Measurement of radium, thorium, potassium and associated hazard indices from the soil samples collected from Northern India

2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (8) ◽  
pp. 1149-1156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nisha Mann ◽  
Amit Kumar ◽  
Sushil Kumar ◽  
R. P. Chauhan
Keyword(s):  
Gamma Radiation ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Absorbed Dose ◽  
Decay Chain ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Health Hazards ◽  
Hazard Indices ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Northern India

The presence of radium, thorium and potassium in soil and building materials impose radiological hazards to human population. Both alpha and gamma radiation are produced from the decay chain of uranium and thorium while potassium is itself a source of gamma radiation. The measurement of these radionuclides in soil is important to prevent the general public from health hazards. The measurement of radium, thorium and potassium from soil samples collected from some locations of Northern India was carried out to assess the various radiological hazard indices using sodium iodide-based gamma ray spectroscopy. The observed specific activities of radium, thorium and potassium varied from 13 to 175, 141 to 399 and 276 to 1581 Bq/kg with an average of 78, 231 and 525 Bq/kg, respectively. The mean values from soil samples under study are more than the corresponding worldwide average values (35, 30 and 400 Bq kg−1 for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K) but less than the recommended limits. The measured radium, thorium and potassium activity from the soil samples were used to find out the various hazards index and absorbed dose. The results show the soil of the study area does not pose any health hazards to people residing in this area.

scholarly journals Assessment of Gamma Radiation 232Th, 226Ra and 40K in Nassarawa, Nigeria

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
U. Rilwan ◽  
I. Umar ◽  
A. Z. Ngari ◽  
H. A. Abdullahi ◽  
H. O. Aboh
Keyword(s):  
Gamma Radiation ◽  
Dose Rate ◽  
Absorbed Dose ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
High Radiation ◽  
Hazard Indices ◽  
Absorbed Dose Rate ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Low Exposure ◽  
Mean Concentration

This study assessed gamma radiation from 232Th, 226Ra and 40K. Twelve soil samples collected from the study area were analyzed using Nal (TI) detector. Mean concentration for 40K, 232Th and 226Ra were found to be 483.97±7.32 Bq/kg, 28.43±5.30 Bq/kgS and 66.84±2.02 Bq/kg respectively. Absorbed Dose Rate ranged from 44.85 nGy/h to 90.71 nGy/h with a mean of 73.68 nGy/h. Effective Dose Rate ranged from 0.055 to 0.111 msv/yr with a mean of 0.090 mSv/y. The Internal and External Hazard Indices ranged from 0.271 to 0.533 Bq/kg with the mean of 0.435 Bq/kg and 0.289 to 0.675 Bq/kg with the mean of 0.512 Bq/kg respectively. It can thus be concluded that the radiation dose of the study area is minimal and seems to have low exposure for the inhabitants in and around the contaminated areas. It is therefore recommended that regular radiation monitoring exercises should be conducted on the processing sites to prevent the inhabitants of the area from high radiation exposure due to direct inhalation of finely divided particulates and dust comprised of the above-mentioned radionuclides.

Natural radioactivity in some building materials and assessment of the associated radiation hazards

2018 ◽  
Vol 106 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-86
Author(s):  
Amira Kasumović ◽  
Ema Hankić ◽  
Amela Kasić ◽  
Feriz Adrović
Keyword(s):  
Building Materials ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Absorbed Dose ◽  
Absorbed Dose Rate ◽  
Radium Equivalent Activity ◽  
Radiation Hazards ◽  
Eu Member States ◽  
Gamma Ray Spectrometer ◽  
Radioactive Nuclides ◽  
Specific Activities

AbstractThe results of the specific activities of232Th,226Ra and40K measured in samples of commonly used building materials in Bosnia and Herzegovina are presented. Measurements were performed by gamma-ray spectrometer with coaxial HPGe detector. The surface radon exhalation and mass exhalation rates for selected building materials were also measured. The determined values of specific activities were in range from 3.16±0.81 Bq kg−1to 64.79±6.16 Bq kg−1for232Th, from 2.46±0.95 Bq kg−1to 53.89 ±3.67 Bq kg−1for226Ra and from 28.44±7.28 Bq kg−1to 557.30±93.38 Bq kg−1for40K. The radium equivalent activity, the activity concentration index, the external and internal hazard indices as well as the absorbed dose rate in indoor air and the corresponding annual effective dose, due to gamma-ray emission from the radioactive nuclides in the building material, were evaluated in order to assess the radiation hazards for people. The measured specific activities of the natural radioactive nuclides in all investigated building materials were compared with the published results for building materials from other European countries. It can be noted that the results from this study are similar to the data for building materials from neighbouring countries and for building materials used in the EU Member States. The radiological hazard parameters of the building materials were all within the recommended limits for safety use.

scholarly journals Assessment of Solid Mineral to Soil Radioactivity Contamination Index in Selected Mining Sites and their Radiological Risk Indices to the Public

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ezekiel Oghenenyerhovwo Agbalagba ◽  
Mohammed S. Chaanda ◽  
Stephen Uloho U. Egarievwe
Keyword(s):  
Mean Value ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Permissible Limit ◽  
Radiation Hazard ◽  
Hazard Indices ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Mining Sites ◽  
The Public ◽  
Risk Indices ◽  
Gamma Index

Abstract This study examined the radioactivity levels of soil samples within selected solid mining sites in Nigeria using high purity germanium (HpGe) detector. Sixty soil samples in all were collected from the ten solid mineral mining sites investigated and six samples were collected as control samples from non-mining environment for analyses. The results of the activity concentration values obtained for 40K, 226Ra and 232Th are 100.22 Bq kg-1, 33.15 Bq kg-1 and 77.31 Bq kg-1 respectively. The 226Ra and 40K activities were found to be within the United Nation Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) acceptable permissible limit, but the 232Th mean value was above the permissible limit of 30 Bq kg-1 for the public. In comparison, 40K, 226Ra and 232Th soil samples mean activity concentrations were higher than the control soil samples values by 48.6%, 43.7% and 62.3% respectively. The results of estimated radiation hazard indices indicate average values of 150.72 Bq kg-1, 68.40T, 83.65µSvy-1 and 454.70µSvy-1 for the Radium Equivalent (h), iDose Equivalent (AEDE) and Annual Gonadal Equivalent Dose (AGED) respectively. The mean values for External Hazard Indices (Hex, Hin), Representative Gamma index (s) and Excess Life Cancer Risk (ELCR) were 0.41, 0.50, 1.06 and 0.29 x10-3 respectively. The statistical analysis shows positive skewness.

ASSESSMENT OF NATURAL RADIOACTIVITY LEVELS AND RADIOLOGICAL HAZARDS IN BUILDING MATERIALS

2020 ◽  
Vol 188 (3) ◽  
pp. 316-321
Author(s):  
Fei Tuo ◽  
Xuan Peng ◽  
Qiang Zhou ◽  
Jing Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Building Materials ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Absorbed Dose ◽  
Gamma Ray Spectrometry ◽  
Absorbed Dose Rate ◽  
Radium Equivalent Activity ◽  
Radiological Hazards ◽  
Radium Equivalent ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Radioactivity Levels

Abstract Radioactivity of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K were measured in a total of 92 samples, including eight commonly used types of building materials that were obtained from local manufacturers and suppliers in Beijing. Concentrations were determined using high-purity germanium gamma-ray spectrometry. The 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K activity concentrations in all samples varied from 10.1 to 661, 3.3 to 555 and 3.2 to 2945 Bq per kg with an average of 127.8, 114.8, and 701.5 Bq per kg, respectively. The potential radiological hazards were estimated by calculating the absorbed dose rate (D), radium equivalent activity (Raeq), external hazard (Hex), and internal hazard (Hin) indices. The investigated building materials were classified into different types according to the radioactivity levels. Results from this research will provide a reference for the acquisition, sales, and use of building materials. Attention should be paid to the use of coal cinder brick, ceramic, and granite in the construction of dwellings.

scholarly journals Elemental Analysis and Natural Radioactivity Levels of Clay by Gamma Ray Spectrometer and Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. R. Alharbi ◽  
A. El-Taher
Keyword(s):  
Elemental Analysis ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Natural Radionuclides ◽  
Radiation Hazard ◽  
Hazard Indices ◽  
Gamma Ray Spectrometer ◽  
Radium Equivalent ◽  
Effective Doses

Due to increased global demand for clay, the present work involves the use of INAA for elemental analysis and pollutants concentration in clay. The samples were collected from Aswan in South Egypt. The samples were irradiated using the thermal neutrons “at the TRIGA Mainz research reactor” and at a neutron flux “of 7 × 10 n/cm s”. Twenty-six elements quantitatively and qualitatively were specified for the first time upon studying the samples. The elements determined are U, Th, Ta, Hf, Lu, Eu, Ce, Ba, Sn, Nb, Rb, Zn, Co, Fe, Cr, Sc, Sm, La, Yb, As, Ga, K, Mn, Na, Ti, and Mg. The concentrations of natural radionuclides232Th,226Ra, and40K were also calculated. Based on these concentrations, to estimate the exposure risk for using clay as raw materials in building materials, the radiation hazard indices such as radium equivalent activities, effective doses rate, and the external hazard indices have been computed. The obtained results were compared with analogous studies carried out in other countries and with the UNSCEAR reports.

scholarly journals ESTIMATION ON THE RADIOLOGICAL LEVEL OF NATURAL OCCURRING RADIONUCLIDES PRESENT IN FLOODED SOIL SAMPLES IN KADUNA NORTH, NIGERIA

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (10) ◽  
pp. 81-91
Author(s):  
P.M. Gyuk ◽  
J.O. Anaegbu ◽  
H.O. Aboh ◽  
R. Daniel ◽  
A. Aruwa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Background Radiation ◽  
Absorbed Dose ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Gamma Ray Spectrometry ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Absorbed Dose Rate ◽  
Radium Equivalent Activity ◽  
Activity Concentrations ◽  
Radium Equivalent

The background radiation of the areas was collected at random for each point using a rados survey meter. The detectors (two rados survey meter were used) were placed 1 meter above the ground with the operator positioned a few meters away. Three (3) readings were taking from each detector in other to reduce error or reach accuracy in obtaining the background readings from each randomly selected point where soil samples were later collected. In the current study, the concentration levels of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMs) of 40K, 232Th, and 238U in the surface soil samples of selected areas in kigo road new extension Kaduna north, Kaduna in Nigeria were studied. The collected soil samples were analyzed by means of gamma-ray spectrometry. The mean activity concentrations of the natural occurring radionuclides of  226Ra, 232Th and 40K in the soil samples were estimated to be 62, 78.35, 227.17 Bq/kg respectively for kigo road new extension respectively. Radium equivalent activity, absorbed dose rate, annual effective dose equivalent were also calculated for assessment of radiological risk. External hazard value (Hex) is between 0.3163 and 0.9557 and Internal hazard value is between 0.4462 and 1.1618. The worldwide average activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in soil samples from various studies around the world have values of 37, 30 and 400 Bq/kg respectively [UNSCEAR, 2000]. The values compared well with published data from UNSCEAR shows Ra-226, Th-232 from the location are well above the standards while K-40 below the risk value.

Comparing of the Natural Radioactivity in Soil Samples of University at Al-Husseineya and Al-Mothafeen Sites of Kerbala, Iraq

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-191
Keyword(s):  
Natural Radioactivity ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Specific Activity ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Standard Errors ◽  
Radiological Hazard ◽  
Gis Technology ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Radiological Hazard Indices

Abstract: Radioactivity must be studied in soil to see the changes in the doses of human exposure. In this study, natural radioactivity and radiological hazard indices in soil samples of the Faculty of Agriculture (Al-Husseineya site) and the Faculty of Medicine (Al-Mothafeen site) in Kerbala Governorate were determined using gamma-ray spectroscopy. The results showed that the mean values of specific activity (in units of Bq/kg) and standard errors of: 238U, 232Th and 40K at Al-Husseineya site was 21.7±7.2, 9.43±3.2 and 335.8±82.2, respectively, while at Al-Mothafeen site, the mean values and standard errors were 22.4±8.8, 11.2±3.3 and 333.1±70.7, respectively. Radiation maps of natural radioactivity (238U, 232Th and 40K) at Al-Husseineya and Al-Mothafeen sites were mapped using geographic information system (GIS) technology. Moreover, most results in the present study fall within the acceptable levels, as defined by OCDE, UNSCEAR and ICRP. Therefore, there is no significant radiological hazard at the sites which were studied. Keywords: Radiological hazard, Natural radioactivity, Soil, NaI (Tl), Gamma-ray, Karbela University.

Examining the Effect of Gamma Radiation Exposure in Early Stage of Concrete Curing on its Strength and Long-Term Durability

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven Burnham ◽  
Long Huang ◽  
Tatjana Jevremovic
Keyword(s):  
Compressive Strength ◽  
Gamma Radiation ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Van Der Waals ◽  
Absorbed Dose ◽  
Concrete Mixture ◽  
Water Molecules ◽  
Curing Time ◽  
Measured Dose

Hydration is a main process following mixing of cement with water, producing a chemical reaction between cement particles and water molecules known as Calcium-Silica-Hydroxide (C-S-H). The C-S-H acts as a binder between coarse and fine mix aggregates. During mixing, capillary voids are formed where water can easily become trapped. The van der Waals force being the principal source of strength between such compounds, voids become detrimental to long-term strength of concrete because they decrease the amount of surface area aggregate and cement particles have to come into contact with each other. An overall decrease in both pores size and their distribution in concrete increase density, therefore increasing the van der Waals force between these particles. In order to reduce capillary pores size and their distribution, in this paper we present a result from preliminary investigation on how gamma ray exposure during the early stages of the curing process affect the concrete mixture strength values. The gamma ray enhanced curing is expected to break the water molecules trapped in capillary pores into H+ and OH−, allowing these ions to escape and therefore result in densifying the concrete mixture. Concrete cubes of 5cm3 in volumes are exposed to isotropic 137Cs gamma emitting source. The absorbed dose in cubes is measured as well as calculated using MCNP6. Each concrete cube is exposed to a 630 MBq 137Cs source for seven continuous days. The absorbed dose is experimentally measured using a Landauer nanoDot system. The average measured dose is 1.12 Gy at the front and 0.33 at the back of a concrete, totaling 0.79 Gy. The average measured dose is 0.98 Gy at the front and 0.29 Gy at the back, totaling 0.69 Gy of absorbed dose, thus showing a good agreement between the numerical predictions and experimental measurements. Compressive strength of concrete mixes exposed to gamma rays during the curing time and those cured without exposure to gamma radiation are tested. Preliminary data shows that the average compressive strength for gamma ray enhanced curing of concrete mixes is in order of 9,000 psi while the average com-pressive strength for the cubes cured in dry air is on average about 5,000 psi. A number of new experiments is planed until the time of the Conference in providing more exact answer to the question: does gamma ray enhanced curing of concrete increase its strength and reduces the curing time?

scholarly journals Measurements of natural radioactivity in soil samples collected in the Kampinoski National Park

2019 ◽  
Vol 100 ◽  
pp. 00052
Author(s):  
Aneta Łukaszek-Chmielewska ◽  
Martin Girard ◽  
Olga Stawarz ◽  
Barbara Piotrowska ◽  
Karol Wojtkowski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural Radioactivity ◽  
National Park ◽  
Natural Radionuclides ◽  
Germanium Detector ◽  
Absorbed Dose ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Radiation Hazard ◽  
Absorbed Dose Rate ◽  
Radium Equivalent Activity ◽  
Mean Values

In this article are presented the results of measurements of natural radioactivity in twelve soil samples from the Kampinoski National Park by using high purity germanium detector (HPGe). The average values of the natural radionuclides 40K, 226Ra and 228Ac concentrations in the soil samples are 8.54, 6.65 and 206 Bq/kg respectively. Additionally radiation hazard indices were calculated to evaluate the radiological risk for the public and environment. The results show that the mean values of radium equivalent activity (Raeq) and gamma absorbed dose rate (D) in the air, outdoor annual effective dose equivalent (Eout), and representative level index (Iγ) for analyzed samples were lower than the limit recommended by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effect of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR). This study is the first to evaluate the radiological impacts in the investigation area.

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