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Local and global trace plutonium contributions in fast breeder legacy soils.

ABSTRACT: Trace-level plutonium in the environment often comprises local and global contributions, and is usually anthropogenic in origin. Here, we report estimates of local and global contributions to trace-level plutonium in soil from a former, fast-breeder reactor site. The measured ²⁴⁰Pu/²³⁹Pu ratio is anomalously low, as per the reduced ²⁴⁰Pu yield expected in plutonium bred with fast neutrons. Anomalies in plutonium concentration and isotopic ratio suggest forensic insight into specific activities on site, such as clean-up or structural change. Local and global ²³⁹Pu contributions on-site are estimated at (34 ± 1)% and (66 ± 3)%, respectively, with mass concentrations of (183 ± 6) fg g^-1 and (362 ± 13) fg g^-1. The latter is consistent with levels at undisturbed and distant sites, (384 ± 44) fg g^-1, where no local contribution is expected. The ²⁴⁰Pu/²³⁹Pu ratio for site-derived material is estimated at 0.05 ± 0.04. Our study demonstrates the multi-faceted potential of trace plutonium assay to inform clean-up strategies of fast breeder legacies.

SUBMITTER: Tighe C

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7979690 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Local and global trace plutonium contributions in fast breeder legacy soils.

Tighe Chris C Castrillejo Maxi M Christl Marcus M Degueldre Claude C Andrew Jeremy J Semple Kirk T KT Joyce Malcolm J MJ

Nature communications 20210319 1

Trace-level plutonium in the environment often comprises local and global contributions, and is usually anthropogenic in origin. Here, we report estimates of local and global contributions to trace-level plutonium in soil from a former, fast-breeder reactor site. The measured 240Pu/239Pu ratio is anomalously low, as per the reduced 240Pu yield expected in plutonium bred with fast neutrons. Anomalies in plutonium concentration and isotopic ratio suggest forensic i ...[more]

PMID: 33741911

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Project description:Understanding the neuronal basis of epileptic activity is a major challenge in neurology. Cellular integration into larger scale networks is all the more challenging. In the local field potential, interictal epileptic discharges can be associated with fast ripples (200-600 Hz), which are a promising marker of the epileptogenic zone. Yet, how neuronal populations in the epileptogenic zone and in healthy tissue are affected by fast ripples remain unclear. Here, we used a novel 'hybrid' macro-micro depth electrode in nine drug-resistant epileptic patients, combining classic depth recording of local field potentials (macro-contacts) and two or three tetrodes (four micro-wires bundled together) enabling up to 15 neurons in local circuits to be simultaneously recorded. We characterized neuronal responses (190 single units) with the timing of fast ripples (2233 fast ripples) on the same hybrid and other electrodes that target other brain regions. Micro-wire recordings reveal signals that are not visible on macro-contacts. While fast ripples detected on the closest macro-contact to the tetrodes were always associated with fast ripples on the tetrodes, 82% of fast ripples detected on tetrodes were associated with detectable fast ripples on the nearest macro-contact. Moreover, neuronal recordings were taken in and outside the epileptogenic zone of implanted epileptic subjects and they revealed an interlay of excitation and inhibition across anatomical scales. While fast ripples were associated with increased neuronal activity in very local circuits only, they were followed by inhibition in large-scale networks (beyond the epileptogenic zone, even in healthy cortex). Neuronal responses to fast ripples were homogeneous in local networks but differed across brain areas. Similarly, post-fast ripple inhibition varied across recording locations and subjects and was shorter than typical inter-fast ripple intervals, suggesting that this inhibition is a fundamental refractory process for the networks. These findings demonstrate that fast ripples engage local and global networks, including healthy tissue, and point to network features that pave the way for new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. They also reveal how even localized pathological brain dynamics can affect a broad range of cognitive functions.

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Local and global trace plutonium contributions in fast breeder legacy soils.

Publications

Local and global trace plutonium contributions in fast breeder legacy soils.

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