Gross alpha/beta and radionuclide activity concentrations in soil, plant and some fruits around the Tehran Research Reactor

Abstract

Human activities usually have some contamination as effluents from chemical industries and radionuclides from nuclear reactors. For assessing the probable radioactive contamination in vicinity of Tehran Research Reactor, The gross alpha and beta radioactivity concentrations in soil, pine and cedar leaves and some selected fruits (fig, apple, berry and pomegranate) were investigated using an alpha/beta spectrometer during 2021–2022. Also, the concentrations of artificial and natural radionuclides in samples were investigated by the method of gamma spectroscopy. The gross alpha activity concentrations in soil, pine and cedar leaves and some selected fruits samples are from 0.05 to 0.35 Bq/gr and 0.07–0.31 Bq/gr and 0.04–0.18 Bq/gr, respectively. The gross beta activity concentrations in soil, pine and cedar leaves and some selected fruit samples are from 0.73 to 4.25 Bq/gr and 0.21–3.97 Bq/gr and 1.01–2.71 Bq/gr, respectively. Average activities concentration of natural radionuclide 232Th, 238U and 40K in soil, pine and cedar leaves and some selected fruits are 31.89–16.23–582.73 Bq/kg and 1.84–0.99–84.60 Bq/kg and 1.98–1.09–72.08 Bq/kg respectively. From artificial radionuclides, just 137Cs is recognized in soil sample and the range of 137Cs concentration in surface soils was observed to vary in the range 0.85–2.21 (Bq/kg). The result showed that the Tehran Research Reactor activities not have increased the environmental radioactivity and radiation level in the area.