuster, D. L.

2010-12-01

Thermal evolution of chondrites provides valuable information on the heat budget, internal structure and dimensions of their parent bodies once existed before disruption. St. Severin LL6 ordinary chondrite is known to have experienced relatively slow cooling compared to H chondrites. The timings of primary cooling and subsequent thermal metamorphism were constrained by U/Pb (4.55 Ga), Sm/Nd (4.55 Ga), Rb/Sr (4.51 Ga) and K/Ar (4.4 Ga) systems. However, cooling history after the thermal metamorphism in a low temperature range (<200 °C) is poorly understood. In order to constrain the low-T thermal history of this meteorite, we performed (1) single-grain (U-Th)/He dating for five chlorapatite and fourteen merrillite aggregates from St. Severin, (2) examination of textural and chemical features of the phosphate aggregates using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), and (3) proton-irradiation followed by 4He and 3He diffusion experiments for single grains of chlorapatite and merrillite from Guarena meteorite, for general characterization of He diffusivity in these major U-Th reservoirs in meteorites. The α-recoil-uncorrected ages from St. Severin are distributed in a wide range of 333 ± 6 Ma and 4620 ± 1307 Ma. The probability density plot of these data shows a typical younging-skewed age distribution with a prominent peak at ~ 4.3 Ga. The weighted mean of the nine oldest samples is 4.284 ± 0.130 Ga, which is consistent with the peak of the probability plot. The linear dimensions of the phosphates are generally in the range of ~50 µm to 200 µm. The α recoil correction factor (FT) based on the morphology of the phosphate yields improbably old ages (>4.6 Ga), suggesting that within the sample aggregates, significant amounts of the α particles ejected from phosphates were implanted into the adjacent phases and therefore that this correction may not be appropriate in this case. The minimum FT value of 0.95 is calculated based on the peak (U-Th)/He age and 40Ar/39Ar

Correlation consistent basis sets for actinides. I. The Th and U atoms

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Peterson, Kirk A., E-mail: kipeters@wsu.edu

New correlation consistent basis sets based on both pseudopotential (PP) and all-electron Douglas-Kroll-Hess (DKH) Hamiltonians have been developed from double- to quadruple-zeta quality for the actinide atoms thorium and uranium. Sets for valence electron correlation (5f6s6p6d), cc − pV nZ − PP and cc − pV nZ − DK3, as well as outer-core correlation (valence + 5s5p5d), cc − pwCV nZ − PP and cc − pwCV nZ − DK3, are reported (n = D, T, Q). The -PP sets are constructed in conjunction with small-core, 60-electron PPs, while the -DK3 sets utilized the 3rd-order Douglas-Kroll-Hess scalar relativistic Hamiltonian. Bothmore » series of basis sets show systematic convergence towards the complete basis set limit, both at the Hartree-Fock and correlated levels of theory, making them amenable to standard basis set extrapolation techniques. To assess the utility of the new basis sets, extensive coupled cluster composite thermochemistry calculations of ThF{sub n} (n = 2 − 4), ThO{sub 2}, and UF{sub n} (n = 4 − 6) have been carried out. After accurately accounting for valence and outer-core correlation, spin-orbit coupling, and even Lamb shift effects, the final 298 K atomization enthalpies of ThF{sub 4}, ThF{sub 3}, ThF{sub 2}, and ThO{sub 2} are all within their experimental uncertainties. Bond dissociation energies of ThF{sub 4} and ThF{sub 3}, as well as UF{sub 6} and UF{sub 5}, were similarly accurate. The derived enthalpies of formation for these species also showed a very satisfactory agreement with experiment, demonstrating that the new basis sets allow for the use of accurate composite schemes just as in molecular systems composed only of lighter atoms. The differences between the PP and DK3 approaches were found to increase with the change in formal oxidation state on the actinide atom, approaching 5-6 kcal/mol for the atomization enthalpies of ThF{sub 4} and ThO{sub 2}. The DKH3 atomization energy of ThO{sub 2} was calculated to be smaller than

Use of U and Th Decay-Series Disequilibrium to Characterize Geothermal Systems: An Example from the Coso Geothermal System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leslie, B. W.; Hammond, D.

2007-12-01

Uranium and thorium decay series isotopes were measured in fluids and solids in the Coso geothermal system to assess the utility and constrain the limitations of the radioisotopic approach to the investigation of rock-water interaction. Fluid radioisotope measurements indicate substantial kilometer-scale variability in chemistry. Between 1988 and 1990, radium isotope activity ratios indicate temporal variability, which is exhibited by apparent mixing relationships observed as a function of time for single wells. Activity ratios of Ra-224/Ra-226 and Ra- 228/Ra-226, and the processes that contribute and remove these radionuclide to and from the fluids, constrain residence times of fluids and may help constrain fluid velocities in the geothermal system. Activity ratios of Ra- 224/Ra-226 > ten were measured. In groundwater and geothermal systems ratios of Ra-224/Ra-226 > ten are limited to zones of thermal upwelling or very young (days to weeks) waters in mountainous areas. Rn-222 results indicate that radon is also an effective tracer for steam velocities within the geothermal system. Analysis of carbon dioxide and Rn-222 data indicates that the residence time of steam (time since separation from the liquid) is short (probably less than four days). Estimates of fluid velocities derived from Rn-222 and radium isotopic measurements are within an order of magnitude of velocities derived from a fluorescein tracer test. Both Rn-222 and Ra-224 activities are higher in single-phase fluids in the northwest as compared to the southeast, indicating a higher rock-surface-area/water-volume ratio in the northwest. Thus, measurements of short-lived radioisotopes and gaseous phase constituents can constrain processes and characteristics of geothermal systems that are usually difficult to constrain (e.g., surface area/volume, residence times). The NRC staff views expressed herein are preliminary and do not constitute a final judgment or determination of the matters addressed or of

Colloid-facilitated radionuclide transport: a regulatory perspective

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dam, W. L.; Pickett, D. A.; Codell, R. B.; Nicholson, T. J.

2001-12-01

What hydrogeologic-geochemical-microbial conditions and processes affect migration of radionuclides sorbed onto microparticles or native colloid-sized radionuclide particles? The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is responsible for protecting public health, safety, and the environment at numerous nuclear facilities including a potential high-level nuclear waste disposal site. To fulfill these obligations, NRC needs to understand the mechanisms controlling radionuclide release and transport and their importance to performance. The current focus of NRC staff reviews and technical interactions dealing with colloid-facilitated transport relates to the potential nuclear-waste repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. NRC staff performed bounding calculations to quantify radionuclide releases available for ground-water transport to potential receptors from a Yucca Mountain repository. Preliminary analyses suggest insignificant doses of plutonium and americium colloids could be derived from spent nuclear fuel. Using surface complexation models, NRC staff found that colloids can potentially lower actinide retardation factors by up to several orders of magnitude. Performance assessment calculations, in which colloidal transport of plutonium and americium was simulated by assuming no sorption or matrix diffusion, indicated no effect of colloids on human dose within the 10,000 year compliance period due largely to long waste-package lifetimes. NRC staff have identified information gaps and developed technical agreements with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to ensure sufficient information will be presented in any potential future Yucca Mountain license application. DOE has agreed to identify which radionuclides could be transported via colloids, incorporate uncertainties in colloid formation, release and transport parameters, and conceptual models, and address the applicability of field data using synthetic microspheres as colloid analogs. NRC is currently

Teneur en uranium et datation U-Th des tissus osseux et dentaires fossiles de la grotte du Lazaret

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Michel, Véronique; Falguères, Christophe; Yokoyama, Yuji

1997-09-01

Fossil bone and dental tissues from Lazaret cave and modern ones are here the subject of a comparative microscopical study. Porous tissues such as dentine and bone have retained their Haversian and Tomes canals respectively. However, cracked areas with calcite were detected, indicating a water percolation within porous tissues and an alteration of tissue in places. In addition, compact fossil enamel is particularly well preserved. These results are essential for U-Th and ESR dating application. Uranium contents, U-Th ages of two fossil mandibular tissues, two tibias and of six burnt fossil bones are presented and discussed.

Observations of 231Pa/ 235U disequilibrium in volcanic rocks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pickett, David A.; Murrell, Michael T.

1997-04-01

We present here the first survey of ( 231Pa/ 235U) ratios in volcanic rocks; such measurements are made possible by new mass spectrometric techniques. The data place new constraints on the timing and extent of magma source and evolutionary processes, particularly due to the sensitivity of the 231Pa- 235U pair and its intermediate time scale ( 231Pat 1/2 = 33 ky). ( 231Pa/ 235U) is found to vary widely, from 0.2 in carbonatites to 1.1-2.9 in basalts and 0.9-2.2 in arcs. Substantial Pa enrichment is nearly ubiquitous, suggestive of the relative incompatibility of Pa, qualitatively consistent with available partitioning data. The level of 231Pa- 235U disequilibrium typically far exceeds that of 230Th- 238U and is comparable to 226Ra- 230Th. The high ( 231Pa/ 235U) ratios in MORB and other basalts reflect a large degree of discrimination between two incompatible elements, posing challenges for modelling of melt generation and migration. Fundamental differences in ( 231Pa/ 235U) among different basaltic environments are likely related to contrasts in melting zone conditions (e.g., melting rate). Strong ( 231Pa/ 235U) disequilibria in continental basalts, for which ( 230Th/ 238U) disequilibria are small or absent, demonstrate that Pa-U fractionation is possible in both garnet and spinel mantle stability fields. In arcs, correlation of ( 231Pa/ 235U) and ( 230Th/ 238U) is consistent with U enrichment via slab-derived fluids, a process which is additional to the still dominant Pa enrichment. An important new constraint is provided by the observation that the near-equilibrium ( 230Th/ 238U) common to arcs and continental basalts is not typically accompanied by near-equilibrium ( 231Pa/ 235U), arguing against the influence of long magma history, crustal material, or equilibrium mantle sources in affecting decay-series ratios. Small sample sets from two silicic centers illustrate: (1) recent, rapid U enrichment in the magma chamber (El Chichón); and (2) the failure of