Potential of ion-imprinted polymers for studying migration of radioactive contaminants (226Ra, 137Cs) in environment

International audienceDuring last decades, some industrial processes (e.g., uranium, coal and phosphate mining, shale gas extraction) and nuclear accidents like Tchernobyl or Fukushima, have contributed to release radionuclides across the globe. Their persistence in the environment can contribute to ionizing radiations exposure risk to populations and ecosystems, and thus, environmental radiological monitoring is of great concern. Radium-226, alpha emitter whose progeny is the well-known radon gas, and Cesium-137, beta emitter, belong to the most radiotoxic radionuclides. Indeed, due to chemical properties respectively similar to those of calcium and potassium, they are able to replace them in biological processes, and can thus contribute to increase the internal dose. In order to assess the risk of chronic exposure, it is essential to have a deeper understanding of processes leading to radionuclides migration in the environment. However, their quantification in environmental samples (e.g., pore waters, root systems) presents many challenges: low sample volumes available (