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Search Results (830)

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Keywords = isotopes production

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27 pages, 1491 KiB  
Article
Spent Nuclear Fuel—Waste to Resource, Part 1: Effects of Post-Reactor Cooling Time and Novel Partitioning Strategies in Advanced Reprocessing on Highly Active Waste Volumes in Gen III(+) UOx Fuel Systems
by Alistair F. Holdsworth, Edmund Ireland and Harry Eccles
J. Nucl. Eng. 2025, 6(3), 29; https://doi.org/10.3390/jne6030029 - 5 Aug 2025
Abstract
Some of nuclear power’s primary detractors are the unique environmental challenges and impacts of radioactive wastes generated during fuel cycle operations. Key benefits of spent fuel reprocessing (SFR) are reductions in primary high active waste (HAW) masses, volumes, and lengths of radiotoxicity at [...] Read more.
Some of nuclear power’s primary detractors are the unique environmental challenges and impacts of radioactive wastes generated during fuel cycle operations. Key benefits of spent fuel reprocessing (SFR) are reductions in primary high active waste (HAW) masses, volumes, and lengths of radiotoxicity at the expense of secondary waste generation and high capital and operational costs. By employing advanced waste management and resource recovery concepts in SFR beyond the existing standard PUREX process, such as minor actinide and fission product partitioning, these challenges could be mitigated, alongside further reductions in HAW volumes, masses, and duration of radiotoxicity. This work assesses various current and proposed SFR and fuel cycle options as base cases, with further options for fission product partitioning of the high heat radionuclides (HHRs), rare earths, and platinum group metals investigated. A focus on primary waste outputs and the additional energy that could be generated by the reprocessing of high-burnup PWR fuel from Gen III(+) reactors using a simple fuel cycle model is used; the effects of 5- and 10-year spent fuel cooling times before reprocessing are explored. We demonstrate that longer cooling times are preferable in all cases except where short-lived isotope recovery may be desired, and that the partitioning of high-heat fission products (Cs and Sr) could allow for the reclassification of traditional raffinates to intermediate level waste. Highly active waste volume reductions approaching 50% vs. PUREX raffinate could be achieved in single-target partitioning of the inactive and low-activity rare earth elements, and the need for geological disposal could potentially be mitigated completely if HHRs are separated and utilised. Full article
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23 pages, 7821 KiB  
Article
The Multiple Stages of Regional Triassic Crustal Reworking in Eastern Tianshan, NW China: Evidence from the Xigebi Area
by Ming Wei, Haiquan Li, Wenxiao Zhou, Mahemuti Muredili, Ernest Chi Fru and Thomas Sheldrick
Minerals 2025, 15(8), 829; https://doi.org/10.3390/min15080829 - 4 Aug 2025
Abstract
The eastern Tianshan region in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) is characterized by multiple complex tectonic activity of uncertain historical contribution to the construction of the CAOB. This study utilizes a multi-proxy geochemical approach to characterize I-type monzogranite pluton rocks and their [...] Read more.
The eastern Tianshan region in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) is characterized by multiple complex tectonic activity of uncertain historical contribution to the construction of the CAOB. This study utilizes a multi-proxy geochemical approach to characterize I-type monzogranite pluton rocks and their associated hornblende-rich dioritic enclaves to decipher the tectonic and magmatic evolution of the Xigebi area, eastern Tianshan. Zircon geochronology indicates a Triassic and Permian crystallization age of ca. 224.2 ± 1.7 Ma and ca. 268.3 ± 3.0 Ma for the host monzogranites and the dioritic enclaves, respectively. Major, trace and rare earth element distribution, together with Hf isotope systematics displaying noticeable positive εHf(t) anomalies for both rock types, point to partial melting of meta-mafic rocks in an intraplate extensional setting. The diorite was formed by the melting of lower crustal meta-igneous rocks mixed with mantle melts, and the monzogranite, predominantly from deep crustal meta-basalts contaminated by shallow metasedimentary rocks, with some degree of mixing with deeply sourced mantle magma. While both the host monzogranites and their dioritic enclaves are the products of upwelling magma, the younger Triassic monzogranites captured and preserved fragments of the dioritic Permian lower continental crust during crystallization. These multiple stages of magmatic underplating and crustal reworking associated with vertical stratification of the juvenile paleo-continental crust suggest the monzogranites and diorites indicate a change from a post-collisional setting to a regional intraplate regime on the southern margin of the CAOB. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Mineral Geochemistry and Geochronology)
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25 pages, 5978 KiB  
Review
Global Research Trends on the Role of Soil Erosion in Carbon Cycling Under Climate Change: A Bibliometric Analysis (1994–2024)
by Yongfu Li, Xiao Zhang, Yang Zhao, Xiaolin Yin, Xiong Wu and Liping Su
Atmosphere 2025, 16(8), 934; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16080934 (registering DOI) - 4 Aug 2025
Abstract
Against the backdrop of multifaceted strategies to combat climate change, understanding soil erosion’s role in carbon cycling is critical due to terrestrial carbon pool vulnerability. This study integrates bibliometric methods with visualization tools (CiteSpace, VOSviewer) to analyze 3880 Web of Science core publications [...] Read more.
Against the backdrop of multifaceted strategies to combat climate change, understanding soil erosion’s role in carbon cycling is critical due to terrestrial carbon pool vulnerability. This study integrates bibliometric methods with visualization tools (CiteSpace, VOSviewer) to analyze 3880 Web of Science core publications (1994–2024, inclusive), constructing knowledge graphs and forecasting trends. The results show exponential publication growth, shifting from slow development (1994–2011) to rapid expansion (2012–2024), aligning with international climate policy milestones. The Chinese Academy of Sciences led productivity (519 articles), while the US demonstrated major influence (H-index 117; 52,297 citations), creating a China–US bipolar research pattern. It was also found that Dutch journals dominate this research field. A keyword analysis revealed a shift from erosion-driven carbon transport to ecosystem service assessments. Emerging hotspots include microbial community regulation, climate–erosion feedback, and model–policy integration, though developing country collaboration remains limited. Future research should prioritize isotope tracing, multiscale modeling, and studies in ecologically vulnerable regions to enhance global soil carbon management. This study provides a novel analytical framework and forward-looking perspective for the soil erosion research on soil carbon cycling, serving as an extension of climate change mitigation strategies. Full article
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14 pages, 2597 KiB  
Article
Chemical and Isotopic Investigation of Abiotic Oxidation of Lactate Substrate in the Presence of Varied Electron Acceptors and Under Circumneutral Anaerobic Conditions
by Tsigabu A. Gebrehiwet and R. V. Krishnamurthy
Water 2025, 17(15), 2308; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17152308 - 3 Aug 2025
Viewed by 210
Abstract
Abiotic processes have ramifications in wastewater treatment, in situ degradation of organic matter, and cycling of nutrients in wetland ecosystems. Experiments were conducted to investigate abiotic oxidation of organic compounds (lactate) as a function of electron acceptors (ferric citrate and hydrous ferric oxide [...] Read more.
Abiotic processes have ramifications in wastewater treatment, in situ degradation of organic matter, and cycling of nutrients in wetland ecosystems. Experiments were conducted to investigate abiotic oxidation of organic compounds (lactate) as a function of electron acceptors (ferric citrate and hydrous ferric oxide (HFO), media composition, and pH under anaerobic conditions, using sodium bicarbonate as the buffering agent. Dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) was used as a proxy for the oxidation of substrates. HFO media generated more DIC compared to ferric citrate containing media. Light and pH had major roles in the oxidation of lactate in the presence of ferric iron. Under dark conditions in the presence or absence of Fe(III), the DIC produced was low in all pH conditions. Inhibition of DIC production was also observed upon photo exposure when Fe (III) was absent. Isotopically, the system showed initial mixing between the bicarbonate and the carbon dioxide produced from oxidation later being dominated by carbon isotope value of lactate used. These redox conditions align with previous studies suggesting cleavage of organic compounds by hydroxyl radicals. The slower redox processes observed here, compared to previous studies, could be due to the scavenging effect of chloride ion on the hydroxyl radical. Full article
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23 pages, 4589 KiB  
Review
The Novel Achievements in Oncological Metabolic Radio-Therapy: Isotope Technologies, Targeted Theranostics, Translational Oncology Research
by Elena V. Uspenskaya, Ainaz Safdari, Denis V. Antonov, Iuliia A. Valko, Ilaha V. Kazimova, Aleksey A. Timofeev and Roman A. Zubarev
Med. Sci. 2025, 13(3), 107; https://doi.org/10.3390/medsci13030107 - 1 Aug 2025
Viewed by 199
Abstract
Background/Objectives. This manuscript presents an overview of advances in oncological radiotherapy as an effective treatment method for cancerous tumors, focusing on mechanisms of action within metabolite–antimetabolite systems. The urgency of this topic is underscored by the fact that cancer remains one of the [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives. This manuscript presents an overview of advances in oncological radiotherapy as an effective treatment method for cancerous tumors, focusing on mechanisms of action within metabolite–antimetabolite systems. The urgency of this topic is underscored by the fact that cancer remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide: as of 2022, approximately 20 million new cases were diagnosed globally, accounting for about 0.25% of the total population. Given prognostic models predicting a steady increase in cancer incidence to 35 million cases by 2050, there is an urgent need for the latest developments in physics, chemistry, molecular biology, pharmacy, and strict adherence to oncological vigilance. The purpose of this work is to demonstrate the relationship between the nature and mechanisms of past diagnostic and therapeutic oncology approaches, their current improvements, and future prospects. Particular emphasis is placed on isotope technologies in the production of therapeutic nuclides, focusing on the mechanisms of formation of simple and complex theranostic compounds and their classification according to target specificity. Methods. The methodology involved searching, selecting, and analyzing information from PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, as well as from available official online sources over the past 20 years. The search was structured around the structure–mechanism–effect relationship of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). The manuscript, including graphic materials, was prepared using a narrative synthesis method. Results. The results present a sequential analysis of materials related to isotope technology, particularly nucleus stability and instability. An explanation of theranostic principles enabled a detailed description of the action mechanisms of radiopharmaceuticals on various receptors within the metabolite–antimetabolite system using specific drug models. Attention is also given to radioactive nanotheranostics, exemplified by the mechanisms of action of radioactive nanoparticles such as Tc-99m, AuNPs, wwAgNPs, FeNPs, and others. Conclusions. Radiotheranostics, which combines the diagnostic properties of unstable nuclei with therapeutic effects, serves as an effective adjunctive and/or independent method for treating cancer patients. Despite the emergence of resistance to both chemotherapy and radiotherapy, existing nuclide resources provide protection against subsequent tumor metastasis. However, given the unfavorable cancer incidence prognosis over the next 25 years, the development of “preventive” drugs is recommended. Progress in this area will be facilitated by modern medical knowledge and a deeper understanding of ligand–receptor interactions to trigger apoptosis in rapidly proliferating cells. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Section Cancer and Cancer-Related Diseases)
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23 pages, 1268 KiB  
Article
Combining Stable Isotope Labeling and Candidate Substrate–Product Pair Networks Reveals Lignan, Oligolignol, and Chicoric Acid Biosynthesis in Flax Seedlings (Linum usitatissimum L.)
by Benjamin Thiombiano, Ahlam Mentag, Manon Paniez, Romain Roulard, Paulo Marcelo, François Mesnard and Rebecca Dauwe
Plants 2025, 14(15), 2371; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14152371 - 1 Aug 2025
Viewed by 183
Abstract
Functional foods like flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) are rich sources of specialized metabolites that contribute to their nutritional and health-promoting properties. Understanding the biosynthesis of these compounds is essential for improving their quality and potential applications. However, dissecting complex metabolic networks in [...] Read more.
Functional foods like flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) are rich sources of specialized metabolites that contribute to their nutritional and health-promoting properties. Understanding the biosynthesis of these compounds is essential for improving their quality and potential applications. However, dissecting complex metabolic networks in plants remains challenging due to the dynamic nature and interconnectedness of biosynthetic pathways. In this study, we present a synergistic approach combining stable isotopic labeling (SIL), Candidate Substrate–Product Pair (CSPP) networks, and a time-course study with high temporal resolution to reveal the biosynthetic fluxes shaping phenylpropanoid metabolism in young flax seedlings. By feeding the seedlings with 13C3-p-coumaric acid and isolating isotopically labeled metabolization products prior to the construction of CSPP networks, the biochemical validity of the connections in the network was supported by SIL, independent of spectral similarity or abundance correlation. This method, in combination with multistage mass spectrometry (MSn), allowed confident structural proposals of lignans, neolignans, and hydroxycinnamic acid conjugates, including the presence of newly identified chicoric acid and related tartaric acid esters in flax. High-resolution time-course analyses revealed successive waves of metabolite formation, providing insights into distinct biosynthetic fluxes toward lignans and early lignification intermediates. No evidence was found here for the involvement of chlorogenic or caftaric acid intermediates in chicoric acid biosynthesis in flax, as has been described in other species. Instead, our findings suggest that in flax seedlings, chicoric acid is synthesized through successive hydroxylation steps of p-coumaroyl tartaric acid esters. This work demonstrates the power of combining SIL and CSPP strategies to uncover novel metabolic routes and highlights the nutritional potential of flax sprouts rich in chicoric acid. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Plant Physiology and Metabolism)
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26 pages, 8845 KiB  
Article
Occurrence State and Genesis of Large Particle Marcasite in a Thick Coal Seam of the Zhundong Coalfield in Xinjiang
by Xue Wu, Ning Lü, Shuo Feng, Wenfeng Wang, Jijun Tian, Xin Li and Hayerhan Xadethan
Minerals 2025, 15(8), 816; https://doi.org/10.3390/min15080816 - 31 Jul 2025
Viewed by 176
Abstract
The Junggar Basin contains a large amount of coal resources and is an important coal production base in China. The coal seam in Zhundong coalfield has a large single-layer thickness and high content of inertinite, but large particle Fe-sulphide minerals are associated with [...] Read more.
The Junggar Basin contains a large amount of coal resources and is an important coal production base in China. The coal seam in Zhundong coalfield has a large single-layer thickness and high content of inertinite, but large particle Fe-sulphide minerals are associated with coal seams in some mining areas. A series of economic and environmental problems caused by the combustion of large-grained Fe-sulphide minerals in coal have seriously affected the economic, clean and efficient utilization of coal. In this paper, the ultra-thick coal seam of the Xishanyao formation in the Yihua open-pit mine of the Zhundong coalfield is taken as the research object. Through the analysis of coal quality, X-ray fluorescence spectrometer test of major elements in coal, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry test of trace elements, SEM-Raman identification of Fe-sulphide minerals in coal and LA-MC-ICP-MS test of sulfur isotope of marcasite, the coal quality characteristics, main and trace element characteristics, macro and micro occurrence characteristics of Fe-sulphide minerals and sulfur isotope characteristics of marcasite in the ultra-thick coal seam of the Xishanyao formation are tested. On this basis, the occurrence state and genesis of large particle Fe-sulphide minerals in the ultra-thick coal seam of the Xishanyao formation are clarified. The main results and understandings are as follows: (1) the occurrence state of Fe-sulphide minerals in extremely thick coal seams is clarified. The Fe-sulphide minerals in the extremely thick coal seam are mainly marcasite, and concentrated in the YH-2, YH-3, YH-8, YH-9, YH-14, YH-15 and YH-16 horizons. Macroscopically, Fe-sulphide minerals mainly occur in three forms: thin film Fe-sulphide minerals, nodular Fe-sulphide minerals, and disseminated Fe-sulphide minerals. Microscopically, they mainly occur in four forms: flake, block, spearhead, and crack filling. (2) The difference in sulfur isotope of marcasite was discussed, and the formation period of marcasite was preliminarily divided. The overall variation range of the δ34S value of marcasite is wide, and the extreme values are quite different. The polyflake marcasite was formed in the early stage of diagenesis and the δ34S value was negative, while the fissure filling marcasite was formed in the late stage of diagenesis and the δ34S value was positive. (3) The coal quality characteristics of the thick coal seam were analyzed. The organic components in the thick coal seam are mainly inertinite, and the inorganic components are mainly clay minerals and marcasite. (4) The difference between the element content in the thick coal seam of the Zhundong coalfield and the average element content of Chinese coal was compared. The major element oxides in the thick coal seam are mainly CaO and MgO, followed by SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3 and Na2O. Li, Ga, Ba, U and Th are enriched in trace elements. (5) The coal-accumulating environment characteristics of the extremely thick coal seam are revealed. The whole thick coal seam is formed in an acidic oxidation environment, and the horizon with Fe-sulphide minerals is in an acidic reduction environment. The acidic reduction environment is conducive to the formation of marcasite and is not conducive to the formation of pyrite. (6) There are many matrix vitrinite, inertinite content, clay content, and terrigenous debris in the extremely thick coal seam. The good supply of peat swamp, suitable reduction environment and pH value, as well as groundwater leaching and infiltration, together cause the occurrence of large-grained Fe-sulphide minerals in the extremely thick coal seam of the Xishanyao formation in the Zhundong coalfield. Full article
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18 pages, 1800 KiB  
Article
Chemometric Evaluation of Official and Advanced Methods for Detecting Olive Oil Authenticity in Canned Tuna
by Marjeta Mencin, Milena Bučar-Miklavčič, Maja Podgornik and Nives Ogrinc
Foods 2025, 14(15), 2667; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14152667 - 29 Jul 2025
Viewed by 251
Abstract
This study evaluated the authenticity of olive oil in canned tuna products from the Slovenian market using both official methods, including fatty acid (FA) profiling, determination of the equivalent carbon number difference (ΔECN42), and sterol analysis, and an advanced method: stable carbon isotope [...] Read more.
This study evaluated the authenticity of olive oil in canned tuna products from the Slovenian market using both official methods, including fatty acid (FA) profiling, determination of the equivalent carbon number difference (ΔECN42), and sterol analysis, and an advanced method: stable carbon isotope analysis (δ13C) of FAs obtained through compound-specific isotope analysis (CSIA). Results from both methods confirmed that all 10 samples were authentic, as per the limits set by EU Regulation 2022/2104 and supported by the scientific literature. Method performance was further evaluated by adulterating the olive oil from the canned tuna with 5–20% vegetable oil (VO) or hazelnut oil (HO). While FA analysis struggled to differentiate adulterants with similar FA profiles, CSIA of FAs significantly improved detection. However, distinguishing between VO and HO blended samples remained challenging. PLS-DA analysis further supported the potential of using δ13C values of FA for food authentication. Storage of adulterated samples also influenced FA composition, leading to significant changes in MUFA/PUFA ratios and δ13C values, which became less negative, likely due to oxidative degradation. In summary, the combination of official and advanced methods, supported by chemometric analysis, offers a robust approach to ensuring the authenticity of olive oil in canned tuna. Full article
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13 pages, 1665 KiB  
Article
Bee Products as a Bioindicator of Radionuclide Contamination: Environmental Approach and Health Risk Evaluation
by Katarzyna Szarłowicz, Filip Jędrzejek and Joanna Najman
Sustainability 2025, 17(15), 6798; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17156798 - 26 Jul 2025
Viewed by 335
Abstract
This study evaluated the activity concentrations of radionuclides in honey, bee pollen, bee bread, and propolis from multiple regions in Poland (Europe) to assess the levels of radiological contamination and their implications for public health. Furthermore, the work considers the use of bee [...] Read more.
This study evaluated the activity concentrations of radionuclides in honey, bee pollen, bee bread, and propolis from multiple regions in Poland (Europe) to assess the levels of radiological contamination and their implications for public health. Furthermore, the work considers the use of bee products as bioindicators of the state of environmental contamination with radionuclides. The apiaries from which the samples were collected were selected in eight provinces in Poland, and are also complemented by reference data from soil contamination monitoring. Radionuclide measurements included both natural (e.g., 40K, 226Ra) and anthropogenic isotopes (e.g., 137Cs). The results show that although the overall activity concentrations were generally low, certain locations exhibited elevated levels of 137Cs in bee products, likely reflecting historical deposition in soils. Propolis was best correlated with 137Cs deposited in soil compared to the other products studied. The patterns observed substantiate the hypothesis that bee products, predominantly propolis, accurately reflect local radiological conditions, thereby providing a practical and non-intrusive approach to monitoring radionuclide contamination and informing risk management strategies. An assessment of potential health risks indicates that the effective dose is safe and ranges from 0.02 to 10.3 µSv per year, depending on the type of product and consumption. Full article
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17 pages, 2829 KiB  
Article
Apparatus and Experiments Towards Fully Automated Medical Isotope Production Using an Ion Beam Accelerator
by Abdulaziz Yahya M. Hussain, Aliaksandr Baidak, Ananya Choudhury, Andy Smith, Carl Andrews, Eliza Wojcik, Liam Brown, Matthew Nancekievill, Samir De Moraes Shubeita, Tim A. D. Smith, Volkan Yasakci and Frederick Currell
Instruments 2025, 9(3), 18; https://doi.org/10.3390/instruments9030018 - 18 Jul 2025
Viewed by 256
Abstract
Zirconium-89 (89Zr) is a widely used radionuclide in immune-PET imaging due to its physical decay characteristics. Despite its importance, the production of 89Zr radiopharmaceuticals remains largely manual, with limited cost-effective automation solutions available. To address this, we developed an automated [...] Read more.
Zirconium-89 (89Zr) is a widely used radionuclide in immune-PET imaging due to its physical decay characteristics. Despite its importance, the production of 89Zr radiopharmaceuticals remains largely manual, with limited cost-effective automation solutions available. To address this, we developed an automated system for the agile and reliable production of radiopharmaceuticals. The system performs transmutations, dissolution, and separation for a range of radioisotopes. Steps in the production of 89Zr-oxalate are used as an exemplar to illustrate its use. Three-dimensional (3D) printing was exploited to design and manufacture a target holder able to include solid targets, in this case an 89Y foil. Spot welding was used to attach 89Y to a refractory tantalum (Ta) substrate. A commercially available CPU chiller was repurposed to efficiently cool the metal target. Furthermore, a commercial resin (ZR Resin) and compact peristaltic pumps were employed in a compact (10 × 10 × 10 cm3) chemical separation unit that operates automatically via computer-controlled software. Additionally, a standalone 3D-printed unit was designed with three automated functionalities: photolabelling, vortex mixing, and controlled heating. All components of the assembly, except for the target holder, are housed inside a commercially available hot cell, ensuring safe and efficient operation in a controlled environment. This paper details the design, construction, and modelling of the entire assembly, emphasising its innovative integration and operational efficiency for widespread radiopharmaceutical automation. Full article
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32 pages, 3188 KiB  
Article
Forty Years After Chernobyl: Radiocaesium in Wild Edible Mushrooms from North-Eastern Poland and Its Relevance for Dietary Exposure and Food Safety
by Iwona Mirończuk-Chodakowska, Jacek Kapała, Karolina Kujawowicz, Monika Sejbuk and Anna Maria Witkowska
Toxics 2025, 13(7), 601; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13070601 - 17 Jul 2025
Viewed by 331
Abstract
Wild-growing edible mushrooms are known to bioaccumulate radionuclides from their environment, particularly the natural isotope potassium-40 (40K) and anthropogenic cesium-137 (137Cs). However, region-specific data for commercially relevant species in north-eastern Poland remain limited, despite the cultural and economic importance [...] Read more.
Wild-growing edible mushrooms are known to bioaccumulate radionuclides from their environment, particularly the natural isotope potassium-40 (40K) and anthropogenic cesium-137 (137Cs). However, region-specific data for commercially relevant species in north-eastern Poland remain limited, despite the cultural and economic importance of mushroom foraging and export. This study aimed to assess the radiological safety of wild mushrooms intended for human consumption, with particular attention to regulatory compliance and potential exposure levels. In this study, 230 mushroom samples representing 19 wild edible species were analyzed using gamma spectrometry, alongside composite soil samples collected from corresponding foraging sites. The activity concentration of 137Cs in mushrooms ranged from 0.94 to 159.0 Bq/kg fresh mass (f.m.), and that of 40K from 64.4 to 150.2 Bq/kg f.m. None of the samples exceeded the regulatory limit of 1250 Bq/kg f.m. for 137Cs. The highest estimated annual effective dose was 2.32 µSv from 137Cs and 0.93 µSv from 40K, with no exceedance of regulatory limits observed in any sample. A strong positive correlation was observed between 137Cs activity in soil and mushroom dry mass (Spearman’s Rho = 0.81, p = 0.042), supporting predictable transfer patterns. Additionally, the implications of mushroom drying were assessed considering Council Regulation (Euratom) 2016/52, which mandates radionuclide levels in dried products be evaluated based on their reconstituted form. After such adjustment, even the most contaminated dried samples were found to comply with food safety limits. These findings confirm the radiological safety of wild mushrooms from north-eastern Poland and contribute novel data for a region with limited prior monitoring, in the context of current food safety regulations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Agrochemicals and Food Toxicology)
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21 pages, 28944 KiB  
Article
Tracing Sulfate Sources of Surface Water and Groundwater in Liuyang River Basin Based on Hydrochemistry and Environmental Isotopes
by Lei Wang, Yi Li, Yanpeng Zhang, Wei Liu and Hongxin Zhang
Water 2025, 17(14), 2105; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17142105 - 15 Jul 2025
Viewed by 260
Abstract
Sulfate as a potential pollution source in the water environment of the basin, identifying sulfate sources and migration mechanisms is essential for protecting the water environment and ensuring sustainable water management. Liuyang River is a primary tributary of the Xiangjiang River. It has [...] Read more.
Sulfate as a potential pollution source in the water environment of the basin, identifying sulfate sources and migration mechanisms is essential for protecting the water environment and ensuring sustainable water management. Liuyang River is a primary tributary of the Xiangjiang River. It has experienced progressively intensifying anthropogenic influences in recent decades, manifested by sustained sulfate concentration increases. However, the sulfate sources and their contributions were not clear. This study used hydrochemistry and multi-isotopes methods combined with Simmr model to study the hydrochemical characteristics, sulfate sources, and migration–transformation processes of surface water and groundwater. The results showed that the hydrochemical types of surface water were HCO3-Ca and HCO3·SO4-Ca·Mg, and groundwater were HCO3-Ca, HCO3-Ca·Mg, and HCO3·SO4-Ca. Ions in the water primarily originated from carbonate and silicate rocks dissolution and sulfide oxidation, augmented by mining operations, sewage discharge, and chemical production. The analyses of hydrochemistry, isotopes, and Simmr model revealed that surface water sulfate originated from soil sulfate (35.70%), sulfide oxidation (26.56%), sewage (16.58%), and atmospheric precipitation (12.45%). Groundwater sulfate was derived predominantly from sewage (34.96%), followed by soil sulfate (28.09%), atmospheric precipitation (17.35%), and sulfide oxidation (12.25%). Sulfate migration and transformation were controlled by the natural environment and anthropogenic impacts. When unaffected by human activities, sulfate mainly originated from soil and atmospheric precipitation, relating to topography, geological conditions, agricultural activities, and precipitation intensity. However, in regions with intense human activities, contributions from sewage and sulfide oxidation significantly increased due to the influences of mining and industrial activities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Groundwater Quality and Contamination at Regional Scales)
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16 pages, 3999 KiB  
Article
Influence of TRISO Fuel Particle Arrangements on Pebble Neutronics and Isotopic Evolution
by Ben Impson, Mohamed Elhareef, Zeyun Wu and Braden Goddard
J. Nucl. Eng. 2025, 6(3), 27; https://doi.org/10.3390/jne6030027 - 14 Jul 2025
Viewed by 591
Abstract
Pebble Bed Reactors (PBRs) represent a new generation of nuclear reactors. However, modeling TRi-structural ISOtropic (TRISO) fuel particles employed in PBRs presents a unique challenge in comparison to most conventional reactor designs. Rapid generation of different possible fuel particle configurations for Monte-Carlo simulations [...] Read more.
Pebble Bed Reactors (PBRs) represent a new generation of nuclear reactors. However, modeling TRi-structural ISOtropic (TRISO) fuel particles employed in PBRs presents a unique challenge in comparison to most conventional reactor designs. Rapid generation of different possible fuel particle configurations for Monte-Carlo simulations provides improved insights into the effects of particle distribution irregularities on the neutron economy. Defective pebbles could cause changes in the neutron flux in a nuclear reactor due to increased or decreased moderating effects. Different configurations of particle fuel also impact isotope production within the nuclear reactor. This study simulates several TRISO configurations representing limited capabilities of randomization algorithms, manufacturing defects configurations and/or special pebble design. All predictions are compared to an equivalent homogenized model used as baseline. The results show that the TRISO configuration has a non-negligible impact on the parameters under consideration. To explain these results, the ratio of the thermal flux of each model to the thermal flux of the homogeneous model is calculated. A clear pattern is observed in the data: as irregularities in the moderator medium emerge due to the distribution of TRISO particles, the neutron spectrum softens, leading to higher values of k and better fuel utilization. This dependence of the spectrum on the TRISO configuration is used to explain the pattern observed in the depletion calculation. The results open the possibility of optimizing the TRISO configuration in manufactured pebbles for fuel utilization and safeguards. Future work should focus on full core simulations to determine the extent of these findings. Full article
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17 pages, 1308 KiB  
Article
Elemental and Isotopic Fingerprints of Potatoes
by Cezara Voica, Ioana Feher, Romulus Puscas, Andreea Maria Iordache and Gabriela Cristea
Foods 2025, 14(14), 2440; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14142440 - 10 Jul 2025
Viewed by 410
Abstract
Nowadays, food traceability represents an important issue in the current context of trade agreements, which influence global food prices. Many consumers prefer to pay a higher price for a traditional cultivation regime of a certain food product that comes from a certain region, [...] Read more.
Nowadays, food traceability represents an important issue in the current context of trade agreements, which influence global food prices. Many consumers prefer to pay a higher price for a traditional cultivation regime of a certain food product that comes from a certain region, appreciating the taste of the respective foodstuff. The potato is now the world’s fourth most important food crop in terms of human consumption, after wheat, maize, and rice. In this context, 100 potato samples from the Romanian market were collected. While 68 samples came from Romania, the rest of the 32 were from abroad (Hungary, France, Greece, Italy, Germany, Egypt, and Poland). The countries selected for potato sample analysis are among the main exporters of potatoes to the Romanian market. The samples were investigated by their multi-elemental and isotopic (2H, 18O and 13C) fingerprints, using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) and Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS). Then, to distinguish the geographical origin, the experimental results were statistically processed using linear discriminant analysis (LDA). The best markers that emphasize Romanian potatoes were identified to be δ13Cbulk, δ2Hwater, and Sr. Full article
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25 pages, 6054 KiB  
Review
Recent Advances in Biocatalytic Dearomative Spirocyclization Reactions
by Xiaorui Chen, Changtong Zhu, Luyun Ji, Changmei Liu, Yan Zhang, Yijian Rao and Zhenbo Yuan
Catalysts 2025, 15(7), 673; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15070673 - 10 Jul 2025
Viewed by 666
Abstract
Spirocyclic architectures, which feature two rings sharing a single atom, are common in natural products and exhibit beneficial biological and material properties. Due to the significance of these architectures, biocatalytic dearomative spirocyclization has recently emerged as a powerful approach for constructing three-dimensional spirocyclic [...] Read more.
Spirocyclic architectures, which feature two rings sharing a single atom, are common in natural products and exhibit beneficial biological and material properties. Due to the significance of these architectures, biocatalytic dearomative spirocyclization has recently emerged as a powerful approach for constructing three-dimensional spirocyclic frameworks under mild, sustainable conditions and with exquisite stereocontrol. This review surveys the latest advances in biocatalyzed spirocyclization of all-carbon arenes (phenols and benzenes), aza-aromatics (indoles and pyrroles), and oxa-aromatics (furans). We highlight cytochrome P450s, flavin-dependent monooxygenases, multicopper oxidases, and novel metalloenzyme platforms that effect regio- and stereoselective oxidative coupling, epoxidation/semi-pinacol rearrangement, and radical-mediated cyclization to produce diverse spirocycles. Mechanistic insights gleaned from structural, computational, and isotope-labeling studies are discussed where necessary to help the readers further understand the reported reactions. Collectively, these examples demonstrate the transformative potential of biocatalysis to streamline access to spirocyclic scaffolds that are challenging to prepare through traditional methods, underscoring biocatalysis as a transformative tool for synthesizing pharmaceutically relevant spiroscaffolds while adhering to green chemistry paradigms to ultimately contribute to a cleaner and more sustainable future. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Biocatalysis)
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