High energy X-ray microscopy for characterisation of fuel particles

Salbu, Brit; Krekling, Trygve; Lind, Ole Christian; Oughton, Deborah; Drakopoulos, Michael; Simionovici, Alexandre; Snigireva, Irina; Snigirev, A.; Weitkamp, Timm; Adams, F.; Janssens, Koen; Kashparov, V.

doi:10.1016/s0168-9002(01)00641-6

Cited by 85 publications

(55 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…2), typical of uranyl compounds, and a crystalline structure (Fig. 3) which was quite different from all DU particles observed in Kosovo and other sites in Kuwait, as well as from that of U particles released during the Chernobyl accident (Salbu et al, 1998(Salbu et al, , 2001(Salbu et al, , 2004b. XANES spectra of these particles were similar to solid uranyl standards.…”

Section: Identification and Characterisationmentioning

confidence: 77%

Characterisation of DU Particles from Kosovo and Kuwait

Lind¹,

Salbu²,

Janssens

et al. 2009

Radioactive Particles in the Environment

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Large amounts of DU material has been released to the environment in Kosovo and Kuwait due to the use of depleted uranium (DU) ammunition during the 1991 Gulf war and the 1999 Balkan conflict. Following the impact of metallic DU penetrators on solid targets, DU particles are dispersed and ignited, and uranium in the particles is oxidized. Following inhalation or ingestion of DU particles, the amount of DU that is absorbed into the blood and distributed to tissues and organs will largely depend on the particle size distribution and associated weathering rates (solubility) both in the respiratory system as well as the GI tract. Particle weathering rates are related to particle characteristics such as specific surface area, size distribution, elemental composition, U oxidation states and crystallographic structure.In order to improve the basis for health impact assessments related to contamination of DU in Ceja Mountains, Kosovo and Al Doha, Um Al Kwaty as well as Manageesh Oil fields in Kuwait, DU particles originating from these sites have been isolated and characterised in detail using advanced analytical techniques. Information on particle size, surface structure and surface elemental distribution were obtained by means of electron microscopy, whereas elemental distribution, oxidation state and crystallographic structure of U were determined using synchrotron radiation (SR) based x-ray microscopic techniques. Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) and Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) were employed to obtain U isotope ratios for source identification purposes.Characteristics of DU particles in soil/sand from Kosovo and Kuwait contaminated during the Balkan conflict and Gulf war varied significantly depending on the release scenario. Atom ratios ( 236 U/ 235 U) obtained from ICP-MS and AMS varied between individual particles, but demonstrated that U in the DU-particles originated from reprocessed fuel. The bright yellow, highly oxidised DU particles associated with a fire in a DU ammunition storage facility showed a wide particle size distribution; from submicron to several O.C. LIND ET AL. 58 hundred micrometers. Furthermore, the micro-XRD signals closely resembled those of schoepite, dehydrated schoepite and metaschoepite. DU in sand samples contaminated with these particles is expected to dissolve quite rapidly in biological fluids. In contrast, the potential mobility of smaller and less oxidised DU particles, originating from the corrosion of DU penetrators or collected in tanks hit by DU ammunition should be significantly lower. The presence of respiratory DU particles where U is more oxidised than UO 2 , and exhibiting high weathering rates, reflects that DU particles are potentially more bioavailable than natural uranium. Thus, environmental or health impact assessments for areas affected by DU ammunitions should take into account oxidation states, their corresponding weathering rates and the subsequent mobilisation of U from oxidized DU particles.

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Section: Identification and Characterisationmentioning

confidence: 77%

Characterisation of DU Particles from Kosovo and Kuwait

Lind¹,

Salbu²,

Janssens

et al. 2009

Radioactive Particles in the Environment

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“…Using solid-state speciation techniques, e.g. synchrotron radiation (SR) X-ray microscopic techniques, information on 2D or 3D distribution of elements within particles (X-ray absorption/fluorescence), crystallographic structures (micro-X-ray diffraction) and oxidation states of matrix elements (micro-X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy, µ-XANES) can be obtained [6].…”

Section: Methods Applied For the Characterisation Of Particlesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Radioactive particles released from various nuclear sources

Salbu¹,

Lind²

2005

Radioprotection

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Abstract. Radionuclides released to the environment may be present in different physico-chemical forms, ranging from ionic species to colloids, particles and fragments. Following releases during nuclear events such as nuclear weapon tests or use of depleted uranium munitions, and from nuclear accidents associated with explosions or fires, radionuclides such as uranium and plutonium are predominantly present as particles, mainly fuel particles. Similarly, radioactive particles are present in effluents from reprocessing facilities, and radioactive particles are observed in sediments in the close vicinity of radioactive waste dumped at sea. Thus, releases of radioactive particles occur far more often than earlier anticipated.Soils and sediments can act as a sink for colloids, particles and fragments, while contaminated soils and sediments may also act as a potential diffuse source, depending on particle characteristics and processes influencing particle weathering and remobilisation of associated radionuclides. To assess long-term impact from radioactive particle contamination, information on the source term is essential, i.e. activity concentrations and isotopic ratios as well as the particle size distribution, crystallographic structures and oxidation states influencing particle weathering rates and the subsequent mobilisation and biological uptake of associated radionuclides. The activity concentrations and the isotopic ratios will be source dependant, while particle characteristics will also reflect the release scenario, dispersion processes and deposition conditions. The present paper will summarise information on various nuclear sources summarise having released radioactive particles in the past.

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“…As discussed above, radioactive particles present in the environment are unevenly distributed and often contain a significant fraction of the bulk sample activity. For particle contaminated areas, estimated inventories, impact and risk assessments can therefore be underestimated (Bunzl, K. 1997;Kashparov et al, 1999;Salbu et al, 1998Salbu et al, , 2001Salbu B. 2000).…”

Section: Source Term and Inventory Estimatesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sources and Types of Uncertainties Associated with Radioactive Particles

Oughton¹,

Salbu²

2009

Radioactive Particles in the Environment

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Abstract:The environmental release of radionuclides associated with hot particles is more frequent than commonly recognised, and should also be expected in future nuclear events. Hence the presence of radioactive particles can be expected to influence the environmental impact and risk assessments associated with contaminated areas. This paper addresses the different types of uncertainty arising from hot particles. The first part considers the different categories and dimensions of uncertainty, and the second part illustrates the way that hot particles can impact on the source term, transfer, and biological effects of radionuclides. While it is certainly not the case that increased knowledge will always result in reduced uncertainty (for example the presence of hot particles can lead to greater variability in parameters), it should be clear that assessments will benefit greatly from a better understanding of the way hot particles can impact on the behaviour of radionuclides in the environment.

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High energy X-ray microscopy for characterisation of fuel particles

Cited by 85 publications

References 6 publications

Characterisation of DU Particles from Kosovo and Kuwait

Characterisation of DU Particles from Kosovo and Kuwait

Radioactive particles released from various nuclear sources

Sources and Types of Uncertainties Associated with Radioactive Particles

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