Measurement of radioactivity in soils of Karamjal and Harbaria mangrove forest of Sundarbans for establishment of radiological database

Assessment of soil radioactivity and associated health risks in the Haripur gas field, Bangladesh

Assessing soil radioactivity and associated risks in areas surrounding gas fields is essential due to potential natural radionuclide accumulation during extraction activities. This study investigates the radioactivity levels in surface soil from the Haripur gas field. 21 soil samples were analyzed using a high purity germanium (HPGe) detector. The activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in the soil samples were found to range between 11-19, 20-38, and 280-500 Bq kg-1, respectively. All 226Ra values and the majority of 232Th and 40K values fell within the global average levels for soil, which are 35, 30, and 400 Bq kg-1, respectively. Radiation hazard indices were found to be below the internationally accepted safety limits set by organizations such as the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) and the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP), indicating that the soil poses no significant radiological risks for construction and agricultural applications. This research offers essential baseline data on soil radioactivity at the Haripur gas field, supporting public health, environmental protection, and regulatory compliance efforts.

Analysis of radionuclides and radiation hazards in soil, sediment, water, and rock in Sylhet, Bangladesh

The natural radioactivity level in soil, sediment, and water samples collected from the Bisnakandi region in Sylhet was measured using a high-purity germanium detector. The mean activity concentrations of radionuclides in samples from the Bisnakandi were: 232Th (surface soil: 28.60 ± 6.44 Bq/kg, depth soil: 34.97 ± 7.37 Bq/kg, sediment: 41.70 ± 8.22 Bq/kg, water: 16.37 ± 2.13 Bq/L), 226Ra (surface soil: 33.70 ± 6.85 Bq/kg, depth soil: 40.09 ± 8.06 Bq/kg, sediment: 47.60 ± 9.38 Bq/kg, water: 19.76 ± 3.16 Bq/L), and 40K (surface soil: 304.60 ± 20 Bq/kg, depth soil: 375 ± 23.10 Bq/kg, sediment: 455.80 ± 19.2 Bq/kg, water: 241 ± 19.70 Bq/L). The average activity concentrations in rock samples for 232Th, 226Ra, and 40K in (Jaflong, Bholagonj) were (45.69 ± 14.32 Bq/kg, 40.06 ± 12.71 Bq/kg), (36.27 ± 16.89 Bq/kg, 36.84 ± 13.02 Bq/kg), and (430.34 ± 36.82 Bq/kg, 426.7 ± 78.98 Bq/kg), respectively. All the hazard parameters, such as radium equivalent activity, absorbed dose, annual effective dose, and external hazard index, were found within the acceptable level recommended by international organizations.

A pioneering study of the radiological mapping in the world's largest mangrove forest (the Sundarbans) and implications for the public and environment

Coastal Mangroves are facing growing threats due to the harmful consequences of human activities. This first-ever detailed study of natural radioactivity in soil samples collected from seven tourist destinations within the Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest, was conducted using HPGe gamma-ray spectrometry. Although the activity levels of 226Ra (11 ± 1-44 ± 4 Bq/kg) and 232Th (13 ± 1-68 ± 6 Bq/kg) generally align with global averages, the concentration of 40K (250 ± 20-630 ± 55 Bq/kg) was observed to surpass the worldwide average primarily due to factors like salinity intrusion, fertilizer application, agricultural runoff, which suggests the potential existence of potassium-rich mineral resources near the study sites. The assessment of the hazard parameters indicates that the majority of these parameters are within the recommended limits. The soil samples do not pose a significant radiological risk to the nearby population. The results of this study can establish important radiological baseline data before the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant begins operating in Bangladesh.

Assessment of radioactivity level and associated radiological hazard in fertilizer from Dhaka

Miners, factory workers, traders, end-users, and foodstuff consumers all run the risk of encountering health hazards derived from the presence of elevated levels of radiation in fertilizers, as these groups often come into direct or indirect contact with fertilizers as well as raw materials throughout various linked processes such as mineral extractions, fertilizer production, agricultural practices. A total of 30 samples of various kinds of fertilizer produced in different factories in Dhaka megacity were analyzed to quantify the concentrations of primordial radionuclides using HPGe detector. Among the analyzed samples, average (range) concentration of 40K was found to be 9920 ± 1091 (8700 ± 957-11,500 ± 1265), 9100 ± 1001 (8600 ± 946-9600 ± 1056), 2565 ± 282 (2540 ± 279-2590 ± 285), and 3560 ± 392 (2620 ± 288-4500 ± 495) Bq/kg in the samples of Muriate of Potash Fertilizer, Sulphate of Potash Fertilizer, Humic Acid Fertilizer, and NPKS Fertilizer, respectively. Elevated concentration of 226Ra was found in Triple Super Phosphate Fertilizer with a mean (range) of 335 ± 37 (290 ± 32-380 ± 42) Bq/kg. The higher activity of 40K can be linked to the greater levels of elemental potassium in phosphate fertilizer. Elevated concentrations of radionuclides may also result from variations in chemical processes as well as the local geology of the mining areas where the raw materials were extracted for fertilizer production. Numerous fertilizer brands surpass prescribed limits for various hazardous parameters, presenting significant health risks to factory workers, farmers, and consumers of agricultural products. This study provides baseline information on the radioactivity of fertilizers, which could be used to develop mitigation methods, establish national fertilizer usage limits, justify regulatory frameworks, and raise public awareness of fertilizer overuse. The findings of the study could potentially help to explore the impact of fertilizer on the food chain.