Atmospheric transport of 131I and 137Cs from Fukushima by the East Asian northeast monsoon.

The Lagrangian particle dispersion model FLEXPART was used to simulate atmospheric dispersion of radionuclides from the Fukushima nuclear power plant (FNPP) towards the Tropical Western Pacific (TWP) and Southeast Asia (SEA). The simulation model distinguished between hemispherical transport via the jet stream and regional transport within the marine boundary layer by the East Asian northeast monsoon. This regional transport was driven by anticyclonic circulation over southern Japan and the western Pacific resulting from a recurrent eastward extension of the Siberian High to the Pacific Ocean. Activity concentrations of 131I and 137Cs measured at ten monitoring stations in TWP and SEA were used to validate the particle dispersion model. Good agreement between the FLEXPART model and observations yields confidence regarding its application to assess radiation impacts and support emergency planning in response to a possible future nuclear accident in the region.

Natural radioactivity and external dose assessment of surface soils in Vietnam.

In this study, natural radioactivity in surface soils of Vietnam and external dose assessment to human population, deduced from activities of (226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K nuclides, were determined. From 528 soil samples collected in 63 provinces of Vietnam, including five centrally governed cities, the average activities were obtained and equal to 42.77 ± 18.15 Bq kg(-1) for (226)Ra, 59.84 ± 19.81 Bq kg(-1) for (232)Th and 411.93 ± 230.69 Bq kg(-1) for (40)K. The outdoor absorbed dose rates (OADRs) in air at 1 m above the ground level for 63 provinces were calculated, and their average value was 71.72 ± 24.72 nGy h(-1), with a range from 17.45 to 149.40 nGy h(-1). The population-weighted OADR of Vietnam was 66.70 nGy h(-1), which lies in the range of 18-93 nGy h(-1) found in the World. From the OADRs obtained, it was estimated that the outdoor annual effective dose and indoor annual effective dose to the population were 0.082  and 0.458 mSv, which are higher than the corresponding values 0.07 and 0.41 mSv, respectively, of the World. The radium equivalent activity Ra(eq) and the external hazard index H(ex) of surface soils of Vietnam are lower than the corresponding permissible limits of 370 Bq kg(-1) and 1, respectively. Therefore, soil from Vietnam is safe for the human population when it is used as a building material.

239+240Pu, 90Sr and 137Cs inventories in surface soils of Vietnam.

Fallout 239+240Pu, 238Pu, 90Sr and 137Cs inventories in surface soils were measured for 20 locations in northern Vietnam yielding the mean values (+/- standard error) of 26.5+/-3.8 Bq m(-2) for 239+240Pu, 1048+/-143 Bq m(-2) for 137Cs and 212+/-28 Bq m(-2) for 90Sr. The concentrations of 137Cs and plutonium isotopes strongly correlate with each other resulting in a stable 239+240Pu/137Cs inventory ratio of 0.025+/-0.002. Among soil parameters, organic matter and fulvic acids strongly correlate with caesium and plutonium isotopes, especially in the 0-10 cm layer. 137Cs and 239+240Pu are distributed rather similarly over the 0-10 cm and 10-20 cm layers. At locations with high contents of sand (82-93%) along the South China Sea coast, the downward percolation by rainwater results in a higher accumulation of 239+240Pu and 137Cs in the 10-20 cm layer. The mean 137Cs/ 90Sr inventory ratio is 9.3+/-2.2, and the correlation is weak between these isotopes.

Derivation of 137Cs deposition density from measurements of 137Cs inventories in undisturbed soils.

The 137Cs inventories in undisturbed soils were measured for 292 locations across the territory of Vietnam. The logarithmic inventory values were regressed against characteristics of sampling sites, such as geographical coordinates, annual rainfall and physico-chemical parameters of soil. The regression model containing latitude and annual rainfall as determinants could explain 76% of the variations in logarithmic inventory values across the territory. The model part was interpreted as the logarithmic 137Cs deposition density. At the 95% confidence level, 137Cs deposition density could be predicted by the model within +/- 7% relative uncertainty. The latitude mean 137Cs deposition density increases northward from 237 Bq m(-2) to 1097 Bq m(-2), while the corresponding values derived from the UNSCEAR (1969) global pattern are 300 Bq m(-2) and 600 Bq m(-2). High 137Cs inputs were found in high-rainfall areas in northern and central parts of the territory.

Environmental radionuclides in surface soils of Vietnam.

A database on 238U, 232Th, 40K, and 137Cs in surface soils was established to provide inputs for the assessment of the collective dose to the population of Vietnam and to support soil erosion studies using 137Cs as a tracer. A total of 292 soil samples was taken from undisturbed sites across the territory and the concentrations of radionuclides were determined by gamma spectrometry method. The multiple regression of 137Cs inventories against characteristics of sampling locations allowed us to establish the distribution of 137Cs deposition density and its relationship with latitude and annual rainfall. The 137Cs deposition density increases northward and varies from 178 Bq m(-2) to 1,920 Bq m(-2). High rainfall areas in the northern and central parts of the country have received considerable 137Cs inputs exceeding 600 Bq m-2, which is the maximum value that can be expected for Vietnam from the UNSCEAR global pattern. The mean activity concentrations of naturally occurring radionuclides 238U, 232Th, and 40K are 45, 59, and 401 Bq kg(-1), respectively, which entail an average absorbed dose rate in air of 62 nGy h(-1), which is about 7% higher than the world average.

Effect of Vietnamese Ginseng on the phagocytosis in vitro and in vivo.

The effects of Vietnamese ginseng crude extract (VG extract), total saponin (VG saponin) and its major saponin component, majonoside-R2, on phagocytosis were examined in mice by bactericidal and carbon clearance tests. Escherichia coli (E. coli) ATCC 25922 was used to induce the acute toxicity and activate the phagocytic activity of phagocytes in both in vitro and in vivo bactericidal tests. Pretreatment with VG extract (500 mg/kg, oral administration, p.o.) and majonoside-R2 (50 mg/kg, intraperitoneal administration, i.p.) protected the animals from the acute toxicity of E. coli ATCC 25922 and significantly increased the phagocytic index in both in vitro and in vivo bactericidal tests. Moreover, VG extract (100-500 mg/kg, p.o.), VG saponin (25 mg/kg, i.p.) and majonoside-R2 (10 mg/kg, i.p.), as well as zymosan A, a non-specific phagocytic stimulant, also increased the phagocytic index evaluated by the carbon clearance test. These results indicate that Vietnamese ginseng enhances the phagocytic activity of phagocytes, and suggest that majonoside-R2 plays an important role in this effect.