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Rašeta D, Petrinec B, Babić D, Šoštarić M. Application of a new in situ calibration technique for gamma spectrometry and comparison of in situ and laboratory measurements. Arh Hig Rada Toksikol 2021; 72:29-35. [PMID: 33787184 PMCID: PMC8191430 DOI: 10.2478/aiht-2021-72-3468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Revised: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
In situ gamma ray spectrometry was developed to quickly measure large areas of land following nuclear accidents. However, a proper calibration of detectors for in situ measurements is a long and complicated process. One tool designed to make this calibration quick is the InSiCal software. We compared 5,000 s in situ measurements with two different HPGe detectors calibrated using the InSiCal software and laboratory measurements of samples collected at the same locations. Our findings suggest that in situ gamma spectrometry using InSiCal software can provide reasonably accurate data, but some improvements are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davor Rašeta
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Branko Petrinec
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Dinko Babić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Marko Šoštarić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia
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Babić D, Skoko B, Franić Z, Senčar J, Šoštarić M, Petroci L, Avdić M, Kovačić M, Branica G, Petrinec B, Bituh T, Franulović I, Marović G. Baseline radioecological data for the soil and selected bioindicator organisms in the temperate forest of Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2020; 27:21040-21056. [PMID: 32266621 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-08369-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to provide baseline radioecological data for the temperate forest ecosystem in Plitvice Lakes National Park. Emphasis was placed on the determination of naturally occurring radionuclides since there is an acknowledged lack of data for these radionuclides in non-accident conditions in wildlife, even for bioindicator organisms. Activity concentrations of 238U, 226Ra, 210Pb, 232Th, 40K, 134Cs, and 137Cs were measured by gamma spectrometry in soil and bioindicators: earthworms, conifer needles, mosses, and lichens. From the measured activity concentrations, concentration ratios were calculated to quantify the transfer of these radionuclides from soil to bioindicators. Our results show that soil activity concentrations are biased toward results from other studies conducted within the Dinaric mountain region. However, in moss and lichen samples, we measured higher activity concentrations of 226Ra and lower activity concentrations of 40K and 137Cs in comparison to similar studies. Also, we estimated lower concentration ratios for all radionuclides from soil to these organisms, except for 210Pb, in comparison to generic values. The transfer of 238U was generally low for all of the bioindicator organisms. For conifer needles, a correlation was found between activity concentrations of 226Ra and 137Cs in soil and related concentration ratios. Correlation was also found between the activity concentration of 40K in soil and transfer of 40K and 137Cs to mosses and lichens. A comparison with literature data highlighted the lack of 226Ra related concentration ratios for conifer trees and especially for earthworms. Therefore, the results of this study could supplement the sparse data currently available on radionuclide background data in similar ecosystems and related soil-to-wildlife transfer of radionuclides. Dose rate assessments, performed by the ERICA Tool, estimated that 96% of the overall exposure of wildlife in the Park area is due to the background dose rates, while 0.06 μGy h-1 on average can be attributed as an incremental dose rate from 134Cs and 137Cs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dinko Babić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Božena Skoko
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Zdenko Franić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Jasminka Senčar
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Marko Šoštarić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ljerka Petroci
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Mak Avdić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Milica Kovačić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Gina Branica
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Branko Petrinec
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Tomislav Bituh
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Iva Franulović
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Gordana Marović
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
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Petrinec B, Sovilj MP, Babić D, Meštrović T, Miklavčić I, Radolić V, Stanić D, Vuković B, Šoštarić M. Assessing the radiological load on the environment in the middle Danube river basin on the basis of a study of the Kopački Rit Nature Park, Croatia. Radiat Environ Biophys 2018; 57:285-292. [PMID: 29872921 DOI: 10.1007/s00411-018-0747-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2018] [Accepted: 05/31/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
A study of the environmental radioactivity in the Kopački Rit Nature Park, Croatia, is presented. This wildlife reserve is part of the Middle Danube River Basin, and it is exposed to various pollutants due to a number of human activities in the surroundings, where there is a nuclear power plant and also urban centres and areas of intense agricultural production. Results for the activity concentrations of soil and surface water samples do not indicate any elevated radioactivity level, which is confirmed by on-site measurements of ambient dose rate equivalent. An assessment of the radiological load on the local biota, carried out using the ERICA tool, implies an overall low radiological risk even if conservative values of the risk quotient are used. Therefore, human activities do not have a significant effect on the radiological load on the Kopački Rit area. A similar conclusion might be made with regard to numerous similar environments in the Middle Danube River Basin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Branko Petrinec
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Marina Poje Sovilj
- Department of Physics, J. J. Strossmayer University in Osijek, Trg Ljudevita Gaja 6, 31000, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Dinko Babić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Tomislav Meštrović
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Igor Miklavčić
- Department of Physics, J. J. Strossmayer University in Osijek, Trg Ljudevita Gaja 6, 31000, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Vanja Radolić
- Department of Physics, J. J. Strossmayer University in Osijek, Trg Ljudevita Gaja 6, 31000, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Denis Stanić
- Department of Physics, J. J. Strossmayer University in Osijek, Trg Ljudevita Gaja 6, 31000, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Branko Vuković
- Department of Physics, J. J. Strossmayer University in Osijek, Trg Ljudevita Gaja 6, 31000, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Marko Šoštarić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
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Petrinec B, Tišma I, Šoštarić M, Sovilj MP, Babić D, Radolić V, Miklavčić I, Vuković B. Current radiological situation in Slavonski Brod, Croatia: is there a reason for concern? Arh Hig Rada Toksikol 2018; 68:206-211. [PMID: 28976880 DOI: 10.1515/aiht-2017-68-2992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2017] [Accepted: 07/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
For years, the town of Slavonski Brod in Croatia has been facing serious problems with air pollution, which is usually attributed to an oil refinery across the Sava River in Bosnia and Herzegovina. While the air quality is being monitored rigorously with regard to nonradioactive matter, no attention has been paid to the possibility of a coincidental radioactive pollution. This study is the first to have addressed this issue. We measured ambient dose rate equivalents at 150 sites and found that none exceeded 120 nSv h-1, while the average was 80 nSv h-1. Gamma-ray spectrometry of the collected river water and soil samples did not reveal any unusual radioactivity either. In other words, we have found no evidence of radioactive pollution that would endanger the health of the residents of Slavonski Brod.
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Šoštarić M, Petrinec B, Babić D. Air sampling by pumping through a filter: effects of air flow rate, concentration, and decay of airborne substances. Arh Hig Rada Toksikol 2017; 67:326-331. [PMID: 28033100 DOI: 10.1515/aiht-2016-67-2885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2016] [Accepted: 11/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper tackles the issue of interpreting the number of airborne particles adsorbed on a filter through which a certain volume of sampled air has been pumped. This number is equal to the product of the pumped volume and particle concentration in air, but only if the concentration is constant over time and if there is no substance decomposition on the filter during sampling. If this is not the case, one must take into account the inconstancy of the concentration and the decay law for a given substance, which is complicated even further if the flow rate through the filter is not constant. In this paper, we develop a formalism which considers all of these factors, resulting in a single, compact expression of general applicability. The use of this expression is exemplified by addressing a case of sampling airborne radioactive matter, where the decay law is already well known. This law is combined with three experimentally observed time dependence of the flow rate and two models for the time dependence of the particle concentration. We also discuss the implications of these calculations for certain other situations of interest to environmental studies.
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Skoko B, Marović G, Babić D, Šoštarić M, Jukić M. Plant uptake of 238U, 235U, 232Th, 226Ra, 210Pb and 40K from a coal ash and slag disposal site and control soil under field conditions: A preliminary study. J Environ Radioact 2017; 172:113-121. [PMID: 28342343 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2017.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2016] [Revised: 03/03/2017] [Accepted: 03/10/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the uptake of 238U, 235U, 232Th, 226Ra, 210Pb and 40K by plants that grow on a coal ash and slag disposal site known for its higher content of naturally occurring radionuclides. Plant species that were sampled are common for the Mediterranean flora and can be divided as follows: grasses & herbs, shrubs and trees. To compare the activity concentrations and the resultant concentration ratios of the disposal site with those in natural conditions, we used control data specific for the research area, obtained for plants growing on untreated natural soil. Radionuclide activity concentrations were determined by high resolution gamma-ray spectrometry. Media parameters (pH, electrical conductivity and organic matter content) were also analysed. We confirmed significantly higher activity concentrations of 238U, 235U, 226Ra and 210Pb in ash and slag compared to control soil. However, a significant increase in the radionuclide activity concentration in the disposal site's vegetation was observed only for 226Ra. On the contrary, a significantly smaller activity concentration of 40K in ash and slag had no impact on its activity concentration in plant samples. The calculated plant uptake of 238U, 235U, 226Ra and 210Pb is significantly smaller in comparison with the uptake at the control site, while it is vice versa for 40K. No significant difference was observed between the disposal site and the control site's plant uptake of 232Th. These results can be the foundation for further radioecological assessment of this disposal site but also, globally, they can contribute to a better understanding of nature and long-term management of such disposal sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Božena Skoko
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Gordana Marović
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Dinko Babić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Marko Šoštarić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Mirela Jukić
- Andrija Stampar Teaching Institute of Public Health, Mirogojska 16, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
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