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Al Mahmud J, Siraz MMM, Alam MS, Dewan MJ, Rashid MB, Khandaker MU, Osman H, Tamam N, Yeasmin S. A pioneering study of the radiological mapping in the world's largest mangrove forest (the Sundarbans) and implications for the public and environment. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 202:116349. [PMID: 38604081 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116349] [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: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
Coastal Mangroves are facing growing threats due to the harmful consequences of human activities. This first-ever detailed study of natural radioactivity in soil samples collected from seven tourist destinations within the Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest, was conducted using HPGe gamma-ray spectrometry. Although the activity levels of 226Ra (11 ± 1-44 ± 4 Bq/kg) and 232Th (13 ± 1-68 ± 6 Bq/kg) generally align with global averages, the concentration of 40K (250 ± 20-630 ± 55 Bq/kg) was observed to surpass the worldwide average primarily due to factors like salinity intrusion, fertilizer application, agricultural runoff, which suggests the potential existence of potassium-rich mineral resources near the study sites. The assessment of the hazard parameters indicates that the majority of these parameters are within the recommended limits. The soil samples do not pose a significant radiological risk to the nearby population. The results of this study can establish important radiological baseline data before the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant begins operating in Bangladesh.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jubair Al Mahmud
- Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of Dhaka, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh
| | - M M Mahfuz Siraz
- Health Physics Division, Atomic Energy Centre, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh.
| | - M S Alam
- Department of Nuclear Engineering, Chittagong University of Engineering & Technology, Chattogram 4349, Bangladesh
| | - Md Jafor Dewan
- Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of Dhaka, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh
| | - Md Bazlar Rashid
- Geological Survey of Bangladesh, Segunbaghicha, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh
| | - Mayeen Uddin Khandaker
- Applied Physics and Radiation Technologies Group, CCDCU, School of Engineering and Technology, Sunway University, 47500 Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia; Faculty of Graduate Studies, Daffodil International University, Daffodil Smart City, Birulia, Savar, Dhaka 1216, Bangladesh
| | - Hamid Osman
- Department of Radiological Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, 21944 Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nissren Tamam
- Department of Physics, College of Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, P.O. Box 84428, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia
| | - S Yeasmin
- Health Physics Division, Atomic Energy Centre, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh
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Siraz MMM, Al Mahmud J, Alam MS, Rashid MB, Hossain Z, Osman H, Khandakar MU, Yeasmin S. Assessment of radioactivity level and associated radiological hazard in fertilizer from Dhaka. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2024; 196:192. [PMID: 38263472 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-024-12328-4] [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: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
Miners, factory workers, traders, end-users, and foodstuff consumers all run the risk of encountering health hazards derived from the presence of elevated levels of radiation in fertilizers, as these groups often come into direct or indirect contact with fertilizers as well as raw materials throughout various linked processes such as mineral extractions, fertilizer production, agricultural practices. A total of 30 samples of various kinds of fertilizer produced in different factories in Dhaka megacity were analyzed to quantify the concentrations of primordial radionuclides using HPGe detector. Among the analyzed samples, average (range) concentration of 40K was found to be 9920 ± 1091 (8700 ± 957-11,500 ± 1265), 9100 ± 1001 (8600 ± 946-9600 ± 1056), 2565 ± 282 (2540 ± 279-2590 ± 285), and 3560 ± 392 (2620 ± 288-4500 ± 495) Bq/kg in the samples of Muriate of Potash Fertilizer, Sulphate of Potash Fertilizer, Humic Acid Fertilizer, and NPKS Fertilizer, respectively. Elevated concentration of 226Ra was found in Triple Super Phosphate Fertilizer with a mean (range) of 335 ± 37 (290 ± 32-380 ± 42) Bq/kg. The higher activity of 40K can be linked to the greater levels of elemental potassium in phosphate fertilizer. Elevated concentrations of radionuclides may also result from variations in chemical processes as well as the local geology of the mining areas where the raw materials were extracted for fertilizer production. Numerous fertilizer brands surpass prescribed limits for various hazardous parameters, presenting significant health risks to factory workers, farmers, and consumers of agricultural products. This study provides baseline information on the radioactivity of fertilizers, which could be used to develop mitigation methods, establish national fertilizer usage limits, justify regulatory frameworks, and raise public awareness of fertilizer overuse. The findings of the study could potentially help to explore the impact of fertilizer on the food chain.
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Affiliation(s)
- M M Mahfuz Siraz
- Health Physics Division, Atomic Energy Centre, Dhaka, 1000, Bangladesh.
| | - Jubair Al Mahmud
- Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, 1000, Bangladesh
| | - M S Alam
- Department of Nuclear Engineering, Chittagong University of Engineering & Technology, Chattogram, 4349, Bangladesh
| | - Md Bazlar Rashid
- Geological Survey of Bangladesh, Segunbaghicha, Dhaka, 1000, Bangladesh
| | - Zakir Hossain
- Health Physics Division, Atomic Energy Centre, Dhaka, 1000, Bangladesh
| | - Hamid Osman
- Department of Radiological Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, 21944, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mayeen Uddin Khandakar
- Applied Physics and Radiation Technologies Group, CCDCU, School of Engineering and Technology, Sunway University, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
- Faculty of Graduate Studies, Daffodil International University, Daffodil Smart City, Birulia, Savar, Dhaka, 1216, Bangladesh
| | - Selina Yeasmin
- Health Physics Division, Atomic Energy Centre, Dhaka, 1000, Bangladesh
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