Natural Radioactivity Measurements Research Articles

Measurement of natural radioactivity levels in soil samples of Bidar district, Karnataka, India.

Natural radioactivity measurement, radiation monitoring of the region, dose assessment and interpretation of radiological-related parameters are crucial aspects from the public awareness and environmental safety point of view. The ionising radiations (gamma-rays) emitted from radionuclides such as 226Ra, 232Th and 40K present in environmental materials contributes significantly to the external radiation dose received by the public. High-efficiency gamma spectrometry based on a 4″×4″ NaI (Tl) detector was employed for estimating activity concentrations of the gamma-emitting radioelements. The spectra from the detector were recorded using a PC-based 1k multichannel analyser system (WinTMCA 32). Each sample spectrum was acquired for a counting period of 60000s (16.67hr). Assuming the daughter products of 226Ra and 232Th in equilibrium, the activity concentration of these radionuclides were estimated by using the prominent gamma photo peaks of daughter products. Using the same technique, dose-related radiological parameters were calculated for all the samples. The activity concentrations of the radionuclides and the dose-related parameters for the samples were found to be comparable with the global literature values. The data generated from our study will contribute to the baseline radiological data of the region.

Measurement of Natural Radioactivity in Fly Ash from a Lignite-Fired Thermal Power Plant and Radiological Risk Assessment Using RESRAD Code

In this study, the activity concentrations of natural primordial radionuclides in fly ash (FA) samples collected from the landfill area of Afşin-Elbistan A lignite-fired thermal power plant (AE-A LFTPP) located in Kahramanmaraş province of Türkiye were measured using a gamma-ray spectrometer. Also, the radiological risk was assessed using the Residual Radioactivity Onsite 7.2 code. The average activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in FA samples varied from 291 ± 10 to 853 ± 25 Bq/kg, 23 ± 1 to 125 ± 4 Bq/kg and 112 ± 10 to 315 ± 18 Bq/kg, respectively. The predicted maximum total annual effective dose rate due to the natural radionuclides and their progenies is 4.7, 4.4, and 4.0 mSv/y at t = 1000 y for 0.5-m, 1.25-m, and 2.0-m cover scenarios, respectively. While the predicted maximum total cancer risk is 4.56 × 10−3 (3.95 × 10−3 for 226Ra, 5.18 × 10−4 for 232Th and 6.14 × 10−15 for 40K), 4.00 × 10−3(3.80 × 10−3 for 226Ra, 1.90 × 10−4 for 232Th and 7.69 × 10−15 for 40K) and 3.71 × 10−3 (3.71 × 10−3 for 226Ra, 1.820 × 10−8 for 232Th and 7.66 × 10−15 for 40K) at t = 1000 y for 0.5-m, 1.25-m and 2.0-m cover scenario, respectively. Results also revealed that the total doses and cancer risks are less in thicker cover scenarios throughout the 1000 y time span and that 226Ra is the major contributor to the risk in all the scenarios owing to its higher activity concentration than 232Th and 40K.

Natural radioactivity measurements and excessive lifetime cancer risk for some surface Soil samples in (Al-Jabal Al-Gharbi ) Mountain, (Awiniya) Region, Libya

Natural radioactivity measurements and excessive lifetime cancer risk for some surface Soil samples in (Al-Jabal Al-Gharbi ) Mountain, (Awiniya) Region, Libya

Natural radioactivity measurements and evaluation of radiological hazards in the soil of an iron beneficiation plant in China

The specific activities of natural radionuclides, 232Th, 226Ra, and 40K, in a Chinese iron beneficiation plant and surrounding soil were analyzed with the high purity germanium gamma (HPGe) spectrometer in this study. Average specific activities of 238U, 232Th, 226Ra and 40K lower than the Chinese averages. To assess radiation impact, various indicators, radium equivalent index (Rae q), absorbed dose rate (DR), annual effective dose (AED), excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR), external hazard index (Hex), internal hazard index (Hin) and activity utilization index (AUI), were calculated. Mean values were below international limits, indicating no significant health hazards for the local population. Statistical analyses, including skewness and kurtosis calculations, along with techniques like frequency distribution, Pearson's correlation analysis, box plots and cluster analysis, were applied to comprehensively assess distribution patterns and interrelationships among radiological parameters. In summary, there are no potential health hazards associated with the soil in the study region for people.

ASSESSMENT OF THE NATURAL RADIOACTIVITY OF BOTTLED DRINKING WATER PRODUCED IN DIRE DAWA, ETHIOPIA

Measurements of natural radioactivity in drinking water have been evaluated in most parts of the world to assess the dose rate and irradiation risk. This work aims to determine the natural radioactivity of bottled drinking water produced in Dire Dawa City

Measurement of Natural Radioactivity, Cations, and Heavy Metals in Euphrates River at Elanbar Governorate, Iraq

Measurement of Natural Radioactivity, Cations, and Heavy Metals in Euphrates River at Elanbar Governorate, Iraq

NORM measurements at Kalloni and Gera Gulfs, Lesvos Island, Greece

Natural radioactivity measurements were held in the beach sands of the two main gulfs (Gera, Kalloni) of Lesvos Island, Greece. These gulfs host thermal springs and are preferred tourist destinations throughout the year. Dose rates and concentrations of natural radioactivity (232Th series, 226Ra and 40K) and 137Cs were measured in-situ and in the laboratory by means of gamma ray spectroscopy. Ten beach sand samples were collected from each gulf. The in-situ measurement and the dose rate determination was achieved via a portable NaI scintillation detector (SpriID). The activity concentration calculations were realized in the laboratory, with the use of a high purity germanium detector, and then they were also used to estimate dose rates. The in-situ measured and estimated dose rates were compared to verify the different approaches. The highest values (activity concentrations and dose rates) were found at the beaches of Kalloni Gulf compared to those of Gera Gulf, which may be attributed to the granulometry.

Recent review of natural and artificial background radiation dosimetry studies in Saudi Arabia.

This paper includes a review of the natural background radiation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The review deals with natural radioactivity measurements conducted in the past few decades in the Kingdom. The numerous research works reviewed refer to different materials soils processed building material, terrestrial (dwellings) and mining sites. For the measurements, different experimental techniques were adopted. The highest mean specific activity of 238U, 232Th and 40K in soil samples was found to be 39.0, 25.6, and 343.0Bq/kg, respectively. While the world average values are 33, 45 and 420Bq/kg, respectively. For building materials, the highest mean values for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K were 89, 106 and 773Bq/kg, respectively. The mean indoor and outdoor dose rates were 455µGy/y (Riyadh City) and 883µGy/y (Al-Khamis City), respectively. For the mining sites the mean values for 238U, 226Ra, 228Ra, gross α and gross β, were 0.12, 0.33, 21, 0.78 and 2.44Bq/kg, respectively. Based on the available data it is concluded that most of the natural background radiation levels in the measured locations were within acceptable limits, while a few isolated locations showed elevated dose rates. This review suggests that new improved radiological survey methods be employed to cover the entire country, and that areas identified with comparably high dose rates be re-assessed, especially, in dwellings and mining sites.

Measurements of natural radioactivity and evaluation of radiation hazard indices in soils around the Manyoni uranium deposit in Tanzania

Pre-mining natural radioactivity levels in soils over a 27.96 km2 site around the Manyoni Uranium Project in Tanzania were determined by a high purity germanium detector. The mean activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in soils were 227.43 ± 38.79 Bq/kg, 65.22 ± 3.70 Bq/kg, and 107.32 ± 23.07 Bq/kg, respectively. The average radium equivalent activity (Raeq), external hazard index (Hex), and internal hazard index (Hin) at these concentrations were 328.95 Bq/kg, 0.89, and 1.50, respectively. The mean absorbed dose rate in air at 1 m above the ground (Da) was 148.94 nGy/h, and the mean outdoor annual effective dose (Ed) was 0.18 mSv/y. Additionally, natural radioactivity levels in soils over a 0.71 km2 site, which is inside the 27.96 km2 site, which is prone to mine dust pollution above healthy levels, were also determined. The mean activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in the soils from this site were 380.4 ± 59.93 Bq/kg, 78.69 ± 8.99 Bq/kg, and 70.40 ± 7.91 Bq/kg, respectively. The corresponding means for Raeq, Hex, and Hin were 498.35 Bq/kg, 1.35, and 2.37, respectively. The mean Da and Ed were 226.21 nGy/h and 0.28 mSv/y, respectively. The average values of Ed at both sites were less than the public exposure limit of 1 mSv/y. This means that the sites have normal background radiation levels that do not endanger people's health when they engage in outdoor activities. When mining begins, the natural radioactivity levels obtained in this study, rather than national or global averages, can be used by mine owners or government agencies to assess the environmental effects of mining. Even after mining and during decommissioning, these baseline levels can also be used to measure how well the land has been restored.

Measurement of natural radioactivity and radiation hazard assessment in the soil samples of Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India

The present work aims to measure and estimate radioactivity and hazardous radiation indices of the soil. Soil samples were collected from various locations in the Visakhapatnam district in Andhra Pradesh, India. The measurement of specific activity of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K radionuclides is carried out with the help of HP-Ge based gamma spectrometer system. Activity concentration of radionuclides in the samples 226Ra, 232Th and 40K ranged from 20 ± 2 to 91 ± 2 Bq.kg-1, 45 ± 3 to 365 ± 3 Bq.kg-1, and 400 ± 9 to 607 ± 8 Bq.kg-1, and the respective mean values are 53.36 Bq.kg-1, 203.74 Bq.kg-1 and 479.19 Bq.kg-1. The measured mean value of the absorbed dose rate is 171.41 nGy.h-1, which was beyond the worldwide mean outdoor value of 60 nGy.h-1. Thus, the annual effective dose estimated from the above value is 1.04 mSv.y-1. The correlation was done among the measured 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K activity concentrations. The estimated radium equivalent dose is 381.60Bq.kg-1. The estimated health hazard index and annual effective dose rates of dwellers of Visakhapatnam were studied and compared to Indian average values. The study will help to generate the baseline data for assessing hazard indices to the public and geological mapping of natural radiation in India.

Natural Radioactivity Measurements and Radiological Hazards Evaluation for Some Egyptian Granites and Ceramic Tiles

All over the world, people widely use granites and ceramic tiles in their residential establishments. Information concerning the radiological properties of such materials reveals how to ensure the sustainability of their safe use in terms of these properties. In the present work, the distribution of the terrestrial radioisotopes U-238 (Ra-226), Th-232, and K-40 for 23 different brands of Egyptian commercial granites and ceramic tiles samples (widely used domestically and exported) was determined using gamma radiation spectroscopy. This process pinpoints the possible radiological health risks related to gamma ray exposure and radon gas resulting from the use of these materials indoors. The concentration values of the aforementioned radioisotopes in the examined samples were compared to the corresponding global average values (GAVs) of the UNSCEAR and to those available in other countries. The overall average concentrations for U-238, Th-232, and K-40 in the total samples were observed to be 46.17 ± 2.81 (less than its GAV), 51.65 ± 2.35 (slightly above its GAV), and 701.62 ± 40.60 Bq/kg (1.4 times greater than the GAV), respectively. The related radiological parameters and indices were calculated and compared to the prescribed limits set by commissions and organizations concerned with radiation protection (the WHO, ICRP, UNSCEAR, and EC) to ensure the safe use of the investigated granites and ceramic tiles. The assessed indices and parameters fall within the recommended values and safety limits. In conclusion, there is no risk from using the granites and ceramic tiles under investigation in residential facilities.

Determination of the full energy peak efficiency of HPGe detector for varying soil compositions and Marinelli beaker dimensions using Artificial Neural Networks

Natural radioactivity measurement is studying the radiation emitted naturally from any nature's components such as air, soil, water, etc. This field of study plays an important role in public health and safety management. Scientists and engineers can calculate the radiation doses received by inhabitants of a certain area by measuring the natural radioactivity in the same area. One of the main issues facing the standard measurement procedure is determining the appropriate volume of the sample to be taken from the area under investigation. The volume of the investigated sample affects the detection efficiency of the HPGe detector due to the self-shielding effect. In this work we show how using artificial neural networks can help in choosing the proper dimensions of the Marinelli beaker to be used in the detection process. We used the various compositions of soil as a case study. Results showed that artificial neural networks were capable of finding the relation between soil composition, Marinelli beaker dimensions, and gamma energy as inputs and the HPGe detection efficiency as output. The developed model's regression was 99% compared to the detection efficiency calculated using MCNP. This will help to have a better prediction of the detection efficiency of natural radioactivity measurements.

Cancer risk (ELCR) and annual gonadotropin equivalent dose (AGED) in macaroni

Natural radioactivity has attracted a lot of attention in the world due to its crucial role in human safety. macaroni (Macaroni) is a dry, hollow pastry, made from cereals such as wheat, rice and barley. Macaroni is one of the basic and important for human beings, as well as its proven usefulness to the general health of human beings. Therefore, the measurement of natural radioactivity is a critical because of its direct impact on human safety. In this research, quantification has been made of natural radionuclide concentrations using NaI(Tl) gamma-ray spectrometry. The analyses of samples reveal the mean activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, 40K% are found to 4.5E-01±0.071, 4.46±0.163 and 2.14±0.021, respectively. RLI,AUI,IC and Iα were also calculated the values ​​were less than one also estimated annual gonadal equivalent dose (AGED) resulting with an average 302.98±07.59 mSv.y-1 where was higher than globally limits. Consumption of macaroni for adult was found (0.035±0.0015) mSv.y-1 which less than global studies , while the average value of cancer risk ( 1.21E-04±0.000005*10-3 mSv.y-1 Below the international permissible limits. The study can be considered as a basis for future studies on this basic substance in food.

Assessment of radiation doses from natural radioactivity measurements in the spa centres of Kütahya Province, Turkey

Assessment of radiation doses from natural radioactivity measurements in the spa centres of Kütahya Province, Turkey

222Rn Activity Concentration Measurement and its Radiological Risks in the Environment of Barserin Village, Erbil-Iraq

222Rn Activity Concentration Measurement and its Radiological Risks in the Environment of Barserin Village, Erbil-Iraq

Quantifying occurrence of deformation bands in sandstone as a function of structural and petrophysical factors and their impact on reservoir quality: an example from outcrop analog of Productive Series (Pliocene), South Caspian Basin

Deformation bands (DB) are known to influence porosity and permeability in sandstones. This study aims to predict the occurrence of DB and to quantify their impact on reservoir properties based on field measurements in the steeply dipping limb of a kilometer-scale fold in Yasamal Valley, western South Caspian Basin. An integrated approach of characterizing bands and their effect on reservoir properties included measurements of natural gamma radioactivity and permeability using portable tools, along with bed dip and the count of DB across distinct facies. A set of core analyses was performed on outcrop plugs with and without bands to estimate the alteration of rock properties at the pore scale. Interpretation of outcrop gamma-ray data indicates the absence of bands in Balakhany sandstones containing shale volume greater than 18% for unconsolidated and 32% for calcite-rich facies. A high amount of calcite cement appears to increase the number of DB. A poor, positive trend between bed dip and DB concentration was identified. We show that net to gross, defined as the thickness fraction of sandstone bound by mudstones, is among the parameters controlling the occurrence of bands. Samples containing a single DB show a 33% and 3% decrease in permeability and porosity, respectively, relative to the host rock. We reveal a new set of lithological and petrophysical factors influencing DB occurrence. This study offers a direct tool that can be applied in subsurface reservoir analogs to predict the occurrence and concentration of DB and estimate their influence on rock properties.

Measurement of Natural Radioactivity and Assessment of Radiological Hazard Indices of Soil Over the Lithologic Units in Ile-Ife Area, South-West Nigeria.

The distribution of natural radioactivity levels of 238U, 232Th, and 40K in soils overlying the 3 lithologic units within Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria was investigated to characterize the gamma radiation dose distribution over the lithologies and to assess the radiation hazard due to the natural radionuclides. A thallium-doped cesium iodide detector was employed to determine the activity concentrations of 238U, 232Th, and 40K in 21 soil samples. The respective average concentrations of the 3 radionuclides are 37.7, 3.2, and 245.6 Bq kg−1 for granite gneiss, 31.9, 2.8, and 241.1 Bq kg−1 for banded gneiss, and 21.1, 1.7, and 196.7 Bq kg−1 for mica schist. The average concentration of 238U in granite gneiss lithology exceeds the world average value. The evaluated values of radiation hazard parameters including average absorbed dose rate, outdoor annual effective dose and external hazard index are below the recommended limits. The spatial distribution of the radiation hazard parameters evaluated over the lithologies has been delineated. The highest average cancer risk of 1.15 per 10 000 population was obtained for the study area within the soil overlying the banded gneiss lithology. Generally, the radiation hazard from the soils in study area poses no significant health hazard.

Measurement of Natural Radioactivity in Lagoon Sands Used in Construction in the District of Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

Sand is an important natural material for the construction of houses, work buildings and other public spaces. This work, which is one of the first contributions to the environmental quality of construction materials, concerns the measurement of natural radioactivity in the lagoon sands collected in the district of Abidjan. Nineteen (19) samples of these sands are analyzed by gamma-ray spectrometry equipped with HPGe detector. The mean values obtained for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K are respectively 7.76 ± 1.84 Bq·kg-1, 5.21 ± 1.36 Bq·kg-1, and 217.31 ± 5.03 Bq·kg-1. The estimated average value of radium equivalent (Raeq) is 31.94 Bq·kg-1. The results show that the average values obtained are far lower than the global limits of 35, 30, and 400 Bq·kg-1 for the concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K, respectively, and 370 Bq·kg-1 for the equivalent radium established by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR). Therefore, the use of the analyzed lagoon sand samples in the different construction sectors should not cause serious radiological effects on the populations living in the District of Abidjan. Our results provide new data on building materials radioactivity in Côte d’Ivoire and all over the World. They can also be used as a reference for future work.

Natural Radioactivity Measurement in Selected Dominant Soil Types of Eastern Hararghe, Ethiopia

Natural Radioactivity Measurement in Selected Dominant Soil Types of Eastern Hararghe, Ethiopia

Statistical analysis of natural radioactivity measurements for the soil of Tiruvannamalai District, Tamilnadu, India

This study aims to analyse the radioactivity data of soil samples from Tiruvannamalai District of Tamilnadu, India using statistical methods. Statistical analysis is applied on 63 samples for measuring gamma emitting radionuclides (238U, 232Th &40K) and calculating radiation hazard indices. In this work conventional statistical analysis (Basic statistics and Frequency histogram) and multivariate statistical analysis (Pearson’s correlation coefficient analysis, Factor analysis and Cluster analysis) are employed. This analysis is also helpful to identify the existing relationships between the radiological hazard parameters and radionuclides, and consequently assessing the health exposure implications of the public to the studied soil. The results show that there is no potential radiological health hazard associated with the soil samples of the study area.