Natural radioactivity of rocks from the historic Jeroným Mine in the Czech Republic

AbstractThis study reports the natural radioactivity of characteristic rocks found in the historic Jeroným Mine of the Czech Republic as measured under the laboratory conditions. The rocks analyzed included granites and schists weathered to varying degrees and collected from different levels of the underground workings of the Jeroným Mine. The mine itself has been subject to metal extraction (mainly tin and tungsten) since the sixteenth century and has recently been developed as a cultural and scientific attraction open to the public. Activity concentrations of 40K, 232Th and 238U were measured from nine rock samples using gamma-ray spectrometry. The activity concentrations of 40K varied from 595 Bq kg−1 to 1244 Bq kg−1, while 232Th varied from 25 Bq kg−1 to 55 Bq kg−1. The activities associated with 238U ranged from 46 Bq kg−1 to 386 Bq kg−1. The measured activities were used to estimate two radiation hazard indices typically applied to building materials, the activity concentration index I and the external hazard index Hex. Mean respective values of 1.02 and 0.77 for I and Hex indicate that the rocks found in the Jeroným Mine meet radiological safety standards for building materials and do not pose a risk to potential tourists and staff.

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Natural Radioactivity of Rocks from the Historic Jeroným Mine in the Czech Republic

10.21203/rs.3.rs-327712/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Dariusz Malczewski ◽

Maria Dziurowicz ◽

Zdenek Kalab ◽

Marketa Rosnerova

Keyword(s):

Czech Republic ◽

Natural Radioactivity ◽

Building Materials ◽

Gamma Ray ◽

Hazard Index ◽

Metal Extraction ◽

Radiation Hazard ◽

Gamma Ray Spectrometry ◽

The Czech Republic ◽

Activity Concentrations

Abstract This study reports the natural radioactivity of characteristic rocks found in the historic Jeroným Mine of the Czech Republic as measured under the laboratory conditions. The rocks analyzed included granites and schists weathered to varying degrees and collected from different levels of the underground workings of the Jeroným Mine. The mine itself has been subject to metal extraction (mainly tin and tungsten) since the 16th century and has recently been developed as a cultural and scientific attraction open to the public. Activity concentrations of 40K, 232Th and 238U were measured from nine rock samples using gamma-ray spectrometry. The activity concentrations of 40K varied from 595 Bq kg− 1 to 1244 Bq kg− 1, while 232Th varied from 25 Bq kg− 1 to 55 Bq kg− 1. The activities associated with 238U ranged from 46 Bq kg− 1 to 386 Bq kg− 1. The measured activities were used to estimate two radiation hazard indices typically applied to building materials, the activity concentration index I and the external hazard index Hex. Mean respective values of 1.02 and 0.77 for I and Hex indicate that the rocks found in the Jeroným Mine meet radiological safety standards for building materials and do not pose a risk to potential tourists and staff.

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Assessment of natural radioactivity levels and the associated radiological hazards in some building materials from Mayo-Kebbi region, Chad

Radioprotection ◽

10.1051/radiopro/2018030 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 53 (4) ◽

pp. 265-278 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

S. Penabei ◽

D. Bongue ◽

P. Maleka ◽

T. Dlamini ◽

Saïdou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dose Rate ◽

Natural Radioactivity ◽

Building Materials ◽

Hazard Index ◽

Absorbed Dose ◽

Radiation Hazard ◽

Absorbed Dose Rate ◽

Activity Concentrations ◽

Radiological Hazards ◽

Radiation Hazard Index

In order to assess the levels of natural radioactivity and the associated radiological hazards in some building materials of the Mayo-Kebbi region (Chad), a total of nineteen samples were collected on the field. Using a high resolution γ-ray spectrometry system, the activity concentrations of radium (226Ra), thorium (232Th) and potassium (40K) in these samples have been determined. The measured average activity concentrations range from 0.56 ± 0.37 Bq kg−1 to 435 ± 7 Bq kg−1, 1.3 ± 0.6 Bq kg−1 to 50.6 ± 1.1 Bq kg−1 and 4.3 ± 2.0 Bq kg−1 to 840 ± 9 Bq kg−1, for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K, respectively. The highest 226Ra average activities is found in soil brick samples of Zabili. The highest mean value of 232Th and 40K concentrations are found in soil brick samples of Madajang. The activity concentration and the radium equivalent activity (Raeq) have been compared to other studies done elsewhere in the world. Their average values are lower than most of those of countries with which the comparison has been made. Were also evaluated, the external radiation hazard index, the internal radiation hazard index, the indoor air absorbed dose rate, the outdoor air absorbed dose rate, the activity utilization index, the annual effective dose, the annual gonadal dose equivalent, the representative level index, as well as, the excess lifetime cancer risk. In accordance with the criterion of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, our results show that soil brick samples of Zabili and Madajang increases the risk of radiation exposure, thereby the possibility of developing cancer by people living in this environment. Based on these findings, brick samples from Zabili and Madajang are not recommended for construction purposes. All other sample materials have properties that are acceptable for use as building materials in terms of radiation hazard.

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DETERMINATION OF RADON AND NATURAL RADIOACTIVITY CONCENTRATION IN SOME BUILDING MATERIALS USED IN IZMIR, TURKEY

Journal of Green Building ◽

10.3992/1943-4618.15.1.107 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

pp. 107-118

Author(s):

Daniel Hatungimana ◽

Caner Taşköprü ◽

Mutlu İçhedef ◽

Müslim Murat Saç ◽

Şemsi Yazıcı ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Natural Radioactivity ◽

Building Materials ◽

Gamma Spectroscopy ◽

Hazard Index ◽

Absorbed Dose ◽

Radiation Hazard ◽

Absorbed Dose Rate ◽

Dose Rates ◽

Activity Concentrations ◽

Materials Used

ABSTRACT The aim of this study is to determine the radon and natural radioactivity concentrations of some building materials and to assess the radiation hazard associated with those mortar materials when they are used in the construction of dwellings. Radon measurements were realized by using LR-115 Type 2 solid state nuclear track detectors. Radon activity concentrations of these materials were found to vary between 130.00 ± 11.40 and 1604.06 ± 40.5 Bq m−3. The natural radioactivity in selected mortar materials was analyzed by using scintillation gamma spectroscopy. The activity concentrations for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K for the studied mortar materials ranged from ND to 48.5 ± 7.0 Bq kg−1, ND to 41.0 ± 6.4 Bq kg−1 and ND to 720.4 ± 26.8 Bq kg−1, respectively. Radium equivalent activities, external and internal hazard indexes, gamma and alpha indexes and absorbed gamma dose rates were calculated to assess the radiation hazard of the natural radioactivity in studied samples. The calculated Raeq values of all samples were found to be lower than the limit of 370 Bq kg−1 set for building materials. The estimated hazard index values were found to be under the unity and the absorbed dose rate values were also below the worldwide average of 84 nGy h−1.

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Assessment of Radiological Significance of the Wastes Generated from the Triple Super Phosphate (TSP) Fertilizer Factory, Chittagong, Bangladesh

Journal of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences ◽

10.3329/jbas.v36i1.10923 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 36 (1) ◽

pp. 79-88 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

MA Samad ◽

MI Ali ◽

D Paul ◽

SMA Islam

Keyword(s):

Gamma Ray ◽

Hazard Index ◽

Liquid Waste ◽

Radiation Hazard ◽

Gamma Ray Spectrometry ◽

Radium Equivalent Activity ◽

Average Value ◽

Liquid Samples ◽

Activity Concentrations ◽

Academy Of Sciences

The activity concentration of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K was determined in solid and liquid samples collected from the TSP Fertilizer Factory, Chittagong, Bangladesh. A total of 18 samples of seven different kinds (including liquid and solid wastes) were collected and analyzed by gamma ray spectrometry technique using a high purity germanium (HPGe) detector of 40% relative efficiency. The analysis of the liquid waste samples showed that the average activity concentrations of 226Ra and 232Th were 6.26 ± 0.63 and 10.01 ± 1.39 Bq/L, respectively and no 40K was detected in any of the liquid samples. In the solid waste samples the average value of activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K were 187.49 ± 4.88, 70.06 ± 11.76 and 655.94 ± 110.24 Bq/kg, respectively. Considering the stored wastes as a part of the ambient environment of the factory, radium equivalent activity, radiation hazard index and external annual effective dose to the worker and public due to these wastes were also calculated and compared with world average values. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbas.v36i1.10923 Journal of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, Vol. 36, No. 1, 79-88, 2012

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Natural radioactivity level in materials used for medieval vaulting in the territory of the central Balkan region

Nuclear Technology and Radiation Protection ◽

10.2298/ntrp1602184b ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 31 (2) ◽

pp. 184-189 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Igor Bjelic ◽

Dragana Todorovic ◽

Jelena Krneta-Nikolic ◽

Djordje Lazarevic ◽

Koviljka Stankovic

Keyword(s):

Natural Radioactivity ◽

Building Materials ◽

Gamma Ray ◽

Health Hazard ◽

Hazard Index ◽

Absorbed Dose ◽

Balkan Peninsula ◽

Gamma Ray Spectrometry ◽

Balkan Region ◽

Materials Used

This work presents the results of an investigation undertaken to determine the level of natural radioactivity in the traditional building materials used for medieval indoor vaulted constructions in the territory of the central Balkan region. Indoor radiation exposure varies appreciably if it comes from the earth building materials, hence the presence of natural radioisotopes of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in masonry vaulted constructions was analyzed using gamma ray spectrometry. In addition, the internal health hazard index, the absorbed dose rates and the effective annual doses were calculated. The results were then compared both with the reported data from the previous studies concerning the territory of the Balkan Peninsula, as well as with the worldwide values for the materials of historic buildings. The results obtained from the materials examined in this paper all showed the radioactivity levels below the maximum permitted values.

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Radiation hazard of solid metallic tailings in Shangluo, China

Nuclear Technology and Radiation Protection ◽

10.2298/ntrp1602190z ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 31 (2) ◽

pp. 190-194 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sukai Zhuang ◽

Xinwei Lu ◽

Jiantao Li ◽

Qian Li

Keyword(s):

Building Materials ◽

Gamma Ray ◽

Hazard Index ◽

Weighted Average ◽

Absorbed Dose ◽

Radiation Hazard ◽

Gamma Ray Spectrometry ◽

World Population ◽

Absorbed Dose Rate ◽

Hazard Indexes

The radiation hazards of five kinds of different solid metallic tailings collected from Shangluo, China were determined on the basis of natural radioactivity measurements using low background multichannel gamma ray spectrometry. The activity concentration of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in the tailings ranged from 5.1 to 204.3, 3.8 to 28.5, and 289.6 to 762.3 Bq/kg, respectively. The radium equivalent activities and the external hazard indexes of all studied metallic tailings were below the internationally accepted value of 370 Bq/kg and unity, respectively. The internal hazard index of vanadium tailings exceeded unity, while the internal hazard indexes of other analyzed metallic tailings were less than unity. The indoor air absorbed dose rate values for all studied metallic tailings except lead-zinc tailings and gold tailings were higher than the world population-weighted average of 84 nGy/h and the annual effective dose values of all metallic tailings except for vanadium tailings were lower than 1 mSv. The study showed that vanadium tailings present a radiation hazard and their usage as building materials should be restricted.

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Natural radioactivity and radiological hazard of red-clay brick produced in Shangluo, China

Nuclear Technology and Radiation Protection ◽

10.2298/ntrp2004347z ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 35 (4) ◽

pp. 347-353

Author(s):

Sukai Zhuang ◽

Xinwei Lu

Keyword(s):

Building Materials ◽

Natural Radionuclides ◽

Hazard Index ◽

Radiation Hazard ◽

Radiological Hazard ◽

Clay Brick ◽

Red Clay ◽

Clay Bricks ◽

Activity Concentrations ◽

Red Clay Brick

The radiological hazard of building materials originating from clay, rock and other mineral wastes has attracted more attention because they contain natural radionuclides (226Ra, 232Th, and 40K). The activity concentration of radionuclides in red-clay brick samples obtained from three different brickyards in Shangluo, China waHs measured. Various indexes, including radium equivalent activities, Raeq, external hazard index, Hex, internal hazard index, Hin, indoor air absorbed dose rate, D, and annual effective dose, AED, of the aforementioned radionuclides in the bricks were used to assess the radiation hazard for people. The average activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K were respectively 34.5 ? 1.9, 62.5 ? 2.1, and 713.7 ? 19.8 Bqkg?1 for the studied red-clay bricks. The Raeq values of the red-clay brick samples varied from 167.0 to 184.7 Bqkg?1, which are lower than the limit of 370 Bqkg?1. Moreover, the activity concentrations of natural radionuclides in unfired brick, clay and coal were also determined and the results were compared with that in the red-clay brick samples. This study shows that the red-clay bricks produced in Shangluo, China can be used safely in construction industries.

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An assessment of the natural radioactivity distribution and radiation hazard in soil samples from Qatar using high-resolution gamma-ray spectrometry

Radiation Physics and Chemistry ◽

10.1016/j.radphyschem.2017.05.001 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 140 ◽

pp. 132-136 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Huda Al-Sulaiti ◽

K.S. Al Mugren ◽

D.A. Bradley ◽

P.H. Regan ◽

T. Santawamaitre ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High Resolution ◽

Natural Radioactivity ◽

Gamma Ray ◽

Soil Samples ◽

Radiation Hazard ◽

Gamma Ray Spectrometry ◽

High Resolution Gamma ◽

Radioactivity Distribution

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Natural Radioactivity, Radiological Hazard and Petrographical Studies on Aswan Granites Used as Building Materials in Egypt

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app11146471 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (14) ◽

pp. 6471

Author(s):

Nasser M. Moghazy ◽

Amira M. El-Tohamy ◽

Mona M. Fawzy ◽

Hamdy A. Awad ◽

Hesham M. H. Zakaly ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Natural Radioactivity ◽

Building Materials ◽

Gamma Ray ◽

Natural Radionuclides ◽

Polarized Light ◽

Environmental Parameters ◽

Mineralogical Composition ◽

Eastern Desert ◽

Granitic Rocks ◽

Gamma Ray Spectrometry

The present study was carried out on commercial types of Aswan granite used as building and decorative materials. Nearly 29 granitic rocks samples from 11 classes (black Aswan, red Aswan, dark Rosa, light Rosa, yellow Verdi, grey Shirka, Gandolla, Forsan, red Nefertiti, Royal, and white Halayeb) were collected from three stations near Aswan city for petrographical description and assessment of natural radioactivity. The petrographical study of granites was conducted by polarized-light microscope in order to determine their mineralogical composition and investigate their texture; the activity of the natural radionuclides 238U, Ra226, 232Th, and 40K was measured by gamma-ray spectrometry with a NaI(Tl) detector. The average values of the activities, 52.2 Bq kg−1, 57.8 Bq kg−1, 31.2 Bq kg−1, and 1055.7 Bq kg−1 of U-238, Th-232, Ra-226, and K-40, respectively, were higher than that the world average values of 35 Bq kg−1, 30 Bq kg−1 and 400 Bq kg−1 for 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K, respectively, according to the recommended levels from UNSCEAR reports. The minimum and maximum values obtained were compared with the value ranges from other locations in the Eastern Desert, highlighting the fact that that the maximum values obtained in this work are higher than those in other areas. According to the radiological hazards indices results, most samples lie in the permissible level ranges, suggesting their favorability for use as building materials. In contrast to that, some samples have some environmental parameters higher than the international levels, indicating their unsuitability as building materials.

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