scholarly journals A review: Natural and artificial radionuclides and radiation hazard parameters in the soil of mountain regions in Serbia

2020 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Branislava Mitrovic ◽  
Dragana Todorovic ◽  
Jelena Ajtic ◽  
Borjana Vranjes

This review paper discusses the content of natural (40K, 238U, 226Ra, and 232Th) and artificial (137Cs) radionuclides in the soil of the mountains of Maljen, Tara and Kopaonik in the Republic of Serbia over 2002-2015. In addition, the paper gives radiation hazard parameters, i.e., radium equivalent activity, absorbed dose rate, annual effective dose equivalent, external hazard index, annual gonadal dose equivalent, and excess lifetime cancer risk outdoors that we calculated from the obtained content of the natural radionuclides in the soil samples. We compared the parameters to previously published results for different parts of the country and looked into the radioecological status of the investigated areas.

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (30) ◽  
pp. 172-179
Author(s):  
Nada Farhan Kadhim

The specific activities of the natural radionuclides U-238 and Th-232 and K-40 in 14 soil samples collected from different sites fromAL-Mustansiriyah university at two depths (topsoil "surface" and20cm depth) were be investigated using gamma ray spectrometer3"x3" NaI(Tl) scintillation detector.The analysis of the energy spectra of the soil samples show thatthese samples have specific activities ranging with (16.08-51.11)Bq/kg for U-238, (14.79-52.29) Bq/kg for Th-232 and (191.08-377.64) Bq/kg for K-40, with an average values of 29.37, 34.14 and289.62 Bq/kg for U-238, Th-232, k-40 respectively. The radiationhazard parameters of the natural radionuclides; radium equivalentactivity (Raeq), gamma absorbed dose rate (Dγ), annual effective doserate (Eγ), internal and external hazard index (Hin, Hex) have also beencalculated. The maximum value of specific activities and hazardparameters was found in the sample of the soil gathered from theLiterature college center. All the calculated specific activates valueswere be in the ranges of worldwide averages, and below than theglobal permissible limits, this would indicate that the soils of theUniversity is safety for both students and staff.


2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 354-360
Author(s):  
Slavko Dimovic ◽  
Boris Vakanjac ◽  
Ivana Jelic ◽  
Milena Rikalovic ◽  
Vesna Ristic-Vakanjac ◽  
...  

The aim of the study was to evaluate the potential risks of radiation near abandoned uranium mines, tailing dumps, or uranium deposits on Mountain Stara Planina, Serbia. For risk assessment several parameters were determined: radium equivalent activity, Raeq, external hazard index, Hex, gamma radiation absorbed dose rate, D, annual effective dose on background outdoor gamma exposure, AEDoutdoor, and excess lifetime cancer risk, ELCR. Obtained results showed that all the samples, except one, have the Raeq value up to two times higher than the reference limit. The Raeq of the sample from the Mezdreja mine tailings was increased by almost eight times. The value of Hex followed the same pattern as Raeq. All the investigated localities have increased D values, while all the samples have shown the moderately low AEDoutdoor, except Mezdreja mine tailings that have 5.5-2.8 times higher dose relative to the world's average. ELCR at the Mezdreja mine tailings is 4.58 times higher than the world's average of 1.45?10?3. In the context of human activity in the area of Stara Planina such as different kinds of tourism, livestock breeding, dairy products, and herbal manufacturing, etc. there is a need for detailed analysis in order to evaluate potential human exposure and health impacts.


2018 ◽  
Vol 184 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-11
Author(s):  
C M Alonso-Hernández ◽  
A L Toledo-Sibello ◽  
A Guillén-Arruebarrena ◽  
R Sibello-Hernández ◽  
Y Morera-Gómez ◽  
...  

Abstract The natural radioactivity and the associated radiation hazards of soils from the Cumanayagua Granitoide-Granitic massif in the central south of Cuba have been studied. Mass activities of the natural radionuclides 238U, 232Th and 40K varied in the ranges 10.4–33, 4.6–21.7 and 381–1201 Bq kg−1, respectively. The radium equivalent activity (91.4 ± 22.1 Bq kg−1), absorbed dose rate (45.6 ± 11.1 nGy h−1), annual effective dose rate (56.1 ± 13.7 μSv y−1) and the external hazard index (0.25 ± 0.06) have been calculated and compared with the internationally approved values. According to these results, the area can be regarded as an area with normal natural background radiation and may not pose radiological risks to the inhabitants owing to harmful effects of ionizing radiation from the natural radionuclides in soils. This study provides background radioactivity concentrations in Cumanayagua Granitoide area and generate a baseline data for radiological mapping of Cuba in the future.


2011 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 149-155 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.M. Jankovic ◽  
D.J. Todorovic ◽  
J.D. Nikolic

The radioactivity monitoring in the ?Nikola Tesla?, ?Kolubara?, ?Morava? and ?Kostolac? coal-fired power plants was performed by the Radiation and Environmental Protection Laboratory, Vinca Institute of nuclear sciences in the period 2003-2010. Monitoring included the analysis of soil, water, flying ash, slag, coal and plants. This paper presents the results of the radioactivity analysis of coal, ash and slag samples. Naturally occurring radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th, 40K, 235U, 238U, and 210Pb as well as the man-made radionuclide 137Cs were determined by gamma spectrometry using HPGe detector. The concentrations of pairs of radionuclides were statistically tested to determine the correlation between them. Based on the obtained results, health effect due to the activity of these radionuclides was estimated via radium equivalent (Raeq), external hazard index (Hex), external gamma absorbed dose rate () and annual effective dose.


2014 ◽  
Vol 955-959 ◽  
pp. 3691-3695
Author(s):  
Gang Song ◽  
Min Xing Lu ◽  
Qiu Ping Zhu ◽  
Di Yun Chen ◽  
Yong Heng Chen

The natural radionuclide (238U, 226Ra, 232Th and 40K) concentrations in 152 soil samples were determined from two major granite areas in Guangzhou, using high resolution γ-ray spectroscopic system based on the characteristic spectral peaks. The mean activity values for 238U, 226Ra, 232Th and 40K were found to be 156.6±98.8, 160.9±96.5, 184.8±101.5 and 832.5±493.1 Bq kg–1 dry mass, respectively. The absorbed dose rate (D) calculated from activity concentration of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K ranged from 53.2 to 497.1 nGy h–1 with a mean of 220.7 nGy h–1. The Radium equivalent activity (Raeq), the outdoor annual effective dose and the external hazard index (Ir), which resulted from the natural radionuclides in soil, were also calculated and found to vary from 119.7 to 1117.2 Bq kg–1, from 0.07 to 0.61 mSv and from 0.33 to 3.07, respectively. The radium equivalent activities and the external hazard index in all the soil samples were same as 64.5% higher than the limit of 370 Bq kg–1 and 1.0, respectively. The outdoor annual effective dose was higher than the worldwide mean value of 0.07 mSv.


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.


2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 154-164
Author(s):  
Sreten Ilic ◽  
Tatjana Golubovic ◽  
Natasa Pajic ◽  
Mirjana Djurasevic ◽  
Aleksandar Kandic

This paper presents the results of analyses of radionuclide content in the samples of the surrounding soil and clayey material of ?Zbegovi? open-pit mine in Donje Crniljevo, Serbia. Samples from 78 sites were collected and prepared. The activity concentrations were determined for radionuclides: 238U, 232Th, 40K, 226Ra, and 137Cs. The mean values obtained are as follows: 23 Bqkg?1, 89 Bqkg?1, 372 Bqkg?1, 56 Bqkg?1, and 11 Bqkg?1, respectively. Concentrations of 238U, 40K, and 226Ra in the studied area do not deviate from the values obtained for the soil in Serbia. The concentration of 232Th in the studied area is slightly higher relative to average values for soil, and slightly lower compared to similar deposits of clayey material in the world. Measurements performed showed that the open-pit mine of clayey material is completely uncontaminated surface as far as 137Cs is concerned, while there are sites where measured 137Cs concentrations are significantly higher, which is due to topographic differences and inhomogeneous surface contamination of land after the Chernobyl accident. To assess the radiological risks in the observed area, the following indices were determined: absorbed dose rate, annual outdoor effective dose, absorbed dose for biota, excess lifetime cancer risk outdoors as well as external radiation hazard index. The mean value of the estimated absorbed dose rate in the given area amounts to 80.1 nGyh?1, and the annual outdoor effective dose ranges from 46.9 to 134 Sv. Absorbed dose rate for biota in the studied area is 1.31 10?4 Gyd?1. The mean excess lifetime cancer risk outdoors for the population is 3.8 10?4, and t he mean value of the external radiation hazard index obtained in this study is 0.48, which is consistent with the world average. A low dose of radiation will not pose a risk to the population and biota in the studied area.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maurice Moyo Ndontchueng ◽  
Eric Jilbert Mekongtso Nguelem ◽  
Augustin Simo ◽  
Raymond Limen Njinga ◽  
Gembou Shouop Cébastien Joël

A study of natural radioactivity levels in some composites of eighteen soil samples selected within Douala-Bassa zone of Littoral Region has been evaluated. The samples were analysed using gamma spectrometry based broad energy germanium detector (BEGe 6350). The activity profile of radionuclide shows low activity across the studied areas. The obtained mean values of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in the two campuses were 25.48 Bq/kg, 65.96 Bq/kg, and 39.14 Bq/kg for Campus 1 and 24.50 Bq/kg, 66.71 Bq/kg, and 28.19 Bq/kg for Campus 2, respectively. In terms of health analysis, some radiation health hazard parameters were calculated within the two campuses. The mean values of radium equivalent activity were 122.81 Bq/kg and 122.08 Bq/kg, absorbed dose rate in air was 99.13 nGy/h and 98.18 nGy/y, annual outdoor effective dose was 0.12 mSv/y and 0.12 mSv/y, and external health hazard index was 0.34 and 0.33 in Campus 1 and Campus 2, respectively. These health hazard parameters were seen to be below the safe limit of UNSCEAR 2000 except the absorbed dose rate in air and the annual outdoor effective doses which are relatively high compared to the values of 60 nGy/h and 0.07 mSv/y. These results reveal no significant radiological health hazards for inhabitance within the study areas.


2020 ◽  
Vol 189 (2) ◽  
pp. 234-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jahan Zeb ◽  
Mohammad Wasim ◽  
Sardar A Shah ◽  
Safia Khanam ◽  
Hajira Tahir ◽  
...  

Abstract Chemical phase and distribution of natural radionuclides (226Ra, 232Th and 40K) were determined for sand samples collected from ten different beaches of Karachi. All samples, except one, were identified with major and minor phases as SiO2 and CaCO3, respectively. The average activity concentrations were 24.9, 25.0 and 239 Bq kg−1 for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K, respectively. Including all samples, the average radium equivalent activity was 79.1 Bq kg−1. The external and internal radiation hazard indices and representative level index were all found below unity. The average air absorbed dose rate at 1 m above the sand due to the natural radionuclides was 18.3 nGy h−1, which was less than the world average for soil. The corresponding annual effective dose rate was 22.4 μSv y−1. It was found that Raeq had positive significant correlation with the amount of quartz present at the beaches.


2012 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nevenka Antovic ◽  
Danilo Boskovic ◽  
Nikola Svrkota ◽  
Ivanka Antovic

Soil samples from Mojkovac, Montenegro, were analyzed by standard gamma-spectrometry for radioactivity due to 226Ra, 232Th, 40K, and 137Cs. Average activity concentrations have been found to be 28.6, 43.1, 620.8, and 55 Bq/kg, respectively. In order to evaluate the radiation hazard, radium equivalent activity, absorbed dose rate, annual effective dose, external and internal hazard indexes, and the annual gonadal dose equivalent were determined and found to be at an average of 133.79 Bq/kg, 65.18 nGy/h, 79.93 mSv/y, 0.37, 0.45, and 0.46 mSv/y, respectively. With life expectancy taken to be 70 years, a mean lifetime outdoor gamma radiation was calculated as 5.6 mSv, yielding a lifetime cancer risk of 2.8?10-4.


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