Abstract
Background: For the purpose of baseline data collection and enhancement of environmental monitoring the distribution studies of 137 Cs and 90 Sr in the soil of Uljin province was per- formed and the relation between surface soil activities and soil properties (pH, TOC and median of the surface soil) was analyzed. Materials and Methods: For 14 spots within 10 km from the NPP surface soil samples were collected and soils for depth profile were sampled for 3 spots in April 2011. Using γ-ray spectrometry with HPGe detector, the concentrations of 137 Cs were determined and the con- centrations of 90 Sr were measured by counting β-activity of 90 Y (in equilibrium with 90 Sr) in a gas flow proportional counter. Results and Discussion: The concentration ranges of 137 Cs and 90 Sr were <0.479-39.6 Bq· (kg-dry) -1 (avg. 7.51 Bq·(kg-dry) -1 ) and 0.209-1.85 Bq·(kg-dry) -1 (avg. 0.74 Bq·(kg-dry) -1 ) which were similar to the reported values from other regions in Korea. The activity ratio of 137 Cs to 90 Sr in surface soils was around 9.67, which is much bigger than the initial val- ue of 1.75 for worldwide fallouts because of faster downward movement of 90 Sr after fall- out than that of 137 Cs. For depth profile studies soils were collected down to 40 cm depth for the locations of Deokgu, Hujeong and Maehwa. The 137 Cs concentration distribution of the first two showed maximum values at top soils and decreased rapidly in exponential manner, while 90 Sr showed two local maximum values for soils near top and about 30 cm depth. Through linear fittings between the 137 Cs and 90 Sr concentrations of surface soil and pH, TOC and median of the surface soil, the only probable relationship obtained was be- tween 137 Cs and TOC (determination coefficient R 2 =0.6). Conclusion: The concentration ranges of 137 Cs and 90 Sr in Uljin were similar to the reported values from other regions in Korea. The only probable relationship obtained between activ- ities and soil properties was between 137 Cs and TOC.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
