1
|
Janković M, Jelić I, Rajačić M, Krneta Nikolić J, Vukanac I, Dimović S, Sarap N, Šljivić-Ivanović M. Distribution of Natural Radionuclides and 137Cs in Urban Soil Samples from the City of Novi Sad, Serbia-Radiological Risk Assessment. TOXICS 2023; 11:345. [PMID: 37112572 PMCID: PMC10145475 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11040345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
This work presents the natural radioactivity distribution of 21 surface soil samples taken in the city of Novi Sad, Serbia. The analysis for radioactivity was performed using a gas low-level proportional counter for gross alpha and gross beta activity, while the specific activities of radionuclides were determined using HPGe detectors. The gross alpha activity of 20 samples was below the minimum detectable concentration (MDC), while in 1 sample it was 243 Bq kg-1; the gross beta activity ranged from the MDC (11 samples) to 566 Bq kg-1. The gamma spectrometry measurements showed naturally occurring radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th, 40K, and 238U in all investigated samples, with average values (Bq kg-1) of 33.9, 36.7, 513.8, and 34.7, respectively. Natural radionuclide 235U was detected in 18 samples with activity concentrations in the range of 1.3-4.1 Bq kg-1, while in the other 3 samples, the values were below the MDC. The artificial 137Cs radionuclide was detected in 90 percent of the samples, with a maximum value of 21 Bq kg-1, while the other artificial radionuclides were not detected. Based on the obtained concentrations of natural radionuclides, hazard indexes were estimated, and radiological health risk was assessed. The results present the absorbed gamma dose rate in the air, annual effective dose, radium equivalent activity, external hazard index, and lifetime cancer risk.
Collapse
|
2
|
Omar AE, Sakr MAH, Taalab SA, Bakhit ABA, Pugliese M, La Verde G, Hanfi MY. Geotechnical and environmental radioactivity investigations at Al Sādis Min Uktōber city, Cairo municipality (Egypt), for the high-speed railway construction. Appl Radiat Isot 2023; 193:110664. [PMID: 36669267 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2023.110664] [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: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
The present study aims to evaluate the possibility of constructing a new high-speed railway (HSR) at Al Sādis Min Uktōber city, Cairo (Egypt): geotechnical and environmental radiological hazards are estimated from several collected soil and water samples. A variety of laboratory geotechnical tests such as grain size, free swelling test, liquid and plastic limits, chemical analysis and uniaxial compression strength are applied to sixty-one drill holes. A geotechnical examination of the coarse-grained soil at the foundation level classified it as poorly graded soil. The results of the investigation of fine-grained soil at the foundation level shown that the liquid limit ranges from 22% to 55%, the plastic limit ranges from 12% to 28%, the plasticity index varies from 11% to 33%, free swelling varies from 51% to 71%. Mechanically, the uniaxial compressive strength values on rock samples range from 6.96 MPa to 142.39 MPa. The radioactive study is performed to detect the 226Ra, 232Th, and 40 K activity concentrations of the soil samples: their mean values are 34 ± 10 Bq·kg-1, 14 ± 5 Bq·kg-1 and 552 ± 20 Bq·kg-1, respectively. The values of radiological hazard indexes are not exceeded the permissible limits: e.g. the mean value of absorbed dose rate is 47 ± 6 nGy h-1; the annual gonadal dose equivalent is 0.3 ± 0.04 mSv·y-1; the lifetime cancer risk is 02 ± 0.2·10-3. Thus, the soil in the studied railway area is safe to use in building materials and infrastructure applications: the radiological hazards and the geotechnical studies confirmed the studied area is suitable to construct a new community having a HSR. According to the SWOT-PEST and environmental impact analyses, the construction of the HSR meets the criteria of the Kyoto Protocol, the EU Climate and Energy policy, and other international treaties.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ali E Omar
- Nuclear Materials Authority, El Maadi, Cairo, P.O. Box 530, Egypt
| | - Mohamed A H Sakr
- Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, P.O. Box, 11884, Egypt.
| | - Sherif A Taalab
- Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, P.O. Box, 11884, Egypt
| | | | - M Pugliese
- University of Naples Federico II, Department of Physics "E. Pancini", Via Cinthia 21, 80126, Napoli, Italy
| | - G La Verde
- University of Naples Federico II, Department of Physics "E. Pancini", Via Cinthia 21, 80126, Napoli, Italy
| | - Mohamed Y Hanfi
- Nuclear Materials Authority, El Maadi, Cairo, P.O. Box 530, Egypt; Institute of Physics and Technology, Ural Federal University, St. Mira, 19, 620002, Yekaterinburg, Russia.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Velimirovic D, Mrdja D, Bikit K, Hansman J, Knezevic J, Forkapic S, Nemes T, Bikit I. Terrestrial-origin skyshine at sea level. Radiat Phys Chem Oxf Engl 1993 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.radphyschem.2022.110716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
|
4
|
Awad M, El Mezayen AM, El Azab A, Alfi SM, Ali HH, Hanfi MY. Radioactive risk assessment of beach sand along the coastline of Mediterranean Sea at El-Arish area, North Sinai, Egypt. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 177:113494. [PMID: 35245768 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Beach sand includes various levels of natural radioactivity, which can cause health effects. The natural radioactivity was measured in the beach sand along the coastline of the Mediterranean Sea at the east of the El-Arish area, Egypt. Using the HPGe spectrometer, the contribution of radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in the gamma emitted radiation illustrated that the 226Ra, 232Th and 40K activity concentrations are 8.8 ± 3.9, 30.8 ± 12.2 and 106.9 ± 46.8 Bq kg-1, respectively, which is lower than the reported worldwide limit 33, 45 and 412 Bq kg-1. The radioactive hazards associated with the beach sand along the coastline of the Mediterranean Sea at the east of the El-Arish area were investigated. The obtained results among the radiological hazard parameters, the radium equivalent content (Raeq), the absorbed dose rate (Dair), annual effective dose (AED), external (Hex) and internal (Hin) hazard indices were estimated. Moreover, the excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) and the annual gonadal dose equivalent (AGDE) were also computed and illustrated their values less than the recommended levels. Multivariate statistical approaches like Pearson correlation, the principal component analysis (PCA) and the hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) were applied to investigate the correlation between the radionuclides and the corresponding radiological hazard variables. Based on the statistical analysis, the 226Ra and 232Th mainly contribute to the radioactive risk of beach sand. Finally, no significant risk of the public associated with utilizing beach sand in building materials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Awad
- Nuclear Materials Authority. P.O. Box 530, El Maadi, Cairo, Egypt
| | - A M El Mezayen
- Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Al Azhar University, Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt
| | - A El Azab
- Nuclear Materials Authority. P.O. Box 530, El Maadi, Cairo, Egypt
| | - S M Alfi
- Nuclear Materials Authority. P.O. Box 530, El Maadi, Cairo, Egypt
| | - H H Ali
- Nuclear Materials Authority. P.O. Box 530, El Maadi, Cairo, Egypt
| | - M Y Hanfi
- Nuclear Materials Authority. P.O. Box 530, El Maadi, Cairo, Egypt; Ural Federal University, Mira Street 19, 620002 Ekaterinburg, Russia.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Natural and artificial radioactivity levels of greenhouse soils and relations with soil properties. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-021-08132-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
|
6
|
Absar N, Abedin J, Rahman MM, Miah MH, Siddique N, Kamal M, Chowdhury MI, Sulieman AAM, Faruque MRI, Khandaker MU, Bradley DA, Alsubaie A. Radionuclides Transfer from Soil to Tea Leaves and Estimation of Committed Effective Dose to the Bangladesh Populace. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:282. [PMID: 33801699 PMCID: PMC8066812 DOI: 10.3390/life11040282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Considering the probable health risks due to radioactivity input via drinking tea, the concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th,40K and 137Cs radionuclides in the soil and the corresponding tea leaves of a large tea plantation were measured using high purity germanium (HPGe) γ-ray spectrometry. Different layers of soil and fresh tea leaf samples were collected from the Udalia Tea Estate (UTE) in the Fatickchari area of Chittagong, Bangladesh. The mean concentrations (in Bq/kg) of radionuclides in the studied soil samples were found to be 34 ± 9 to 45 ± 3 for 226Ra, 50 ± 13 to 63 ± 5 for 232Th, 245 ± 30 to 635 ± 35 for 40K and 3 ± 1 to 10 ± 1 for 137Cs, while the respective values in the corresponding tea leaf samples were 3.6 ± 0.7 to 5.7 ± 1.0, 2.4 ± 0.5 to 5.8 ± 0.9, 132 ± 25 to 258 ± 29 and <0.4. The mean transfer factors for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K from soil to tea leaves were calculated to be 0.12, 0.08 and 0.46, respectively, the complete range being 1.1 × 10-2 to 1.0, in accordance with IAEA values. Additionally, the most popularly consumed tea brands available in the Bangladeshi market were also analyzed and, with the exception of 40K, were found to have similar concentrations to the fresh tea leaves collected from the UTE. The committed effective dose via the consumption of tea was estimated to be low in comparison with the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) reference ingestion dose limit of 290 μSv/y. Current indicative tea consumption of 4 g/day/person shows an insignificant radiological risk to public health, while cumulative dietary exposures may not be entirely negligible, because the UNSCEAR reference dose limit is derived from total dietary exposures. This study suggests a periodic monitoring of radiation levels in tea leaves in seeking to ensure the safety of human health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nurul Absar
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, BGC Trust University Bangladesh, Chittagong 4381, Bangladesh; (N.A.); (J.A.)
| | - Jainal Abedin
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, BGC Trust University Bangladesh, Chittagong 4381, Bangladesh; (N.A.); (J.A.)
| | - Md. Mashiur Rahman
- Hughes Network Systems, 11717 Exploration Lane, Germantown, MD 20876, USA;
| | - Moazzem Hossain Miah
- Department of Physics, University of Chittagong, Chittagong 4331, Bangladesh; (M.H.M.); (N.S.)
| | - Naziba Siddique
- Department of Physics, University of Chittagong, Chittagong 4331, Bangladesh; (M.H.M.); (N.S.)
| | - Masud Kamal
- Atomic Energy Centre-Chittagong, Radioactivity Testing and Monitoring Laboratory, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, Chittagong 4209, Bangladesh; (M.K.); (M.I.C.)
| | - Mantazul Islam Chowdhury
- Atomic Energy Centre-Chittagong, Radioactivity Testing and Monitoring Laboratory, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, Chittagong 4209, Bangladesh; (M.K.); (M.I.C.)
| | - Abdelmoneim Adam Mohamed Sulieman
- Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 422, Alkharj 11942, Saudi Arabia;
| | | | - Mayeen Uddin Khandaker
- Centre for Applied Physics and Radiation Technologies, School of Engineering and Technology, Sunway University, Bandar Sunway 47500, Malaysia;
| | - David Andrew Bradley
- Centre for Applied Physics and Radiation Technologies, School of Engineering and Technology, Sunway University, Bandar Sunway 47500, Malaysia;
- Centre for Nuclear and Radiation Physics, Department of Physics, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7XH, UK
| | - Abdullah Alsubaie
- Department of Physics, College of Khurma, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia;
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Kalkan SK, Forkapić S, Marković BS, Gavrilov BM, Bikit-Schroeder K, Mrđa D, Radaković GM, Tošić R. Deposition of 137Cs and precipitation distribution in Vojvodina, Northern Serbia after the Chernobyl accident. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 264:128471. [PMID: 33059286 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.128471] [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: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 09/19/2020] [Accepted: 09/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
There is a dilemma whether the Chernobyl accident is the main source of this anthropogenic radionuclide in the region of Vojvodina, Northern Province of Serbia. The difference compared to the other dominant source of radiocaesium in the environment, the nuclear weapon tests, is lying in the local character of contamination due to accidents, which implies it's highly dependent on meteorological parameters, such as precipitation and wind in the area at that time. According to published data, the average value of surface contamination by radiocaesium on the territory of the former Yugoslavia after the Chernobyl accident was several times higher than the estimated contamination by nuclear testing (1945-1963). The main aim of this research is to explore possible correlations of the spatial distribution of precipitation from April 1986 to December 1987 with the deposition of radiocaesium in the surface soil to justify this claim in the absence of data on caesium deposition before the Chernobyl accident for the Vojvodina region. The database of 137Cs content in Vojvodina soil and precipitation for this region during the timeframe of interest were used. From a total of 245 precipitation stations in Vojvodina, 164 to 244 precipitation stations were selected for analysis in conditionals from different time scale aspects and data validation. The best correlation between amounts of total precipitation and 137Cs content in surface soil obtained for two rainy periods 2nd-5th and 7th-21st May 1986. Further cluster analysis separated four different regions according to 137Cs deposition and precipitation for the mentioned rainy period which could be applied in the field of soil erosion assessment on the local and regional level.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Kristina Kalkan
- University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 3, 21000, Novi Sad, Serbia.
| | - Sofija Forkapić
- University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Physics, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 4, 21000, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - B Slobodan Marković
- University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 3, 21000, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - B Milivoj Gavrilov
- University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 3, 21000, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Kristina Bikit-Schroeder
- University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Physics, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 4, 21000, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Dušan Mrđa
- University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Physics, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 4, 21000, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - G Milica Radaković
- University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 3, 21000, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Radislav Tošić
- University of Banja Luka, Faculty of Sciences, Chair of Physical Geography and Geology, Mladena Stojanovića 2, 78000, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Milenkovic B, Stajic JM, Zeremski T, Strbac S, Stojic N, Nikezic D. Is Kragujevac city still a "hot spot" area, twenty years after the bombing? CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 245:125610. [PMID: 31864048 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.125610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Revised: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
After NATO bombing of Serbia in 1999, UNEP has identified Kragujevac as one of the four heavily polluted environmental "hot spots". Damaging of industrial and military targets caused the release of substantial amounts of hazardous chemical substances into the environment. This study was conducted in order to access the exposure of residents of Kragujevac city to persistent soil pollutants, twenty years after NATO air campaign. The paper reports the results of measuring radionuclides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and heavy metals (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, and Hg) in soil samples collected from two depths (0-15 cm and 15-30 cm) at 30 locations along the riverbank of the Lepenica River. The average specific activities of 226Ra, 232Th, 40K and 137Cs were comparable to average worldwide values; excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) from natural radionuclides ranged from 1.1·10-4 to 3.3·10-4. The measured concentrations of As, Co, Cr, Cu, and Ni exceeded the limit values in most of the samples. Non-carcinogenic risk (hazard quotient and hazard index) and carcinogenic risk from heavy metals were assessed. Total hazard index was 0.257 and 2.16 for adults and children, respectively. Sum of measured PAHs ranged from 110 to 1026 μg kg-1. Sum of PCBs exceeded the limit value of 20 μg kg-1 in all samples (it ranged from 48.8 to 196.8 μg kg-1), but it was still below the remediation level. The differences between two layers with respect to all measured variables were not statistically significant.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Biljana Milenkovic
- University of Kragujevac, Institute for Information Technologies Kragujevac, Department of Science, Jovana Cvijica bb, 34000, Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Jelena M Stajic
- University of Kragujevac, Institute for Information Technologies Kragujevac, Department of Science, Jovana Cvijica bb, 34000, Kragujevac, Serbia.
| | - Tijana Zeremski
- Institute of Field & Vegetable Crops, Maksima Gorkog 30, 21000, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Snezana Strbac
- University of Belgrade, Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy, Centre of Chemistry, Studentski Trg 12-16, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Natasa Stojic
- University Educons, Faculty for Environmental Protection, Vojvode Putnika bb, Sremska Kamenica, 21208, Serbia
| | - Dragoslav Nikezic
- University of Kragujevac, Faculty of Science, Radoja Domanovica 12, 34000, Kragujevac, Serbia; The State University of Novi Pazar, Vuka Karadzica bb, 36300, Novi Pazar, Serbia
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Kang TW, Park WP, Han YU, Bong KM, Kim K. Natural and artificial radioactivity in volcanic ash soils of Jeju Island, Republic of Korea, and assessment of the radiation hazards: importance of soil properties. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-020-07024-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
|
10
|
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]
|
11
|
Ahmad AY, Al-Ghouti MA, AlSadig I, Abu-Dieyeh M. Vertical distribution and radiological risk assessment of 137Cs and natural radionuclides in soil samples. Sci Rep 2019; 9:12196. [PMID: 31434929 PMCID: PMC6704082 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-48500-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The aims of this study were to investigate the vertical distributions of natural radionuclides 232Th, 226Ra and 40K as well as anthropogenic radionuclide 137Cs in soil samples and to analyze the correlation among the radioactivity of these radionuclides and the physiochemical characteristics of soil samples namely pH, grain size, carbonate content and organic matter. Risk assessment of the radiological hazard has also been estimated. Forty-four soil samples were collected from eleven locations in Qatar at four depth levels from 0 to 16 cm. The average concentrations of 232Th, 226Ra, 40K and 137Cs in the soil depth of 16 cm were 10, 17, 201 and 4 Bq/kg, respectively, which were within the reported world mean. The external absorbed gamma dose rate, the annual effective dose, the mean radium equivalent activity, the external hazard index and the lifetime cancer risk were 22 nGy/h, 0.027 mSv/y, 47 Bq/kg, 0.125 and 0.096 × 10-3, respectively. These values were far below the minimum recommended international values. The level of radioactivity concentrations in the soil was affected by the physiochemical characteristics of the soil. The positive correlation with highest R2 value was found among the radioactivity concentrations of 232Th and 40K and the soil clay content. Total organic carbon was also positively correlated for 226Ra and 137Cs activity concentrations, whereas, carbonate content was negatively correlated with the radioactivity concentrations of 232Th and 40K. As far as soil moisture content is concerned, the positive correlation with highest R2 value was obtained for 226Ra activity concentrations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ayesha Y Ahmad
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, State of Qatar, Doha, P.O. Box: 2713, Qatar
- Ministry of Municipality and Environment-Radiation and chemical protection department, P.O. Box: 36390, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mohammad A Al-Ghouti
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, State of Qatar, Doha, P.O. Box: 2713, Qatar.
| | - Ibrahim AlSadig
- Ministry of Municipality and Environment-Radiation and chemical protection department, P.O. Box: 36390, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mohammed Abu-Dieyeh
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, State of Qatar, Doha, P.O. Box: 2713, Qatar
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Mrdja D, Bikit K, Forkapic S, Bikit I, Slivka J, Hansman J. Improvement of in-situ gamma spectrometry methods by Monte-Carlo simulations. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2018; 188:23-29. [PMID: 29132981 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2017.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2017] [Revised: 11/03/2017] [Accepted: 11/03/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Performing in-situ measurements of gamma radiation originating from soil requires adequate detection efficiency curves, which can be obtained by Monte-Carlo simulations. In simulations, soil density of 1.046 g/cm3 was used, with the following elemental composition of soil in which gamma radiation was generated: O - 47%, Si -35%, Al - 8%, Fe - 3.9%, C - 2.1%, Ca - 1.4%, K - 1.3%, N - 0.6%, Mg - 0.6%, N - 0.1%. Soil matrix was represented by cylindrical volume of 1.5 m diameter and 0.5m thickness, while germanium detector was placed at 1 m height above the soil. The simulated gamma spectrum, originated from K-40, as well as from members of Th-232 chain, and daughters of Ra-226, was obtained. Homogeneous distribution of various radionuclides (Ra-226, Th-232, K-40) in soil matrix is considered in this work. Gamma spectra obtained in simulations were analyzed, and together with simulated detection efficiency data they provide comparison with real experimental measurements and practical application of results derived by Monte-Carlo simulations. As a result of this work, the corresponding detection efficiency curve for HPGe detector was obtained, which can be applied for in-situ measurements of radionuclide concentration in soil, assuming uniform radionuclide distribution. In order to validate our simulation results regarding detection efficiency, we performed in-situ measurements of soil radioactivity and compared the obtained activity concentrations with laboratory measurements. We found a good agreement, within activity concentration uncertainty, between in-situ measurement results and average values of activity concentrations obtained by laboratory measurements.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dusan Mrdja
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Kristina Bikit
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Serbia.
| | - Sofija Forkapic
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Istvan Bikit
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Jaroslav Slivka
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Jan Hansman
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Serbia
| |
Collapse
|