scholarly journals Radioactivity measurements in soils surrounding four coal-fired power plants in Serbia by gamma-ray spectrometry and estimated dose

2014 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 296-306 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivana Vukasinovic ◽  
Dragana Todorovic ◽  
Natasa Nikolic ◽  
Ana Mihajlovic-Radosavljevic ◽  
Snezana Nenadovic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Power Plants ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Surface Soil ◽  
Natural Radionuclides ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Gamma Ray Spectrometry ◽  
Carbonate Content ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Radioactivity Measurements

The study of spatial distribution of activity concentration of 238U, 226Ra, 210Pb, 232Th, 40K, and 137Cs radionuclides in the surface soil samples (n = 42) collected in the vicinity of four coal-fired power plants in Serbia is presented. Radioactivity measurements in soils performed by gamma-ray spectrometry showed values [Bqkg-1] in the range: 15-117 for 238U, 21-115 for 226Ra, 33-65 for 210Pb, 20-69 for 232Th, 324-736 for 40K, and 2-59 for 137Cs. Surface soil radio-activity that could have resulted from deposition of radionuclides from airborne discharges or resuspension of ash from disposal sites showed no enhanced levels. It was found that variation of soil textural properties, pH values, and carbonate content influenced activity levels of natural radionuclides while radiocesium activities were associated with soil organic matter content. Modification of some soil properties was observed in the immediate vicinity (<1 km) of power plants where the soil was more alkaline with coarser particles (0.2-0.05 mm) and carbonates accumulated. Calculated average values of the absorbed gamma dose rate and annual external effective dose originating from the terrestrial radionuclides were 69.4 nGy/h and 0.085 mSv, respectively.

scholarly journals Preliminary studies on the spatial distribution of artificial 137Cs and natural gamma radionuclides in the region of the Ojców National Park, Poland

Nukleonika ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 105-111
Author(s):  
Marcin Stobiński ◽  
Filip Jędrzejek ◽  
Barbara Kubica
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
National Park ◽  
Background Radiation ◽  
Natural Radionuclides ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Gamma Ray Spectrometry ◽  
Strong Positive Correlation ◽  
Local Climate ◽  
Natural Gamma

Abstract The aim of the research is to obtain preliminary information about the spatial distribution of gamma radionuclides in the soils taken from the Ojców National Park with emphasis on the behaviour of artificial radionuclides, with 137Cs as a representative. The natural radionuclides 40K, 226Ra (uranium series), and 228Th (thorium series), which are considered as background radiation, were also determined. In total, 18 soil samples were collected during the summer periods in 2015-2017, while the sampling points were selected with respect to differences in rainfall and local topography gradient. The method was based on gamma-ray spectrometry performed on high-purity germanium (HPGe) gamma detector (relative efficiency 34%). 137Cs was mostly deposited in the top soil layers, with activity in the range of 27.9÷586.6 Bq·kg-1. We found strong positive correlation of the 137Cs activity with the soil organic matter content, and at the same time, its dependence on the rainfall amount. Consequently, the soil types and local climate can control the spatial distribution of 137Cs on a small spatial scale. The quantity of natural radionuclides was highly similar in all samples with the following mean values: 38.0 Bq·kg-1for 228Th, 33.1 Bq·kg-1for 226Ra, and 479.9 Bq·kg-1for 40K.

scholarly journals Geochemical and radioctivity characterization of rocks from the Rio Preto (GO) project

2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 399
Author(s):  
Cynthia Romariz Duarte ◽  
Daniel Marcos Bonotto ◽  
Marco Aurélio Farias de Oliveira
Keyword(s):  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Uranium Content ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Gamma Ray Spectrometry ◽  
Weathering Processes ◽  
Lower Member ◽  
Ratio Data ◽  
238U Activity

A extinta Nuclebrás, no final da década de 70 e início dos anos 80, conduziu o Projeto Rio Preto, por intermédio do qual efetuou o mapeamento geológico básico e a caracterização radiométrica por aerogamaespectrometria, sem discriminação de canais, da região nordeste do estado de Goiás, Brasil, a oeste da área do Parque Nacional da Chapada dos Veadeiros, perfazendo um total de 650 km2 e englobando a confluência dos Rios Claro e Preto. Os radioelementos naturais U, Th e 40K do Projeto Rio Preto (GO) foram posteriormente caracterizados por espectrometria gama aplicada aproximadamente a 300 amostras, a qual foi conduzida no LABIDRO-Laboratório de Isótopos e Hidroquímica do Departamento de Petrologia e Metalogenia do Instituto de Geociências e Ciências Exatas da UNESP-Campus de Rio Claro. Este trabalho descreve para todas as amostras os resultados obtidos na caracterizaçãoao petrográfica e análise química dos principais óxidos (SiO2, TiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, MgO, MnO, K2O, Na2O, CaO e P2O5), os quais foram utilizados na avaliação da ocorrência dos radioelementos naturais naquela área. Também são apresentados resultados do teor de matéria orgânica obtido por colorimetria em amostras selecionadas de diferentes litotipos para melhor investigar a possibilidade de relação entre a grafita e os radioelementos urânio e tório. Finalmente, dados da concentração de urânio e razão de atividade 234U/238U em amostras selecionadas de xistos e gneisss da Formação Ticunzal – Membro Inferior sugeriram a influência de processos intempéricos na área.ABSTRACT: The Rio Preto Project, developed by the extinct Brazilian nuclear state company, Nuclebrás, during the late 70s and early 80s, consisted of basic geologicalmapping and radiometric characterization by aerogeophysical gamma-ray spectrometry, without channel discrimination, of a surface area of 650 km2 located to the westof the Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park on the northeastern of Goiás State, Brazil, including the confluence area of Claro and Preto Rivers. Additionaly, the naturalradioelements U, Th and 40K were determined by gamma-ray spectrometry in 300 rock samples from cores of the Rio Preto Project area. The tests were conducted at LABIDRO-Isotopes and Hydrochemistry Laboratory of the Departamento de Petrologia e Metalogenia of the Instituto de Geociências e Ciências Exatas, UNESP, in RioClaro, SP, Brazil. This paper reports the results of petrographic characterization and chemical analyses of major oxides (SiO2, TiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, MgO, MnO, K2O,Na2O, CaO and P2O5) for all samples used to determine the natural radioelements present in the region. The organic matter content results obtained by colorimetryare also reported for selected cores of different lithotypes in order to investigate the possible relationship between graphite and the radioelements uranium and thorium.Finally, uranium content and 234U/238U activity ratio data for selected samples of schists and gneisses of the Lower Member of the Ticunzal Formation suggest theinfluence of weathering processes in the area.Keywords: Rio Preto (GO) Project, natural radioelements, gamma and alpha spectrometry. 

Assessment of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM) in Mining Residues and Environmental Material from Sefwi, Awaso Bauxite Mine

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matjele Moipone ◽  
Oscar K. Adukpo ◽  
Joseph B. Tandoh
Keyword(s):  
Effective Dose ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
Red Mud ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Gamma Ray Spectrometry ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Environmental Material ◽  
Bauxite Ore ◽  
Mining Residues ◽  
Bauxite Mine

Abstract Gamma ray spectrometry was used to quantify level of NORM in mining residues sampled at Awaso bauxite mine and surrounding communities. The radionuclides of interest were 238U, 232Th and 40K and the radioactivity levels were determined in soil, bauxite ore, red mud and water samples from wells. The radioactivity concentrations in soil, bauxite ore and red mud 238U, 232Th and 40K were 18.01±1.96 Bqkg-1, 19.07±2.12 Bqkg-1 and 103.21±1.74 Bqkg-1; 39.42±4.18 Bqkg-1, 97.32±10.63 Bqkg-1 and 14.68±1.82 Bqkg-1; 44.85±4.79, 64.23±6.58 and 125.30±18.72 Bqkg-1. The activity levels for both 232U and 232Th were above world-wide average values while Potassium-40 levels were lower. The mean activity concentration values of 238U, 232Th and 40K in water samples were 1.49±0.45 Bql-1, 3.68±0.69 Bql-1 and 15.69±0.28 Bql-1 respectively and were within the world average activity concentrations except for bauxite ore and red mud. The committed effective dose was 0.74 mSv and annual effective dose estimated to be 0.136 mSv which is below recommended dose limit of 1 mSvyear-1 for public exposure.

scholarly journals VZTAH MEZI PŘIROZENOU RADIOAKTIVITOU HORNIN A PŮD NA NICH VYTVOŘENÝCH – ZÁKLADNÍ PROBLÉM INTERPRETACE DAT ZÍSKANÝCH LETECKOU A TERÉNNÍ GAMASPEKTROMETRIÍ

2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (1-2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiří Zimák
Keyword(s):  
Natural Radioactivity ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Natural Radionuclides ◽  
Size Fraction ◽  
Mineralogical Composition ◽  
Gamma Ray Spectrometry ◽  
Spectrometric Analysis ◽  
Radiation Dose Rate ◽  
Parent Rocks ◽  
Mass Activity

The objective of this study was to assess the amount of natural radionuclides in fresh parent rocks and their effect on natural radioactivity of soils developed from them. Forty-five fresh rocks consisting mainly of granitoids, syenitoids, acid to basic metavolcanites, mica schists, gneisses, quartzites, serpentinites, sandstones, graywackes, and limestones and their corresponding overlying soils were sampled for laboratory gamma-ray spectrometric analysis. Contents of potassium, uranium and thorium were converted to mass activity of 226Ra equivalent (am) and terrestrial gamma radiation dose rate (D). Data are tabled and discussed. The highest am values occured in syenitoids (386–441 Bq·kg-1) followed by granitoids, mica schists, greywackes and gneisses, whereas the lowest am values were found in quartzose sandstones (15–36 Bq·kg-1) followed by limestones (less than 15 Bq·kg-1) and serpentinites (less than 6 Bq·kg-1). The natural radioactivity of soils is usually slightly lower than that of parent rocks due to the lower content of potassium, uranium and thorium in soils. This is typical for granitoids, syenitoids and rocks of similar mineralogical composition. In soils developed on granitoids and syenitoids were found increased concentrations of all three elements in the grain size fraction below 0.063 mm. Soils developed on rocks with low natural radioactivity (such as limestones and serpentinites) tend to have significantly higher natural radioactivity than their parent rocks. This may complicate the interpretation of data obtained by airborne gamma-ray spectrometry.

scholarly journals Inter-comparison exercise utilizing x- and γ-ray spectrometry

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
pp. 121
Author(s):  
Filothei K. Pappa ◽  
Christos Tsabaris ◽  
Dionisis Patiris ◽  
Georgios Eleftheriou ◽  
Effrossini G. Androulakaki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Natural Radionuclides ◽  
Atomic Spectrometry ◽  
Gamma Ray Spectrometry ◽  
Metal Concentrations ◽  
Activity Concentrations ◽  
Great Divergence ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Comparison Exercise ◽  
Good Agreement

Radionuclides are characterized by their nuclear and chemical behavior. Additionally, the geochemical characteristics of radionuclides result in their accumulation in the sediments via sorption processes. In this work the radionuclide activity concentrations obtained by gamma-ray spectrometry (HPGe detector) were converted to metal concentrations as described in [1]. The results were compared with the measured metal concentrations obtained by atomic spectrometry (X-ray fluorescence system-XRF). The samples originate from the coastal environment of two Greek areas, characterized by elevated values of natural radionuclides (e.g. 226Ra) and metals. The preliminary study revealed a good agreement among the concentrations of potassium calculated via activity concentrations of 40K and those of XRF measurement, while a great divergence was observed for the thorium case. These differences can be attributed to the low statistics, as well as to the calibration set-up of Th XRF measurement.

Growth of Eucalyptus species in a Brown Kandosol, and changes in soil phosphorus fractionation following fertilisation

Soil Research ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terrence A. Short ◽  
Peter M. Kopittke ◽  
David R. Mulligan ◽  
Neal W. Menzies
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Surface Soil ◽  
Soil Phosphorus ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Maximum Growth ◽  
Phosphorus Fractionation ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Eucalyptus Species ◽  
P Application ◽  
Fertiliser Application

As observed with many soils, much of the P in the Brown Kandosol soils of Weipa (Australia) is associated with organic matter. However, following bauxite mining, much of this organic matter is either lost due to mineralisation, or is ‘diluted’ by the mixing of the soil profile. Using a sequential P extraction, the partitioning of P following fertiliser application was examined in an ‘undisturbed’ (Surface) soil and a Mixed soil. In addition, the effect of split-P applications on the growth of 2 native Eucalyptus species was examined. Following its addition to the soil, much of the P was converted comparatively rapidly to forms with reduced availability; by the time of the first measurement (4 weeks) only approximately 10% of the added P remained as the readily available AER-P. For the Surface soil, much of this added P was initially converted to organic P (Po) (measured as hydroxide-Po), before progressively moving into the hydroxide-Pi fraction. In comparison, in the mixed soil, competition for P from microbial biomass was lower (due to a lower organic matter content) and the P was rapidly converted to the hydroxide-Pi fraction before moving to unavailable forms (residual P). Although the use of split-P applications was expected to increase plant growth, maximum growth of Eucalyptus tetrodonta and Eucalyptus leptophleba was generally achieved when all P fertiliser was applied in the first few weeks of growth. Indeed, splitting the P application beyond 16 weeks caused a significant reduction in growth.

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

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.

Systematic influences of gamma-ray spectrometry data near the decision threshold for radioactivity measurements in the environment

2016 ◽  
Vol 158-159 ◽  
pp. 119-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Zorko ◽  
Matjaž Korun ◽  
Juan Carlos Mora Canadas ◽  
Valerie Nicoulaud-Gouin ◽  
Pavol Chyly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Gamma Ray Spectrometry ◽  
Decision Threshold ◽  
Radioactivity Measurements

scholarly journals Radionuclides and heavy metal contents in phosphogypsum samples in comparison to cerrado soils

2009 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 1481-1488 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanusa Maria Feliciano Jacomino ◽  
Kerley Alberto Pereira de Oliveira ◽  
Maria Helena Tirollo Taddei ◽  
Maria Célia Siqueira ◽  
Maria Eleonora Deschamps Pires Carneiro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Solid Waste ◽  
Soil Amendment ◽  
Natural Radionuclides ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Maximum Level ◽  
Mineralogical Composition ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
226Ra Activity

Phosphogysum (PG) or agricultural gypsum, a solid waste from the phosphate fertilizer industry, is used as soil amendment, especially on soils in the Cerrado region, in Brazil. This material may however contain natural radionuclides and metals which can be transferred to soils, plants and water sources. This paper presents and discusses the results of physical and chemical analyses that characterized samples of PG and compares them to the results found in two typical soils of the Cerrado, a clayey and sandy one. These analyses included: solid waste classification, evaluation of organic matter content and of P, K, Ca, Mg, and Al concentrations and of the mineralogical composition. Natural radionuclides and metal concentrations in PG and soil samples were also measured. Phosphogypsum was classified as Class II A - Not Dangerous, Not Inert, Not Corrosive and Not Reactive. The organic matter content in the soil samples was low and potential acidity high. In the mean, the specific 226Ra activity in the phosphogypsum samples (252 Bq kg-1) was below the maximum level recommended by USEPA, which is 370 Bq kg-1 for agricultural use. In addition, this study verified that natural radionuclides and metals concentrations in PG were lower than in the clayey Oxisol of Sete Lagoas, Minas Gerais, Brazil. These results indicated that the application of phosphogypsum as soil amendment in agriculture would not cause a significant impact on the environment.

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