Reference levels of natural radioactivity and (137)Cs in and around the surface soils of Kestanbol pluton in Ezine region of Çanakkale province, Turkey

Investigation of natural and artificial radioactivity levels in travertines of the Cappadocia region in Turkey

This study determined natural and artificial radionuclide concentrations to evaluate natural radioactivity and health risk levels of nine travertines in the Yaprakhisar and Balkayası regions in Turkey. The samples coded B1-M, B2, B5, B7, B8, and B10 represent waste derived from the Yaprakhisar travertines, as well as samples T5-M, T12, and Z1 travertines derived from Balkayası. The levels of natural and artificial radionuclide concentrations (232Th, 40K, and 137Cs) were measured using a high-purity germanium (HpGe) detector system. The travertine activity ranged from 2.09 to 12.07 Bq kg-1 for 232Th, 4.21 to 13.41 Bq kg-1 for 40K, and 0.42-3.26 Bq kg-1 for 137Cs. The results showed that the activity concentration values for 232Th, 40K, and 137Cs were coherent with the travertine analysis results in the UNSCEAR, 2000; 2008 publications. The values obtained were lower than the average values in the UNSEAR reports. The radiological hazard parameters calculated in this study were absorbed gamma dose rate (D), radium equivalent activity (Raeq), annual gonadal dose equivalent (AGDE), exposure dose (ER), total annual effective dose (AEDEtotal), excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCRtotal), gamma representative level (GRL), internal hazard index (Hin) and external hazard index (Hex).

Distribution of Radionuclides and Radiological Health Assessment in Seih-Sidri Area, Southwestern Sinai

The current contribution goal is to measure the distribution of the radionuclide within the exposed rock units of southwestern Sinai, Seih-Sidri area, and assess the radiological risk. Gneisses, older granites, younger gabbro, younger granites, and post granitic dikes (pegmatites) are the main rock units copout in the target area. Radioactivity, as well as radiological implications, were investigated for forty-three samples from gneisses (seven hornblende biotite gneiss and seven biotite gneiss), older granites (fourteen samples), and younger granites (fifteen samples of syenogranites) using NaI (Tl) scintillation detector. External and internal hazard index (H_ex, H_in), internal and external level indices (Iα, Iγ), absorbed dose rates in the air (D), the annual effective dose equivalent (AED), radium equivalent activity (Ra_eq), annual gonadal dose (AGDE), excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR), and the value of Upper Continental Core ²³²Th/²³⁸U mass fractions were determined from the obtained values of ²³⁸U, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K for the examined rocks of Seih-Sidri area. The average ²³⁸U mg/kg in hornblende biotite gneiss and biotite gneiss, older granites, and syenogranites is 2.3, 2.1, 2.7, and 8.4 mg/kg, respectively, reflecting a relatively higher concentration of uranium content in syenogranites. The results suggest that using these materials may pose risks to one's radiological health.

The presence of radioactive heavy minerals in prospecting trenches and concomitant occupational exposure

Uranium, perhaps the most strategically important component of heavy minerals, finds particular significance in the nuclear industry. In prospecting trenches, the radioactivity of 238U and 232Th provides a good signature of the presence of heavy minerals. In the work herein, the activity concentrations of several key primordial radionuclides (238U, 232Th, and 40K) were measured in prospecting trenches (each of the latter being of approximately the same geometry and physical situation). All of these are located in the Seila area of the South Eastern desert of Egypt. A recently introduced industry standard, the portable hand-held RS-230 BGO gamma-ray spectrometer (1024 channels) was employed in the study. Based on the measured data, the trenches were classified as either non-regulated (U activity less than 1000 Bq kg-1) or regulated (with 238U activity more than 1000 Bq kg-1). Several radiological hazard parameters were calculated, statistical analysis also being performed to examine correlations between the origins of the radionuclides and their influence on the calculated values. While the radioactivity and hazard parameters exceed United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) guided limits, the mean annual effective doses of 0.49 and 1.4 mSv y-1 in non-regulated and regulated trenches respectively remain well below the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) recommended 20 mSv/y maximum occupational limit. This investigation reveals that the studied area contains high uranium content, suitable for extraction of U-minerals for use in the nuclear fuel cycle.

Spatial distributions of natural radionuclides in soils of the state of Pernambuco, Brazil: Influence of bedrocks, soils types and climates

To investigate whether and in which extension the levels of natural radionuclides in soils vary with parent rock, soil type, and climatic condition factors, a large-scale survey was carried out to cover the semiarid and tropical wet climate regions of the territory of Pernambuco state (Brazil). The radionuclide concentrations were analyzed by gamma spectrometry. The median values of the activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra (20), ²²⁸Ra (38) and ⁴⁰K (458) (Bq kg^-1) in the soils agreed with the values reported worldwide. The concentrations of ⁴⁰K in the soils from the semiarid region were higher than those in the soils from the tropical region, whereas the radium isotope levels were higher in soils from the tropical region. The less-developed soils from the semiarid region, such as Leptosols and Neosols, had the highest ⁴⁰K levels, unlike the more developed soils (Acrisols and Ferrosols) from the tropical wet area, which showed the lowest contents of ⁴⁰K and the highest content of radium isotopes. The low ⁴⁰K contents in well-developed soils may be attributed to the leaching of ⁴⁰K by the high rainfall rates of the tropical area. In contrast, the rainfall scarcity and high potential evaporation rates of the semiarid environment may be responsible for ⁴⁰K accumulation in soils. The highest Ra isotope concentrations in the well-drained soils from the tropical climate may be ascribed to the presence of heavy minerals and adsorption on Fe oxyhydroxides, which are very common in those soils. The more developed the soil the lower the K concentration, regardless of the climate. For Ra, the differences are more significant for well-drained soils, and in this case, the tropical climate, with its high rainfall rate, makes the difference. As a conclusion, climate and soil formation time showed high and contrasting influence on the ⁴⁰K and radium isotope contents in soils. Less developed soils from semiarid had the highest content of ⁴⁰K, whereas the more developed soils from tropical areas had the highest content of radium.

Natural radioactivity in soils of the state of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil): Radiological characterization and relationships to geological formation, soil types and soil properties

Located in the south-western part of Brazil, the state of Rio de Janeiro is geotectonically contained within a complex structural province that resulted in the amalgamation of the Western Gondwana Paleocontinent. To undertake an extensive radiological characterization of this complex geological province and investigate the influence of bedrock, soil type and soil chemical-physical characteristics on natural radionuclide levels in soils, 259 surface soil samples were collected that encompassed the main soil types and geological formations throughout the state. Gamma spectrometry analysis of the samples resulted in median values of 114 Bq.kg^-1for ⁴⁰K, 32 Bq.kg^-1 for ²²⁶Ra and 74 Bq.kg^-1 for ²²⁸Ra. The median value for ²²⁶Ra was similar to the world median value for soils, the ⁴⁰K value was well below the worldwide value, and that for ²²⁸Ra exceeded the world median value. The intense weathering caused by the high rainfall rates and high temperatures may be responsible for the low levels of ⁴⁰K in the soils, of which the strongly acidic and clayey soils are markedly K-depleted. A soil from a high-grade metamorphic rock (granulite) presented the lowest ²²⁶Ra (18 Bq.kg^-1) content, whereas the highest levels for ²²⁶Ra (92 Bq.kg^-1) and ²²⁸Ra (139 Bq.kg^-1) were observed in a young soil enriched in primary minerals (Leptsol). A lowland soil (Gleysol) showed the highest median of ⁴⁰K (301 Bq.kg^-1). Strongly acidic soils tended to present high amounts of ²²⁶Ra, and sandy soils tended to contain low levels of ²²⁸Ra. The external radiation dose indicates that the state has a background radiation level within the natural range.

Effects of source rocks, soil features and climate on natural gamma radioactivity in the Crati valley (Calabria, Southern Italy)

The study, which represents an innovative scientific strategy to approach the study of natural radioactivity in terms of spatial and temporal variability, was aimed to characterize the background levels of natural radionuclides in soil and rock in the urban and peri-urban soil of a southern Italy area; to quantify their variations due to radionuclide bearing minerals and soil properties, taking into account nature and extent of seasonality influence. Its main novelty is taking into account the effect of climate in controlling natural gamma radioactivity as well as analysing soil radioactivity in terms of soil properties and pedogenetic processes. In different bedrocks and soils, activities of natural radionuclides ((238)U, (232)Th (4) K) and total radioactivity were measured at 181 locations by means of scintillation γ-ray spectrometry. In addition, selected rocks samples were collected and analysed, using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) equipped with an Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (EDS) and an X-Ray Powder Diffraction (XRPD), to assess the main sources of radionuclides. The natural-gamma background is intimately related to differing petrologic features of crystalline source rocks and to peculiar pedogenetic features and processes. The radioactivity survey was conducted during two different seasons with marked changes in the main climatic characteristics, namely dry summer and moist winter, to evaluate possible effects of seasonal climatic variations and soil properties on radioactivity measurements. Seasonal variations of radionuclides activities show their peak values in summer. The activities of (238)U, (232)Th and (4) K exhibit a positive correlation with the air temperature and are negatively correlated with precipitations.

Estimation of vertical migration velocity of (137)Cs in the Mount IDA/Kazdagi, Turkey

This paper presents the results obtained from a radioecological study carried out in the forest sites of Mount IDA (Kazdagi)/Edremit, Turkey. For 118 soil profiles, the depth distribution of (137)Cs activity was established by fitting the experimental points to an exponential, a gaussian or a log-normal function. The relaxation lengths were in the range of 1.09-16.7 cm with a mean of 5.73 cm, showing a slow transport and a strong retention capacity of (137)Cs even after the 26-y period of Chernobyl accident. From the data for the vertical distribution of (137)Cs in soil profiles, the mean annual migration velocity of (137)Cs was in the range of 0.11-0.62 cm year(-1) with a mean of 0.30 cm year(-1). Statistically significant correlations between the thickness of the humus layer and the mean annual velocity of (137)Cs were found for both coniferous and mixed forest sites. The mean annual velocity of (137)Cs in the forests sites with Pinus nigra var pallasiana was significantly higher than sites with Pinus brutia. External dose-rates from the (137)Cs in forest soils were estimated using a conversion factor used in many studies and comprised with the external dose-rates determined according to the vertical distribution of (137)Cs within the soil depth profiles. It is clearly seen that both levels and spatial distribution patterns of the external dose-rates from (137)Cs were influenced considerably with the vertical migration rate and the vertical distribution of (137)Cs.

Natural radionuclide activities in forest soil horizons of Mount IDA/Kazdagi, Turkey

Natural radioactivity distribution of (40)K, (238)U, and (232)Th isotopes in forest soils was investigated by using gamma-ray spectrometry. An extensive radioecological study was carried out between 2010 and 2013 in Mount IDA/Kazdagi, located in Edremit region in Turkey. A total of 341 soil samples were collected from the surface and organic horizons (OL, OF+OH, and A) in 118 soil profiles. The distributions of natural radioactivity levels in these horizons and corresponding absorbed dose rates from outdoors terrestrial gamma radiation throughout the region were mapped in detail. Mean (40)K activity values over the combined horizons varied between 43 and 1,008 Bq kg(-1); whereas, mean (226)Ra and (232)Th concentrations over the combined horizons ranged between 5-152 and 6-275 Bq kg(-1), respectively. Our data indicate that the radioactivity values of the study sites were within the universal normal range. The significant variation among the (232)Th, (226)Ra, and (40)K activities and gamma dose rate might be due to the geological variation in the study sites.

A radiological survey of the Eğrigöz granitoid, Western Anatolia/Turkey

A radiological survey of the granitoid areas throughout Western Anatolia was conducted during 2007-14. As a part of this radiological survey, this article presents results obtained from Eğrigöz pluton, which lies in the northeastern region of Western Anatolia. In the investigated area, the activity measurements of the natural gamma-emitting radionuclides ((226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K) in the granitic rock samples and soils have been carried out by means of the NaI(Tl) gamma-ray spectrometry system. The activity concentrations of the relevant natural radionuclides in the granite samples appeared in the ranges as follows: (226)Ra, 28-95 Bq kg(-1); (232)Th, 50-122 Bq kg(-1) and (40)K, 782-1365 Bq kg(-1), while the typical ranges of the (226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K activities in the soil samples were found to be 7-184, 11-174 and 149-1622 Bq kg(-1), respectively. Based on the available data, the radiation hazard parameters associated with the surveyed rocks/soils are calculated. The corresponding absorbed dose rates in air from all those radionuclides were always much lower than 200 nGy h(-1) and did not exceed the typical range of worldwide average values noted in the UNSCEAR (2000) report. Furthermore, the data are also used for the mapping of the surface soil activity of natural radionuclides and the corresponding gamma dose rates of the surveyed area.

Persistence of 137Cs in the litter layers of forest soil horizons of Mount IDA/Kazdagi, Turkey

In 2010-2012, an extensive study was performed in forest sites of Mount IDA (Kazdagi)/Edremit 26 years after the Chernobyl accident. The (137)Cs activity concentrations were determined by gamma-ray spectrometry in the forest soil layers (OL, OF + OH and A horizons) separately. Based on 341 surface soil samples and 118 soil profiles, activity concentrations of (137)Cs in OL horizons varied between 0.25 ± 0.14 and 70 ± 1 Bq kg(-1), while the ranges of (137)Cs activity concentrations in OF + OH and A horizons were 13 ± 1-555 ± 3 Bq kg(-1) and 2 ± 1-253 ± 2 Bq kg(-1), respectively. Cesium-137 deposition in the study area was estimated to be in the range of 1-39 kBq m(-2) and a linear relationship between the deposition of (137)Cs and the altitude was observed. The distributions of (137)Cs activities in OL, OF + OH and A horizons throughout the region were mapped in detail. The highest (137)Cs activities were found in OF + OH horizons, with markedly lower (137)Cs activity in mineral horizons of soil profiles. It is observed that (137)Cs content of humus layer increases with the thickness of the humus layer for coniferous forest sites. The (137)Cs activity concentrations were higher than the recommended screening limits (150 Bq kg(-1)) at some of the investigated areas. The current activity concentration of top soil layers indicates that over many years since the initial deposition, (137)Cs activity is keeping still high in the organic horizons.