Hazardous parameters associated with natural radioactivity exposure from black sand.

Black sand samples collected from Baltim beaches (Kafr El-Sheikh governorate) in Egypt on the Mediterranean Sea shore were analyzed radiometrically and evaluated using a nondestructive gamma ray spectroscopic techniques. The natural radionuclides of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in the black sand samples were identified and quantified. It is found that the activity concentrations for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in different eleven sites (S1S11) were found within the ranges of 28-322, 91-308 and 81-339 Bq/kg, respectively. Moreover, different radiological hazardous parameters (absorbed dose rate, annual effective dose equivalent, radium activity, annual gonadal dose equivalent and excess lifetime cancer risk) were calculated. The results show that these values are greater than the permissible values due to increasing the activity concentrations of the primordial radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th and 40K. The dose rate for radiation emitted at 1 m from the surface of land was measured directly and the results shown that all sites emit radiation doses more than the international permissible value (57 nGy/h) especially at three sites which around 340 nGy/h. These values are important to establish baseline levels of this environmental radioactivity to detect any upcoming change for the local population and resorts people. The relatively high dose rate will be considered as a spa for the physical therapy such as treatment of some skin diseases and rheumatoid.

Evaluation of the activity concentrations of (137) Cs and (40)K in some Chanterelle mushrooms from Poland and China.

The activity concentrations of (137)Cs and (40)K in mushrooms of the genus Cantharellus (Cantharellus cibarius, Cantharellus tubaeformis, and Cantharellus minor) collected across Poland from 1997 to 2013 and in Yunnan province of China in 2013 were determined using gamma spectrometry with an HPGe detector, respectively. Activity concentrations of (137)Cs in C. cibarius from the places in Poland varied from 64 ± 3 to 1600 ± 47 Bq kg(-1) db in 1997-2004 and 4.2 ± 1.2 to 1400 ± 15 Bq kg(-1) db in 2006-2013. In the Chinese Cantharellus mushrooms, the activity level of (137)Cs was very low, i.e., at a range <1.2 to 1.2 ± 0.6 Bq kg(-1) dry biomass. The natural radionuclide (40)K was at similar activity level in C. cibarius collected across Poland and in China, and fluctuations in levels of (40)K over the years and locations in Poland were small. In C. cibarius from diverse sites in Poland, content of (137)Cs highly fluctuated in 1998-2013 but no clear downward trend was visible (Fig. 1). Published activity levels of (137)Cs in fruitbodies of Cantharellus such Cantharellus californicus, Cantharellus cascadensis, C. cibarius, Cantharellus cinnabarius, Cantharellus formosus, Cantharellus iuteocomus, Cantharellus lutescens, Cantharellus minor, Cantharellus pallens [current name C. cibarius], Cantharellus subalbidus, Cantharellus subpruinosus, and C. tubaeformis collected worldwide were compared. In the Polish cuisine, mushrooms of the genus Cantharellus are blanched before frying or pickling, and this kind of treatment, and additionally also pickling, both very efficiently remove alkali elements (and radioactivity from (134/137)Cs) from flesh of the species.

Assessment of natural radioactivity level and radiation hazards in soil samples of Wadi Al-Rummah Qassim province, Saudi Arabia.

The present work deals with estimation and distribution of natural radionuclides in 40 soil samples collected from Wadi Al-Rummah (Qassim part) Central Saudi Arabia. Estimations were carried out using NaI (Tl) gamma-ray spectrometer. Activity concentrations ranged from 5.3 to 45.0 Bq kg-1, from 4.3 to 33.8 Bq kg-1 and from 38 Bq kg-1 to 273.1 Bq kg-1 for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K, respectively. The average activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in soil samples was 15.5 Bq kg-1, 14.1 Bq kg-1 and 143.1 Bq kg-1. The results of this study were compared with other studies around the world. Radiation hazard parameters such as radium equivalent activity, annual dose, external hazard were calculated and compared with the recommended levels quoted from International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP-60) and United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation UNSCEAR reports.

Screening of alpha- and beta-emitting radionuclides using liquid scintillation counting and monitoring procedures in radiation emergencies.

Urine gross alpha and beta activity analysis was conducted, and an internal contamination screening method was adopted to monitor visitors to Japan after the Fukushima accident. In particular, spot urine samples were used to evaluate internal contamination for 16 mo, and a total of 90 people participated in gross alpha and beta emitter screening. An ultra-low-background liquid scintillation counter was used for measurement, and optimal pulse shape analysis values were determined by measuring alpha- and beta-emitting certified reference materials. Moreover, linearity and reproducibility were assessed to validate the adopted methods, and international intercomparison was conducted using synthetic urine samples by measuring alpha- and beta-emitting radionuclides in multi-contaminated samples. Here, the measurement results of visitors to Japan are discussed, and a screening procedure is established for gross alpha and beta activity analysis during radiation emergencies.

Natural radioactivity and radiological hazard assessment of soil using gamma-ray spectrometry.

Natural radioactivity in soil samples collected from different places of Bulandshahr, Hapur and Meerut city of Uttar Pradesh, India, using a low-level counting multichannel gamma-ray spectrometer system comprising an NaI(Tl) crystal. The range of (238)U, (232)Th and (40)K activity concentrations varied from 29.6 to 69.2, from 34.9 to 93.8 and from 438.2 to 719.9 , respectively. The activity concentrations of (232)Th are higher than those of (238)U in all the samples. The absorbed dose rate ranges from 53.18 to 110.95 . The values of the annual effective dose indoors are found to vary from 0.26 to 0.54 , whereas outdoors are found to vary from 0.07 to 0.14 . The annual effective dose is marginally below the international recommended value of 1 for the general public. The external and internal hazard indexes of the soil samples are below the recommended limits. The values of the gamma index in soil samples varied from 0.41 to 0.88. The values of the alpha index varied from 0.15 to 0.35. All these values of and are <1.0. It is observed from the results that there is no significant radiation hazard due to natural radionuclides of the soil samples in the studied areas.

Edaphic factors affecting the vertical distribution of radionuclides in the different soil types of Belgrade, Serbia.

The specific activities of natural radionuclides ((40)K, (226)Ra and (232)Th) and Chernobyl-derived (137)Cs were measured in soil profiles representing typical soil types of Belgrade (Serbia): chernozems, fluvisols, humic gleysols, eutric cambisols, vertisols and gleyic fluvisols. The influence of soil properties and content of stable elements on radionuclide distribution down the soil profiles (at 5 cm intervals up to 50 cm depth) was analysed. Correlation analysis identified associations of (40)K, (226)Ra and (137)Cs with fine-grained soil fractions. Significant positive correlations were found between (137)Cs specific activity and both organic matter content and cation exchange capacity. Saturated hydraulic conductivity and specific electrical conductivity were also positively correlated with the specific activity of (137)Cs. The strong positive correlations between (226)Ra and (232)Th specific activities and Fe and Mn indicate an association with oxides of these elements in soil. The correlations observed between (40)K and Cr, Ni, Pb and Zn and also between (137)Cs and Cd, Cr, Pb and Zn could be attributed to their common affinity for clay minerals. These results provide insight into the main factors that affect radionuclide migration in the soil, which contributes to knowledge about radionuclide behaviour in the environment and factors governing their mobility within terrestrial ecosystems.

Soil to leaf transfer factor for the radionuclides ²²6Ra, 4°K, ¹³7Cs and 9°Sr at Kaiga region, India.

Transfer factors are the most important parameters required for mathematical modeling used for environmental impact assessment of radioactive contamination in the environment. In this paper soil to leaf transfer factor for the radionuclides 4°K, ²²6Ra, ¹³7Cs and 9°Sr is estimated for Kaiga region in Karnataka state, India. Among the plants in which study is carried out, ²²6Ra, 4°K, ¹³7Cs and 9°Sr activity in leaves of herbaceous plants is higher than that of tree leaves. Soil to leaf transfer factor for ²²6Ra, 4°K, ¹³7Cs and 9°Sr was found to be in the range of 0.03-0.65, 0.32-8.04, 0.05-3.03 and 0.42-2.67 respectively.

Radiological indices of technologically enhanced naturally occurring radionuclides: a PIXE approach.

This paper reports an assessment of the level of the radionuclides (40)K, (232)Th and (238)U in environmental soil samples (process waste), and hence their calculated dose rates. For this purpose, the radioactivity from three natural radionuclides was determined in tin process-waste samples in Jos, Nigeria. This work is based on the particle induced x-ray emission (PIXE) approach, devoid of the secular equilibrium, and most of the resolution, interference, self-absorption, geometrical and density correction problems inherent in gamma spectrometry. Many potential environmental hazards have been observed and the data would be of use to the government in its remediation plan for the study area. The high hazard indices require taking adequate measures to check exposures, and an underground lining in the waste ponds to prevent direct contact with the waste pile is recommended. The use of the wastes as building materials should be stopped and use of soils around this area in any development projects should be discouraged until detailed studies on indoor radiation doses and the effects on the inhabitants of prolonged exposures have been carried out.

Evaluation of natural radioactivity in soil, sediment and water samples of Niger Delta (Biseni) flood plain lakes, Nigeria.

This paper presents the findings of a baseline study undertaken to evaluate the natural radioactivity levels in soil, sediment and water samples in four flood plain lakes of the Niger Delta using a hyper pure germanium (HPGe) detector. The activity profile of radionuclides shows low activity across the study area. The mean activity level of the natural radionuclides (226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K is 20 ± 3, 20 ± 3 and 180 ± 50 Bq kg(-1), respectively. These values are well within values reported elsewhere in the country and in other countries with similar environments. The study also examined some radiation hazard indices. The mean values obtained are, 76 ± 14 Bq kg(-1), 30 ± 5.5 Î·Gy h(-1), 37 ± 6.8 µSv y(-1), 0.17 and 0.23 for Radium Equivalent Activity (Ra(eq)), Absorbed Dose Rates (D), Annual Effective Dose Rates (E(ff) Dose), External Hazard Index (H(ex)) and Internal Hazard Index (H(in)) respectively. All the health hazard indices are well below their recommended limits. The soil and sediments from the study area provide no excessive exposures for inhabitants and can be used as construction materials without posing any significant radiological threat to the population. The water is radiologically safe for domestic and industrial use. The paper recommends further studies to estimate internal and external doses from other suspected radiological sources to the population of the Biseni kingdom.

Gamma spectrum unfolding for a NaI monitor of radioactivity in aquatic systems: experimental evaluations of the minimal detectable activity.

This paper deals with the experimental evaluation of the minimal detectable activity achievable by unfolding the gamma spectra of a NaI monitor. An aquatic monitor initially developed by the Institut des Radio-Eléments (IRE) is used for the application. Unfolding of the spectra is performed with GRAVEL, a UMG package code, on the basis of a response matrix obtained with MCNP5.1.40. Experimental data have been measured at IRE, in a 20m(3) seawater tank, for known activities of (137)Cs mixed with other gamma emitters ((40)K, (133)Ba, (113)Sn and (139)Ce). Deconvolution allows one to reduce the MDA of (137)Cs by an order of magnitude.

The importance of physico-chemical parameters on the speciation of natural radionuclides in riverine ecosystems.

External gamma radiation levels were measured in the catchment areas of the Sharavathi River and the dose rates in air were found to be in the range 26.0-61.0 nGy h(-1). Soil and sediment samples of the riverine environment were analysed for natural radionuclides such as (226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K using a NaI(Tl) gamma spectrometer. The activity concentration of (210)Pb and (210)Po in soil and sediment samples was determined by radiochemical separation techniques. Evaluation of the activity concentration of radionuclides with grain size revealed an increase in the activity of (226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K towards fine grain size. The activity concentrations for all isotopes in all samples were not significantly correlated with pH. However, the activity of (210)Po and (210)Pb in sediment showed a moderate positive correlation with organic matter content and a good correlation with clay content of sediment.

Tuning ab initio data to scattering length: the a (3)Sigma(+) state of KRb.

Interaction energies for the lowest triplet state a (3)Sigma(+) of KRb are calculated using high level ab initio methods. The interaction energies are then morphed so that the resulting potential energy curve yields 32 bound states and the correct scattering length for (40)K(87)Rb. Calculated vibrational spacings are shown to be in very good agreement with the available experimental Fourier transform and photoassociation vibrational data, but a different numbering scheme has to be used for the experimental vibrational assignment.

Ionization chamber measurements of the half-lives of 24Na, 42K, 76As and 198Au.

Samples of 24Na, 42K, 76As and 198Au were produced by irradiation in the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) reactor, and examined for impurities before and after measurement. Half-life measurements were carried out in the NIST 4pigamma pressurized ionization chamber. The results are compared to presently accepted values and previous NIST measurements.

Calculations of background beta-gamma radiation dose through geologic time.

Life on earth is exposed to a background level of ionizing radiation from a number of sources, including beta and gamma radiation from geologic and biologic materials. Radiation dose from geologic emitters has changed because of the chemical evolution of the continental crust, changes in the relative abundances of 235U and 238U, and the radioactive decay of uranium, thorium, and 40K with time. The radiation dose from internal 40K has decreased by a factor of about eight because of changes in the activity concentration of 40K in potassium over the past 4 billion years. Radiation exposure from geologic materials has decreased from about 1.6 mGy y(-1) to 0.66 mGy y(-1) over the past 4 billion years, and radiation exposure to an organism with a potassium concentration of 250 mmol L(-1) has decreased from about 5.5 to about 0.70 mGy y(-1). Accordingly, background radiation exposure from these two sources has dropped from about 7.0 to 1.35 mGy y(-1) during the time life has existed on Earth. The conservative nature of mutation repair mechanisms in modern organisms suggest that these mechanisms may have evolved in the distant past and that organisms may retain some of the capability of efficiently repairing damage from higher radiation levels than exist at present.