Article
Ecology
Feng Cheng, Xiaofei Huang, Qingao Qin, Zijian Chen, Fei Li, Wenchen Song
Summary: This study investigates the effects of long-term low-dose ionizing radiation on soil microbial systems. The results show that it has no significant effect on soil bacterial diversity but has a great impact on fungal diversity. It strongly affects soil microbial community structure and has promoting effects on iron-oxidizing bacteria and ectomycorrhizal fungi, while inhibiting predatory or parasitic fungi, leading to changes in the soil C/N ratio. This study is of great reference significance for future research on the impact of long-term low-dose ionizing radiation on soil ecosystems.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Lotta Purkamo, Catia Milene Ehlert von Ahn, Tom Jilbert, Muhammad Muniruzzaman, Hermann W. Bange, Anna-Kathrina Jenner, Michael Ernst Boettcher, Joonas J. Virtasalo
Summary: This study investigated the biogeochemical processes and microbial community structure in sediment cores from three pockmarks in Hanko, Finland, and found that submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) has significant impacts on coastal biogeochemistry and microbial communities. The degree of groundwater influence in different pockmarks leads to different biogeochemical environments and microbial community structures.
GEOCHIMICA ET COSMOCHIMICA ACTA
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Akbar Abbasi, Merfat Algethami, Omemh Bawazeer, Hesham M. H. Zakaly
Summary: The distribution pattern of natural and anthropogenic radionuclides in surface sediment samples from the southwestern coastline of the Caspian Sea was studied. The results showed high activity concentrations of radioactive nuclides in the sediment samples, indicating a potential radiation risk in the area.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Miguel A. Ruiz-Fresneda, Marcos F. Martinez-Moreno, Cristina Povedano-Priego, Mar Morales-Hidalgo, Fadwa Jroundi, Mohamed L. Merroun
Summary: The increasing production of radioactive waste from nuclear power has become a global environmental concern. Deep geological repositories (DGRs) are being considered for safe disposal, and microbial processes in these systems are not well understood. Microorganisms have been found in materials used for DGR barriers, and they can influence metal corrosion, clay mineral transformation, gas production, and the mobility of radionuclides. This review provides an up-to-date overview of the influence of microorganisms on the safety of planned radioactive waste repositories.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Soha M. Hussien
Summary: This study investigates the immune response to different high doses of Ionizing Radiation (IR) compared to non-irradiated group and other immunosuppressive conditions. Thirty rats were divided into six groups and subjected to different doses of radiation. The immunosuppressive effect of cyclophosphamide was observed, but high doses of IR consistently increased measured parameters. High doses of IR amplify essential pro-inflammatory responses and cannot be used to suppress the immune system in a single dose.
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Flavio Esposito, Andrei Stancalie, Anubhav Srivastava, Mateusz Smietana, Razvan Mihalcea, Daniel Negut, Stefania Campopiano, Agostino Iadicicco
Summary: This paper compares the impact of gamma irradiation on different optical fibers using long period gratings (LPG) to detect the evolution of their optical properties. LPGs were fabricated using the electric arc discharge method on a range of commercially available single-mode optical fibers. The grating response varied depending on the fiber, with the B/Ge fiber showing the highest radiation-dependent resonance wavelength shift and P-doped fiber showing a strong irradiation-induced attenuation.
JOURNAL OF LIGHTWAVE TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Bo Kuang, Rong Xiao, Yanping Hu, Yaping Wang, Ling Zhang, Zhuoqun Wei, Junhong Bai, Kegang Zhang, Jacquelinne J. Acuna, Milko A. Jorquera, Wenbin Pan
Summary: The abundance, diversity, and metabolic pathways of microbial communities in Baiyangdian lake sediments were studied using a metagenomic approach. It was found that several genera, particularly belonging to Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria, were involved in C, N, P, and S cycling processes. Nocardioides, in particular, played a significant role in nitrogen transformation processes such as assimilatory nitrate reduction, denitrification, and dissimilatory nitrate reduction.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Genmei Lin, Jing Huang, Jianguo Lu, Ming Su, Bangqi Hu, Xianbiao Lin
Summary: The study explored the vertical distributions of microbial community and N-transforming microorganisms in an intact sediment core from the West Philippine Basin, revealing depth and organic matter as key environmental variables driving microbial community structure and nitrogen transformation processes in deep-sea sediments. The findings suggest that nitrification and denitrification are the dominant nitrogen transformation processes in the surface and deeper sediments respectively, shedding light on the role of deep-sea microbes in nitrogen cycles.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Naleene Balakrishnan, Salma Mohamad Yusop, Irman Abdul Rahman, Eqbal Dauqan, Aminah Abdullah
Summary: Dried chilli is a highly traded spice known for its natural flavor and color, rich nutrients, and medicinal benefits. However, the proliferation of unwanted microorganisms during dehydration and storage is a concern. Food irradiation, particularly using gamma radiation, is gaining attention as an effective sanitation treatment to eliminate pathogens and preserve the quality and safety of dried chilli.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Pedro Ivo Neves de Almeida, Hugo Emiliano de Jesus, Pedro Henrique Freitas Pereira, Carlos Eduardo Delfino Vieira, Adalto Bianchini, Camila De Martinez Gaspar Martins, Henrique Fragoso dos Santos
Summary: The collapse of the Funda similar to o tailings dam in Brazil resulted in the largest environmental disaster in Brazil's history and in the world mining industry. This disaster caused the dispersal of millions of cubic meters of iron ore tailings, impacting the rivers and lagoons of the Doce river basin. This study evaluated the long-term impact of the dam failure on the bacteriome and archaeome of water and sediment samples, finding a continued severe impact on the microbiome even three years after the disaster.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Mahfuzur Rahman, M. A. Islam, Keshob C. Das, Md. Salimullah, M. Z. I. Mollah, Ruhul A. Khan
Summary: The study evaluated the effect of gamma radiation on decontamination of microbial population, physico-chemical properties, radiation sensitivity, and sensory characteristics of common spices for storage. Results showed that gamma radiation significantly reduced microbial load in spices without affecting their physico-chemical, nutritional, and sensory properties.
JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY-MYSORE
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Cole H. Thatcher, Bradley R. Adams
Summary: The modeling study of a UV-C LED air treatment duct revealed that highly reflective duct surfaces can enhance microbial inactivation, while minimizing the impact of LED positions. The number of LEDs used also plays a key role in controlling the maximum inactivation levels.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Pavel Lobachevsky, Helen B. Forrester, Alesia Ivashkevich, Joel Mason, Andrew W. Stevenson, Chris J. Hall, Carl N. Sprung, Valentin G. Djonov, Olga A. Martin
Summary: Scattered synchrotron radiation influences the DNA damage response in non-irradiated cells, particularly in bystander DNA damage. It significantly impacts DNA damage response, with broad-beam irradiation generating distance-independent bystander DNA damage, while MRT-generated bystander response is minimal. The study also suggests a reduced response to scattered radiation in p53-null cells, but not to bystander signalling.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hamdan Z. Hamdan, Darine A. Salam
Summary: The study found that stimulation with ferric iron can increase the relative abundance of exoelectrogenic iron-reducing bacteria in marine sediment microbial fuel cells, facilitating the biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Additionally, removal efficiency significantly improved in the presence of ferric iron stimulation and inhibition of sulfate reducing bacteria, particularly for persistent PAHs such as benzo(a)pyrene.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Christian Brischke, Nicklas Von Boch-Galhau, Susanne Bollmus
Summary: Different sterilization techniques and methods of determining oven-dry weight did not show significant differences in mass loss during wood block tests. Non-sterilized specimens exhibited reduced mass loss, attributed to inhibition of test fungus by mould growth. Oven-drying wood species with volatile compounds like Scots pine led to decreased biological durability, which should be avoided or adjusted to kiln-drying temperatures applied in practice.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF WOOD AND WOOD PRODUCTS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Kaustubh Bawane, Xiaoyang Liu, Ruchi Gakhar, Michael Woods, Mingyuan Ge, Xianghui Xiao, Wah-Keat Lee, Philip Halstenberg, Sheng Dai, Shannon Mahurin, Simon M. Pimblott, James F. Wishart, Yu-chen Karen Chen-Wiegart, Lingfeng He
Summary: In situ monitoring techniques were employed to study the evolution of Ni-20Cr materials in corrosive environments, with both techniques capturing key corrosion events and revealing mechanisms at different time and length scales.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Rebeca Lopez-Adams, Simon M. Fairclough, Ian C. Lyon, Sarah J. Haigh, Jun Zhang, Fang-Jie Zhao, Katie L. Moore, Jonathan R. Lloyd
Summary: This study investigated the simultaneous nitrate-dependent Fe(ii) and As(iii) oxidation by Acidovorax sp. strain ST3 and found that the addition of nitrate promotes Fe(ii) oxidation and formation of Fe(iii) biominerals, which retain As(iii/v). However, this process is metabolically detrimental to some cells.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-NANO
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Christopher Egan-Morriss, Richard L. Kimber, Nigel A. Powell, Jonathan R. Lloyd
Summary: Palladium metal nanoparticles are important catalysts that can be prepared through microbial bioreduction, avoiding the use of toxic chemicals for sustainable utilization; recent studies have shown that using bio-bimetallic nanoparticles can significantly enhance the catalytic properties of palladium.
NANOSCALE ADVANCES
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Wei Xiu, Min Wu, Sophie L. Nixon, Jonathan R. Lloyd, Naji M. Bassil, Ruixuan Gai, Tianjing Zhang, Zhan Su, Huaming Guo
Summary: This study uses genome-resolved metagenomic analysis to investigate the microbial interaction networks in high-arsenic groundwater systems, revealing key biogeochemical pathways responsible for arsenic mobilization along groundwater flow paths, such as Fe(II) oxidation and dissimilatory nitrate reduction for arsenic immobilization in oxygen-rich groundwater systems, and Fe(III) reduction and As(V) detoxification for arsenic release and transformation.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Alejandro Ramos-Ballesteros, Ruchi Gakhar, Michael E. Woods, Gregory P. Horne, Kazuhiro Iwamatsu, James F. Wishart, Simon M. Pimblott, Jay A. LaVerne
Summary: The electron paramagnetic resonance and optical absorption spectra of irradiated KCl-MgCl2 binary solid salt mixtures were studied. Different radiolysis products were observed under different irradiation conditions, and their behavior was investigated after thermal annealing.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Agustin F. Solano-Arguedas, Christopher Boothman, Laura Newsome, Richard A. D. Pattrick, Daniel Arguedas-Quesada, Clare H. Robinson, Jonathan R. Lloyd
Summary: The Santa Elena Ophiolite in Costa Rica is a well-studied ultramafic system mainly comprised of peridotites. Different landscapes within the area show variations in soil geochemical composition and microbial community, providing insights into the biogeochemistry of tropical serpentine areas. This study highlights the importance of understanding ecological associations and potential as a hotspot for studying biogeochemistry, geomicrobiology, and ecology of tropical serpentine areas.
GEOCHEMICAL TRANSACTIONS
(2022)
Review
Nuclear Science & Technology
Callum Robinson, Matthew White-Pettigrew, Samuel Shaw, Katherine Morris, James Graham, Jonathan R. Lloyd
Summary: Bioremediation utilizes microbially mediated processes to sequester and limit the migration of radioactive contaminants. It can also form stable sinks by incorporating radionuclides into mineral structures. Bioremediation technologies have been preferred at some nuclear licensed sites.
JOURNAL OF NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND WASTE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jacy K. K. Conrad, Stephen P. P. Mezyk, Liam H. H. Isherwood, Aliaksandr Baidak, Corey D. D. Pilgrim, Daniel Whittaker, Robin M. M. Orr, Simon M. M. Pimblott, Gregory P. P. Horne
Summary: This study presents a comprehensive computer model to describe the radiolytic and hydrolytic degradation of AHA in aqueous sodium nitrate and nitric acid solutions. The model accurately predicts the yields of the major degradation products of AHA by comparing with experimental data.
Article
Microbiology
Lisa Cliffe, Natali Hernandez-Becerra, Christopher Boothman, Bob Eden, Jonathan R. Lloyd, Sophie L. Nixon
Summary: This study provides insights into the geochemistry and microbiology of production fluids from a UK shale gas well, exploring the impact of viscosity modifiers on microbial community dynamics and biogenic sulfide production.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jinxin Xie, Victoria S. Coker, Brian O'Driscoll, Rongsheng Cai, Sarah J. Haigh, Jonathan R. Lloyd
Summary: This study found that Geobacter sulfurreducens cannot directly reduce pentavalent antimony or cause its release. The results highlight the close associations between iron and antimony in environmental systems, suggesting the potential use of iron for remediation of antimony contamination.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Kejing Zhang, Lynn Foster, Dawn Buchanan, Victoria S. Coker, Jon K. Pittman, Jonathan R. Lloyd
Summary: Pseudanabaena dominates cyanobacterial blooms in the First-Generation Magnox Storage Pond (FGMSP) at a UK nuclear site. Understanding the interactions between Cs and Pseudanabaena spp. is important for determining facility management strategies and improving understanding of microbiological responses. The study evaluated the fate of Cs following interactions with Pseudanabaena catenata and found that Cs exposure did not affect the growth of P. catenata, while high concentration of K caused reduction in cell yield. This study enhances understanding of Cs fate and biological responses within Pseudanabaena blooms, and suggests K exposure as a potential microbial bloom control strategy.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Gianni F. Vettese, Katherine Morris, Matthew White-Pettigrew, Luke T. Townsend, Samuel Shaw, Christopher Boothman, Jonathan R. Lloyd
Summary: The past 60+ years of global nuclear activity have led to a significant amount of radioactive contaminated lands, which require costly remediation. Developing environmentally friendly, economically viable, and effective clean-up technologies is crucial. In situ remediation techniques are an important option, but questions remain regarding the most favorable methods and long-term stability.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-ADVANCES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Natalie Byrd, Jonathan R. R. Lloyd, Luke T. T. Townsend, Joe S. S. Small, Frank Taylor, Heath Bagshaw, Christopher Boothman, Ilya Strashnov, Katherine Morris
Summary: This study investigates the biogeochemical fate of citrate in the presence of Ni2+ and U(vi)O-2(2+) under conditions relevant to low level radioactive waste disposal. The results show that citrate can be fully biodegraded under nitrate- and sulfate-reducing conditions, leading to the formation of poorly soluble Ni sulfides. However, citrate degradation is inhibited at elevated Ni concentrations. Additionally, citrate degradation occurs in the presence of U, resulting in the formation of poorly soluble U(iv) phosphate phases. These findings have implications for the safety assessment of radioactive waste disposal.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-ADVANCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jacy K. Conrad, Corey D. Pilgrim, Simon M. Pimblott, Stephen P. Mezyk, Gregory P. Horne
Summary: This study presents a comprehensive, multiscale computer model for investigating the radical-induced degradation of AHA in acidic aqueous solutions. The model predictions were verified by experimental results, showing excellent agreement between calculation and experiment.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Kazuhiro Iwamatsu, Gregory P. Horne, Ruchi Gakhar, Phillip Halstenberg, Bobby Layne, Simon M. Pimblott, James F. Wishart
Summary: Molten chloride salts are being considered for next-generation nuclear reactors. A study investigated the behavior of radiolytic species in molten chloride systems and revealed the complex chemistry driven by ionizing radiation.
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2022)