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Turhan Ş. Radiological assessment of urban soil samples in the residents of a central Anatolian volcanic province, Turkey. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH 2023; 33:1181-1194. [PMID: 35594037 DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2022.2078797] [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: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The concentration of natural and anthropogenic radionuclides, emanation fraction (EF), and mass (χM) and area (χA) exhalation rate of 222Rn in urban soil samples collected from dwelling areas in Nevşehir city located in a region known as the central Anatolian volcanic province of Turkey were determined using gamma-ray spectroscopy. The average activity concentrations of 226Ra, 228Ra, 40K and 137Cs were measured as 60.2 ± 3.8, 50.1 ± 2.8, 631.0 ± 29.7 and 5.5 ± 0.4 Bq/kg, respectively. The average concentration of 222Rn in soil and air was estimated as 27 kBq/m3 and 84 Bq/m3, respectively. The average values of EF, χM and χA were found as 20%, 25.4 μBq/kg⋅s and 20.2 mBq/m2⋅s, respectively. The average values of outdoor absorbed gamma dose rate, external and internal annual effective dose and lifetime cancer risk estimated for radiological assessment were found as 85 nGy/h, 104 µSv/y, 797 µSv/y and 4.1 × 10-4, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Şeref Turhan
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science and Letters, Kastamonu University, Kastamonu, Turkey
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2
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Korejwo E, Saniewska D, Bełdowski J, Balazy P, Saniewski M. Mercury concentration and speciation in benthic organisms from Isfjorden, Svalbard. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 184:114115. [PMID: 36137440 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Polar regions are an important part of the global mercury cycle and interesting study sites due to different possible mercury sources. The full understanding of mercury transformations in the Arctic is difficult because this region is the systems in transition -where the effects of the global climate change are the most prominent. Benthic organisms can be valuable bioindicators of heavy metal contamination. In July 2018, selected benthic organisms: macroalgae, brittle stars, sea urchins, gastropods, and starfish were collected in Isfjorden, Spitsbergen. Two of the sampling stations were located inside the fjord system and one at the entrance to the fjord. The results showed that the starfish were the most contaminated with mercury. Total mercury concentrations in these organisms were at least 10 times higher than in other organisms. However, they effectively deal with mercury by transporting it to hard tissue. The dominant form of mercury was the labile form.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Korejwo
- Institute of Oceanology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Powstańców Warszawy 55, 81-412 Sopot. Poland.
| | - Dominika Saniewska
- Institute of Oceanography, University of Gdańsk, Al. Marszałka Piłsudskiego 46, 81-378 Gdynia, Poland
| | - Jacek Bełdowski
- Institute of Oceanology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Powstańców Warszawy 55, 81-412 Sopot. Poland
| | - Piotr Balazy
- Institute of Oceanology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Powstańców Warszawy 55, 81-412 Sopot. Poland
| | - Michał Saniewski
- Institute of Meteorology and Water Management - National Research Institute, Waszyngtona 42, 81-342 Gdynia, Poland
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3
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Radiometric mapping and radiation dose assessments in sediments from Şavşat Black Lake, Turkey. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-022-08335-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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4
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Rudnicka-Kępa P, Zaborska A. Sources, fate and distribution of inorganic contaminants in the Svalbard area, representative of a typical Arctic critical environment-a review. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2021; 193:724. [PMID: 34648070 PMCID: PMC8516776 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-021-09305-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Global environmental changes not only contribute to the modification of global pollution transport pathways but can also alter contaminant fate within the Arctic. Recent reports underline the importance of secondary sources of pollution, e.g. melting glaciers, thawing permafrost or increased riverine run-off. This article reviews reports on the European Arctic-we concentrate on the Svalbard region-and environmental contamination by inorganic pollutants (heavy metals and artificial radionuclides), including their transport pathways, their fate in the Arctic environment and the concentrations of individual elements in the ecosystem. This review presents in detail the secondary contaminant sources and tries to identify knowledge gaps, as well as indicate needs for further research. Concentrations of heavy metals and radionuclides in Svalbard have been studied, in various environmental elements since the beginning of the twentieth century. In the last 5 years, the highest concentrations of Cd (13 mg kg-1) and As (28 mg kg-1) were recorded for organic-rich soils, while levels of Pb (99 mg kg-1), Hg (1 mg kg-1), Zn (496 mg kg-1) and Cu (688 mg kg-1) were recorded for marine sediments. Increased heavy metal concentrations were also recorded in some flora and fauna species. For radionuclides in the last 5 years, the highest concentrations of 137Cs (4500 Bq kg-1), 238Pu (2 Bq kg-1) and 239 + 240Pu (43 Bq kg-1) were recorded for cryoconites, and the highest concentration of 241Am (570 Bq kg-1) was recorded in surface sediments. However, no contamination of flora and fauna with radionuclides was observed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Agata Zaborska
- Institute of Oceanology Polish Academy of Sciences, Sopot, Poland
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Abstract
AbstractThe research was focused on the level and distribution of 90Sr in various parts of the terrestrial environment of Spitsbergen. The mean activity concentrations were noted lower in peats and soils than in cryoconite. Analysis of vertical variation of 90Sr for soils and peats as well as isotopic ratios of 137Cs/90Sr and 239+240Pu/90Sr for cryoconite clearly showed substantial migration or depletion of the considered radionuclide. Due to the large dispersion of isotopic signatures, the 90Sr provenance was difficult to identify in the examined region. However, observed high mobility of the 90Sr might indicate the global fallout origin.
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Saniewski M, Balazy P, Saniewska D. Anthropogenic radioactive isotopes in Actiniaria from the Svalbard archipelago. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2020; 157:111369. [PMID: 32658712 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111369] [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: 04/21/2020] [Revised: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The abundance of radionuclides in the Arctic Actiniaria has limited study despite their environmental importance in coastal food chains. Although the Arctic has incurred relatively little contamination by anthropogenic radionuclides as a result of nuclear weapons tests, there are still detectable levels of radionuclide activity observed in marine species. In this study of anthropogenic radionuclide activity in Actiniaria from Spitsbergen we observed levels of 90Sr from 0.92 Bq kg-1dw to 18 Bq kg-1dw and for 137Cs from 1.2 Bq kg-1dw to 12 Bq kg-1dw. The highest values of 90Sr and 137Cs were observed in organisms at stations close to seabird colonies and a river mouth, suggesting that fecal material and melting glaciers may be sources of radionuclides in the Arctic environment. The body mass of individual organisms affected bioaccumulation of 90Sr and 137Cs in Actiniaria, with radionuclide bioaccumulation occurring most intensively in the smaller specimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Saniewski
- Institute of Meteorology and Water Management - National Research Institute, Waszyngtona 42, 81-342 Gdynia, Poland.
| | - P Balazy
- Institute of Oceanology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Powstancow Warszawy 55, 81-712 Sopot, Poland
| | - D Saniewska
- University of Gdansk, Faculty of Oceanography and Geography, Division of Marine Chemistry and Environmental Protection, Al. Piłsudskiego 46, 81-378 Gdynia, Poland
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Cwanek A, Mietelski JW, Łokas E, Olech MA, Anczkiewicz R, Misiak R. The radioactive contamination study in south-western Greenland tundra in 2012-2013. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2020; 212:106125. [PMID: 31818733 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2019.106125] [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: 06/24/2019] [Revised: 11/15/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The paper presents results of the radioecological investigation carried out in south-western Greenland shoreline. There were examined over 50 samples of lichens and mosses collected from 7 locations during two scientific expeditions conducted in the summer of 2012-2013. The levels, trends and the most likely origin were determined for following natural and artificial radionuclides: 90Sr, 137Cs, 230, 232Th, 234, 238U, 238, 239+240Pu and 241Am. The radioactive pollution was found as relatively low, reaching the maximum values at: 25.3 ± 2.04 Bq/kg for 90Sr, 293 ± 27 Bq/kg for 137Cs, 4.01 ± 0.13 Bq/kg for 239+240Pu, 0.1381 ± 0.0070 Bq/kg for 238Pu and 1.90 ± 0.21 Bq/kg of 241Am, 9.15 ± 0.48 Bq/kg for 230Th, 25.1 ± 1.2 Bq/kg for 232Th, 7.5 ± 1.5 Bq/kg for 234U and 7.26 ± 0.80 Bq/kg for 238U. Both activity and mass isotopic ratio assays revealed dominant contribution of the global fallout + SNAP 9A on the presence of plutonium isotopes and 241Am in Greenland tundra. However, noticeable deviations of 241Am/239+240Pu and to a lesser extend of 240Pu/239Pu ratios from the GF level have been observed. The origin of 137Cs was evidently connected with the coexistence of global and Chernobyl fallout, while the presence of 90Sr was caused by nuclear weapon tests and affected by leaching process. The seaborne signature of uranium isotopes was manifested in research material as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Cwanek
- Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Radzikowskiego 152, 31-342, Krakow, Poland.
| | - Jerzy W Mietelski
- Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Radzikowskiego 152, 31-342, Krakow, Poland
| | - Edyta Łokas
- Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Radzikowskiego 152, 31-342, Krakow, Poland
| | - Maria A Olech
- Institute of Botany, Jagiellonian University, Lubicz 46, 31-512, Krakow, Poland
| | - Robert Anczkiewicz
- Institute of Geological Sciences, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków Research Centre, Senacka 1, 31-002, Krakow, Poland
| | - Ryszard Misiak
- Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Radzikowskiego 152, 31-342, Krakow, Poland
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Cwanek A, Mietelski JW, Łokas E, Olech MA, Anczkiewicz R, Misiak R. Sources and variation of isotopic ratio of airborne radionuclides in Western Arctic lichens and mosses. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 239:124783. [PMID: 31726517 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.124783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Revised: 08/24/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
This research concerned radioactivity of lichens and mosses from coastal zones of the Canadian Arctic and Alaska. Over 50 samples were collected from 7 positions during two scientific expeditions in 2012 and 2013. The tundra contamination caused by anthropogenic radionuclides was relatively low, reaching mean values with SD's of: 17.4 ± 3.5 Bq/kg for 90Sr, 14.0 ± 2.9 Bq/kg for 134Cs, 38.4 ± 7.5 Bq/kg for 137Cs, 0.86 ± 0.24 Bq/kg for 239+240Pu, 0.065 ± 0.017 Bq/kg for 238Pu and 0.50 ± 0.13 Bq/kg for 241Am. The increase of activity concentration with increasing latitudes was noticed mostly in regard to 90Sr, Pu isotopes and 241Am. The analysis of isotopic ratios exhibited dominant contribution of the global fallout (+SNAP 9A satellite re-entry fallout) for the presence of plutonium isotopes and 241Am. The Fukushima fallout signature was identified in a few lichens from Alaska. However, the influence of additional unknown factor on the occurrence of 90Sr and 137Cs has been detected in western part of Canadian Arctic. Natural radioisotopes of thorium and uranium were found throughout the entire investigated region and the average values of activity concentration with SD's were as follows: 2.92 ± 0.47 Bq/kg for 230Th, 2.61 ± 0.48 Bq/kg for 232Th, 4.32 ± 0.80 Bq/kg for 234U and 3.97 ± 0.71 Bq/kg for 238U. Examined Western Arctic tundra was not affected with any technically enhanced natural radioactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Cwanek
- Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Radzikowskiego 152, 31-342, Krakow, Poland.
| | - Jerzy W Mietelski
- Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Radzikowskiego 152, 31-342, Krakow, Poland
| | - Edyta Łokas
- Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Radzikowskiego 152, 31-342, Krakow, Poland
| | - Maria A Olech
- Institute of Botany, Jagiellonian University, Lubicz 46, 31-512, Krakow, Poland
| | - Robert Anczkiewicz
- Institute of Geological Sciences, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków Research Centre, Senacka 1, 31-002, Krakow, Poland
| | - Ryszard Misiak
- Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Radzikowskiego 152, 31-342, Krakow, Poland
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External radiation exposure of the Angolan population living in adobe houses. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-019-06920-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
AbstractThis study aims to investigate the radioactivity of adobe in Angola, where it is a widely used building material. Sixty samples have been collected from three remote areas of the country with different geological backgrounds (Cabinda, Huambo, Menongue). Activity concentrations of226Ra,232Th and40K have been determined by gamma-ray spectroscopy and radiation hazard indices were also calculated. The area Huambo shows elevated226Ra and232Th values which can be explained by its older geological formations.40K concentrations are low in general. Regarding external radiation risk, adobe from Angola is safe to use as building material.
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Łokas E, Wachniew P, Jodłowski P, Gąsiorek M. Airborne radionuclides in the proglacial environment as indicators of sources and transfers of soil material. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2017; 178-179:193-202. [PMID: 28881250 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2017.08.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2017] [Revised: 08/25/2017] [Accepted: 08/25/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
A survey of artificial (137Cs, 238Pu, 239+240Pu, 241Am) and natural (226Ra, 232Th, 40K, 210Pb) radioactive isotopes in proglacial soils of an Arctic glacier have revealed high spatial variability of activity concentrations and inventories of the airborne radionuclides. Soil column 137Cs inventories range from below the detection limit to nearly 120 kBq m-2, this value significantly exceeding direct atmospheric deposition. This variability may result from the mixing of materials characterised by different contents of airborne radionuclides. The highest activity concentrations observed in the proglacial soils may result from the deposition of cryoconites, which have been shown to accumulate airborne radionuclides on the surface of glaciers. The role of cryoconites in radionuclide accumulation is supported by the concordant enrichment of the naturally occurring airborne 210Pb in proglacial soil cores showing elevated levels of artificial radionuclides. The lithogenic radionuclides show less variability than the airborne radionuclides because their activity concentrations are controlled only by the mixing of material derived from the weathering of different parent rocks. Soil properties vary little within and between the profiles and there is no unequivocal relationship between them and the radionuclide contents. The inventories reflect the pathways and time variable inputs of soil material to particular sites of the proglacial zone. Lack of the airborne radionuclides reflects no deposition of material exposed to the atmosphere after the 1950s or its removal by erosion. Inventories above the direct atmospheric deposition indicate secondary deposition of radionuclide-bearing material. Very high inventories indicate sites where transport pathways of cryoconite material terminated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edyta Łokas
- Institute of Nuclear Physics Polish Academy of Sciences, Radzikowskiego 152, 31-342 Krakow, Poland.
| | - Przemysław Wachniew
- AGH University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Physics and Applied Computer Science, Al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland.
| | - Paweł Jodłowski
- AGH University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Physics and Applied Computer Science, Al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland.
| | - Michał Gąsiorek
- University of Agriculture, Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Al. Mickiewicza 21, 31-120 Kraków, Poland.
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12
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Łokas E, Zaborska A, Kolicka M, Różycki M, Zawierucha K. Accumulation of atmospheric radionuclides and heavy metals in cryoconite holes on an Arctic glacier. CHEMOSPHERE 2016; 160:162-172. [PMID: 27372266 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2016.06.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2016] [Revised: 05/11/2016] [Accepted: 06/11/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Surface of glaciers is covered by mineral and organic dust, together with microorganisms forming cryoconite granules. Despite fact that glaciers and ice sheets constitute significance part of land surface, reservoir of freshwater, and sites of high biological production, the knowledge on the cryoconite granules still remain unsatisfactory. This study presents information on radionuclide and heavy metal contents in cryoconites. Cryoconites collected from the Hans Glacier in SW Spitsbergen reveal high activity concentrations of anthropogenic ((238,239,240)Pu, (137)Cs, (90)Sr) and natural ((210)Pb) radionuclides. The (238)Pu/(239+240)Pu activity ratios in these cryoconites significantly exceed the mean global fallout ratio (0.025). The (238)Pu/(239+240)Pu ranged from 0.064 to 0.118. The (239+240)Pu/(137)Cs varied from 0.011 ± 0.003 to 0.030 ± 0.007. Such activity ratios as observed in these cryoconites were significantly higher than the values characterizing global fallout, pointing to possible contributions of these radionuclides from other sources. Heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, Fe, and Mn) in cryoconites exceed both UCC concentrations and local rocks' concentrations, particularly for cadmium. The concentration ratios of stable lead isotopes ((206)Pb/(207)Pb, (208)Pb/(206)Pb) were determined to discriminate between the natural and anthropogenic sources of Pb in cryoconites and to confirm the strong anthropogenic contribution to heavy metal deposition in the Arctic. In investigated cryoconite holes, two groups of invertebrates, both extremophiles, Tardigrada and Rotifera were detected. Our study indicate that cryoconites are aggregates of mineral and organic substances on surfaces of glaciers are able to accumulate large amounts of airborne pollutants bound to extracellular polymeric substances secreted by microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edyta Łokas
- Institute of Nuclear Physics Polish Academy of Sciences, Department of Nuclear Physical Chemistry, Radzikowskiego 152, Kraków, Poland.
| | - Agata Zaborska
- Institute of Oceanology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Powstańców Warszawy 55, Sopot, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Kolicka
- Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Faculty of Biology, Department of Animal Taxonomy and Ecology, Umultowska 89, 61-614 Poznań, Poland
| | - Michał Różycki
- AGH University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Physics and Applied Computer Science, Mickiewicza 30, Kraków, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Zawierucha
- Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Faculty of Biology, Department of Animal Taxonomy and Ecology, Umultowska 89, 61-614 Poznań, Poland
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Assessment of natural and artificial radionuclides in Mission (Texas) surface soils. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-015-4018-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Lokas E, Bartmiński P, Wachniew P, Mietelski JW, Kawiak T, Srodoń J. Sources and pathways of artificial radionuclides to soils at a High Arctic site. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 21:12479-12493. [PMID: 24946703 PMCID: PMC4200352 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-014-3163-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2014] [Accepted: 06/05/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Activity concentrations, inventories and activity ratios of (137)Cs, (238)Pu, (239 + 240)Pu and (241)Am in soil profiles were surveyed in the dry tundra and the adjoining proglacial zones of glaciers at a High Arctic site on Svalbard. Vertical profiles of radionuclide activities were determined in up to 14-cm-thick soil sequences. Additionally, soil properties (pH, organic matter, texture, mineral composition and sorption capacity) were analyzed. Results obtained in this study revealed a large range of activity concentrations and inventories of the fallout radionuclides from the undetectable to the uncommonly high levels (inventories of 30,900 ± 940, 47 ± 6, 886 ± 80 and 296 ± 19 Bq/m(2) for (137)Cs, (238)Pu, (239 + 240)Pu and (241)Am, respectively) found in two profiles from the proglacial zone. Concentration of these initially airborne radionuclides in the proglacial zone soils is related to their accumulation in cryoconites that have a large ability to concentrate trace metals. The cryoconites develop on the surface of glaciers, and the material they accumulate is deposited on land surface after the glaciers retreat. The radionuclide inventories in the tundra soils, which effectively retain radionuclides due to high organic matter contents, were comparable to the global fallout deposition for this region of the world. The (238)Pu/(239 + 240)Pu activity ratios for tundra soils suggested global fallout as the dominant source of Pu. The (238)Pu/(239 + 240)Pu and (239 + 240)Pu/(137)Cs activity ratios in the proglacial soils pointed to possible contributions of these radionuclides from other, unidentified sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Lokas
- Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Radzikowskiego 152, 31-342, Krakow, Poland,
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Almayahi B, Tajuddin A, Jaafar M. Radiation hazard indices of soil and water samples in Northern Malaysian Peninsula. Appl Radiat Isot 2012; 70:2652-60. [DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2012.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2012] [Revised: 07/23/2012] [Accepted: 07/24/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Belivermiş M. Vertical distributions of 137Cs, 40K, 232Th and 226Ra in soil samples from Istanbul and its environs, Turkey. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2012; 151:511-521. [PMID: 22408185 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncs023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Determining the distribution of natural and artificial radionuclides in soil profiles as well as the surface layer of the soil is necessary due to the fact that radionuclides can enter the food chain from deeper soil layers and also contaminate ground water. In the current study, the activity-depth profiles of (137)Cs were determined in soil samples from 20 sites in and around the city of Istanbul. Naturally occurring radionuclides were determined at 12 of the locations. Uncultivated soil samples were taken in six horizontal layers at each location. Activity concentrations were measured with a gamma spectrometer. The impacts of texture, organic matter and pH of the soil on the vertical distribution of the radionuclides were also studied. The average and standard deviations of (137)Cs and (40)K activity concentrations in soil at a depth of 5 cm were found to be 16.46±14.71 and 450.2±239.1 Bq kg(-1), respectively. The activity concentrations of (40)K, (232)Th and (226)Ra were distributed uniformly with regard to soil depth. The depth distribution of (137)Cs generally fitted a linear function. The study revealed that >20 y after the Chernobyl disaster of 1986, 55 % of (137)Cs still remains in the upper 10 cm of soil in the Istanbul environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murat Belivermiş
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Istanbul University, Vezneciler, 34134 Istanbul, Turkey.
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Xu LQ, Liu XD, Sun LG, Yan H, Liu Y, Luo YH, Huang J, Wang YH. Distribution of radionuclides in the guano sediments of Xisha Islands, South China Sea and its implication. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2010; 101:362-368. [PMID: 20346552 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2010.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2009] [Revised: 02/04/2010] [Accepted: 02/15/2010] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Several natural and anthropogenic radionuclides ((210)Pb, (226)Ra and (137)Cs) in guano-phosphatic coral sediments and pure guano particles collected from Ganquan, Guangjin, Jinqing and Jinyin Islands of the Xisha archipelago, South China Sea, were analyzed. The Constant Initial Concentration (CIC) model and the Constant Rate of Supply (CRS) model were applied for age calculation. The average supply rate of (210)Pb was 126 Bq m(-2) a(-1), very close to the flux of northern hemisphere average (125 Bq m(-2) a(-1)). The activities of anthropogenic radionuclides in the sediments were very low, indicating that human nuclear tests did not notably impact this region. The main source of radionuclides in the sediments was from atmospheric precipitation, and the organic matter derived from plant and produced by nutrient-rich guano could further enhance them.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Q Xu
- Institute of Polar Environment, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
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Belivermis M, Kiliç N, Cotuk Y, Topcuoğlu S. The effects of physicochemical properties on gamma emitting natural radionuclide levels in the soil profile of Istanbul. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2010; 163:15-26. [PMID: 19242808 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-009-0812-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2008] [Accepted: 01/27/2009] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The inventory of gamma-emitting radionuclides was determined in soil samples collected at six depth levels, from 15 locations in Istanbul metropolis. The activity concentrations of (232)Th, (238)U, (40)K were measured by means of gamma spectrometry. The average activity concentrations of (232)Th, (238)U, (40)K in the 30-cm depth soil were found as 32.1, 27.4, 393.1 Bq kg(-1), respectively. The mean value of the absorbed dose rate (D), annual effective dose equivalent (AEDE) from the outdoor terrestrial gamma radiation, Ra equivalent activity (Ra(eq)), and the external hazard index (H(ex)) were calculated as 48.7 nGy h(-1), 59.7 muSv, 104.1 Bq kg(-1), and 0.28, respectively. The effects of organic matter content, textural properties, and pH value of soil samples on the natural radionuclide levels were also investigated. The relations between natural radionuclide level and the physical and chemical properties of studied soil samples were mainly clarified with cluster analysis and Pearson correlation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murat Belivermis
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Istanbul University, 34134, Vezneciler, Istanbul, Turkey.
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Tagami K, Uchida S. Radium-226 transfer factor from soils to crops and its simple estimation method using uranium and barium concentrations. CHEMOSPHERE 2009; 77:105-114. [PMID: 19501875 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2009.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2009] [Revised: 05/12/2009] [Accepted: 05/14/2009] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Radium-226 ((226)Ra) should be assessed to determine the safety of geological disposal of high-level radioactive and transuranic wastes. Among the environmental transfer parameters that have been used in mathematical models for the environmental safety assessment, soil-to-plant transfer factor (F(v)) is of importance; it is defined as the plant/soil concentration ratio. Reported F(v) data for (226)Ra are still limited due to the low concentration of (226)Ra in plants in the natural environment. In this study, we collected F(v) of (226)Ra (F(v)-Ra) for crops and then applied a statistical approach to estimate F(v)-Ra instead of directly measuring the radionuclide. We found high correlations between (226)Ra and U concentrations in soils (because (226)Ra is a progeny in the (238)U series), and between (226)Ra and Ba concentrations in plants (because they are chemically similar in plant uptake). Using U in soil and Ba in plant values, we could estimate F(v)-Ra with good accuracy; the difference between estimated and measured F(v)-Ra values was a factor of 1.2 on average for crops. The method could estimate F(v)-Ra for the soil-to-plant systems where (226)Ra and Ba concentrations in soil are within the normal range, e.g. 8-100 Bq kg(-1)-dry for (226)Ra and 84-960 mg kg(-1)-dry for Ba.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiko Tagami
- National Institute of Radiological Sciences, Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba, Japan.
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El-Reefy HI, Sharshar T, Zaghloul R, Badran HM. Distribution of gamma-ray emitting radionuclides in the environment of Burullus Lake: I. Soils and vegetations. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2006; 87:148-69. [PMID: 16427723 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2005.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2005] [Revised: 09/26/2005] [Accepted: 11/18/2005] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The concentrations and distribution of gamma-ray emitting isotopes in Burullus Lake were investigated with the aim of evaluating the environmental radioactivity. Particularly in wetlands, natural properties of the environment can cause the actual inventory to be different from the activity originally deposited. The mean concentrations of (226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K were 14.3, 15.5 and 224 Bq/kg, respectively, in the coastal soils. On the other hand, soil samples from the islands had mean concentrations of 13.5, 17.4 and 341 Bq/kg for (226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K, respectively. Samples from coast and islands show evidence of possible transfer and accumulation of the (137)Cs radionuclide. The mean (137)Cs activity concentrations in the soil samples were 1.2 and 15.1 Bq/kg in the coast and islands, respectively. The vertical migration of (137)Cs was studied based on its content in the consequently located three soil layers down to 30 cm depth. The radium equivalent, dose rate in air and annual dose equivalent from the terrestrial natural gamma-radiation were evaluated. The mean activity concentrations of the gamma-ray emitting radionuclides in vegetation were relatively low.
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Affiliation(s)
- H I El-Reefy
- Hot Laboratories Center, Atomic Energy Authority, Cairo, Egypt
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Dowdall M, Gwynn JP, Moran C, O'Dea J, Davids C, Lind B. Uptake of radionuclides by vegetation at a High Arctic location. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2005; 133:327-332. [PMID: 15519463 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2004.05.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2004] [Accepted: 05/31/2004] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Radionuclide levels in vegetation from a High Arctic location were studied and compared to in situ soil concentrations. Levels of the anthropogenic radionuclide 137Cs and the natural radionuclides 40K, 238U, 226Ra and 232Th are discussed and transfer factor (TF) values and aggregated transfer (Tag) values are calculated for vascular plants. Levels of 137Cs in vegetation generally followed the order mosses > lichen > vascular plants. The uptake of 137Cs in vascular plants showed an inverse relationship with the uptake of 40K, with 137Cs TF and Tag values generally higher than 40K TF and Tag values. 40K activity concentrations in all vegetation showed little correlation to associated soil concentrations, while the uptake of 238U, 226Ra and 232Th by vascular and non-vascular plants was generally low.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Dowdall
- Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority, Polar Environmental Centre, 9296 Tromsø, Norway.
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Evenset A, Christensen GN, Skotvold T, Fjeld E, Schlabach M, Wartena E, Gregor D. A comparison of organic contaminants in two high Arctic lake ecosystems, Bjørnøya (Bear Island), Norway. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2004; 318:125-141. [PMID: 14654280 DOI: 10.1016/s0048-9697(03)00365-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Lake Ellasjøen and Lake Øyangen are two high Arctic lake ecosystem located on the island Bjørnøya (74 degrees 30' N, 19 degrees 00' E) in the Barents Sea. High levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), especially PCB and p,p'-DDE, were found in sediment and biota from Lake Ellasjøen while levels were several times lower in Lake Øyangen. Stable isotope signatures (delta15N) in comparable organisms (e.g. zooplankton, Arctic char) collected from both the lakes were also significantly different. The values of delta15N were 6-10 per thousand higher in the organisms from Ellasjøen than from Øyangen. In both Ellasjøen and Øyangen, a statistically significant correlation (P<0.05) was found between the levels of PCB and DDT, and delta15N values in organisms indicating enhanced bioaccumulation for higher trophical level lake organisms. As the lakes on Bjørnøya are remote, more than 500 km from any known point source, the presence of POPs is most likely the result of long-range transport of contaminants to the area. The observed higher contaminant concentrations associated with the Ellasjøen ecosystem is attributed to two factors. Ellasjøen is located in the southern, mountainous part of Bjørnøya and it is likely that this area receives more precipitation, and thereby more airborne contaminants, than the flatter areas further north on the island (i.e. the area around Øyangen). In addition, higher delta15N-levels in organisms from Ellasjøen as compared to Øyangen indicate the input of guano from seabirds using the lake as a resting area as an additional source of POPs to Ellasjøen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Evenset
- Akvaplan-niva, Polar Environmental Centre, Tromsø N-9296, Norway.
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