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Li H, Wang Q, Zhang C, Su W, Ma Y, Zhong Q, Xiao E, Xia F, Zheng G, Xiao T. Geochemical Distribution and Environmental Risks of Radionuclides in Soils and Sediments Runoff of a Uranium Mining Area in South China. TOXICS 2024; 12:95. [PMID: 38276730 PMCID: PMC10820150 DOI: 10.3390/toxics12010095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Uranium mining activities have contributed to the distribution and uptake of radionuclides, which have increased the active concentrations of natural radionuclides in environmental media, causing elevated human health risks. The present study aims to assess the spatial distribution characteristics of natural radionuclides in the surface soils and river sediments of the typical granite uranium mining area in South China, as well as investigate the geochemical features of natural radionuclides in the soil and sediments to understand their migration processes. The activity concentrations for 238U, 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K ranged from 17-3925 Bq/kg, 50-1180 Bq/kg, 29-459 Bq/kg, and 240-1890 Bq/kg, respectively. The open-pit mining areas and tailings pond locations exhibited the highest concentrations of activity for all these radionuclides. This distribution points to an elevated potential health risk due to radiological exposure in these specific areas. Additionally, the values of radium equivalent activity (Raeq) and annual gonadal dose equivalent (AGDE) in those areas were higher than the limits recommended by ICRP (2021). 238U and 226Ra have a significant correlation (0.724), and the cluster analysis was showing a statistically meaningful cluster below 5 indicated that they have similar behavior during parent rock weathering and watershed erosion, and the distribution of 232Th and 40K were influenced by the addition of rock types. The activity ratios of 226Ra/238U, 226Ra/232Th, 238U/40K, and 226Ra/40K variation indicated that 40K more mobile than 226Ra and 238U, U(VI) was reduced to U(IV) by organic matter in the downstream area and re-entered into the sediment during the sediment surface runoff in the small watershed of the uranium ore open-pit mining area. Therefore, it is necessary to further seal up and repair the tailings landfill area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haidong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Resources and Environment, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, China; (H.L.); (F.X.)
- Research Institute No. 290, China National Nuclear Corporation, Shaoguan 512029, China;
| | - Qiugui Wang
- Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China; (E.X.); (T.X.)
- Key Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Land Surface Processes and Ecological Conservation (Ministry of Education), Qinghai Normal University, Xining 810008, China;
| | - Chunyan Zhang
- Disaster Reduction and Disaster Preparedness Center of Jiangxi, Nanchang 330036, China;
| | - Weigang Su
- Key Laboratory of Comprehensive and Highly Efficient Utilization of Salt Lake Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Environment of Salt Lakes, Qinghai Institute of Salt Lakes, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining 810016, China
| | - Yujun Ma
- Key Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Land Surface Processes and Ecological Conservation (Ministry of Education), Qinghai Normal University, Xining 810008, China;
| | - Qiangqiang Zhong
- Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen 361005, China;
| | - Enzong Xiao
- Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China; (E.X.); (T.X.)
| | - Fei Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Resources and Environment, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, China; (H.L.); (F.X.)
| | - Guodong Zheng
- Research Institute No. 290, China National Nuclear Corporation, Shaoguan 512029, China;
| | - Tangfu Xiao
- Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China; (E.X.); (T.X.)
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Satti KH, Siddique MT, Dilband M, Rehman SU, Mansoor S, Malik AH. A novel method to estimate the dead layer of HPGe detector for Monte Carlo FEPE computation. Appl Radiat Isot 2023; 202:111067. [PMID: 37857176 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2023.111067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
In this study, a novel method to determine the surface and lateral dead layers of p-type HPGe detector is proposed to compute the full energy peak efficiency (FEPE). The method employed standard radioactive point sources 241Am, 133Ba and FEPE measurement at low energies to estimate the thickness of frontal and lateral dead layers. The method is simple to apply, requires only two standard radioactive sources to estimate the optimum thickness of frontal and lateral dead layers. The proposed method is validated by measuring the efficiency of various point sources and a volume source in the energy range from 59 to 1408 keV. The measured efficiencies agree to simulation with relative deviation less than 4.0% at each energy. The proposed detector model enables to calibrate the detector for environmental radioactivity measurement without standard volume sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khizar Hayat Satti
- Department of Physics and Applied Mathematics, Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Islamabad, Pakistan; Health Physics Division, Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology, P.O Nilore, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Tariq Siddique
- Department of Physics and Applied Mathematics, Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Islamabad, Pakistan.
| | - Muhammad Dilband
- Health Physics Division, Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology, P.O Nilore, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Shakeel Ur Rehman
- Department of Physics and Applied Mathematics, Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Shahid Mansoor
- Department of Physics and Applied Mathematics, Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Islamabad, Pakistan; Department of Nuclear Engineering, Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Azhar Hussain Malik
- Department of Nuclear Engineering, Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Islamabad, Pakistan
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Chandra K, Proshad R, Dey HC, Idris AM. A review on radionuclide pollution in global soils with environmental and health hazards evaluation. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2023; 45:9245-9266. [PMID: 37578560 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-023-01725-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
Human populations are being exposed to a wide spectrum of radiation from soils as a result of the availability of radiation sources. Assessing the ecological and health effects of radionuclides in soils is crucial to support the optimal soil management practices but large-scale studies are limited. This study compiled data on radionuclides (226Ra, 232Th, 40K, 238U, and 137Cs) in soils located across the world (44 countries and 159 places) between 2008 and 2022 and applied radiological hazards indices and several multivariate statistical approaches. The average activity concentration (Bq/kg) of 226Ra, 232Th, 40K, 238U, and 137Cs were 408.56, 144.80, 508.78, 532.78, and 83.12, respectively, whereas 226Ra, 232Th, 40K, and 238U exceeded the standard limits. The principal component analysis explained more than 91% of variation in soils. Based on the geoaccumulation index, 40K posed moderately to heavy contamination whereas 238U and 226Ra posed moderate contamination in soils. Moreover, the mean values of radiological hazards evaluation such as radium equivalent activity (487.17 Bq/kg), external radiation hazard indices (1.32), internal hazard indices (2.15), absorbed dose rate (247.86 nGyh-1), annual effective dose rate (1.82 mSvy-1), activity utilization index (4.54) and excess lifetime cancer risk (63.84 × 10-4) were higher than recommended limit suggesting significant radiological risks in study region soils. The findings indicated that the study area soils were contaminated by radionuclides and unsafe for hazards in terms of the health risks linked with studied radioactive contents. The study is valuable for mapping radioactivity across the globe to determine the level of radioactivity hazards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krishno Chandra
- Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet, 3100, Bangladesh
| | - Ram Proshad
- Key Laboratory of Mountain Surface Processes and Ecological Regulation, Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Hridoy Chandra Dey
- Faculty of Agriculture, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Dumki Patuakhali, 8602, Bangladesh
| | - Abubakr M Idris
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, King Khalid University, 62529, Abha, Saudi Arabia
- Research Center for Advanced Materials Science (RCAMS), King Khalid University, 62529, Abha, Saudi Arabia
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Shabbir T, Sohail M, Ahmed R, Ahmad M, Satti KH. Radiological risk assessment from the Gamma spectrometry of soil samples in the vicinity of a research centre in Nilore, Pakistan. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2023; 195:851. [PMID: 37326918 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-023-11458-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Measurements of radionuclides' activities in air, water, and soil give clues about the anthropogenic activities in the region, and imperative to assess the overall radiological risk for individuals. Such an investigation was carried out to characterize the soil activities in the region hosting a research center, and to calculate the associated elements of radiological risk in terms of radiation doses and hazard indices. The soil samples were collected within the radius of 10 km in local area, Nilore, and analysed for activity using a high-purity germanium (HPGe) gamma spectrometric system. In all samples, only the basic nuclides, contributing to terrestrial activity, i.e., 40 K, 232Th, 226Ra, and 137Cs, were observed within the detectable limits of activity. The distribution of the data set and the correlation between the measured activities were studied with the use of the principal component analysis (PCA). The measured average specific activities of 226Ra, 232Th, 40 K, and 137Cs were 40.65 ± 9.84 Bq/kg, 59.31 ± 16.53 Bq/kg, 528.24 ± 131.18 Bq/kg, and 5.16 ± 4.56 Bq/kg respectively. The corresponding dose rate in air was found to be 76.63 ± 18.39 nGy/h, which is slightly higher than the world median value of 51 nGy/h calculated from concentration of terrestrial radionuclides in soil but falls within the world average value range of outdoor external exposure of 18-93 nGy/h obtained through direct measurement, and therefore not harmful for the living species. The standard hazard indices for all soil samples such as radium equivalent activity ([Formula: see text]), external hazard index (Hex), and internal hazard index (Hin) were also found within safe limits for the soil to be used as construction of building material. This investigation led to conclusion that the soil activities are consistent with the usual background level of terrestrial activities, and their associated dose rates are well within the safe limits for public.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tahira Shabbir
- Department of Nuclear Engineering, Pakistan Institute of Engineering & Applied Sciences (PIEAS), Nilore, 45650, Islamabad, Pakistan
- Health Physics Division, Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology, (PINSTECH), Nilore, 45650, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Sohail
- Department of Nuclear Engineering, Pakistan Institute of Engineering & Applied Sciences (PIEAS), Nilore, 45650, Islamabad, Pakistan.
| | - Rizwan Ahmed
- Department of Nuclear Engineering, Pakistan Institute of Engineering & Applied Sciences (PIEAS), Nilore, 45650, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Masroor Ahmad
- Department of Nuclear Engineering, Pakistan Institute of Engineering & Applied Sciences (PIEAS), Nilore, 45650, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Khizar Hayat Satti
- Health Physics Division, Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology, (PINSTECH), Nilore, 45650, Islamabad, Pakistan
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Afzal I, Chaudhary MZ, Khan EU, Nasir T, Yaqoob N. Radiological risk assessment in sediment of Namal Lake, Mianwali, Pakistan. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2022; 194:223. [PMID: 35217922 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-022-09881-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
This study is concentrated on the radiological risk assessment of sixteen surface sediment samples recovered from Namal Lake, District Mianwali, Punjab, Pakistan. The activity of 137Cs, 40 K, 226Ra, 228Ra, and 232Th was carried out with the help of a high purity germanium detector (HPGe) in the sediment, varied in the ranges of > 0.02-3.73 ± 1.31, 98.32 ± 21.45-341.02 ± 58.67, 18.34 ± 2.16-34.23 ± 4.34, 1.62 ± .30-2.34 ± .52, and 0.14 ± 0.10-2.34 ± 0.59 Bq kg-1 with average values 0.74 ± 0.29, 237.26 ± 37.97, 25.06 ± 4.74, 1.97 ± 0.39, and 1.73 ± 0.33 Bq kg-1, respectively. The measured concentrations in the current study have been compared with other earlier studies in the world. The data was also used for determining the other useful parameters like radium equivalent activity, absorbed dose rate, annual effective dose rate, and external and internal hazards index to assess the radiological risk assessment for the environment around the study area. The ERICA Tool software was also applied for radiological risk assessment for lake fish due to the radioactivity present in the lake sediments. It was concluded from the results of ERICA tool that the risk quotient in this study is less than one indicating that no toxic effects of radioactivity for Namal Lake fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irfan Afzal
- Institute of Physics, Gomal University, D. I. Khan, Pakistan
| | | | | | - Tabassum Nasir
- Institute of Physics, Gomal University, D. I. Khan, Pakistan
| | - Nadeem Yaqoob
- Isotope Application Division, PINSTECH, P.O. Nilore, Islamabad, Pakistan
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Estimation of activity concentrations of radionuclides and their hazard indices in coastal plain sand region of Ogun state. Sci Rep 2022; 12:2108. [PMID: 35136130 PMCID: PMC8826422 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-06064-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Assessment of natural background radionuclides emanating from the subsurface geological features was carried out with the use of gamma-ray spectrometry at various locations at one of the secondary school in Canaan land, Ota, Ogun State. The activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K were revealed to be 12.66 ± 0.76–42.33 ± 1.37, 44.96 ± 1.41–128.70 ± 1.56, 31.30 ± 1.18–453.85 ± 2.43 Bq kg−1 respectively. The mean value of 232Th reported higher than the world reference standard of 50 Bq kg−1. Moreover, the stations closest to the school’s laboratory were noticed to be prone to more gamma radiations than the other buildings in the school. Similarly, the results of the radiological parameters estimated varied between 86.04–243.7 Bq kg−1, 40.02–115.4 nGy h−1, 0.049–0.142 mSv y−1 and 0.232–0.658 for Raeq, D(out), AEDE and Hex, respectively. Although, the results of the radiological parameters did not exceed the world safe limits, higher values of these parameters were reported at some stations closer to the school laboratory. It can be concluded that the school laboratory is prone to more gamma radiation than the class rooms and the administrative block. Therefore, the laboratory instructors and staff, who spend longer time in the laboratory, are more liable to the health risk that could result from years of exposure to gamma radiation in the laboratory.
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In-situ assessment of natural terrestrial-radioactivity from Uranium-238 ( 238U), Thorium-232 ( 232Th) and Potassium-40 ( 40K) in coastal urban-environment and its possible health implications. Sci Rep 2021; 11:17555. [PMID: 34475416 PMCID: PMC8413313 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-96516-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The risk of natural terrestrial radioactivity on human health is often underestimated, and environmental safety awareness is necessary. Hence, this study aims to assess natural sources of gamma radiation emitter in coastal urban-environment using the radiometric technique. The dosage of gamma radiation from a parent radionuclide such as Uranium-238 (238U), Thorium-232 (232Th) and Potassium-40 (40K) and were measured using portable gamma spectroscopy. The result showed that the measured value of 238U activity was between 10.81 \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}
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\begin{document}$$\pm$$\end{document}± 0.69 and 46.31 \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}
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\begin{document}$$\pm$$\end{document}± 1.43 Bqkg−1. The mean value was estimated to be 35.44 \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}
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\begin{document}$$\pm$$\end{document}± 0.97 Bqkg−1 which is slightly higher than the world average. Meanwhile, 232Th activity ranges from 28.42 \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}
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\begin{document}$$\pm$$\end{document}± 1.12 to 69.43 \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}
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\begin{document}$$\pm$$\end{document}± 1.76 Bqkg−1 with the calculated mean value of 92.57 \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}
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\begin{document}$$\pm$$\end{document}± 1.17 Bqkg−1 while 40K activity ranged between 31.30 ± 1.32 and 328.65 ± 2.32 Bqkg−1 with the estimated mean 137.59 \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}
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\begin{document}$$\pm$$\end{document}± 2.42 Bqkg−1. Radiological parameters such as radium equivalent (Req), internal hazard (Hint) and external hazard (Hext) assessment were in the range of 66.00 Bqkg−1 to 141.76 Bqkg−1, 0.232 to 0.452 and 0.178 to 0.383, respectively. The measured values of gamma dose-rates ranged between 54.283 ± 0.78 and 117.531 ± 1.14 nGyh−1 with the calculated mean value of 84.770 ± 0.97 nGyh−1.
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Ghias S, Satti KH, Khan M, Dilband M, Naseem A, Jabbar A, Kali S, Ur-Rehman T, Nawab J, Aqeel M, Khan MA, Zafar MI. Health risk assessment of radioactive footprints of the urban soils in the residents of Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 267:129171. [PMID: 33348265 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.129171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Revised: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The aim of the study was to evaluate the radiation levels, radiological doses and excess lifetime cancer risk possessed by the urban soils that were collected from the vicinity of the exclusive mining and excavation centers of Dera Ghazi Khan. The high purity germanium detector was utilized for assessment of naturally occurring radionuclides (NORMs) in soil and results showed that the average activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K (37 Bq/kg, 43.07 Bq/kg, 737 Bq/kg respectively) surpassed the world's average documented values (35 Bq/kg, 30 Bq/kg, and 400 Bq/kg respectively). Moreover, the average values of radiological hazards assessment like radium equivalent, internal and external hazard indices, absorbed dose rate, annual gonadal dose equivalent and excess lifetime cancer risk were 155.70 (Bq/kg), 0.4, 0.5, 73.96 (nGy/h) 90.73 (μSv/y), 476.24 (μSv/y) and 0.31(10-3) respectively. The data acquired was analyzed using descriptive statistics, cluster analysis and principal component analysis. ArcGIS (10.5) software was utilized for developing maps of radionuclide's concentration for the study area. Results of the study may serve as an important baseline radiometric data for future epidemiological studies and monitoring initiatives in the study area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sidra Ghias
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan.
| | - Khizer Hayat Satti
- Health Physics Division, Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology, P.O. Nilore, Islamabad, Pakistan.
| | - Mumtaz Khan
- Health Physics Division, Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology, P.O. Nilore, Islamabad, Pakistan.
| | - Muhammad Dilband
- Health Physics Division, Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology, P.O. Nilore, Islamabad, Pakistan.
| | - Amara Naseem
- Health Physics Division, Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology, P.O. Nilore, Islamabad, Pakistan.
| | - Abdul Jabbar
- Health Physics Division, Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology, P.O. Nilore, Islamabad, Pakistan.
| | - Sundas Kali
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan.
| | - Tofeeq Ur-Rehman
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan.
| | - Javed Nawab
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan, 5320, Pakistan.
| | - Muhammad Aqeel
- Bioinformatics Lab, National Institute for Genomics and Advanced Biotechnology (NIGAB), NARC, 45500, Islamabad, Pakistan.
| | - Muhammad Abdullah Khan
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan.
| | - Mazhar Iqbal Zafar
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan.
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Fu K, Zou W, Liu Z, He H. A REPORT OF RADIATION RISKS DURING AND AFTER PROCESSING MINERAL PLACER FROM SOUTHEAST AFRICA. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2020; 188:129-133. [PMID: 32318715 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncaa037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Revised: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Recently, high levels of radioactivity were found in products from Chinese mineral processing industries that handle mineral placer from Southeast Africa. The findings led to public panic. The aim of this work is to provide radiological data for the government, workers and the public. In this work, activity concentrations of 238U,232Th,226Ra and40 K in raw ore from Southeast Africa were analysed in the laboratory. Products like monazite and building material were analysed. High concentrations of 238U,232 Th and 226Ra in products were found to be at a level of 104 Bq/kg. Around the South China Mineral Processing Industry, radioactivity in soil and groundwater was analysed. Absorbed dose rates in air and indoor radon concentrations at workplaces were monitored. Annual effective dose to workers and the public was calculated and found to exceed Chinese dose criterion. This report might be an alert for mining and mineral processing in Southeast Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kan Fu
- Hainan Radiation Environmental Monitoring Station, 106 Baiju Road, Haikou 571126, P. R. China
| | - Wei Zou
- Hainan Radiation Environmental Monitoring Station, 106 Baiju Road, Haikou 571126, P. R. China
- Hainan Province Environmental Monitoring Centre, 98 Baiju Road, Haikou 571126, P. R. China
| | - Zhenzhou Liu
- Hainan Radiation Environmental Monitoring Station, 106 Baiju Road, Haikou 571126, P. R. China
- Hainan Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, 98 Baiju Road, Haikou 571126, P. R. China
| | - Haiming He
- Guangdong Province Nuclear Industry Geological Bureau, 291 Brigade, Foshan 528133, P. R. China
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Distribution of natural radionuclides and assessment of the associated radiological hazards in the rock and soil samples from a high-level natural radiation area, Northern Iran. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-019-06912-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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