scholarly journals Natural radioactivity in the soil of Thoulakhom district in Vientiane province, Laos

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 119-125
Author(s):  
Sonexay Xayheungsy ◽  
Khiem Hong Le

Results of the first investigation of the activity concentration of the surface soil samples collected at various locations of Thoulakhom district of Vientiane province of Laos People's Democratic Republic (PDR) are presented in this work. The activity concentration of the natural radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in the soil samples were determined by gamma spectrometer using a highenergy resolution semiconductor detector HPGe. The activity concentrations of the natural radionuclides were in the range from 11.28 to 31.46 with the mean of 21.76 Bq.kg-1 for 226Ra, from 7.13 to 44.47 with the mean of 21.85 Bq.kg-1 for 232Th and from 8.96 to 581.52 with the mean of 112.89 Bq.kg-1 for 40K. These mean values of the activity concentration were lower than the average worldwide ones, which were 33, 45 and 420 Bq.kg-1 for 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K, respectively. The results indicate dthat the radiation hazard from natural 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K radionuclides in all investigated soil samples taken from area under investigation in this work was not significant.

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.


2019 ◽  
Vol 100 ◽  
pp. 00052
Author(s):  
Aneta Łukaszek-Chmielewska ◽  
Martin Girard ◽  
Olga Stawarz ◽  
Barbara Piotrowska ◽  
Karol Wojtkowski ◽  
...  

In this article are presented the results of measurements of natural radioactivity in twelve soil samples from the Kampinoski National Park by using high purity germanium detector (HPGe). The average values of the natural radionuclides 40K, 226Ra and 228Ac concentrations in the soil samples are 8.54, 6.65 and 206 Bq/kg respectively. Additionally radiation hazard indices were calculated to evaluate the radiological risk for the public and environment. The results show that the mean values of radium equivalent activity (Raeq) and gamma absorbed dose rate (D) in the air, outdoor annual effective dose equivalent (Eout), and representative level index (Iγ) for analyzed samples were lower than the limit recommended by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effect of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR). This study is the first to evaluate the radiological impacts in the investigation area.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mekuanint Lemlem Legasu ◽  
Ashok K Chaubey

Abstract Background & Methodology : The specific activity concentration of naturally occurring radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th, 40K and their health related effects were determined in different environmental samples(gemstones) collected from Delanta-Dawunt. Which is one of the mining place in Ethiopia to extract mainly opals (gemstones). Sample collection and the gamma spectroscopic analysis followed the recommended international procedures for such type of research. Gamma-ray spectrometry was applied using HPGe gamma-ray detector and PC-based MCA. The Purpose of this research: to determine the activity concentrations of the radionuclides U/Th series and K of gemstones(opals), to determine life time cancer risk of radionuclide in the environment , to assess the hazard and risk to the public associated with these dose values , to conduct the geochemical studies by quantifying the levels of trace gemstones as well as the physical parameters in soil samples within and around it, and To determine the radiation doses from these activity concentrations and compare with international recommended dose limits. Results: The results of the activity concentration on our research work showed significant variations from 11.97 ± 2.46 to 62.44 ± 14.99 Bq kg-1 for 226Ra, 25.69 ± 3.69 to 137.84 ± 13.23 Bq kg-1 for 232Th and 184.84 ± 3.59 to 969.56 ±18.16 Bq kg-1 for 40K. The mean radioactivity concentration of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K was found to be around 29.84 ± 6.53, 68.44 ± 18.94, 390.87 ± 6.09 Bk kg-1 respectively. Conculsion: The mean values of Radium equivalent activity (Raeq), absorbed dose, annual effective dose equivalent, external and internal radiation hazard (Hex and Hin) index ,and activity utilization index is 151.68±19.46 Bq kg-1, 72.19 ± 8.48 nGy h-1, 0.07 ± 0.01mSv y-1,0.43, 0.51, 0.57 ± 0.08 and 0.29 ± 0.03 respectively. The specific activity of 232Th is higher than the world mean value and 40K is the same as the world mean value. The radiation hazard indices, ELCR values found in this study are lower than the world mean values. However, the absorbed dose is higher than the world means value. This is due to the reason of high thorium concentration existence and opal mining is highly explored on such study areas.


2019 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
pp. 217
Author(s):  
I. K. Mitsios ◽  
D. J. Karangelos ◽  
M. J. Anagnostakis

Surface soil radioactivity is being studied at NED-NTUA since almost thirty years. The last few years this research has expanded to the study of soil particle size fractionation of radionuclides. The purpose of the present work was to study the tendency of many radionuclides to accumulate in the smaller particle size fractions. To this end, soil samples were collected from an area in the NTUA Campus where 241Am contamination, due to a failed 241Am-tipped lightning rod, had been previously detected. The samples were separated into size fractions using a sieving machine and analyzed by gamma spectrometry to determine 210Pb, 241Am, 234Th, 228Ra, 228Th, 226Ra, 7Be, 137Cs and 40K. The activity concentrations of these nuclides were found to significantly differ among the size fractions examined.


2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 1472-1478
Author(s):  
Heiyam N. Majeed ◽  
Ali K. Hasan ◽  
Hussein J. Hamad

Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf city one of the most important ,oldest, historical and religious cities in Iraqi country which includes hundreds of holy shrines and historical mosques which over the built hundreds of years. The natural radiation of  forty two  samples of soil which collected randomly in June  2013 from different religious and historical places were  measured using  3"×3" Na(Tl) detection. The mean values activity concentrations of 238U, 232Th and 40K  was ( 23.59±4.37, 12.10±0.54 and 60.68±2.30) Bq kg-1  respectively , specific activity for all soil sample were in the worldwide average. The  average values of the Radium equivalent activity and  annual effective dose  were (22.455 Bq/kg and 25.375 μSv/y) less than the world average .The heist  external and internal hazard and gamma activity concentration index were (0.274 , 0.412 and 0.705) lower than unity.


Author(s):  
Loat Bui Van

We have determined activity concentrations in 33 soil samples collected from Bolikhamxay Province, Laos. The activity concentrations of the natural radionuclides 226Ra,232Th and 40K in soil samples were measured by a gamma spectrometer with a HPGe detector. The average activity concentrations of the natural radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th and 40K are 43.8 ± 5.6, 57.0 ± 7.3 and 426.4 ± 23.1 Bq.kg-1, respectively. The average activity concentrations of 226Ra and 232Th in this work are higher than those of the world average values. Meanwhile, the  activity concentration of 40 K is almost the same of the world average value. The estimated average outdoor annual effective dose (E) and radium equivalent actitvity (Raeq) are 0.17 ± 0.02 mSv.yr-1 and 154.8 ± 16.1 Bq.kg-1, respectively.


2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 119-130
Author(s):  
I C OKEYODE ◽  
A O MUSTAPHA ◽  
N N JIBIRI ◽  
V MAKINDE ◽  
F G AKINBORO ◽  
...  

This study was aimed at measuring and comparing the activity concentration of soil samples collected from some selected hand – dug wells with their corresponding depths of collection in Abeokuta metropolis. Total of twenty (20) soil samples were collected from hand-dug wells in five sites (Obada, Adigbe, Kuto, Olorunsogo, and Obantoko) within Abeokuta with four (4) soil samples from each hand-dug well at the surface, (0.0m) through to 2.25m depth. Gamma ray spectroscopy with High Purity Germanium (HPGe) detector was used for the measurements. The average activity concentrations obtained for the three natural radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in Bq/Kg are 34.31 ± 2.01, 128.73 ± 4.41 and 152.31 ± 2.59 respectively at depth 0.00 m (surface), 23.00 ± 1.61, 68.39 ± 3.24 and 191.08 ± 3.11 respectively at depth 0.75 m, 31.52 ± 2.21, 145.37± 4.95 and 375.56 ± 5.50 respectively at 1.50 m and lastly 28.57±1.70, 95.61 ± 3.71 and 181.10 ± 3.94 respectively at 2.25 m depth. The world average activity concentrations for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K are given to be 35 Bqkg-1, 30 Bqkg-1 and 400 Bqkg-1 respectively (UNSCEAR 2000). 232Th showed  higher average values than the world’s average while averages of 226Ra and 40K were lower but most of the activity concentration values obtained in some of the locations are higher than the world’s average values, especially 226Raand 232Th in the soil samples. 


2017 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 117862211774694 ◽  
Author(s):  
CS Kaliprasad ◽  
PR Vinutha ◽  
Y Narayana

In this study, systematic measurement of activity concentrations of 40K, 226Ra, and 232Th and radon exhalation rate has been done in soil samples of Cauvery River environment. The activity was measured using HPGe gamma-ray spectrometer, and the mean values of 40K, 226Ra, and 232Th in the soil samples were found to be 182 ± 4, 34 ± 2, and 19 ± 1 Bq kg−1, respectively. The radon exhalation rate was measured by “Can technique” using SSNTD (LR-115) films. The mean values of radium concentration, surface exhalation, and mass exhalation rate were found to be 118.95, 293.61, and 108.53 mBq kg−1 h−1, respectively. The radiological hazard indices due to natural radioactivity were calculated and compared with international recommended values, which are lower than the recommended level. The radon exhalation rate is lower than the recommended level.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ezekiel Oghenenyerhovwo Agbalagba ◽  
Mohammed S. Chaanda ◽  
Stephen Uloho U. Egarievwe

Abstract This study examined the radioactivity levels of soil samples within selected solid mining sites in Nigeria using high purity germanium (HpGe) detector. Sixty soil samples in all were collected from the ten solid mineral mining sites investigated and six samples were collected as control samples from non-mining environment for analyses. The results of the activity concentration values obtained for 40K, 226Ra and 232Th are 100.22 Bq kg-1, 33.15 Bq kg-1 and 77.31 Bq kg-1 respectively. The 226Ra and 40K activities were found to be within the United Nation Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) acceptable permissible limit, but the 232Th mean value was above the permissible limit of 30 Bq kg-1 for the public. In comparison, 40K, 226Ra and 232Th soil samples mean activity concentrations were higher than the control soil samples values by 48.6%, 43.7% and 62.3% respectively. The results of estimated radiation hazard indices indicate average values of 150.72 Bq kg-1, 68.40T, 83.65µSvy-1 and 454.70µSvy-1 for the Radium Equivalent (h), iDose Equivalent (AEDE) and Annual Gonadal Equivalent Dose (AGED) respectively. The mean values for External Hazard Indices (Hex, Hin), Representative Gamma index (s) and Excess Life Cancer Risk (ELCR) were 0.41, 0.50, 1.06 and 0.29 x10-3 respectively. The statistical analysis shows positive skewness.


2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 347-353
Author(s):  
Sukai Zhuang ◽  
Xinwei Lu

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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