Detecting radioactive particles in complex environmental samples using real-time autoradiography
Journal
Scientific Reports
Journal Volume
14
Journal Issue
1
ISSN
2045-2322
Date Issued
2024-03-05
Author(s)
Ang, Joyce W. L.
Bongrand, Arthur
Duval, Samuel
Donnard, Jérôme
Jolis, Ester M.
Minomo, Kenta
Koivula, Risto
Siitari-Kauppi, Marja
Law, Gareth T. W.
Abstract
Radioactive particles often contain very high radioactivity concentrations and are widespread. They pose a potential risk to human health and the environment. Their detection, quantification, and characterization are crucial if we are to understand their impact. Here, we present the use of a real-time autoradiography gaseous detector (using parallel ionization multiplier) to expedite and improve the accuracy of radioactive particle screening in complex environmental samples. First, standard particles were used to assess the detector capabilities (spatial resolution, spectrometry, and artefact contributions), then, we applied the technique to more complex and environmentally relevant samples. The real-time autoradiography technique provides data with a spatial resolution (≲100 µm) suitable for particle analysis in complex samples. Further, it can differentiate between particles predominantly emitting alpha and beta radiation. Here, the technique is applied to radioactive cesium-rich microparticles collected from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear exclusion zone, showing their accurate detection, and demonstrating the viability of real-time autoradiography in environmental scenarios. Indeed, for more complex samples (radioactive particles in a less radioactive heterogeneous background mix of minerals), the technique permits relatively high selectivity for radioactive particle screening (up to 61.2% success rate) with low false positive percentages (~ 1%).
Subjects
cesium
mineral
article
autoradiography
beta radiation
controlled study
human
ionization
radioactivity
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Type
journal article