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Faanu A, Tettey-Larbi L, Akuo-ko EO, Kwabena Gyekye P, Kpeglo DO, Lawluvi H, Kansaana C, Adjei-Kyereme S, Efa AO, Tóth-Bodrogi E, Kovács T, Shahrokhi A. Radiological landscape of natural resources and mining: Unveiling the environmental impact of naturally occurring radioactive materials in Ghana's mining areas. Heliyon 2024; 10:e24959. [PMID: 38317974 PMCID: PMC10838772 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
This study provides a general observation of the status of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMs) distribution in mining and industrial areas of Ghana in order to establish regional and national data on NORMs. The study includes data on radioactivity concentrations of U-238, Th-232, and K-40 in soils and for water concentrations of Ra-226, Th-228, and K-40 from various mining, oil, and gas communities, as well as water sources used for crop farming and farmlands. The average activity concentrations of U-238, Th-232, and K-40 in the soil samples were found to be 59 ± 16 Bq/kg, 48 ± 15 Bq/kg, and 286 ± 57 Bq/kg, respectively. The average concentration of Ra-226, Th-228, and K-40 in the water samples were found to be 1.62 ± 0.33 Bq/L, 2.08 ± 0.53 Bq/L, and 22.36 ± 3.44 Bq/L, respectively. The estimated average annual effective doses from external and internal exposure pathways in soil and water samples were 0.09 mSv/y and 0.54 mSv/y, respectively. The total annual effective dose resulting from both exposure pathways was calculated to be 0.63 mSv/y, which is below the 1 mSv/y dose limit recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) for controlling public radiation exposure. Based on the radiological hazard indices, the majority of the soil samples were found to be suitable as building materials as their respective indices were below the limits except for two sample locations and the sludge and scale samples. The average Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk (ELCR) value of the water samples was 1.6 times greater than the recommended value of 1.16 × 10-3, presenting a relatively higher risk to the public of developing cancer. No significant regional differences in the levels of radioactive elements. The regression models demonstrate strong interrelationships between the studied elements, with high R-squared values suggesting a predictable nature of one element's concentration based on others.
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Affiliation(s)
- Augustine Faanu
- Radiological and Non-ionizing Installations Directorate, Nuclear Regulatory Authority, Ghana
| | - Lordford Tettey-Larbi
- Radiological and Non-ionizing Installations Directorate, Nuclear Regulatory Authority, Ghana
- Research Centre for Biochemical, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, University of Pannonia, 8200, Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Esther Osei Akuo-ko
- Research Centre for Biochemical, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, University of Pannonia, 8200, Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Prince Kwabena Gyekye
- Radiological and Non-ionizing Installations Directorate, Nuclear Regulatory Authority, Ghana
| | - David Okoh Kpeglo
- Radiation Protection Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Ghana
| | - Henry Lawluvi
- Radiological and Non-ionizing Installations Directorate, Nuclear Regulatory Authority, Ghana
| | - Charles Kansaana
- Radiological and Non-ionizing Installations Directorate, Nuclear Regulatory Authority, Ghana
| | - Serwaa Adjei-Kyereme
- Radiological and Non-ionizing Installations Directorate, Nuclear Regulatory Authority, Ghana
| | - Alexander Opoku Efa
- Radiological and Non-ionizing Installations Directorate, Nuclear Regulatory Authority, Ghana
| | - Edit Tóth-Bodrogi
- Research Centre for Biochemical, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, University of Pannonia, 8200, Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Tibor Kovács
- Research Centre for Biochemical, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, University of Pannonia, 8200, Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Amin Shahrokhi
- Research Centre for Biochemical, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, University of Pannonia, 8200, Veszprém, Hungary
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Beltrán-Torres S, Szabó KZ, Tóth G, Tóth-Bodrogi E, Kovács T, Szabó C. Estimated versus field measured soil gas radon concentration and soil gas permeability. J Environ Radioact 2023; 265:107224. [PMID: 37356351 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2023.107224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
Prediction of areas with elevated natural radiation is fundamental for the prevention of human exposure. Soil gas radon activity concentration and soil gas permeability are predictive parameters for the radon potential, which has great importance in areas where future urban development is planned. In this study, the soil gas radon equilibrium concentration (C∞) and soil gas permeability (K) were estimated through the application of theoretical and empirical models found in the literature. These models apply soil properties as input parameters. Using already existing soil parameters to predict the radon potential of an area would be useful in avoiding direct field measurements. Therefore, in this study, we examined whether the estimated soil gas radon activity concentration and soil gas permeability values match the values measured in the field. The soil gas radon activity concentration estimated by two theoretical models is about 50% of the measured value in the studied area. This underestimation can be attributed to the assumption that the radon activity concentration measured in the field depends only on soil parameters and the models do not take into account the underlying bedrock. Additionally, these models neglect the radon transport by advection and consider only the radon availability and migration in homogeneous media. Furthermore, they do not count certain characteristics of the soil that can be relevant, e.g. organic matter and clay content in the soil. To investigate more in detail such soil characteristics, seven samples located roughly along the slope, were selected to determine the soil chemical composition by ICP-MS. Evaluating the physical and chemical properties of the soil, it was found that the sampling sites with pH < 8 (low calcium content) the preferential adsorption was a dominant process. This causes radium enrichment in organic matter and clay, which directly influence the soil gas radon activity concentration. At pH > 8, radium is no longer preferentially adsorbed on organic matter but continues to be adsorbed on clays albeit this process is weak because radium competes with calcium cations. Also, there are other factors that may affect radon emanation in soil such as radium concentration and distribution, porosity and water content. In contrast, empirical model of soil gas permeability overestimates the measured value in the study area by an order of magnitude. A new model was made by modifying the previously proposed one, which can be used as a guide for the estimation of the median value of soil gas permeability in granitic areas, but not as an accurate predictor due to the lack of correlation between the estimated and measured values.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvana Beltrán-Torres
- Lithosphere Fluid Research Lab, Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C, H-1117, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Katalin Zsuzsanna Szabó
- Nuclear Security Department, Centre for Energy Research, Konkoly-Thege Miklós út 29-33, H-1121, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Gergely Tóth
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, Egyetem u. 10, H-8200, Veszprem, Hungary
| | - Edit Tóth-Bodrogi
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, Egyetem u. 10, H-8200, Veszprem, Hungary
| | - Tibor Kovács
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, Egyetem u. 10, H-8200, Veszprem, Hungary
| | - Csaba Szabó
- Lithosphere Fluid Research Lab, Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C, H-1117, Budapest, Hungary
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Kocsis E, Tóth-Bodrogi E, Peka A, Adelikhah M, Kovács T. Radiological impact assessment of different building material additives. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-021-07897-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
AbstractIn this study, samples of building material additives were analyzed for naturally occurring radioisotope activity such as uranium, radium, and radon. The radon exhalation and the annual effective doses, were also calculated. The activities of the samples, were determined using HPGe gamma spectrometry and ionization detector. The results were used to calculate dose values by using RESRAD BUILD code. The activity concentration of the samples ranges between 9–494 Bq/kg Ra-226, 1–119 Bq/kg Th-232 and 24–730 Bq/kg K-40. In conclusion the investigated samples can be used safely as building material additives as they do not pose a major risk to humans.
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Duong VH, Nguyen TD, Hegedűs M, Tóth-Bodrogi E, Kovács T. Assessment of 232Th, 226Ra, 137Cs, and 40 K concentrations and annual effective dose due to the consumption of Vietnamese fresh milk. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-021-07643-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
AbstractVietnam has little data on radionuclide concentrations in milk, despite steadily increasing domestic consumption. Eight milk brands were investigated by gamma-spectrometry, and the resulting ingestion dose was calculated. The 232Th, 226Ra, 137Cs, and 40K concentrations varied from 0.60 ± 0.19 to 1.21 ± 0.24, 1.45 ± 0.18 to 2.45 ± 0.24, below detection limit to 0.13 ± 0.06, and 341 ± 6 to 387 ± 7 Bq/kg (dry w.t). The total average Annual Effective Dose for all age groups were similar for all brands, and concentrations are far less than the WHO guidance level. All brands are safe for consumption.
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Van Duong H, Thanh Nguyen D, Peka A, Tóth-Bodrogi E, Kovács T. 210PO IN SOIL AND TOBACCO LEAVES IN QUANG XUONG, VIETNAM AND ESTIMATION OF ANNUAL EFFECTIVE DOSE TO SMOKERS. Radiat Prot Dosimetry 2020; 192:106-112. [PMID: 33230527 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncaa181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
210Po is the main radiotoxic chemical in tobacco smoke and one of the primary causes of lung cancer. Investigating 210Po concentration in tobacco is important in estimating the annual effective dose (AED) due to smoking. In this study, the 210Po concentrations in tobacco leaves and soil in Quang Xuong, Vietnam were measured using a high-resolution passivated and implanted planar silicon detector. Based on these data the AEDs to smokers were estimated. The 210Po activity concentration in tobacco varied significantly from 28.7 to 254.0 mBq g-1, whereas its variation in soil was insignificant. The AED due to smoking fresh tobacco leaves in Vietnam (average 565 μSv y-1) was significantly higher than the values reported for other countries (36-361 μSv y-1).
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Van Duong
- Hanoi University of Mining and Geology, 18 Vien Street, Bac Tu Liem District, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
| | - Duong Thanh Nguyen
- Hanoi University of Mining and Geology, 18 Vien Street, Bac Tu Liem District, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
| | - Anita Peka
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, Veszprem 8200, Hungary
| | - Edit Tóth-Bodrogi
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, Veszprem 8200, Hungary
| | - Tibor Kovács
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, Veszprem 8200, Hungary
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Braysher E, Russell B, Collins SM, van Es EM, Shearman R, Molin FD, Read D, Anagnostakis M, Arndt R, Bednár A, Bituh T, Bolivar JP, Cobb J, Dehbi N, Di Pasquale S, Gascó C, Gilligan C, Jovanovič P, Lawton A, Lees AMJ, Lencsés A, Mitchell L, Mitsios I, Petrinec B, Rawcliffe J, Shyti M, Suárez-Navarro JA, Suursoo S, Tóth-Bodrogi E, Vaasma T, Verheyen L, Westmoreland J, de With G. Development of a reference material for analysing naturally occurring radioactive material from the steel industry. Anal Chim Acta 2020; 1141:221-229. [PMID: 33248656 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2020.10.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Accurate measurement of naturally occurring radionuclides in blast furnace slag, a by-product of the steel industry, is required for compliance with building regulations where it is often used as an ingredient in cement. A matrix reference blast furnace slag material has been developed to support traceability in these measurements. Raw material provided by a commercial producer underwent stability and homogeneity testing, as well as characterisation of matrix constituents, to provide a final candidate reference material. The radionuclide content was then determined during a comparison exercise that included 23 laboratories from 14 countries. Participants determined the activity per unit mass for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K using a range of techniques. The consensus values obtained from the power-moderated mean of the reported participant results were used as indicative activity per unit mass values for the three radionuclides: A0(226Ra) = 106.3 (34) Bq·kg-1, A0(232Th) = 130.0 (48) Bq·kg-1 and A0(40K) = 161 (11) Bq·kg-1 (where the number in parentheses is the numerical value of the combined standard uncertainty referred to the corresponding last digits of the quoted result). This exercise helps to address the current shortage of NORM industry reference materials, putting in place infrastructure for production of further reference materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Braysher
- National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington, Middlesex, TW11 0LW, UK; University of Surrey, Stag Hill, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH, UK.
| | - B Russell
- National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington, Middlesex, TW11 0LW, UK
| | - S M Collins
- National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington, Middlesex, TW11 0LW, UK; University of Surrey, Stag Hill, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH, UK
| | - E M van Es
- National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington, Middlesex, TW11 0LW, UK
| | - R Shearman
- National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington, Middlesex, TW11 0LW, UK
| | - F Dal Molin
- CEFAS, Lowestoft, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR33 0HT, UK
| | - D Read
- National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington, Middlesex, TW11 0LW, UK; University of Surrey, Stag Hill, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH, UK
| | - M Anagnostakis
- Nuclear Engineering Department, National Technical University of Athens, 15780, Athens, Greece
| | - R Arndt
- IAF-Radioökologie GmbH, Wilhelm-Rönsch-Straße 9, 01454, Radeberg, Germany
| | - A Bednár
- RadiÖko Ltd., H-8200, Veszprém, Wartha Vince Str. 1/2, Hungary
| | - T Bituh
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska Cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - J P Bolivar
- University of Huelva, Department of Integrated Sciences, Natural Resources, Health and Environment (RENSMA), Campus El Carmen, 21007, Huelva, Spain
| | - J Cobb
- Jacobs, Renaissance Centre, 601 Faraday Street, Birchwood Park, Warrington, WA3 6GN, UK
| | - N Dehbi
- ASTERALIS (VEOLIA NUCLEAR SOLUTIONS), 556 Chemin de L'Islon, 38670, Chasse sur Rhone, France
| | - S Di Pasquale
- Institute for Radioelements (IRE) - Radioactivity Measurement Laboratory, Avenue de L'Espérance,1, 6220, Fleurus, Belgium
| | - C Gascó
- CIEMAT, Avda de La Complutense 40, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - P Jovanovič
- ZVD D.o.o., Chengdujska Street 25, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - A Lawton
- UK National Nuclear Laboratory, NNL Preston, Springfields, Salwick, Lancashire, PR4 0XJ, UK
| | - A M J Lees
- Cavendish Nuclear Ltd, Greeson Court, Westlakes Science & Technology Park, Moor Row, Cumbria, CA24 3HZ, UK
| | - A Lencsés
- Nuclear Power Plant Paks, Environmental Monitoring Laboratory, 7030, Paks, Kurcsatov Str. 1/D, Hungary
| | - L Mitchell
- Public Health England, Centre Chemical Radiation and Environmental Hazards, Didcot, Oxon, OX11 0RQ, UK
| | - I Mitsios
- Nuclear Engineering Department, National Technical University of Athens, 15780, Athens, Greece
| | - B Petrinec
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska Cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - J Rawcliffe
- UK National Nuclear Laboratory, NNL Preston, Springfields, Salwick, Lancashire, PR4 0XJ, UK
| | - M Shyti
- Institute of Applied Nuclear Physics, University of Tirana, Th. Filipeu, Qesarake, Tirana, Albania
| | | | - S Suursoo
- University of Tartu, Institute of Physics, W.Ostwaldi 1, 50411, Tartu, Estonia
| | - E Tóth-Bodrogi
- Department of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, Bio- Environmental- and Chemical-engineering Research and Development Center, Faculty of Engineering, University of Pannonia, H-8200 Veszprém, Egyetem Str. 10., H-8210, Veszprém, POB 1158, Hungary
| | - T Vaasma
- University of Tartu, Institute of Physics, W.Ostwaldi 1, 50411, Tartu, Estonia
| | - L Verheyen
- SCK CEN, Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | | | - G de With
- Nuclear Research and Consultancy Group, Utrechtseweg 310 - B50-West, 6812, AR ARNHEM, Netherlands
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Mamyrbayeva AS, Baigazinov ZA, Lukashenko SN, Panitskiy AV, Karatayev SS, Shatrov AN, Baigazy SA, Bazarbayeva AB, Hegedűs M, Tóth-Bodrogi E, Kovács T. The transfer of 241Am and 137Cs to the tissues of broilers' organs. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0235109. [PMID: 32609724 PMCID: PMC7329069 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0235109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Data on the transfer of artificial radionuclides from the environment to the food supply is necessary for internal dose assessment. There is a necessity for expanding and improving the available information on these factors in order to make better dose models for specific scenarios. This paper describes the results of a field experiment with broiler chickens on the transfer factor (Ff) and concentration ratio (CR) for the long-term intake of 241Am and 137Cs with grass meal and soil. The broilers were divided into two groups, each group had nine subgroups and each subgroup had three broilers. The radionuclide concentrations in the feed and the thigh muscle, thigh bone, and liver of 54 broilers divided between the grass meal and soil groups were evaluated by gamma spectrometry for 241Am and 137Cs. The duration of feeding with "contaminated" sources ranged between 1-70 days. The equilibrium stage of 241Am in muscle and bone occurs on the 1st and 40th day, respectively; for 137Cs in muscle- 30th days of intake and for liver and bone- 7th days. For 241Am, the liver did not reach equilibrium stage during the 70 days of intake. Ff of 137Cs in the "forage-muscle" and "soil-muscle" systems were determined as 1.9±0.3 and 0.18±0.05; Ff of 241Am in the "soil-muscle" system was-7.5×10-5.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zhanat A. Baigazinov
- Institute of Radiation Safety and Ecology NNC RK, Kurchatov, Kazakhstan
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Sergey N. Lukashenko
- Russian Institute of Radiology and Agroecology, Obninsk, Kaluga region, Russian Federation
| | | | - Seil S. Karatayev
- Institute of Radiation Safety and Ecology NNC RK, Kurchatov, Kazakhstan
| | - Anton N. Shatrov
- Institute of Radiation Safety and Ecology NNC RK, Kurchatov, Kazakhstan
| | - Symbat A. Baigazy
- Institute of Radiation Safety and Ecology NNC RK, Kurchatov, Kazakhstan
| | | | - M. Hegedűs
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, Veszprém, Hungary
| | - E. Tóth-Bodrogi
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, Veszprém, Hungary
| | - T. Kovács
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, Veszprém, Hungary
- * E-mail:
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Adelikhah M, Shahrokhi A, Chalupnik S, Tóth-Bodrogi E, Kovács T. High level of natural ionizing radiation at a thermal bath in Dehloran, Iran. Heliyon 2020; 6:e04297. [PMID: 32642584 PMCID: PMC7334375 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
It has been proven that more than half of the exposure to natural background radiation originates from radon isotopes and their decay products. The inhalation of radon and its decay products causes the irradiation of respiratory tracts, thus increasing the risk of lung cancer. In this study, the concentrations of radon and thoron in thermal baths at a spa in Dehloran (Iran) were investigated. The concentrations of dissolved 226Ra in samples of water from thermal baths were also measured. Additionally, the activity concentrations of abundant naturally occurring radionuclides in farmland soils irrigated with water from hot springs was measured and compared with other soil samples irrigated with water from other sources to estimate possible radioecological effects of natural radiation staff, patients and tourists at the spa are exposed to. In addition, the search for a link between the concentration of naturally occurring radionuclides in soil and the use of water from hot springs for irrigation was one of the main goals of the study. The activity concentrations of three major naturally occurring radionuclides in soil samples were measured; the ranges for 40K, 226Ra and 228Ra were 101 ± 8 to 240 ± 12, 276 ± 7 to 322 ± 12 and 20 ± 7 to 80 ± 10 Bq.kg−1, respectively. Higher activity concentrations of 226Ra and 228Ra were recorded in soil samples irrigated with hot spring water. The water from the same spring was used in all thermal baths so concentrations of dissolved 226Ra in water samples from different thermal baths were approximated to also be 0.42 ± 0.20 Bq.l−1. The indoor radon concentrations in the private thermal baths over a period of 45 days (including both occupied and vacant time) were measured to be between 1880 ± 410 and 2450 ± 530 Bq.m−3 and the radon concentrations in the spa galleries were measured to be between 790 ± 135 and 1050 ± 120 Bq.m−3, however, thoron concentrations were below the detection limit. The ventilation and centralized heating systems at the spa under investigation are inefficient so the radon concentrations in the therapy rooms and baths are high. The maximum radiation doses originating from the inhalation of radon for tourists and the staff were estimated to be 0.13 and 5.5 mSv.yr−1, respectively, which is slightly over the national limit in Iran (5 mSv.yr−1). The exposure duration was estimated 15 and 1468 h per year for visitors and workers, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammademad Adelikhah
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, Egyetem u. 10, Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Amin Shahrokhi
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, Egyetem u. 10, Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Stanislaw Chalupnik
- Silesian Centre for Environmental Radioactivity, Central Mining Institute, Plac Gwarków, 40-166, Katowice, Poland
| | - Edit Tóth-Bodrogi
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, Egyetem u. 10, Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Tibor Kovács
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, Egyetem u. 10, Veszprém, Hungary
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Kovács T, Horváth M, Csordás A, Bátor G, Tóth-Bodrogi E. Tobacco plant as possible biomonitoring tool of red mud dust fallout and increased natural radioactivity. Heliyon 2020; 6:e03455. [PMID: 32181383 PMCID: PMC7062938 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e03455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Revised: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure to toxic heavy metal content in soil and inherent naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) needs to be monitored, especially after industrial accidents and remediation efforts. Just such an accident happened near Ajka city in Hungary; a large quantity of red mud flooded out from a reservoir. The afflicted area was remediated, and the red mud deposition technology was changed from a wet to a dry procedure. Concerns have been raised about potential hazards from airborne NORM dust in this area. The objectives of this study were to assess the use of explanted tobacco plants as an active biomonitoring system for airborne NORM dust and to reveal weather-related correlations of Po-210 in airborne dust. In 2011, 2012 and 2014, measurements were taken of the following at six monitoring sites in the polluted area and at eight sites in unpolluted areas: soil and tobacco plant Po-210 isotope levels, airborne Rn-222, Ra-226 in soil, Th-232 and K-40 radioactivity concentrations. The transfer factors (TFs) of tobacco were calculated yearly for these isotopes. Association of data with local weather features was determined. In 2012 (the windiest and driest year), the mean Po-210 activity concentrations of tobacco samples in polluted areas were significantly higher than in 2011 and in 2014 (p = 0.044 and p = 0.024, respectively). The mean TF of samples in 2012 was also significantly higher in tobacco plants grown in the polluted area compared to ones grown in unpolluted areas (p = 0.020). These results presumably originate from red mud dust-particle adsorption on tobacco plant leaves. Tobacco plants are promising active bioindicators of airborne particulate pollution by Po-210 or other atmospheric NORM content.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tibor Kovács
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, 10 Egyetem str., H-8200, Veszprém, Hungary
- Social Organisation for Radioecological Cleanliness, 7/a József Attila str., H-8200, Veszprém, Hungary
- Corresponding author.
| | - Mária Horváth
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, 10 Egyetem str., H-8200, Veszprém, Hungary
- Social Organisation for Radioecological Cleanliness, 7/a József Attila str., H-8200, Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Anita Csordás
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, 10 Egyetem str., H-8200, Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Gergő Bátor
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, 10 Egyetem str., H-8200, Veszprém, Hungary
- Social Organisation for Radioecological Cleanliness, 7/a József Attila str., H-8200, Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Edit Tóth-Bodrogi
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, 10 Egyetem str., H-8200, Veszprém, Hungary
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10
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Veres DS, Máthé D, Hegedűs N, Horváth I, Kiss FJ, Taba G, Tóth-Bodrogi E, Kovács T, Szigeti K. Radiomic detection of microscopic tumorous lesions in small animal liver SPECT imaging. EJNMMI Res 2019; 9:67. [PMID: 31346827 PMCID: PMC6658620 DOI: 10.1186/s13550-019-0532-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Our aim was to present a new data analysis technique for the early detection of tumorous lesions using single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging. Beyond standardized uptake value (SUV) and standardized uptake concentration (SUC), the skewness and kurtosis parameters of whole liver activity distribution histograms were examined in SPECT images to reveal the presence of tumorous cells. METHODS Four groups of mice were used in our experiment: a healthy control group, a group of obese mice with high body mass index, and two tumorous groups (primary liver cancer group with chemically induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); metastatic liver tumor group-xenograft of human melanoma (HM)). For the SPECT measurements, 99mTc-labeled aggregated albumin nanoparticles were administered intravenously 2 h before the liver SPECT scans (NanoSPECT/CT, Silver Upgrade, Mediso Ltd., Hungary) to image liver macrophages. Finally, SUV, SUC, skewness, and kurtosis of activity distributions were calculated from segmented whole liver volumes. RESULTS HCC animals showed moderate 99mTc-albumin particle uptake with some visually identified cold spots indicating the presence of tumors. The visual detection of cold spots however was not a reliable marker of tumorous tissue in the metastatic group. The calculated SUV, SUC, and kurtosis parameters were not able to differentiate between the healthy and the tumorous groups. However, healthy and tumorous groups could be distinguished by comparing the skewness of the activity distribution. CONCLUSION Based on our results, 99mTc-albumin nanoparticle injection followed by liver SPECT activity distribution skewness calculation is a suitable image analysis tool. This makes possible to effectively and quantitatively investigate liver macrophage inhomogeneity and identify invisible but present liver cold spot lesions. Skewness as a direct image-derived parameter is able to show altered tissue function even before the visual manifestation of liver tumor foci. The skewness of activity distribution might be related to an inhomogeneous distribution of macrophage cells as a consequence of microscopic tumor burden in the liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dániel S Veres
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, H-1094, Hungary
| | - Domokos Máthé
- CROmed Translational Research Centers Ltd, Budapest, H-1047, Hungary.
| | - Nikolett Hegedűs
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, H-1094, Hungary
| | - Ildikó Horváth
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, H-1094, Hungary
| | - Fanni J Kiss
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, H-1094, Hungary
| | - Gabriella Taba
- Dosimetry and Radioprotection Service, Semmelweis University, Budapest, H-1082, Hungary
| | - Edit Tóth-Bodrogi
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, Veszprém, H-8200, Hungary
| | - Tibor Kovács
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, Veszprém, H-8200, Hungary
| | - Krisztián Szigeti
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, H-1094, Hungary
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11
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Jónás J, Somlai J, Csordás A, Tóth-Bodrogi E, Kovács T. Radiological survey of the covered and uncovered drilling mud depository. J Environ Radioact 2018; 188:30-37. [PMID: 29103632 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2017.10.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Revised: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
In petroleum engineering, the produced drilling mud sometimes contains elevated amounts of natural radioactivity. In this study, a remediated Hungarian drilling mud depository was investigated from a radiological perspective. The depository was monitored before and after a clay layer was applied as covering. In this study, the ambient dose equivalent rate H*(10) of the depository has been measured by a Scintillator Probe (6150AD-b Dose Rate Meter). Outdoor radon concentration, radon concentration in soil gas, and in situ field radon exhalation measurements were carried out using a pulse-type ionization chamber (AlphaGUARD radon monitor). Soil gas permeability (k) measurements were carried out using the permeameter (RADON-JOK) in situ device. Geogenic radon potentials were calculated. The radionuclide content of the drilling mud and cover layer sample has been determined with an HPGe gamma-spectrometer. The gamma dose rate was estimated from the measured radionuclide concentrations and the results were compared with the measured ambient dose equivalent rate. Based on the measured results before and after covering, the ambient dose equivalent rates were 76 (67-85) nSv/h before and 86 (83-89) nSv/h after covering, radon exhalation was 9 (6-12) mBq/m2s before and 14 (5-28) mBq/m2s after covering, the outdoor radon concentrations were 11 (9-16) before and 13 (10-22) Bq/m3after covering and the soil gas radon concentrations were 6 (3-8) before and 24 (14-40) kBq/m3 after covering. Soil gas permeability measurements were 1E-11 (7E-12-1E-11) and 1E-12 (5E-13-1E-12) m2 and the calculated geogenic radon potential values were 6 (3-8) and 12 (6-21) before and after the covering. The main radionuclide concentrations of the drilling mud were CU-238 12 (10-15) Bq/kg, CRa-226 31 (18-40) Bq/kg, CTh-232 35 (33-39) Bq/kg and CK-40 502 (356-673) Bq/kg. The same radionuclide concentrations in the clay were CU-238 31 (29-34) Bq/kg, CRa-226 45 (40-51) Bq/kg, CTh-232 58 (55-60) Bq/kg and CK-40 651 (620-671) Bq/kg. According to our results, the drilling mud depository exhibits no radiological risk from any radiological aspects (radon, radon exhalation, gamma dose, etc.); therefore, long term monitoring activity is not necessary from the radiological point of view.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jácint Jónás
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, 10 Egyetem Str., H-8200 Veszprém, Hungary; NORM Hungary Kft., Hungary
| | - János Somlai
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, 10 Egyetem Str., H-8200 Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Anita Csordás
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, 10 Egyetem Str., H-8200 Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Edit Tóth-Bodrogi
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, 10 Egyetem Str., H-8200 Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Tibor Kovács
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, 10 Egyetem Str., H-8200 Veszprém, Hungary; Social Organization for Radioecological Cleanliness, Hungary.
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12
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Hegedűs M, Tóth-Bodrogi E, Jónás J, Somlai J, Kovács T. Mobility of 232Th and 210Po in red mud. J Environ Radioact 2018; 184-185:71-76. [PMID: 29367087 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2018.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2017] [Revised: 01/04/2018] [Accepted: 01/15/2018] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The valorization of industrial by-products such as red mud became a tempting opportunity, but the understanding of the risks involved is required for the safe utilization of these products. One of the risks involved are the elevated levels of radionuclides (in the 100-1300 Bq/kg range for both the 238U and 232 Th decay chains, but usually lower than 1000 Bq/kg, which is the recommended limit for excemption or clearance according to the EU BSS released in 2013) in red mud that can affect human health. There is no satisfactory answer for the utilization of red mud; the main current solution is still almost exclusively disposal into a landfill. For the safe utilization and deposition of red mud, it is important to be able to assess the leaching behaviour of radionuclides. Because there is no commonly accepted measurement protocol for testing the leaching of radionuclides in the EU a combined measurement protocol was made and tested based on heavy metal leaching methods. The leaching features of red mud were studied by methods compliant with the MSZ-21470-50 Hungarian standard, the CEN/TS 14429 standard and the Tessier sequential extraction method for 232Th and 210Po. The leached solutions were taken to radiochemical separation followed by spontaneous deposition for Po and electrodeposition for Th. The 332 ± 33 Bq/kg 232Th content was minimally mobile, 1% became available for distilled water 1% and 6% for Lakanen-Erviö solution; the Tessier extraction showed minimal mobility in the first four steps, while more than 85% remained in the residue. The 210Po measurements had a severe disturbing effect in many cases, probably due to large amounts of iron present in the red mud, from the 310 ± 12 Bq/kg by aqua regia digestion, distilled water mobilized 23%, while Lakanen-Erviö solution mobilized ∼13%. The proposed protocol is suitable for the analysis of Th and Po leaching behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miklós Hegedűs
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, 10 Egyetem Str., H-8200, Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Edit Tóth-Bodrogi
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, 10 Egyetem Str., H-8200, Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Jácint Jónás
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, 10 Egyetem Str., H-8200, Veszprém, Hungary
| | - János Somlai
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, 10 Egyetem Str., H-8200, Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Tibor Kovács
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, 10 Egyetem Str., H-8200, Veszprém, Hungary.
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13
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Horváth M, Shahrokhi A, Bátor P, Tóth-Bodrogi E, Kovács T. Determination of Po-210 content in cigarette smoke using a smoking machine: A case study of Iranian cigarettes. J Environ Radioact 2017; 174:66-70. [PMID: 28185676 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2017.01.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2016] [Revised: 01/23/2017] [Accepted: 01/25/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The Po-210 content of tobacco has been known for a long time, however, different results can be found about the estimated amount of Po-210 that is inhaled by humans as a result of smoking cigarettes. Because of the unique properties of Po-210, the smoking machines available on the market are not suitable because of their failure to quantitatively collect Po-210 for measurement. Therefore, to estimate precisely the amount of Po-210 entering the lungs as a result of smoking, a smoking machine and sampling protocol based on relevant ISO standards - ISO-3308, ISO-3402 and ISO-4387 - was developed. A 5% HCl solution was found to be the best absorber of Po-210 from smoke. Seventeen different brands of cigarettes distributed in Iran were used to validate the new machine and sampling protocol. The Po-210 concentration was determined by alpha spectrometry; the cigarette smoke solution underwent combined acid treatment after adding a Po-209 tracer. The Po-210 activity concentration of cigarettes sold in Iran was between 9.7 ± 1.2 and 26.5 ± 4.6 mBq/cigarette and it was determined that there was no relationship between the Po-210 and nicotine contents of cigarette smoke. Additionally, it was found that 15 ± 10% of the cigarette Po-210 was transferred to the mainstream smoke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mária Horváth
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, 10 Egyetem str., H-8200, Veszprém, Hungary; Social Organisation for Radioecological Cleanliness, 7/a József Attila str., H-8200, Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Amin Shahrokhi
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, 10 Egyetem str., H-8200, Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Péter Bátor
- Social Organisation for Radioecological Cleanliness, 7/a József Attila str., H-8200, Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Edit Tóth-Bodrogi
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, 10 Egyetem str., H-8200, Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Tibor Kovács
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, 10 Egyetem str., H-8200, Veszprém, Hungary; Social Organisation for Radioecological Cleanliness, 7/a József Attila str., H-8200, Veszprém, Hungary.
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14
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Jónás J, Somlai J, Tóth-Bodrogi E, Hegedűs M, Kovács T. Study of a remediated coal ash depository from a radiological perspective. J Environ Radioact 2017; 173:75-84. [PMID: 28041855 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2016.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2016] [Revised: 11/07/2016] [Accepted: 11/10/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Coal-fired power plants play a significant role in the production of electricity. The Ra-226 concentration of coals mined in the Ajka region can reach up to 3000 Bq/kg. This study focuses on the effects of a Hungarian (Ajka) remediated coal ash depository on the environment and the effectiveness of the cover layer. During the remediation, a method patented in Hungary was used, in which the upper layer of the depository, which had settled like concrete, was ploughed and mixed with woodchips before being planted with vegetation. The gamma dose rate H*(10) of the depository and its vicinity was measured using Automess 6150AD-b at 32 points, surface Rn-222 exhalation at 19 points and air radon concentration at 34 points; at 32 points, soil gas radon content was measured with AlphaGUARD and soil permeability with RADON-JOK. The nuclide content of nine samples was determined using an HPGe gamma spectrometer and their Rn-222 exhalation rates were measured using the AlphaGUARD. H*(10) was 290 (130-525) nSv/h at the covered depository; CRa-226 was 1997 Bq/kg, 960 Bq/kg and 104 Bq/kg for the ash, cover layer and background soil respectively. CRn-222 in the soil was 25-161 kBq/m3, and soil gas permeability K was between 6.4E-13 and 1.80E-11 m2. The radon exhalation of the uncovered and covered depository was 259-1100 mBq/m2s. The exhalation and emanation coefficients of the samples were 0.05-0.32 mBq/kgs and 8-22%. The effects of vegetation on the migration of radon were also examined. The results show that the Ajka coal ash depository involves higher radiological risk than that reported by previously published studies on depositories. The applied cover layer halved the field radon exhalation; in addition, the vegetation reduced the convective airflow and, with this, the migration of Rn.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jácint Jónás
- University of Pannonia, Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, Veszprém, Hungary; Social Organization for Radioecological Cleanliness, Veszprém, Hungary
| | - János Somlai
- University of Pannonia, Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Edit Tóth-Bodrogi
- University of Pannonia, Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Miklós Hegedűs
- University of Pannonia, Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Tibor Kovács
- University of Pannonia, Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, Veszprém, Hungary; Social Organization for Radioecological Cleanliness, Veszprém, Hungary.
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15
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Hegedűs M, Tóth-Bodrogi E, Németh S, Somlai J, Kovács T. Radiological investigation of phosphate fertilizers: Leaching studies. J Environ Radioact 2017; 173:34-43. [PMID: 27771131 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2016.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2016] [Revised: 10/04/2016] [Accepted: 10/06/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The raw materials of the phosphate fertilizer industry are the various apatite minerals. Some of these have high levels of natural radionuclides, and thus phosphate fertilizers contain significant amounts of U-238, K-40 and Ra-226. These can leach out of the fertilizers used in large quantities for resupplying essential nutrients in the soil and can then enter the food chain through plants, thereby increasing the internal dose of the affected population. In the current study, the radiological risk of eight commercially available phosphate fertilizers (superphosphate, NPK, PK) and their leaching behaviours were investigated using different techniques (gamma and alpha spectrometry), and the dose contributions of using these fertilizers were estimated. To characterize the leaching behaviour, two leaching procedures were applied and compared -the MSZ 21470-50 (Hungarian standard) and the Tessier five-step sequential extraction method. Based on the evaluation of the gamma-spectra, it is found that the level of Th-232 in the samples was low (max.7 ± 6 Bq kg-1), the average Ra-226 activity concentration was 309 ± 39 Bq kg-1 (min. 10 ± 8 Bq kg-1, max. 570 ± 46 Bq kg-1), while the K-40 concentrations (average 3139 ± 188 Bq kg-1, min. 51 ± 36 Bq kg-1) could be as high as 7057 ± 427 Bq kg-1. The high K-40 can be explained by reference to the composition of the investigated fertilizers (NPK, PK). U concentrations were between 15 and 361 Bq kg-1, with the average of 254 Bq kg-1, measured using alpha spectrometry. The good correlation between P2O5 content and radioactivity reported previously is not found in our data. The leaching studies reveal that the mobility of the fertilizer's uranium content is greatly influenced by the parameters of the leaching methods. The availability of U to water ranged between 3 and 28 m/m%, while the Lakanen-Erviö solution mobilized between 10 and 100% of the U content.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miklós Hegedűs
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, 10 Egyetem Str., H-8200, Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Edit Tóth-Bodrogi
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, 10 Egyetem Str., H-8200, Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Szabolcs Németh
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, 10 Egyetem Str., H-8200, Veszprém, Hungary
| | - János Somlai
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, 10 Egyetem Str., H-8200, Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Tibor Kovács
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, 10 Egyetem Str., H-8200, Veszprém, Hungary.
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16
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Hegedűs M, Sas Z, Tóth-Bodrogi E, Szántó T, Somlai J, Kovács T. Radiological characterization of clay mixed red mud in particular as regards its leaching features. J Environ Radioact 2016; 162-163:1-7. [PMID: 27191740 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2016.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2015] [Revised: 04/25/2016] [Accepted: 05/04/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The reuse of industrial by-products such as red mud is of great importance. In the case of the building material industry the reuse of red mud requires a cautious attitude, since the enhanced radionuclide content of red mud can have an effect on human health. The natural radionuclide content of red mud from the Ajka red mud reservoir and the clay sample from a Hungarian brick factory were determined by gamma spectrometry. It was found that maximum 27.8% red mud content can be added to fulfil the conditions of the EU-BSS. The effect of heat treatment was investigated on a red mud-clay mixture and it was found that in the case of radon and thoron exhalation the applied heat reduced remarkably the exhalation capacities. The leaching features of red mud and different mixtures were studied according to the MSZ-21470-50 Hungarian standard, the British CEN/TS 14429 standard and the Tessier sequential extraction method. The Tessier method and the MSZ-21470-50 standard are suitable for the characterization of materials; however, they do not provide enough information for waste deposition purposes. To this end, we propose using the CEN/TS 14429 method, because it is easy to use, and gives detailed information about the material's behaviour under different pH conditions, however, further measurements are necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miklós Hegedűs
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, 10 Egyetem str., H-8200 Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Sas
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, 10 Egyetem str., H-8200 Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Edit Tóth-Bodrogi
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, 10 Egyetem str., H-8200 Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Tamás Szántó
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, 10 Egyetem str., H-8200 Veszprém, Hungary; Social Organisation for Radioecological Cleanliness, 7/a József Attila str., H-8200 Veszprém, Hungary
| | - János Somlai
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, 10 Egyetem str., H-8200 Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Tibor Kovács
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, 10 Egyetem str., H-8200 Veszprém, Hungary; Social Organisation for Radioecological Cleanliness, 7/a József Attila str., H-8200 Veszprém, Hungary.
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