137Cs analysis by gamma spectrometry and its potential for dating Portuguese old wines
Abstract
Analytical methods for dating wines often rely on assessing anthropogenic and cosmogenic radionuclides, including 14C and 137Cs [1,2]. Measurements of 137Cs for dating can be implemented through either a destructive approach involving radiochemical separation or via a non-destructive approach utilizing direct gamma-spectrometry [3]. Given the rarity and historical and commercial value of aged wines, this study explores non-destructive 137Cs detection in bottled wines. The methodology is based on measuring gamma-emitting radionuclides within the energy range of 46.5keV–1836 keV, using Hyper Pure Germanium (HPGe) detectors. A unique calibration system was designed for horizontally positioned wine bottles inside the detector. The method was optimized and validated using model wines after the addition of known levels of 137Cs, confirming the accuracy of the approach. Furthermore, an interlaboratory comparison, employing a Broad Energy Germanium (BEGe) detector demonstrated consistent trends in radioactivity measurements, further corroborating the reliability of the approach. The study represents the first application of 137Cs dating to Portuguese wines, both fortified and non-fortified, from vintages spanning 1947 to 1970. The findings highlighted variations, depending on the region and type of wine. No detectable radioactivity was found in wines produced before 1950 or after 1969. Interestingly, fortified wines exhibited lower 137Cs levels than non-fortified wines, likely due to differences in winemaking practices. This non-destructive and non-invasive method proves effective for distinguishing between wines made before and after the anthropogenic release of radionuclides in the 1950s. It offers additional valuable information to resolve ambiguities in wine dating while maintaining the integrity of the bottled wine.
References
[1] Hubert, P.; Perrot, F.; Gaye, J.; Médina, B.; Pravikoff, M. S. (2009). Radioactivity measurements applied to the dating and authentication of old wines. C. R. Phys., 622–629.
[2] Povinec, P. P.; Kontuľ, I.; Lee, S. H.; Sýkora, I.; Kaizer, J.; Richtáriková, M. (2020). Radiocarbon and 137Cs dating of wines. J. Environ. Radioact., 217, 106205.
[3] Tonev, D.; Geleva, E.; Grigorov, T.; Goutev, N.; Protohristov, H.; Stoyanov, Ch.; Bashev, V.; Tringovska, I.; Kostova, D. (2018). Nuclear and analytical methods for investigation of high-quality wines. J. Phys. Conf. Ser., 1023, 012034.
Issue: Macrowine 2025
Type: Poster
Authors
1 LEAF-Linking Landscape, Environment, Agriculture and Food—Research Center, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisboa, Portugal
2 Associate Laboratory TERRA, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisboa, Portugal
3 Center of Nuclear Sciences and Technologies (C2TN), Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, EN 10 (km 139.7), 2695-066, Bobadela, Portugal
4 Departamento de Engenharia e Ciências Nucleares (DECN), Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, EN 10 (km 139.7), 2695-066 Bobadela, Portugal
5 Laboratório de Protecção e Segurança Radiológica (LPSR), Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, EN 10 (km 139.7), 2695-066 Bobadela, Portugal
6 Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e do Porto, I.P., Rua de Ferreira Borges, 27, 4050-253 Porto, Portugal
7 Prescott Environmental Luminescence Laboratory (PELL), Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
8 The Australian Wine Research Institute, P.O. Box 197, Glen Osmond, SA 5064, Australia
9 Discipline of Wine Science and Waite Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, PMB 1, Glen Osmond, SA 5064, Australia
10 CeFEMA-Centre of Physics and Engineering of Advanced Materials Research Center, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal