scholarly journals In situ Ground Radiometric Survey and Risk Assessments of Allanite-Bearing Beach Sands in Erawan, Palawan

Author(s):  
Reymar Diwa ◽  
Edmundo Vargas ◽  
Estellita Tabora ◽  
Botvinnik Palattao ◽  
Rolando Reyes ◽  
...  

Past exploration for U deposit in the Philippines discovered the mineralization of radioactive allanite in Palawan. The allanite occurs as sand component in the heavily populated beach of Erawan, San Vicente, Palawan. This work assessed the risks associated with the radionuclides in Erawan beach by in situ ground radiometric survey of K, U, and Th in 694 sampling points. Principal component analysis (PCA) and Pearson correlation coefficient were used to determine the similarity between the radionuclides and to identify other probable anthropogenic sources of radionuclides. Our results show that the mean activity concentrations of K (597.8 Bq kg-1) and Th (93.15 Bq kg-1) are equivalent to 1.5 and 3.1 times of the world average natural radioactivity levels in soil, respectively, while the mean U (34.7 Bq kg-1) is similar to the world average. The mean radiological risk assessments like radium equivalent, gamma specific activity index, external hazard index, internal hazard index, absorbed gamma dose rate, annual effective dose equivalent, annual gonadal equivalent dose, and excess lifetime cancer risk are 213.96 Bq kg-1, 0.78, 0.58, 0.67, 97.24 nGy h-1, 119.25 µSv y-1, 684.39 µSv y-1, and 0.42 (10-3), respectively. Th consistently correlated most to the risks. We attribute the occurrence of Th to the presence of allanite, K to fertilizer use for farming, and U to both the allanite and farming. The results of our study can provide important baseline data for future detailed studies or monitoring of the long-term effects of elevated radiation levels to the local population of Erawan.

Author(s):  
Natalia A. Zherlitsyna

The article examines the relationship between local and global radical Islamist movements in the countries of Southeast Asia: Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. The author set out to determine the reasons for the attractiveness of the rhetoric of modern global jihadist movements for the local population in remote regions of the world.  The study showed that the ideology of jihadism is based on a return to identity, the main pole of which is religion. After examining the origins of radical Islamist movements in Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, the author concluded that the Afghan War was the impetus for their development. The purpose of this study is to find common and distinctive characteristics of the situation with Islamist radicalism in each of the countries of the region.  Analyzing the situation in Indonesia, the author concludes that the priority for local groups is local goals, and the issue of armed jihad has split the Indonesian Islamist movement into a moderate and radical wing associated with Al-Qaeda and ISIS. The article traces the evolution of secular power in Malaysia to the institutionalization of political Islam, starting in the 1970s.  The author argues that the grows of the Islamization in Malaysia led to the fact that the modern religious and ethnic discourse of the country as a whole was prepared for the perception of the ideology of radicals when ISIS appeared in the region. The author found that the jihadist movements in the Philippines are motivated by the separatist conflict, they pursue local goals and use the rhetoric of global jihad to stimulate the struggle and intimidate opponents.


2002 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sitaram Garimella ◽  
Umawatti Prasad

Abstract A 10 cm (diameter) x 7.5 cm NaI(Tl) gamma-ray spectrometer was used to measure the concentrations of 40K, 232Th and 238U in 50 samples of top soils of the southern and western coasts of Viti Levu, the largest island of the Republic of Fiji Islands. The average activities of 232Th, 238U and 40K in soils of this region were 2.8, 3.6 and 160 Bq kg-1, respectively. The average external gamma-dose, which is likely to be delivered to the local population in this region, is estimated to be 10.3 nGy h-1, well below the world average.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 504-523 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dong-Ik Kim ◽  
Dawei Han

Abstract Long term climate data are vitally important in reliably assessing water resources and water related hazards, but in-situ observations are generally sparse in space and limited in time. Although there are several global datasets available as substitutes, there is a lack of comparative studies about their suitability in different parts of the world. In this study, to find out the reliable century-long climate dataset in South Korea, we first evaluate multi-decadal reanalyses (ERA-20 cm, ERA-20c, ERA-40 and NOAA 20th century reanalysis (20CR)) and gridded observations (CRUv3.23 and GPCCv7) for monthly mean precipitation and temperature. In the temporal and statistical comparisons, CRUv3.23 and GPCCv7 for precipitation and ERA-40 for temperature perform the best, and ERA-20c and 20CR also indicate meaningful agreements. For ERA-20 cm, it has only a statistical agreement, but the mean has the difficulty in representing its ensemble. This paper also shows that the applicability of each dataset may vary by region and all products should be locally adjusted before being applied in climate impact assessments. These findings not only help to fill in the knowledge gaps about these datasets in South Korea but also provide a useful guideline for the applicability of the global datasets in different parts of the world.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seyed Mohammad Baghbanian ◽  
Hamed Cheraghmakani ◽  
Reza HabibiSaravi ◽  
Arash Azar ◽  
Fariba Ghasemihamedani

Abstract Background: Information of Previous studies on the prevalence of MS, including our study conducted twelve years ago, used to shape global prevalence map of MS. According to those results, Iran placed in medium-prevalence MS region in the world Atlas of MS 2013.This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of MS in Mazandaran province after twelve years and the need for possible changes in the global map of the prevalence of MS. Methods: We included all MS patients living in Mazandaran province in 2018 in this descriptive cross-sectional study. We updated our pre-existing registration questionnaires which included demographic information and medical data of MS patients by interview. We obtained the demographic profile of Mazandaran province from the most recent census in 2016 and the National Civil Registry of the Mazandaran province for calculating prevalence of MS. Results: The total number of MS patients in Mazandaran was 2418 (25.8% male and 74.2% female) with a female to male ratio of 2.9. Based on the local population of 3332556, (50.4% male and 49.6% female), this study showed a prevalence of 72.5 per 100,000 for MS in this region. The prevalence of this disease by gender was 37.1 per 100,000 for men and 108.5 per 100,000 for women. The mean (SD) age of the patients at the time of the study was 38.5 (10.1) years with a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 75 years. The most common type of MS was Relapsing-Remitting MS with 86%. Conclusions: All recent studies showed significant upward trend in the prevalence of MS around the world. Based on the results of our study and many other studies in Iran, the Atlas of MS prevalence map needs to be update. Iran's status should be changed to the high-prevalence of MS in the new Atlas. Due to the increasing prevalence of MS, we suggest an adjustment in the Global MS Prevalence Scale.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seyed Mohammad Baghbanian ◽  
Hamed Cheraghmakani ◽  
Reza HabibiSaravi ◽  
Arash Azar ◽  
Fariba Ghasemihamedani

Abstract Background: Information of Previous studies on the prevalence of MS, including our study conducted twelve years ago, used to shape global prevalence map of MS. According to those results, Iran placed in medium-prevalence MS region in the world Atlas of MS 2013.This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of MS in Mazandaran province after twelve years and the need for possible changes in the global map of the prevalence of MS. Methods: We included all MS patients living in Mazandaran province in 2018 in this descriptive cross-sectional study. We updated our pre-existing registration questionnaires which included demographic information and medical data of MS patients by interview. We obtained the demographic profile of Mazandaran province from the most recent census in 2016 and the National Civil Registry of the Mazandaran province for calculating prevalence of MS. Results: The total number of MS patients in Mazandaran was 2418 (25.8% male and 74.2% female) with a female to male ratio of 2.9. Based on the local population of 3332556, (50.4% male and 49.6% female), this study showed a prevalence of 72.5 per 100,000 for MS in this region. The prevalence of this disease by gender was 37.1 per 100,000 for men and 108.5 per 100,000 for women. The mean (SD) age of the patients at the time of the study was 38.5 (10.1) years with a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 75 years. The most common type of MS was Relapsing-Remitting MS with 86%. Conclusions: All recent studies showed significant upward trend in the prevalence of MS around the world. Based on the results of our study and many other studies in Iran, the Atlas of MS prevalence map needs to be update. Iran's status should be changed to the high-prevalence of MS in the new Atlas. Due to the increasing prevalence of MS, we suggest an adjustment in the Global MS Prevalence Scale.


Author(s):  
Reymar R. Diwa ◽  
Estrellita U. Tabora ◽  
Botvinnik L. Palattao ◽  
Nils H. Haneklaus ◽  
Edmundo P. Vargas ◽  
...  

AbstractPhosphogypsum (PG) accumulates during wet-phosphoric acid production for fertilizers. In the Philippines, PG is partly (40%) utilized to produce gypsum walls and cement. This work assesses the radiological risks and resource opportunities associated with PG stacks in the Philippines. The conducted in situ radiometric survey measured the activity concentrations of 40K, 238U, and 232Th at 270 locations. Besides, another 120 surface samples were collected. Pure PG exceeds the recommended radiation limits, but simple dilution with conventional materials can make PG available as an inexpensive secondary raw material for construction. PG further contains relevant concentrations of rare earths and Y (195 ppm).


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Lucia Nyiva Munyao ◽  
Daniel Kipngetich Ketui ◽  
Calford Otieno ◽  
Margaret Wairimu Chege

Construction sand is naturally polluted with radionuclides of terrestrial origin. In this study, specific activities of 238U, 232Th, and 40K in 30 sand samples collected along the Ekalakala River, Machakos County, Kenya, were measured using a high-purity germanium γ-ray spectrometer. The specific activities ranged between 9.7 Bqkg−1 and 24.0 Bqkg−1, 11.5 Bqkg−1 and 26.2 Bqkg−1, and 820 Bqkg−1 and 1850 Bqkg−1 for 238U, 232Th, and 40K, respectively. While the mean specific activities for 238U and 232Th were less than half of the world average values of 33 Bqkg−1 and 45 Bqkg−1, respectively, the average specific activity of 40K was significant since it was three times the global mean value of 420 Bqkg−1. A calculated absorbed radiation dose rate for the sand varied between 46.8 nGyh−1 and 94.2 nGyh−1 with a mean of 68.5 ± 13.3 nGyh−1. This is not significantly different from the world average dose rate of 60 nGyh−1 for geological samples. The AEDR and Hex had maximum values of 0.29 mSvy−1 and 0.52, respectively, both within the recommended limits of radiation exposure for members of the general public. Based on these results, the sand from Ekalakala River does not pose significant health implication to the sand harvesters as well as the inhabitants of the houses constructed using this sand.


2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 255-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.D. Takoukam Soh ◽  
Saïdou ◽  
M. Hosoda ◽  
J.E. Ndjana Nkoulou II ◽  
N. Akata ◽  
...  

A car-borne survey was carried out in Douala, the largest city in Cameroon to make a detailed distribution map of the absorbed dose rate in the city, to locate the high natural radiation areas useful later to carry out indoor radon, thoron, and thoron progeny measurements. Gamma-ray dose rates were measured using 3-in × 3-in NaI(Tl) detector. Activity concentrations of238U,232Th and40K in soil from Douala city were determined by two methods: the first, usingin situgamma spectrometry and the second, at the laboratory using a NaI(Tl) detector. A heterogeneous distribution of absorbed dose rates in air was observed on the dose rate distribution map, and varies from 29 to 86 nGy h−1with an average of 50 nGy h−1, lower than the world average value of 59 nGy h−1. The activity concentrations with NaI(Tl) detector varied from 18 to 47 Bq kg−1for238U, 21 to 54 Bq kg−1for232Th, and 10 to 410 Bq kg−1for40K with averages of 29, 38, and 202 Bq kg−1respectively, forin situmeasurements. They vary between 29–98 Bq kg−1for238U, 29–92 Bq kg−1for232Th, and 40 to 79 Bq kg−1for40K, with averages of 60, 57, and 56 Bq kg−1respectively for soil samples collected at Douala III subdivision. The highest value of the annual effective dose forin situmeasurements by car was observed at Ndogbong and was found to be 0.7 mSv y−1, higher than the world average value of 0.5 mSv y−1.


Author(s):  
Sharmin Akter ◽  
Partha Pratim Brahma ◽  
Atkeeya Tasneem ◽  
Md. Khabir Uddin

In Bangladesh, groundwater is the most important source of potable water. This study aims to investigate the amount of Fe, Mn and As in groundwater and to assess the health risks through oral ingestion of these trace metals. Groundwater samples were collected from 20 sample sites throughout the Baishakanda union, Dhamrai upazila for source appointment and risk assessment studies. The concentrations of Fe, Mn, and As were measured using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Mean concentration of trace metal level in respectively descending order as Fe>Mn>As. The study found an average concentration of Fe (1.8 mg/L), Mn (0.74mg/L), and As (0.038 mg/L) in the groundwater sample where the mean value of Fe and Mn exceeds the DoE, WHO, and USEPA standards limit. On the other hand, the mean concentration value of As exceeds the WHO and USEPA standards limit. The non-carcinogenic human health risk was calculated by justifying HQ (Hazard Quotient) and HI (Hazard Index).A child (11.4056) is more vulnerable to non-carcinogenic human health risk than an adult (5.3769). Furthermore, As pollution in groundwater samples was found to pose a high carcinogenic risk, with children (3.84×10-3) being more vulnerable to carcinogenic risk than adults (1.81×10-3).The research area's groundwater was with a significant level of non-carcinogenic as well as cancer-risk (As) susceptibility in the local population.


2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 14
Author(s):  
Putri Megasari

Hepatitis has become a health problem in the world. The hepatitis virus infected many people. According to the teacher of MTsN 02 Bondowoso more than 20 students have hepatitis A viral infection. The purpose of this research was to know the differences of students' knowledge about hepatitis A before and after counseling in MTsN 02 Bondowoso 2015. This study used pre-experimental (pre-post test design). This study used stratified random sampling technique, 127 students from 270 sample involved this research,and 143 students was excluded. We used questionnaires to collect data. The results showed that the mean value of the students 'knowledge about hepatitis A before counseling in MTsN 02 Bondowoso 2015 was 83.96 with the lowest value of 37.5 and the highest value was 100. The mean value of the students' knowledge about hepatitis A after counseling in MTsN 02 Bondowoso 2015 was 93.21 with the lowest value waf 62.5 and the highest value was 100. Paired t test showed that t (-9.07) > t table (1.98), the null hypothesis (H0) was rejected. There was a difference between students' knowledge about hepatitis A before and after counseling in MTsN 02 Bondowoso 2015. This study showed that routine counseling by healthcare provider was important to prevent hepatitis A infection.; Keywords: counseling, knowledge of students, hepatitis


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