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A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 May 2026 | Viewed by 3969

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Dr. Ileana Radulescu

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Department of Life and Environmental Physics (DFVM), Horia Hulubei National Institute for Physics and Nuclear Engineering, 30 Reactorului Street, 077125 Magurele, Romania
Interests: gamma spectrometry; gross alpha-beta; radon
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Alina Catrinel Ion

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Department of Analytical Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnologies, National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest, 1-7 Polizu Str., 011061 Bucharest, Romania
Interests: environmental pollutants; remediation; degradation mechanisms; adsorbent materials; bioremediation
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue aims to highlight recent advancements in environmental monitoring techniques and radiation protection strategies. It covers innovative methodologies for detecting and assessing environmental pollutants, radiological hazards, and their impact on ecosystems and human health. Topics of interest include cutting-edge sensor technologies, remote sensing applications, data-driven modeling approaches, and risk assessment frameworks for radiation exposure. Additionally, this issue explores regulatory developments, mitigation strategies, and best practices in radiation safety across various sectors, including nuclear energy, medical applications, and industrial processes. Contributions addressing emerging challenges, such as climate change-driven radiological risks and novel remediation techniques, are particularly encouraged. This Special Issue welcomes original research, reviews, and case studies that enhance scientific understanding and policy development in environmental monitoring and radiation protection.

Dr. Ileana Radulescu
Prof. Dr. Alina Catrinel Ion
Guest Editors

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Keywords

environmental monitoring
radiation protection
risk assessment

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 5118 KB

Open AccessArticle

Study on an Evaluation Method for Vehicle Residual Nuclear Radiation Protection Performance Based on an Equivalent Model

by Yu Wang, Peng Cheng, Wuyun Xiao, Hongzhao Zhou, Chongwei Li, Xian Guan and Tao Sun

Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(9), 4569; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16094569 (registering DOI) - 6 May 2026

Abstract

After the global cessation of nuclear tests, there is a lack of experimental methods and conditions for evaluating the residual nuclear radiation protection performance of vehicles. To address this, this paper proposes a vehicle residual nuclear radiation protection performance evaluation method based on an equivalent model. Using a certain type of vehicle as the research sample, the theoretical model for calculating the internal dose rate of the vehicle is first applied to determine the equivalent surface source radius of an infinitely large residual nuclear radiation field. A Monte Carlo simulation model of the vehicle is then established to obtain the residual nuclear radiation protection factors for each surface of the vehicle’s outer shell, which forms the basis for designing an equivalent model for residual nuclear radiation protection performance testing. Finally, a point radiation source is used to simulate the residual nuclear radiation field and conduct experimental testing on the equivalent model, in order to obtain the residual nuclear radiation protection factors. The experimental results show that this method can measure the residual nuclear radiation protection factor of vehicles in a laboratory environment, and provide technical support for the evaluation of the residual nuclear radiation protection performance of any type of vehicle. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Environmental Monitoring and Radiation Protection)

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15 pages, 2396 KB

Open AccessArticle

Three-Dimensional Visualization of the Scattered Radiation Sources and Evaluation of Radiation Protection Measures in Cardiac Angiography

by Natsumi Kamochi, Toshioh Fujibuchi, Donghee Han and Hitoshi Miyazaki

Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(3), 1405; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16031405 - 29 Jan 2026

Viewed by 543

Abstract

Physicians performing cardiac angiography are exposed to scattered radiation originating from the patient, and visualizing scattered radiation sources could help optimize radiation protection strategies. In this study, an existing scattered radiation source visualization system comprising a high-sensitivity CMOS camera, thallium-activated cesium iodide scintillator, and pinhole collimator was extended to incorporate a depth camera and employed to visualize scattered radiation sources in three dimensions under conditions simulating clinical cardiac angiography. Scattered radiation source images were captured using a patient phantom under multiple irradiation directions of a biplane angiography system, and changes in the images and dose rate reaching the system were evaluated with and without radiation protection equipment and for various ceiling-mounted radiation shielding positions. The scattered radiation source was visualized on the patient phantom surface for a 5-s exposure in three-dimensional images and was observed around the X-ray tube in one direction. Radiation protection equipment reduced both the scattered radiation source intensity and dose rate. The greatest reduction occurred when the ceiling-mounted radiation shielding was positioned near the physician. Irradiation at caudal angles caused the highest increase in scattered radiation source intensity and dose rate. These findings suggest that this system can support the optimization of radiation protection practices and education. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Environmental Monitoring and Radiation Protection)

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19 pages, 2310 KB

Open AccessArticle

Study on Geometric Scattering Effects Correction for Precise Estimation of Fast Neutron Shielding in Polyethylene Materials

by Yuxin Lei, Peng Xu, Changbing Lu, Yu Wang and Wangtao Yu

Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(3), 1345; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16031345 - 28 Jan 2026

Viewed by 400

Abstract

Fast neutron shielding is a critical component of radiation protection design. Conventional exponential attenuation models based on the narrow-beam (beam approximation) assumption often exhibit large deviations in realistic geometries because they neglect the contribution of scattered neutrons—an effect that becomes particularly prominent for thick hydrogenous shields such as polyethylene. To improve the accuracy of rapid shielding estimates, this study systematically investigates how the “source–shield–detector” geometric configuration influences fast neutron scattering in polyethylene. To overcome the limited adaptability of traditional build-up factor corrections in complex geometries, we propose a physics-informed scattering correction (SC) model. By introducing key geometric parameters—source-to-shield distance, shield thickness, and detector distance—the model dynamically modifies the classical exponential attenuation formulation and analytically integrates the scattered-neutron contribution to the detector flux. Validation against 70 representative geometric configurations simulated with the Monte Carlo code Geant4 shows that the proposed model reduces the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) from approximately 54% for the exponential attenuation model to approximately 20%, effectively addressing severe flux underestimation in moderately thick shielding cases (5–20 cm). The results provide a practical and reliable tool, as well as a semi-empirical theoretical basis, for fast and accurate engineering estimation of polyethylene-based fast neutron shielding. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Environmental Monitoring and Radiation Protection)

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13 pages, 400 KB

Open AccessArticle

Energy-Dependent Neutron Emission in Medical Cyclotrons: Differences Between ¹⁸F and ¹¹C and Implications for Radiation Protection

by Teresa Jakubowska and Michał Biegała

Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(22), 11946; https://doi.org/10.3390/app152211946 - 10 Nov 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1100

Abstract

This study investigates neutron radiation sources in medical cyclotrons used for PET isotope production, focusing on differences between ¹⁸F and ¹¹C. Neutron and gamma dose rates were measured in the bunker and operator control room during routine production with an 11 MeV Eclipse cyclotron. ¹⁸F production generated approximately 2.5 times higher neutron levels in the bunker than ¹¹C. Shielding performance also varied: the same wall reduced neutron fluxes by factors of k_F = 14,000 for ¹⁸F and k_C = 86,000 for ¹¹C, while gamma shielding was similar for both isotopes (k_γ ≈ 28,000). However, the neutron shielding factor calculated from the data for ¹⁸F should be taken as k_F ≥ 1.4 × 10⁴, because several neutron readings reached the upper limit of the detector range, which indicates a partial underestimation of the dose in the bunker. Consequently, neutron levels in the control room during ¹⁸F production were about 15-fold higher than during ¹¹C production. These differences result from distinct neutron generation mechanisms. The ¹⁸O(p,n)¹⁸F reaction produces primary neutrons with a Maxwellian spectrum (~2.5 MeV), while ¹¹C neutrons arise solely from secondary interactions in structural materials. The findings emphasize the need for composite shielding adapted to isotope-specific spectra. Annual dose estimates (260 ¹⁸F and 52 ¹¹C productions) showed neutron exposure (3.78 mSv/year, 57%) exceeded gamma exposure (2.82 mSv/year, 43%). The total dose of 6.6 mSv/year is ~33% of regulatory limits, supporting compliance but underscoring the need for dedicated neutron dosimetry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Environmental Monitoring and Radiation Protection)

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24 pages, 5303 KB

Open AccessArticle

Preliminary Documentation and Radon Tracer Studies at a Tourist Mining Heritage Site in Poland’s Old Copper Basin: A Case Study of the “Aurelia” Gold Mine

by Lidia Fijałkowska-Lichwa and Damian Kasza

Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(17), 9743; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15179743 - 4 Sep 2025

Viewed by 1119

Abstract

This study presents the results of preliminary documentation and radon tracer investigations conducted at the “Aurelia” Mine in Złotoryja. Measurements of ²²²Rn activity concentrations were carried out between 17 March and 26 August 2023, while terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) for mapping purposes was performed on 16 November 2024. The radon data exhibited a consistently right-skewed distribution, with skewness coefficients ranging from 0.9 to 8.2 and substantial standard deviations, indicating significant data dispersion. Outliers and extreme outliers were identified as key factors influencing average radon activity concentrations from April through August, whereas data from March displayed homogeneity, with no detected anomalies. The average ²²²Rn activity concentrations recorded from March to July ranged from 51.4 Bq/m³ to 65.9 Bq/m³. In contrast, July and August showed elevated average values (75.8 Bq/m³ and 5784.8 Bq/m³, respectively) due to the presence of outliers and extreme values. Upon removal of these anomalies, the adjusted means were 73.8 Bq/m³ and 1003.6 Bq/m³, respectively, resulting in reduced skewness and improved representativeness. These findings suggest that the annual average radon concentrations at the “Aurelia” Mine remain compliant with the regulatory threshold of 300 Bq/m³ set by the Atomic Law Act, with exceedances likely related to atypical or rare geophysical phenomena requiring further statistical validation. August exhibited a significant occurrence of outliers and extreme outliers in ²²²Rn activity concentration data, particularly concentrated between the 13th and 17th days of the month. This anomaly is hypothesized to be associated with geological processes, notably mining-induced seismic events within the LGOM (Legnica–Głogów Copper District) region. It is proposed that periodic transitions between tensional and compressional phases within the rock mass, triggered by mining activity, may lead to abrupt increases in radon exhalation, potentially occurring before or after seismic events with a magnitude exceeding 2.5. Although the presented data provide preliminary evidence supporting the influence of tectonic kinematic changes on subsurface radon dynamics, further systematic observations are required to confirm this relationship. At the current stage, the hypothesis remains speculative but may contribute to the broader understanding of radon behavior in geologically active underground environments. Complementing the geochemical analysis, TLS enabled detailed geological mapping and 3D spatial modeling of the mine’s underground tourist infrastructure. The resulting simplified linked data model—integrating radon activity concentrations, geological structures, and spatial parameters—provides a foundational framework for developing a comprehensive GIS database. This integrative approach highlights the feasibility of combining tracer studies with spatial and cartographic data to improve radon risk assessment models and ensure regulatory compliance in underground occupational settings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Environmental Monitoring and Radiation Protection)

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