Isotopes in Environmental and Health Studies

This study assessed radon (222 Rn) levels in drinking water sources in the Nizampur basin and their potential health risks for the local community. We analyzed 48 water samples on-site using RAD7. Additionally, we measured pH, temperature (T), total dissolved solids (TDS), redox potential (ORP), and electrical conductivity (EC) with a multiparameter analyzer. Results showed pH, T, TDS, ORP, and EC ranging from 7.2 to 8, 17 to 26 °C, 333 to 1130 mg/l, -56 to 284 mV, and 469 to 2370 µ S/cm...

After the atmosphere, the ocean is the most well-mixed and homogeneous global geochemical reservoir. Both physical and biological processes generate elemental and isotope variations in seawater. Contrasting geochemical behaviors cause elements to be susceptible to different fractionation mechanisms, with their isotopes providing unique insights into the composition and evolution of the ocean over the course of geological history. Supplementing the traditional stable isotopes (H, C, O, N, S) that provide information about ocean processes and past environmental conditions, radiogenic isotope (Sr, Nd, Os, Pb, U) systems can be used as time markers, indicators of terrestrial weathering, and ocean water mass mixing...

Krypton-81 was applied to investigate the age of groundwater in the aquifer system in the Bangkok metropolitan and vicinity areas. Stable (2 H, 18 O and 13 C) and radioactive (3 H, 85 Kr and 14 C) isotopes and noble gases were applied in parallel. Low levels of 14 C and significant radiogenic 4 He confirm that groundwater in the deep aquifers is older than 30 ka. 81 Kr analysis identified groundwater with ages ranging from 17 to 300 ka. At some sites, large age discrepancies between 81 Kr and 14 C indicated that inter-aquifer mixing is likely occurring...

In the Himalayas, the lives and livelihoods of millions of people are sustained by water resources primarily depending on the moisture brought by Western Disturbances and Indian Summer Monsoon. In the present study, a network of 12 precipitation stations was established across the Kashmir Valley to understand the spatial and meteorological factors controlling precipitation isotopes. Temperature and relative humidity are dominant meteorological factors, whereas altitude, proximity to forest canopy, land use/land cover, windward and leeward sides of the mountains are the main physical factors influencing precipitation isotopes...

A novel simplified method is presented for the estimation of the metabolism of plasma proteins (albumin, fibrinogen, α , β and γ -globulin, glycoprotein) with regard to the whole body protein metabolism in a young male volunteer (22 years, 81 kg body mass). This method is based on multiple oral administration of [15 N]glycine followed by measurement of 15 N in plasma proteins, total free amino acids, urea and excreted urinary N. The fractional synthesis rate of albumin was estimated to 6...

Stable isotope ( δ 2 H, δ 13 C) measurements of wing tissue have been used to determine the natal geographic origin of migrant monarch butterflies that overwinter in Mexico. This study examines the possibility of using δ 13 C and δ 15 N to identify the milkweed habitat used by monarchs in their natal region. Milkweeds were common in corn and soybean fields before herbicide use led to their extirpation around 2006, and the loss of those milkweeds has been proposed as a reason for the monarch population decline...

This paper presents a detailed review of the use of 87 Sr/86 Sr isotope systematics for wine provenance studies. The method is based on the principle that the Sr isotope ratio in wine reflects that of the labile fraction of the vineyard soil from which the wine is produced. The review encompasses 87 Sr/86 Sr data from wine samples published between 1993 and 2021 from terroirs in 22 different countries. The analytical procedures and techniques adopted by the different authors and the range of isotope ratios obtained in the different studies are discussed and evaluated...

Radium-226 detection in sediment samples is generally executed by means of gamma-ray spectrometry. Data evaluation relies (besides the 186.2 keV 226 Ra gamma peak) on the combined analysis of major gamma peaks that are produced by the short-lived radon (222 Rn) daughters 214 Pb and 214 Bi. Precondition for this detection approach is equilibrium decay of all members of the decay chain between 226 Ra and 214 Bi. In closed systems, this equilibrium is reached after about five half-lives of 222 Rn (19 days)...

Strandings of striped dolphins (SD) and short-finned pilot whales (PW) in Hokkaido, northern Japan, are rare but have recently increased, probably due to global warming. We quantified δ 13 C, δ 15 N, and δ 18 O in muscles of SD ( n  = 7) and PW ( n  = 3) stranded in Hokkaido and compared these values with those in muscles (red meat products) of hunted SD and PW in three areas of central and southern Japan. δ 18 O in stranded SD, except for the calf, decreased with increasing body length (BL), whereas δ 13 C increased, with no BL-related changes in δ 15 N...

BACKGROUND: The use of plant protein intrinsically labelled with stable isotopes provides an innovative solution to assess the efficiency of protein intake by humans. Here, the incorporation of 2 H has been applied to intrinsically labelled plant protein in the common bean. This study aimed to evaluate which is the best phenological phase of seed maturation to incorporate the heavy hydrogen isotope 2 H into seed amino acids. Common beans ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were grown in pots, then, after 50 days sowing, 2 H2 O dissolved in irrigation water was applied, then again at an interval of either 3, 6, 9, and 12 days...

It is known that the oxygen isotope composition of CO2 -in-air, when stored over longer time periods in glass sample flasks, tends to drift to more negative values while the carbon isotope composition remains stable. The exact mechanisms behind this drift were still unclear. New experimental results reveal that water already inside the flasks during sampling plays a major role in the drift of the oxygen isotopes. A drying method to remove any water sticking to the inner walls by evacuating the flasks for more than 72 h while heating to 60 °C significantly decreases drift of the oxygen isotopes...

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The nitrogen and oxygen ( δ 15 N, δ 18 O, δ 17 O) stable isotopic compositions of nitrate (<mml:math xmlns:mml="https://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mml:mrow><mml:mi>N</mml:mi></mml:mrow><mml:msubsup><mml:mrow><mml:mi>O</mml:mi></mml:mrow><mml:mn>3</mml:mn><mml:mtext>-</mml:mtext></mml:msubsup></mml:math>) are crucial tracers of nutrient N sources and dynamics in aquatic and atmospheric systems...

ABSTRACT Characterization of the groundwater flow systems is important for sustainable water resource management decision-making. We have used vertical profiles of electrical conductivity (EC) and water temperature taken at 2 m intervals during drilling of 109 boreholes, and samples for stable isotope analysis ( δ 18 O, δ 2 H) taken from 47 boreholes to characterize groundwater recharge, flow and discharge. 222 Rn measurements and piezometric evidence were used to complement results from the EC and stable isotopes...

The Northern shoveler, Spatula clypeata , makes several migratory stopovers to reach its breeding site in the best conditions. These stopovers allow the species to replenish their reserves. Therefore, feeding efficiency at such sites is essential. Despite its importance, few studies have been conducted on the spring ecology of the shoveler, particularly on its diet at stopover sites. Therefore, this study focused on the Northern shoveler's feeding habit during its spring migratory stopover in the Marais breton (MB), a wetland situated in Vendée (France, Atlantic coast)...

Rainforests play an important role in hydrological and carbon cycles, both at regional and global scales. They pump large quantities of moisture from the soil to the atmosphere and are major rainfall hotspots of the world. Satellite-observed stable water isotope ratios have played an essential role in determining sources of moisture in the atmosphere. Satellites provide information about the processes involving vapour transport in different zones of the world, identifying sources of rainfall and distinguishing moisture transport in monsoonal systems...

The authors studied the atmospheric radon concentration with associated meteorological parameters variation during the dust events from July to November 2017. We obtained the meteorological parameters data in weather station of Sulaymaniyah city, Iraq. In the environmental monitoring plan, the atmospheric radon fluctuated from 15 to 48 Bq m-3 around the mean value of 31.5 ± 7 Bq m-3 within the summer. In autumn, varied from 22 to 46 Bq m-3 with a mean value of 34 ± 12 Bq m-3 ...

For the first time, a map of the 222 Rn gas has been produced in the Campania region, the southern part of Italy, based on the activity concentration measured in indoor environments. This work is part of the radon mitigation policy and complies with the recent Italian Legislative Decree 101/2020, which implements the European Basic Safety Standards, Euratom Directive 59/2013, where Member States must declare areas with elevated levels of indoor radon concentration. The obtained map, divided by Campania municipalities, identifies priority areas with activity concentration values exceeding the reference level of 300 Bq m-3 ...

Eurasian red squirrels Sciurus vulgaris have unusually high δ 13 C values compared to other forest rodents, which is seemingly related to the consumption of 13 C-enriched conifer seeds. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed the hair of wild and zoo-kept red squirrels, seeds of pine and spruce, and feathers of specialized and opportunistic consumers of conifer seeds, crossbills Loxia spp., and woodpeckers Dendrocopos major . Data on the isotopic composition ( δ 13 C and δ 15 N values) of hair or feathers of other species of forest rodents and birds were obtained from published studies...

Stable isotope ratios of nitrogen and oxygen (15 N/14 N and 18 O/16 O) of nitrate (NO3 - ) are excellent tracers for developing systematic understanding of sources, conversions, and deposition of reactive atmospheric nitrogen (Nr ) in the environment. Despite recent analytical advances, standardized sampling of NO3 - ) isotopes in precipitation is still lacking. To advance atmospheric studies on Nr species, we propose best-practice guidelines for accurate and precise sampling and analysis of NO3 - isotopes in precipitation based on the experience obtained from an international research project coordinated by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)...