Content Of Radioactive Elements Research Articles

Geochemistry of the Heavy Mineral Sands from the Garampeta to the Markandi beach, southern coast of Odisha, India: Implications of high contents of REE and Radioelements attributed to Placer Monazite

This study presents major element, radioactive element and rare earth element (REE) concentrations of the Garampeta to Markandi beach along the southern coast of Odisha, India to delineate the source signature and resource potential of the beach placer deposits. Average ∑REE concentration of the beach sand samples is about four times higher than the average crustal concentration. The LREE concentration is higher than HREE, with a pronounced negative europium anomaly. The study also discusses about the radioelement 238U, 232Th and 40K concentrations in the study area, and their relationship with REE. Weathering condition of the source rock, based on the major elements and Th/U ratio indicated a reasonably high degree of weathering. Major element and the REE composition along with the europium anomaly, relate the beach placers to mainly charnockite and khondalite source. An elevated level of thorium (> 60 times than the average UCC values) as exhibited by the samples could be attributed due to the presence of monazites. The high concentration of REEs like Nd and Dy along with La and Ce indicates significant REE resource potential in the beach placers which is important for the resource potential in terms of the strategic mineral reserves of the country.

An overview on the concentration of radioactive elements and physiochemical analysis of soil and water in Iraq.

In the last decade, radiation physics brought about a revolution in health science by improving scientific equipment and useful methodologies for measurement. Human beings are affected by ionizing radiations that radiate from radioactive elements. The quantity of radioactive elements is different inside and outside the earth's surface. Soil and water are exigencies of human lives which are contaminated by radioactive elements. These radioactive elements enter into the human body through drinking, eating and breathing. On reaching hazardous limits in the human body, these radioactive elements cause stomach cancer, lung cancer and leukemia. Measurement of radioactive elements in soil and water is helpful in monitoring the health issues caused by exposure to these elements. In Iraq, numerous studies about natural radioactivity, radon concentration and physiochemical parameters have been conducted by different researchers, of which most of the studies were conducted in Barsa, Nasirya, Najaf, Karbala, Baghdad, Balad, Kirkuk, Erbil, Mosul and Dohuk cities. This article aims to review and compile the studies conducted in these cities of Iraq from 2011 to 2019. In most articles, high-purity germanium (HPGe), RAD7 and CR-39 detectors are used for radioactivity and radon measurement. These cities are located in the low-high folded and Mesopotamian zones. From this study, it can be concluded that radon concentration in soil and water was greater in the Mesopotamian and lower in the low-high folded zones. Higher concentrations of natural radioactivity in water and soil were found in the low-high folded zone in Iraq. However, most of the conducted studies show that concentrations of radon and natural radioactivity are above the permissible limits recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) and World Health Organization (WHO). The values of physiochemical parameters were found to be greater in the Mesopotamian zone, but overall they are not above the permissible limits.

Superhydrophilic and highly elastic monolithic sponge for efficient solar-driven radioactive wastewater treatment under one sun

As an effective way to obtain solar energy and separate the soluble contaminants from water, solar-driven interfacial evaporation is used in desalination, wastewater treatment, electricity generation, and domestic water heating system. Herein, we demonstrate a monolithic sponge with three-dimensional porous structure as the solar-energy evaporator, which is composed of hydrophilic polymer (Konjac Glucomannan, KGM) and solar absorbent (reduced graphene oxide, rGO). Under one sun irradiation, the sponge achieves a rapid evaporation rate (1.60 kg m−2 h−1) and high interfacial water evaporation efficiency (92 %) due to its good absorption, photothermal, thermal insulation, and fast water transport properties. Meanwhile, the concentrations of radioactive elements (strontium, cesium, and uranium) in wastewater dropped from grams to micrograms after purification, even under radiation and acidic conditions. Additionally, the durability and repeatability of the sponge also have been verified. The results showed that solar-driven interfacial evaporation can effectively treat radioactive wastewater and enrich various radionuclides in a more energy-saving manner.

РЕДКОЗЕМЕЛЬНЫЕ И РАДИОАКТИВНЫЕ (TH, U) ЭЛЕМЕНТЫ В КОМПОНЕНТАХ ПРИРОДНОЙ СРЕДЫ НА ТЕРРИТОРИИ ТОМСКОЙ ОБЛАСТИ

Актуальность исследования обусловлена необходимостью рассмотрения взаимосвязей радиоактивных и редкоземельных элементов с точки зрения их высокой индикаторной роли в комплексе компонентов природной среды на локальных территориях, характеризующихся различными природно-техногенными условиями и условиями районирования территории с учетом биогеохимических показателей. Цель: рассмотрение взаимосвязей радиоактивных и редкоземельных элементов в комплексе компонентов природной среды на территории Томской области, характеризующейся различными природно-техногенными обстановками. Методы: основной метод исследования – инструментальный нейтронно-активационный анализ, который осуществлялся на базе исследовательского ядерного реактора Национального исследовательского Томского политехнического университета. Определено содержание двух радиоактивных – тория и урана, а также семи редкоземельных (La, Ce, Sm, Eu, Tb, Yb, Lu) элементов. Результаты. Оценено содержание редкоземельных и радиоактивных элементов в четырех параллельно отобранных и изученных компонентах природной среды на территории Томской области: почва, солевые отложения природных пресных вод (накипь), волосы и кровь человека. Содержание изученных элементов максимально для почв и накипи и значительно ниже в биосубстратах человека. Волосы и кровь человека как живые ткани характеризуются резким цериевым минимумом. В крови выявлен иттербиевый максимум, вероятно, связанный с нахождением этого элемента в виде металлорганических комплексов. Исследованы соотношения химических элементов, которые можно использовать в качестве индикаторов природно-техногенных обстановок. Проведено районирование Томской области по междуречьям бассейна реки Обь по частоте встречаемости аномальных содержаний редкоземельных и радиоактивных элементов во всех изученных компонентах.

Mass contents of natural radioactive elements in the main types of rocks of the Mesozoic sediments of the West-Siberian Plate and their comparative assessment with the contents in the deposits of some sedimentary basins of the former USSR

The average and boundary contents of natural radioactive elements in sandy, aleuritic, argillaceous, mixed and carbonaceous types of sedimentary rocks of the main groups of productive strata of the Jurassic-Cretaceous age of Western Siberia are estimated; a comparison of the obtained values of the contents of radioelements with their contents in sedimentary deposits of some regions of the former USSR is performed.

УРАН И ТОРИЙ В МЕТАСОМАТИТАХ ПОКРОВСКОГО ЗОЛОТОРУДНОГО МЕСТОРОЖДЕНИЯ (ПРИАМУРЬЕ)

Data on the content of radioactive elements in the metasomatites of the Pokrovskoe gold ore deposit were obtained. It was found that U and Th are scattered in gold-bearing metasomatites. According to the results of the correlation analysis, a positive and negative correlation of U and Th with rare, rare-earth and ore elements in the metasomatites of the deposit was established.

Assessment of spring water quality and associated health risks in a high-level natural radiation area, North Iran.

In this study, the spring water quality of a high natural background radiation region in North Iran was evaluated by measuring hydrochemical characteristics and concentration of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) and activity concentration of radioactive elements. The carcinogenicity potential from exposure to PTEs and radioactive elements was also investigated using probabilistic approach. The hydrochemical properties of water samples revealed that there were two different water types in the study area: (1) non-thermal Ca-HCO3 type and (2) thermal Na-Cl type. The concentrations of Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Mo, Ni, Sb, Zn, and 40K were within the recommended water quality standard set by the World Health Organization (WHO). Elevated concentrations of As, Mn, Hg, 226Ra, and 232Th occur in Na-Cl water type while elevated concentrations of Fe occur in Ca-HCO3 water type. Also, health complications of dermal contact (via balneology or bathing) are within the safe limits. The major concern regarding the contaminated springs is the possibility of soil and groundwater contamination through uncontrolled runoff and spa effluents. Preventing the spread of toxic constituents in the study area via high-risk spring water requires periodic monitoring, and applying control measures where necessary.

Obsahy přirozených radioaktivních prvků (K, U, Th) v půdách na mapovém listu 24-22 Olomouc – vztah mezi radioaktivitou půdy a matečné horniny

The paper deals with natural radioactivity of soils on the map sheet 24-22 Olomouc and compares contents of natural radioactive elements in soils and in their parent rocks (soilforming substrates). Three main types of parent rocks can be distinguished in the studied area: i) siliciclastic flysch sediments of the Moravo-Silesian Palaeozoic, ii) Quaternary sediments of the river Morava floodplain, iii) Quaternary loesses. Contents of potassium, uranium and thorium were measured using a laboratory gamma–ray spectrometer in 1 077 soil samples. It is evident from calculated values of mass activity of 226Ra equivalent (am) that natural radioactivity of the studied soils is low. The average am of soils developed on siliciclastic flysch sediments is 142 Bq.kg-1, 133 Bq.kg-1 on fluvial sediments of the river Morava and 148 Bq.kg-1 on loesses. The average am values calculated for soils developed on siliciclastic flysch sediments and for soils on loesses are almost the same as average am values calculated for their parent rocks. The soils of the river Morava floodplain show higher am values compared to their parent material (sands and pebbles dominate) due to higher uranium and thorium contents.

Rare-Earth Elements and Noble Metals in Phosphorites of the Gremuchy Occurrence, Lesser Khingan, Far East of Russia

Numerous phosphorite occurrences are located among the Riphean–Early Cambrian rocks of the Khingan Group (Lessr Khingan, JAO). They are associated spatially and genetically with uranium, iron, and manganese ore occurrences. The phosphorites of the Gremuchy occurrence are enriched in rare-earth elements (REE) and yttrium (up to 813.58 g/t), uranium (up to 52.23 g/t), and gold (up to 17.03 g/t), and can be considered as a complex of phosphorus–uranium–gold–rare-earth ores. REE-rich fluorapatite is the main concentrator of phosphorus in these rocks. REE do not form their own minerals, while gold, silver, and platinum are found as microinclusions. The concentrations of phosphorus, radioactive, and rare-earth elements are positively correlated with the organic carbon content, which supports their coprecipitation from seawater enriched in rare and rare-earth elements supplied by hydrothermal vents on the surface of the slope of seamount volcanoes.

Mineral composition and structural features of jewelry ammonites from mine OJSC «Mikhailovcement», Ryazan region

Система комплексной поддержки и сопровождения научного журнала Elpub позволяет запустить двуязычный сайт журнала со встроенной системой электронной редакции в соответствии с лучшими издательскими практиками, а так же предусматривает техническую и методическую поддержку со стороны специалистов НЭИКОН.

Archival gamma ray logs standardization by nondestructive core measurements of the low-radioactivity rocks

The present study analyzes spectral gamma ray data of low-radioactivity rock cores from Rotliegend Basin. The main goal of this research was standardization of archival gamma ray logs measured in counts per minute to American Petroleum Institute units. Selected core intervals, log data, and additional crushed samples covered three different boreholes: J-1, L-7, and K-2 from Zielona Góra Basin, localized in western Poland, where J-1 was a reference borehole. Core measurements were performed on the sandstone and conglomerate formations by Gamma Logger GT spectrometer, which uses two scintillation detectors containing bismuth germanate crystals. In the cores, real concentrations of potassium, uranium, and thorium were acquired what enabled to calculate total content of radioactive elements and total uninfluenced by uranium. Delivered new total GR_GLGT curve from cores allowed accurate standardization of archival GR curves from L-7 and K-2 boreholes. Presented results showed a very good correlation between logs, core data, and laboratory analyses. These data allow precise shale volume reinterpretation.

Natural radioactive risk assessment in top soil and possible health effect in Minim and Martap villages, Cameroon: using radioactive risk index and statistical analysis

Abstract The Minim and Martap villages are famous for their richness in bauxite mineralization. Acute respiratory infection, known to stem from 238U and 232Th activities, is one of the main reasons to the mortality and morbidity of the over 40,000 local inhabitants. Radioactive elements in top of the soils of the area are potential causes to this infection. Therefore, the natural activity concentration of radioactive elements in the area was investigated. Top soil samples collected from the village settlement area and some plateaus were analyzed using methods LF700 (for 40K) and LF100 (for 238U and 232Th). The measured concentration of the elements was higher than the world mean value. Samples of felsic volcanic soils and rocks were identified to have the highest concentration of the elements. 232Th and 238U revealed relatively higher activity concentration while that of 40K was lower. Absorbed dose rate are higher in all the samples by a factor range of 1.2–2.1 times greater when compared to world average. Annual effective indoor and outdoor doses, radi-um equivalence (Raeq), internal (Hin) and external (Hex) hazard indexes, and the Excess lifetime cancer risks of samples, are all within the world averages by UNSCEAR.

Вещественно-минеральная характеристика техногенных россыпей – потенциальных источников благородного металла (на примере Нижнеселемджинского золотоносного узла Приамурья, Россия)

Over tens of years of mining and processing of ores and placers of gold in the world a huge amount of wastes originated in the form of spoil heaps and tailing dumps, in which the content of valuable components allow them to be considered a real additional resource of precious metals. The aim of the work was to establish the changes that took place in time in the spoil heaps of gold mining and to determine the prospects of the technogene placers as a potential source of the precious metal. The investigations were carried out with the use of the methods of the analytical raster electron microscopy and mineralogical and atomic-absorption analyses. On the example of the Nizhneselemdzhinsky gold-bearing node of Priamurye we have done the compatative analysis of the mineral and granulometric composition of the original and developed placers. It is shown that through the technogenesis the mineral composition of the deposits changes including the process of decomposition of the lead and iron minerals with a partial reduction to a native metal. In addition to the native gold in the technogene placers there have been found the following minerals with a high content of the precious metal: rutile, monazite, magnetite, metallic lead, galena, ilmenite, and zircon. The content of free gold in dumps is 190 mg/m3 in the average. The main amount of it (about 83%) consists of the fine gold (< 0.5 mm). We have studied the chemical composition of the native gold and associated rocks. It has been established that the gold has a multiphase composition. The phases are for the most part the gold amalgams and have two-, three-, and four-component compositions (Au-Hg, Au-Ag-Hg, Au-Hg-Pb, Au-Ag-Hg-Pb). About 30% of gold of the technogene placers have a high standard of fineness (~980‰). Almost all native gold is in close intergrowths with the rock-forming matrix of different composition: hydroalumosilicates, oxides, and hydroxides of Fe, Mn, and Pb, highly carbonaceous and carbon-bearing formations, and so on. Under the action of the physicochemical and biochemical process in the technogene placers different transformations of the native gold take place: purification at the expense of the silver evacuation; decomposition of the minerals-concentrators of gold; precipitation of micro- and nano-gold at the geochemical barriers with the formation of the so-called “new” gold (from nanoformations to micro- and macroforms). Through the operation of the technogene placers one should take into account the fact that the ore minerals in them have high concentrations of heavy metals and radioactive elements, and the gold has a complicated multiphase and multicomponent composition, and ¾ of it is amalgamated. The data obtained give the additional information for the elaboration of technologies for the development of the prospective gold-bearing technogene placers.

РАДИОЭКОЛОГИЧЕСКАЯ ОПАСНОСТЬ ДЛЯ НАСЕЛЕНИЯ В РАЙОНАХ РАСПРОСТРАНЕНИЯ ВЫСОКОРАДИОАКТИВНЫХ ГРАНИТОВ

Актуальность исследования обусловлена необходимостью объяснения высокой заболеваемости населения в районах распространения радиоактивных пород и почв. Исследование выполнено в рамках нового научного направления – медицинской геологии. Целью работы является изучение масштабов радоновыделений в районах выхода на поверхность высокорадиоактивных гранитов, оценка их радиоэкологической опасности и медико-биологических последствий. Объекты: геохимический и минералогический состав образцов гранитов, кор выветривания и почв, масштабы радоновыделений и частота заболеваемости в различных областях мира (г. Чжухай в китайской провинции Гуандун; г. Эшасьер во французском регионе Овернь) и Сибирского региона (г. Белокуриха Алтайского края; пгт. Колывань Новосибирской области). Методы. В рамках исследования применялся широкий комплекс методов, включающий инструментальный нейтронно-активационный, рентгенофазовый анализы, гамма-спектрометрию, осколочную радиографию, электронную микроскопию, экспрессное измерение объёмной активности радона, расчет потока плотности радона, эквивалентной эффективной дозы и частоты вновь выявленных заболеваний (incidence). Результаты. Проведено обобщение данных по воздействию ионизирующего излучения на организм человека. По результатам геохимических, минералогических, радиоэкологических и медико- статистических исследований выявлено, что в процессах коро- и почвообразования радионуклиды высвобождаются из структурных решеток акцессорных минералов и сорбируются на глинистых минералах. Данный процесс способствует повышению радоновыделений и радиационного фона. Дано объяснение возможных связей повышенных концентраций радионуклидов в подстилающих породах, почвах и высокой активности газа радона с показателями заболеваемости населения. При сопоставлении первичных показателей онкозаболеваемости у всех групп населения с общероссийскими и мировыми показателями отмечаются превышения уровня во всех исследуемых районах. К территориям «риска» по частоте заболеваемости раком легкого можно отнести Белокуриху в Алтайском крае и Колывань в Новосибирской области; раком носоглотки – провинцию Гуандун; раком кроветворной ткани – Колывань; анемиями – Гуандун; по врожденным порокам развития – Гуандун и Колывань.

Using Radioactive Elements and the Th/U Ratio in Study of the Geochemical Typification of Granitoids and Their Intrusive Character

Abstract —This paper considers the use of radioactive elements for the solution of geochemical problems related to granitoid magmatism. The metallogenic types of granites are recognized on the basis of the contents of radioactive (Th-bearing, rare-metal, U-bearing, gold ore, etc.) elements in them. Special attention is focused on the Th/U ratio, which is higher than 2.5 in primary igneous rocks, such as Li–F granites of the Ongon-Hayrhan deposit (Mongolia). Granitoids with Th/U < 2 (and, the more so, Th/U < 1) cannot be considered igneous. They are either metasomatized or of metasomatic genesis. Petrochemical and geochemical data on these types of rocks should be used for petrological implications with great care. Radiogeochemical indices can and must be used as additional indicators of the genesis of rocks, when it is controversial because of the widely manifested convergence and metasomatism processes.

Air pollution monitoring with mosses in Western Rhodopes, Bulgaria

For the first time a complex study of the bioaccumulation of 22 macro- and microelements, as well as of 18 rare earth and radioactive elements in mosses was applied in the territory of Western Rhodopes. The research is a part of the international program (ICP Vegetation, UNECE) that has been carried out in most of the European countries since 1987. Certain local emitters like old and open mines, serpentines, as well as cross-border transmission were identified. In addition, highest concentrations of radioactive elements were registered in the area of an old uranium mine and most elevated sites, probably due to increased wet deposition. Both heavy metals and toxic elements, as well as radioactive elements maxima were lower than measured highest levels for Bulgaria and Europe. In such studies, inductively coupled plasma spectrometry (ICP-OES, ICP-MS) could be recommended.

Distribution of radionuclides in moss-lichen cover and needles on the same grounds of landscape-climatic zones of Siberia

The radiation status of the landscape and climatic zones of Siberia at the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries is characterized using bioindicators/biomonitors: lichens, mosses, and needles, according to the results obtained at the sites of their joint growth. The maximal activity of 137Cs in these components is observed in the forest-tundra landscaped zone, polluted during the period of nuclear tests from the nuclear test site “Novaya Zemlya” and also due to slow migration of these elements to the soil under the arctic conditions. In the southern territories the specific activity of radiocesium in the moss-lichen cover and needles of conifers corresponds to the regional background, in the forest-tundra zone it sometimes exceeds it, but in general does not pose a threat to human health.Determined differences in the contents of radioactive elements in lichens and mosses that grow together on sites in different landscape zones of Siberia statistically not significant within one or two standard deviations, and recorded only in the range of 3ϭ at the level of significance 0.05. Specificity of radionuclide distribution in lichens, mosses and needles (differences for epigeals and epiphytic lichens; different species selected at one site, annual and perennial needles, etc.) made it possible to identify the causes of variations in their activities in different zones, along with landscape features of these zones. In the needles of conifers potassium concentration exceeds the content in lichens, at lower levels of thorium and 137Cs.The contents of uranium and thorium in the studied components in all landscape-climatic zones correspond to the natural ones, except for the single local territories, because of the possible anthropogenic influence.

Analysis and risk assessment of natural radioactivity elements in coal wastes from Medan industrial area

The Analysis of Natural Radioactivity content in coal wastes from Medan Industrial Area has been carried out by using Gamma Spectrometer with HP-Germanium detector. Coal wastes was collected from a pile of wastes in a plant which used two different origin of coal was Palembang and Kalimantan areas. The aim of this study to determine the content of activity concentration of natural radioactivity elements and to assess risk exposure to human and environment. The results of quantitative analysis of the activity concentration of natural radioactive elements from Palembang coal wastes of U-238, Th-232 and K-40 were 3640.60±593.70; 112.78±13.14 and 155.82±32.18 Bq/kg, respectively. Whereas for Kalimantan coal wastes the concentration of U-238, Th-232 and K-40 were obtained 1778.77±79.29; 52.00±2.27 and 160.10±5.92 Bq/kg, respectively. Risk assesment of the exposure to radiation gamma of the wastes to human and enviroment in the vicinity of area, was calculated as risk indeces. The average radium equivalent (Raeq) was of 2760.4168 Bq/kg, the average of absorbed dose rate (D) was of 1275.0414 nGy/h, gamma index (γi) was of 64.3468 and the average of annual effective dose was of 10.9022 mSv. All indeces were above average world values and therefore its suggested to suspend the use of the coal and the wastes. This was the preliminary study to measure the activity concentration of natural radioactivity in the study area.

Mineral composition and gemological characteristics of the fossil marine reptiles of the Ulyanovsk region

Fossils of marine reptiles are a new jewelry and ornamental material and collected in the Ulyanovsk region from the Upper Jurassic deposits. They consist of (wt. %): calcite — 52, apatite — 24 and pyrite — 23, and also gypsum presents. The contents of radioactive and carcinogenic elements are close to background. The original bone structure of reptiles is preserved. Apatite replaces the bone tissue of marine reptiles, forming a cellular framework. According to the chemical composition, apatite refers to fluorohydroxyapatite with an increased Sr content. The size of the crystals is finely-dispersed. Calcite and pyrite fill the central parts of the cells. Calcite crystals of isometric and elongated shape, 0,01—0,05 mm in size, form blocks up to 0,3 mm during intergrowth. Calcite fills thin, discontinuous veins along the contour of cells with a width of up to 0,03 mm. In calcite, among the impurity elements, there are (wt. %, on the average): Mg — 0,30, Mn — 0,39 and Fe — 0,96. Pyrite forms a dispersed impregnation in calcite and apatite, content of impurities is, wt. %: Ni — up to 0,96 and Cu — up to 0,24. On technological and decorative characteristics of fossils of sea reptiles of Ulyanovsk region are qualitative jewelry and ornamental materials of biomineral group, allowing to make a wide assortment of jewelry and souvenir products.

Studies on heavy mineral placers from eastern coast of Odisha, India by instrumental neutron activation analysis

The study shows geochemical characterization of placer deposit in parts of coastal Odisha, India using Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA). Twenty seven elements were estimated in ten heavy mineral beach sand samples. The characterisation was mostly based on the trace element, radioactive element and Rare Earth Element (REE) content of the bulk sand samples. The results indicate elevated concentration of thorium and the REE’s. The concentration of Scandium has been reported for the first time along this area. Positive correlation between thorium and REE was observed in beach placer samples collected from study area.