Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Jessica Avivar, Caio S. A. Felix, Valfredo A. Lemos, Rennan G. O. Araujo, Sergio L. C. Ferreira, Victor Cerda
Summary: The increased use of radioactivity in the past decades has resulted in higher concentrations of natural and artificial radionuclides in the environment. This, coupled with high-profile accidents like Chernobyl and Fukushima, has led to the establishment or expansion of environmental radioactivity monitoring programs. Current legislation and research focus on the development of accurate, precise, reliable, and rapid analytical methods with low limits of detection to determine radionuclides such as thorium and uranium in environmental samples. This paper presents two comprehensive reviews and four automated analytical systems for thorium and uranium determination in environmental samples, utilizing multicommutated flow techniques, minimal sample handling, and non-radiometric detection techniques.
TRAC-TRENDS IN ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Olga Gileva, JunSeok Choe, Yeongduk Kim, Moo Hyun Lee, Douglas S. Leonard, KeonAh Shin, Hyojin Yeon
Summary: AMoRE is an international collaboration searching for the neutrinoless double-beta decay of the Mo-100 isotope using cryogenic detectors. The study conducted an ICP-MS assay program to analyze the main components of the crystals and the high-purity copper materials used for the detector frame and shielding.
APPLIED RADIATION AND ISOTOPES
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Jun Liao, Ting Xiong, Zhibo Zhao, Ling Ding, Wenkun Zhu, Yong Zhang
Summary: The study demonstrated that the cow manure-derived biocarbon-based composite showed high efficiency in separating uranium(VI) and thorium(IV) under acidic conditions, with removal percentages of 97.5% and 99.8% respectively. It also exhibited good reusability, providing a new pathway for stable separation of these ions.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fotini Noli, Argyro Dafnomili, Georgios Sarafidis, Catherine Dendrinou-Samara, Nikolaos Pliatsikas, Maria Kapnisti
Summary: This study investigated the use of coated copper-based nanoparticles as sorbent materials for the removal of uranium and thorium from water sources. Results showed that the copper nanoparticles exhibited significant uranium uptake capacity and were able to decrease uranium concentration below acceptable limits. The removal mechanism for uranium involved the formation of surface complexes and extensive reduction of U(VI), while the mechanism for thorium removal was surface precipitation.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Review
Engineering, Chemical
Deniz Talan, Qingqing Huang
Summary: Rare earth elements (REEs) are crucial for technology and defense industries, but the environmental impact of rare earth mining has not been thoroughly studied. This review summarizes the environmental consequences of rare earth extraction processes and discusses separation techniques for radioactive materials from rare earths.
MINERALS ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Pelin Otansev, Nizamettin Erduran
Summary: The study investigated uranium and thorium concentrations in sediment samples from the Gulf of Izmit in Turkey using neutron radiography and alpha-autoradiography methods. Results showed higher thorium concentrations in boreholes S3 and S8 compared to other locations.
APPLIED RADIATION AND ISOTOPES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Markus Zehringer, Franziska Kammerer, Anja Pregler
Summary: This paper discusses the experiences of the last 20 years with the PERALS technique, which is a powerful method for analyzing natural nuclides based on selective extraction and scintillation counting. It focuses on the robust analysis schemes for the determination of actinides traces in water samples such as polonium, thorium, and uranium.
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Patric Lindahl, Grzegorz Olszewski, Mats Eriksson
Summary: A low-cost total dissolution method for accurate determination of uranium and thorium isotopes in environmental samples has been introduced, optimized, and validated. The method involves alkaline fusion using sodium hydroxide and sodium peroxide, followed by sequential extraction chromatography separation and measurements with ICP-MS or alpha-particle spectrometry. The chemical recoveries for U and Th were around 80% and 90%, respectively, with the contribution of U-238 from partial dissolution of the nickel crucibles accounting for about 80% of the total background activity.
APPLIED RADIATION AND ISOTOPES
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
S. Sakr, K. Inoue, A. Mohamed, A. A. Ahmed, M. G. ElFeky, G. M. Saleh, M. S. Kamar, H. Arae, T. Aono, S. K. Sahoo
Summary: The North Abu Rusheid area in Egypt is a well-known high background natural radiation area due to the presence of naturally occurring radioactive materials in rocks. This study selected 27 rock samples for dose estimation, measuring 238U, 232Th, and 40K concentrations. The results showed that the hazard parameters in this area were several times higher than the worldwide averages, highlighting the importance of monitoring natural radionuclides before using these rocks in construction materials.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jin Wang, Meiling Yin, Juan Liu, Chuan-Chou Shen, Tsai-Luen Yu, Hong-Chun Li, Qiaohui Zhong, Guodong Sheng, Ke Lin, Xiuyang Jiang, Hongliang Dong, Siyu Liu, Tangfu Xiao
Summary: The study found that U contamination and mobilization-release risk are high in reservoir sediments in the U mine area, influenced by discharge of U-containing wastewater. Using U/Th activity ratios and U isotopic compositions, the sources and geochemical behaviors of U in sediments can be inferred to be greatly affected by wastewater discharge and natural processes. The results demonstrate that U-Th isotopes are a powerful tool for better understanding U geochemical processes affected by multiple sources.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Ahmed H. Orabi, Basma T. Mohamed, Doaa A. Ismaiel, Salah S. Elyan
Summary: Monazite mineral is the main source of uranium and thorium, which are mainly associated with rare earth elements. Selective extraction of uranium and thorium was achieved using dipropylamine, with thermodynamic analysis indicating an exothermic process. This method allows for the preparation of marketable pure thorium and uranium products in addition to rare earth concentrate.
MINERALS ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Khurram Mehboob, Yahya A. Al-Zahrani, Abdulsalam M. Alhawsawi, Majid Ali
Summary: The SMART reactor core was analyzed for different fuel types including UO2, MOX, and (U-Th)O-2 fuels. Various parameters such as burnup, Doppler reactivity coefficient (DRC), effective multiplication factor (k(eff)), thermal neutron flux, power peaking factor (PPF), and moderator temperature coefficient (MTC) were studied for these fuels. The effects of temperature, burnup, and fuel cycle on k(eff) were assessed. The study found that the MOX fuel showed less response compared to (U-Th)O-2 configurations due to the high resonance absorption coefficient of plutonium.
ARABIAN JOURNAL FOR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tomas Trojek, Darina Trojkova, Petr Mikysek
Summary: This paper describes the identification and quantification of uranium, thorium, and other chemical elements in a low-grade uranium ore using macro and micro-X-ray fluorescence scanning. The results show the surface distribution of these elements in flat samples. The research focuses on improving the lateral resolution of macro-XRF and comparing it with micro-XRF scanning. The capabilities of both devices are established through measurements of selected uranium-bearing sediment samples.
RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY
(2022)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
D. Baratoux, M. Fall, P. -Y Meslin, M. W. Jessell, O. Vanderhaeghe, J. -F Moyen, P. M. Ndiaye, K. Boamah, L. Baratoux, A-S Andre-Mayer
Summary: This study examines the univariate statistics of Potassium (K), thorium (Th), and uranium (U) concentrations in the Earth's oceanic and continental crust using different techniques, and finds significant differences in the frequency distributions of these elements between rock samples and airborne radiometric surveys. Possible causes of these differences include biases in sampling, differences in material chemistry, and measurement scales. The scale factor, according to the central limit theorem, appears to explain most of the observed differences in the distributions of K, Th, and U concentrations. The heterogeneity of concentrations at smaller scales is identified as the main factor influencing the shape of the frequency distributions.
EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Qingzhou Zhao, Zhihong Xu, Zhisheng Yu
Summary: Biochar is considered a promising sorbent for removing radioactive uranyl and thorium ions in freshwater due to its efficiency and ease of operation. Experimental results showed good adsorption performance and applicability to various models for U(VI) and Th(IV). The study also identified key properties of the adsorption reaction that positively impact its feasibility.
BIOMASS CONVERSION AND BIOREFINERY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Donagi Esparza, Manuel Valiente, Antoni Borras, Marina Villar, Luz O. Leal, Fernando Vega, Victor Cerda, Laura Ferrer
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Rogelio Rodriguez-Maese, Laura Ferrer, Victor Cerda, Luz O. Leal
MICROCHEMICAL JOURNAL
(2020)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Mateo del Rio, Marina Villar, Santiago Quesada, Gemma Turnes Palomino, Laura Ferrer, Carlos Palomino Cabello
Summary: A silver-functionalized UiO-66 MOF with excellent affinity towards iodide was prepared and incorporated into a 3D printed device for efficient removal of radioactive iodine. The developed device showed high efficiency, excellent reusability, and recoveries above 90% in sewage water and hospital waste samples.
APPLIED MATERIALS TODAY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Lindomar A. Portugal, Edwin Palacio, Victor Cerda, Joao H. Santos-Neto, Laura Ferrer, Sergio L. C. Ferreira
Summary: A simple, fast, and non-chromatographic methodology for inorganic antimony speciation was developed, allowing accurate determination of Sb(III) and Sb(V) at ultra-trace levels in water samples.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Victor Cerda, Sergio L. C. Ferreira, Piyawan Phansi
Summary: Lab-in-syringe is a new approach that integrates various analytical extraction steps inside a syringe, allowing fully automated dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction. It provides a simple instrumental setup for dispersion, where the organic and watery phases are aspirated into the syringe as quickly as possible. This technique is beneficial for preconcentration of analytes and interference elimination, especially in the determination of emerging contaminants.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Felisberto Goncalves Santos, Fernando Maya, Boaventura Freire dos Reis, Elias Ayres Guidetti Zagatto, Victor Cerda
Summary: A lab-in-syringe flow system using a solvent lighter than water for dispersive liquid-liquid micro-extraction is proposed for the spectrophotometric determination of lead in industrial residual waters. Xylene is selected as the alternative extracting solvent, providing a cleaner and more environmentally friendly approach. The method shows a high enrichment factor, a wide linear dynamic range, and a low detection limit, making it suitable for high sample throughput. Additionally, the proposed procedure has a small residue volume.
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Piyawan Phansi, Sergio L. C. Ferreira, Victor Cerda
Summary: This work aims to revise programs used to obtain accurate equilibrium constants through multiple chained programs. The AutoAnalysis software is valuable for conducting experimental work, including potentiometric titrations. The POTENtit program detects problems in the data obtained with AutoAnalysis during the experimental work, such as the presence of metals in the sample and carbonation of the titrant. It also provides the standard potential of the working electrode and the ionic product of the solvent under the experimental ionic strength. The MINIPOT program refines the results obtained, including electrode calibration and equilibrium constants. These three programs have been updated to run in the Windows 10 environment.
TRAC-TRENDS IN ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
M. A. Vargas-Munoz, Julian Morales, Victor Cerda, Laura Ferrer, Edwin Palacio
Summary: A simple and low-cost field-deployable method using paper sensors combined with a 3D-printed portable platform has been developed for simultaneous determination of ammonia and sulfide. The method showed good precision and recovery rates when applied to anaerobic digester and wastewater samples. The advantages of this methodology include high precision, simple paper sensor preparation, and a reusable system.
MICROCHEMICAL JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Caio S. A. Felix, Adriano V. B. Chagas, Rafael F. de Jesus, Willams T. Barbosa, Josiane D. V. Barbosa, Sergio L. C. Ferreira, Victor Cerda
Summary: This work presents the synthesis and characterization of a new polymer with imprinted ions (IIP) for pre-concentration of uranium in natural waters. The polymer was synthesized using specific reagents and optimized experimental conditions were determined. The proposed method was successfully applied to determine uranium concentrations in water samples collected in Caetite, Bahia, Brazil, with high accuracy and precision.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Diego Barzallo, Jorge Benavides, Victor Cerda, Edwin Palacio
Summary: The development of a portable device through 3D printing enables colorimetric and fluorometric measurements for analytical applications in various fields. This device utilizes an LED as a radiation source and a webcam as a detector, with digital images being analyzed in real-time. The system is connected to a notebook for power supply without additional sources. The device was validated through comparison with conventional spectrophotometers and spectrofluorometers, demonstrating satisfactory precision and accuracy values.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Diego Barzallo, Edwin Palacio, Juan March, Laura Ferrer
Summary: A 3D printed device coated with Oasis MCX resin was developed for the extraction and analysis of sulfonamides. The device showed satisfactory quantification of seven sulfonamides with good linearity and precision. This miniaturized method is an efficient alternative for monitoring emerging contaminants in environmental water samples.
MICROCHEMICAL JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Nuanlaor Ratanawimarnwong, Patcharat Ruckchang, Supattra Yooram, Kriangsak Songsrirote, Kanchana Uraisin, Victor Cerda
Summary: A new design of a membraneless vaporization unit coupled with a specific flow system has been developed for the determination of trace levels of arsenic using a hydride generation process. The method achieved analysis of arsenic in the range of 10 to 100 μg L-1 with a detection limit of 8 μg L-1, and was applied to surface water samples with percent recoveries in the range of 94-110%. The results obtained from the new method for total arsenic were found to not be statistically different from those obtained using the ICP-OES method.
ANALYTICAL METHODS
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Rogelio Rodriguez-Maese, Laura Ferrer, Luz O. Leal
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY
(2020)
