This study evaluates the influence of the largest Serbian coal-fired power
plant on radionuclide concentrations in soil profiles up to 50 cm in depth.
Thirty soil profiles were sampled from the plant surroundings (up to 10 km
distance) and analyzed using standard methods for soil physicochemical
properties and gamma ray spectrometry for specific activities of natural
radionuclides (40K, 226Ra and 232Th). Spatial and vertical distribution of
radionuclides was determined and analyzed to show the relations between the
specific activities in the soil and soil properties and the most influential
factors of natural radionuclide variability were identified. The radiological
indices for surface soil were calculated and radiological risk assessment was
performed. The measured specific activities were similar to values of
background levels for Serbia. The sampling depth did not show any significant
influence on specific activities of natural radionuclides. The strongest
predictor of specific activities of the investigated radionuclides was soil
granulometry. All parameters of radiological risk assessment were below the
recommended values and adopted limits. It appears that the coal-fired power
plant does not have a significant impact on the spatial and vertical
distribution of natural radionuclides in the area of interest, but
technologically enhanced natural radioactivity as a consequence of the plant
operations was identified within the first 1.5 km from the power plant.
Distribution of gamma radiation dose rate related with natural radionuclides in all of Vietnam and radiological risk assessment of the built-up environment
