Abstract
The natural radioactivity level of heavy oil, ash a nd soil samples around Assiut Thermal Power Plant (ATPP) in Egypt was determined using gamma ray spectrometry. The average concentrations of 226 Ra, 232 Th and 40 K in fly ash were found to be 2307±143, 1281±80 and 1218±129 Bq kg -1 , respectively, while the corresponding values in soil samples were 2670±107, 1401±78 and 1495±100 Bq kg -1 , respectively. These are extremely high and higher b y several orders of magnitude than the worldwide population-weighted average values in soil. The rad ium equivalent activity, the air absorbed dose rate , external hazard index and the annual effective dose rate were calculated and compared with the international recommended values. All averages of t hese parameters are much higher by several orders of magnitude than the international recommended val ues, indicating significant radiological health hazards around ATPP due to the radionuclides in the soil. Moreover, the water samples investigated have high activity concentrations indicating that t he water is highly contaminated with radioactive materials. The results of the current study highlig ht the severity of this radioactive pollution on th e population in the vicinity of ATPP.
Highlights
Coal-fired power plants became important for investigations as a result of the advancement of theThe concept of technologically enhanced natural scientific knowledge of biological effects of radiation radioactivity represents the exposure to natural sources action on humans and after dose limits reduction in of radiation which would not exist without the international recommendations and standards
The activity concentrations of natural radionuclides in ash and soil samples around Assiut Thermal Power Plant (ATPP) in Egypt and their environmental radioactivity impact have been studied in the present work
The ashes produced in ATPP contain high levels of natural radioactivity and constitute a potential health hazard to the power plant personnel and to the population living in the vicinity of the plant, due to fly ash releases released to the surrounding environment
Summary
Coal-fired power plants became important for investigations as a result of the advancement of theThe concept of technologically enhanced natural scientific knowledge of biological effects of radiation radioactivity represents the exposure to natural sources action on humans and after dose limits reduction in of radiation which would not exist without the international recommendations and standards. As a result of heavy oil combustion in thermal power plants, natural radionuclides and their products are released and concentrated in solid combustion byproducts (bottom and fly ashes). Oil combustion like coal combustion may increase environmental radioactivity levels in the vicinity of thermal power plants due to fly ash with high radionuclide concentrations released into the surrounding environment (Mondal et al, 2006). This can cause radiation exposure to the public living and working in the immediate vicinity of thermal power plants
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