HPGe Gamma Spectroscopy Measurement of Natural Radionuclides in Water with a Focus on Current Hardware and Software Technologies

Author(s):  
RS Seymour ◽  
JE Cox
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zakariya A. Hussein

In this work, the activity concentrations of natural radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in soil samples from Erbil governorate, Iraqi Kurdistan were investigated by a gamma-spectroscopy system based on high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector. This is to assess the dose of radionuclides exposure to the population, knowing the health risks and to have a baseline for future changes in the environmental radioactivity. It was found that the activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K were ranged from (14.6 ± 1.6 to 38.2 ± 2.8 Bq.kg-1),  (4.5 ± 1.4 to 52.4 ± 5.8 Bq.kg-1) and ( 302.8 ± 12.6 to 388.6 ± 12.8 Bq.kg-1), respectively. The measured activity concentrations for these radionuclides were compared with the reported data of other countries and with the worldwide average activity of soil. Radium equivalent activities, absorbed dose rate, excess lifetime cancer risk and the values of hazard indices were calculated for the measured samples to assess the radiation hazard of the natural radioactivity in all samples to the people. It was concluded that the radium equivalent activities of the studied samples are below the internationally accepted values. These results show that annual effective dose absorbed via occupant from activity construction of soil samples used in the under place is below 1.0 mSv.y-1. It is concluded that the assessment radioactivity of soil are within acceptable levels and does not pose any health hazard to the population.


2004 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 117 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. FLOROU ◽  
K. KEHAGIA ◽  
CH. CHALOULOU ◽  
V. KOUKOULIOU ◽  
CH. LYKOMITROU

The natural radionuclides 238U ,234Th, 40K and the main man-made 137Cs, have been studied in Mytilus galloprovincialis (Lamarck, 1819) sampled in the Thermaikos gulf – North Aegean Sea, considered as a bioindicator for radiological assessment in the Mediterranean. The ratio 234U/238U has also been determined. In terms of 137Cs, the activity concentrations in seawater from the studied area have been measured as well, and the concentration factors of 137Cs in Mytilus galloprovincialis are given as a parameter of the organism response to radioactive pollution.


Buildings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 258
Author(s):  
Valeria Artiola ◽  
Giuseppe La Verde ◽  
Vittoria D’Avino ◽  
Mariagabriella Pugliese

The Sassi of Matera (Basilicata region, southern Italy) is a peculiar site, but not unique in Italy, from a landscape point of view. Most of the buildings are excavated in rocks of calcarenite origin and used as homes and accommodation facilities. For this reason, the contribution of gamma radiation to the population due to this building material has been investigated for the first time. Even though the type of rock is not mentioned among the construction materials indicated in Italian Legislative Decree 101/2020 to be subjected to radiological characterization, the methodology indicated in the decree was applied, comparing the values with those present in the literature. The content of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K was then investigated with gamma spectroscopy, and the gamma index was calculated. The results obtained showed a low level of activity concentration of natural radionuclides in this type of stone, confirming the radiological safety. This result can also support the recovery and restoration initiatives for these buildings to conserve the architectural and landscape heritage of this village.


2021 ◽  
Vol 890 (1) ◽  
pp. 012005
Author(s):  
D I P Putra ◽  
W R Prihatiningsih ◽  
M Makmur ◽  
M N Yahya ◽  
Y Priasetyono ◽  
...  

Abstract Studies on the radionuclide distribution of some naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) and anthropogenic radionuclides in the sediments of the coastal areas of North Sulawesi were conducted to provide baseline data for the effective monitoring of radioactive fallout in these areas. Sediment samples were collected by a van Veen grab samples about 100 – 300 m from the shoreline, and 60 L of seawater was pre-concentration to precipitated 137Cs. Activity concentration of the three main natural radionuclides (222Ra, 232Th, and 40K) and 137Cs were determined using a high-resolution HPGe gamma-spectroscopy system and presenting background about the radiological levels and assessing the associated hazards. The activity of 226Ra ranged from 2.1 to 9.5 Bq kg−1 with an average value of 5.9 Bq kg−1. The activity of 232Th varies from 2.4 to 10.4 Bq kg−1 with an average value of 5.2 Bq kg−1. The 40K ranges between 169.1 to 492.7 Bq kg−1 with an average value of 238.8 Bq kg−1. The average activity concentration of 40K (238.8 Bq kg−1) in the sediment samples was lower than the worldwide average concentration (420 Bq kg−1). The current level of activity 137Cs varied from 0.05 to 0.40 Bq kg−1 in sediment samples and 0.98 to 1.33 Bq m−3 in seawater samples. 134Cs in all samples were not detected or below the detection limit. This fact indicated that radioactive cesium in Celebes Sea areas of North Sulawesi still originated from global fallout and insignificant influenced by the FDNPP accident. All radionuclide radiation values in the recent study are lower than the world average. Therefore, the potential danger of radiation generated from the surrounding environment has not yet caused a radiological health impact for the people living on the coast of North Sulawesi. Natural and artificial radionuclide activity data in this study will be used as the basis for sedimentary activity along the coast of North Sulawesi.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (16) ◽  
pp. 7475
Author(s):  
Dainius Jasaitis ◽  
Milda Pečiulienė

The change of natural ionizing radiation and the radon exhalation rates from typical building materials in underground parking lots are presented in the article. The activity concentration of natural radionuclides 232Th, 226Ra, and 40K in six important types of construction materials, which are mostly used in Lithuania, were analyzed using high-resolution gamma spectroscopy. The highest values were found in concrete and ferroconcrete samples: 226Ra 44 and 90 Bq kg−1; 232Th 29 and 34 Bq kg−1; 40K 581 and 603 Bq kg−1. A strong positive correlation (0.88) was observed between radium activity concentration and radon concentration. The activity indexes (Iα and Iγ) and radium equivalent activity (Req) evaluating the suitability of materials for such constructions from the view of radiation safety were determined. The average values of the calculated absorbed dose rate in samples ranged from 18.24 nGy h−1 in the sand to 87.26 nGy h−1 in ferroconcrete. The calculated annual effective dose was below the limit of 1.0 mSv y−1. The values of the external and internal hazards index (Hex and Hin) were all below unity, and the values of Iγ and Iα were below the recommended levels of 0.5 and 1. Dosimetric analysis of underground parking lots was carried out. It was determined that the external equivalent dose rate caused by the 222Rn progeny radiation in the underground car parking lots varies from 17 to 30% of the total equivalent dose rate.


2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-96
Author(s):  
Akhi Das Gupta ◽  
Md Kowsar Alam ◽  
Shyamal Ranjan Chakraborty ◽  
AKM Rezaur Rahman ◽  
SI Bhuian ◽  
...  

An experiment was carried out to assess the radiological exposure due to the intake of fishes and fish like foods from some common estuary (Karnaphuli River) and Marine (Bay of Bengal) contaminated by Fukushima Reactor Accident, if any, by using gamma spectroscopy. The analysis was done to estimate the radioactivity concentrations due to natural radionuclides namely 238U, 232Th and 40K and artificial radionuclide 137Cs in Karnaphuli estuary and Chittagong city adjoining Bay of Bengal fish and fish-like samples. The activity concentration for 238U in all the samples ranged from 0.10615 ± 0.0000 to 2.4767 ± 0.0005 Bq.kg-1 with the mean of 0.6109 ± 0.0001 Bq.kg-1. The Activity of 232Th ranged from 0.0009 ± 0.0000 to 0.0273 ± 0.0000 Bq.kg-1 with the mean of 0.0074 ± 0.0000 Bq.kg-1. The activity concentration for 40K was found to be in the range from 1.5516 ± 0.0311 to 74.8658 ± 0.2532 Bq.kg-1 with the mean of 24.9533 ± 0.0702 Bq.kg-1. The artificial radionuclide 137Cs was not found in any of the samples. The specific activity values for most of the sample were within the permissible limits. The average effective dose and internal hazard index due to consumption of those fishes and fish-like foods was found to be 0.1 mSv.y-1 and 0.0085 ± 0.0000 mSv.y-1 respectively. The research work showed that the consumers of concerned fishes and fish-like foods of the Chittagong area have no risk of radioactivity ingestion even though no amount of radiation is assumed to be totally safe. The Chittagong Univ. J. Sci. 40(1) : 75-96, 2018


2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 476-486 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. S. Kaliprasad ◽  
Y. Narayana

Abstract Systematic studies were carried out to understand the distribution of natural radionuclides in sediments and radon in water in the riverine environs of Cauvery, one of the major rivers of South India. The activity of radionuclides in the sediment was measured by gamma ray spectrometry. The radon emanation from the sediment was measured by the sealed ‘can technique’ and the radon in the water was measured using the RAD-7 instrument. The mean values of 40 K, 226Ra, and 232Th in the sediment samples were found to be 297.3 ± 4.16 Bq kg−1, 75.1 ± 2.64 Bq kg−1, and 85.5 ± 2.62 Bq kg−1, respectively. The mean activity of radon, radon exhalation rate, and radium content were found to be 135.68 Bq m−3, 327.1 mBq m−1 h−1, and 133.03 mBq kg−1, respectively. The radon in the water ranged from 0.19 kBq m−3 to 1.40 kBq m−3. The hyper pure germanium gamma spectroscopy measured via 226Ra activity and the radon activity measured by the passive can technique showed good correlation. The mean value of radon in the water was within the internationally recommended level. The sediment was considered safe for the purpose of construction, except for some extreme values, and the water was deemed safe for drinking.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (19) ◽  
pp. 3287-3293
Author(s):  
Kehinde David Oyeyemi ◽  
Ahzegbobor Phillips Aizebeokhai ◽  
Osagie Ayo Ekhaguere ◽  
Douglas Emeka Chinwuba ◽  
Charity Ada Onumejor

AIM: This research presents the radiogenic components in thirteen limestone samples from a quarry site in Ewekoro, southwestern Nigeria. METHODS: The distributions of natural radionuclides (238U, 232Th and 40K) in the limestone samples were determined by gamma spectroscopy using a well-type thallium-doped sodium iodide detector. Also, estimated associated radiological hazards are presented and compared with the standard threshold values. RESULTS: The activity concentrations for 238U, 232Th and 40K radionuclides range 18.09 ± 3.43-239.50 ± 25.74 Bqkg-1, 8.33 ± 0.83 - 360.01 ± 21.33 Bqkg-1 and 11.28 ± 0.81-735.26 ± 0.95 Bqkg-1 respectively. The radium equivalent activity concentration in the samples ranges 58.857-758.832 Bqkg-1 with samples S3, S4 and S11 values higher than the threshold limit of 370 Bqkg-1. Estimated dose rate and annual effective dose rate (AEDE) from the samples have ranges 28.754-330.917 nGyh-1 and 35.26-405.84 μSvy−1 respectively greater than the standard limit of 59 nGyh-1 and 70 μSvy−1 respectively for all samples except S9. The estimated external and internal indices are ranging 0.16 – 2.05 and 0.21 – 2.68 respectively, greater than permissible unity in some limestone samples such as S3, S4, S8, S11 and S13. Excess lifetime cancer risk was also computed using a life expectancy of 54.5 years. The results of higher radiological parameters in the limestone samples revealed that the miners have a high probability of contracting induced cancer. CONCLUSION: A regular check-up is recommended for the miners and staffs within the quarry site. Also, the residents within the environs should be relocated far away from the quarry site, as the particulates from the limestone rock blasting could contaminate the air in the study area.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 225-231
Author(s):  
Svetlana Artamonova

Activities of natural radionuclides 226Ra, 238U in underground brines of Cambrian sedimentary sequence in area of “Udachnaya” kimberlite pipe (Siberian plate) are considered. Activity of radium increases with the degree of the metamorphization of the underground brines. The work is done with the help of high-resolution semiconductor gamma-spectroscopy on state assignment of IGM SB RAS and on the project No. 18-45-140020 «Features of nuclear technogenesis by the example of the object of the peaceful underground nuclear explosion «Crystal» supported by the Russian foundation for basic research.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document