Visual analysis of the biological effects of tritium discharge from nuclear wastewater using CiteSpace
10.13491/j.issn.1004-714X.2026.01.013
- VernacularTitle:基于CiteSpace可视化分析核废水氚排放引发的不同生物学效应
- Author:
Ge YAN
1
;
Lin ZHAO
1
;
Jiaying XU
1
;
Juan WANG
2
Author Information
1. School of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Suzhou Medical College, Suzhou University, Suzhou, 215000 China.
2. Rugao Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Rugao, 226500 China.
- Publication Type:OriginalArticles
- Keywords:
Tritium water;
Radiation;
Biological effect;
CiteSpace;
Bibliometrics
- From:
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health
2026;35(1):74-82
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective With the vigorous development of nuclear reactors and controlled thermonuclear fusion research, the release of tritium, the predominant radionuclide in nuclear wastewater, into the environment has attracted widespread attention. Its impact on human health has also become a hot topic of research. This article presents a visual analysis of the literature on the biological effects of tritium ingestion by organisms over the past 70 years, with the aim of elucidating the biological effects of tritiated water and identifying current research hotspots and emerging trends. Methods We retrieved articles on the biological effects of tritium radiation published in the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Web of Science (WOS) over the past 70 years. CiteSpace software was used to generate visual maps, including annual number of publications, countries of publication, keyword clustering, keyword timeline, keyword burst, and literature co-citation. Results A total of 437 articles were included. The cumulative number of annual publications exhibited a linear growth trend. Research hotspots focused on low-radioactivity tritiated water, dose rate effect, DNA double-strand break damage, genetic effect, and cancer mortality. Emerging research frontiers included human lymphocyte immune injury, oxidase activity, comparison of marine organisms in different living environments, comparison of tritium and ionizing radiation effects, changes in mitochondrial ATP content, and the hormetic effect of low-dose radiation. Conclusion In cellular and animal models, high doses of tritium exposure induce negative biological effects. However, whether low doses of tritium esposure elicit beneficial biological effects remains to be further explored. It is suggested that domestic and foreign teams enhance academic collaboration and discussions, focusing on current hotspots and frontiers to deepen our understanding of the biological effects induced by tritium radiation. This will provide scientific solutions for disease treatment and establish a scientific basis for the safe utilization of nuclear energy and the formulation of safety standards for nuclear wastewater discharge.
