scholarly journals RADIOACTIVITY OF GRANITIC ROCKS FROM NORTHERN GREECE

2017 ◽  
Vol 43 (5) ◽  
pp. 2680
Author(s):  
A. Papadopoulos ◽  
G. Christofides ◽  
C. Papastefanou ◽  
A. Koroneos ◽  
S. Stoulos
Keyword(s):  
Building Materials ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Activity Index ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Granitic Rocks ◽  
Hazard Indices ◽  
Northern Greece ◽  
Decay Products ◽  
Activity Concentrations ◽  
Low Concentrations

Forty-nine samples from several plutons in northern Greece have been studied for their activity concentrations of 40K, 226Ra and 232Th by using gamma-ray spectroscopy. The activities of 40K, 226Ra and 232Th of the majority of the samples exceed the average level of these radionuclides in soil and building materials. Samples of basic composition have very low concentrations of radionuclides while intermediate and acid rocks are more enriched in 40K, 226Ra and 232Th and their decay products. In order to assess the radiological impact from the investigated rocks, absorbed gamma dose rate (Da), annual effective dose (HE), activity index (AI) and gamma-ray index (Iγ) were estimated. The activity concentrations and hazard indices were compared to those of plutonic rock samples from all over the world, as well as other building materials. The average of hazard indices of Greek granites is below ‘world’ average in all cases. Moreover, it is still bellow the criteria of UNSCEAR (2000). Therefore, at least from radiological point of view and for the investigated rocks, the use of granites from northern Greece as building materials is recommended.

scholarly journals Natural Radioactivity, Radiological Hazard and Petrographical Studies on Aswan Granites Used as Building Materials in Egypt

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (14) ◽  
pp. 6471
Author(s):  
Nasser M. Moghazy ◽  
Amira M. El-Tohamy ◽  
Mona M. Fawzy ◽  
Hamdy A. Awad ◽  
Hesham M. H. Zakaly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural Radioactivity ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Natural Radionuclides ◽  
Polarized Light ◽  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
Mineralogical Composition ◽  
Eastern Desert ◽  
Granitic Rocks ◽  
Gamma Ray Spectrometry

The present study was carried out on commercial types of Aswan granite used as building and decorative materials. Nearly 29 granitic rocks samples from 11 classes (black Aswan, red Aswan, dark Rosa, light Rosa, yellow Verdi, grey Shirka, Gandolla, Forsan, red Nefertiti, Royal, and white Halayeb) were collected from three stations near Aswan city for petrographical description and assessment of natural radioactivity. The petrographical study of granites was conducted by polarized-light microscope in order to determine their mineralogical composition and investigate their texture; the activity of the natural radionuclides 238U, Ra226, 232Th, and 40K was measured by gamma-ray spectrometry with a NaI(Tl) detector. The average values of the activities, 52.2 Bq kg−1, 57.8 Bq kg−1, 31.2 Bq kg−1, and 1055.7 Bq kg−1 of U-238, Th-232, Ra-226, and K-40, respectively, were higher than that the world average values of 35 Bq kg−1, 30 Bq kg−1 and 400 Bq kg−1 for 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K, respectively, according to the recommended levels from UNSCEAR reports. The minimum and maximum values obtained were compared with the value ranges from other locations in the Eastern Desert, highlighting the fact that that the maximum values obtained in this work are higher than those in other areas. According to the radiological hazards indices results, most samples lie in the permissible level ranges, suggesting their favorability for use as building materials. In contrast to that, some samples have some environmental parameters higher than the international levels, indicating their unsuitability as building materials.

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 Natural Radioactivity in Some Building Materials Originating from a High Background Radiation Area

2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (6) ◽  
pp. 70-78
Author(s):  
Kinsara A.A ◽  
Shabana E.I ◽  
Qutub M.M.T
Keyword(s):  
Building Materials ◽  
Background Radiation ◽  
Natural Background ◽  
Hazard Indices ◽  
High Background ◽  
Activity Concentrations ◽  
Metavolcanic Rocks ◽  
High Background Radiation Area ◽  
Radiation Area ◽  
Radioactivity Levels

Twenty four samples of building materials, collected from utilized quarries dispersed randomly in a high natural background radiation area, were analyzed for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K by γ-spectrometry. This area lies in Hail province, Saudi Arabia. The collected samples were fragmented granites, granite gravels with clays, sands and crushed black rocks (mafic metavolcanic rocks). The results showed that the highest activity concentrations were found in the fragmented granite materials and ranged from 144-207, 671-1058 and 964-1440 Bq/kg with average values of 194, 912 and 1320 Bq/kg for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K, respectively. The lowest activity concentrations were found in the black rock materials which ranged from 19-39, 47-125 and 212-306 Bq/kg with average values of 24, 82 and 255 Bq/kg for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K, respectively. The radioactivity levels in the other materials lie somewhere in between. Granites and clays exceeded the proposed hazard indices for the usage as building materials and should be restricted, whereas the sands and the crushed black rocks complied with these indices and can be used without restrictions.

scholarly journals External radiation exposure of the Angolan population living in adobe houses

2019 ◽  
Vol 323 (1) ◽  
pp. 353-364 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith Salupeto-Dembo ◽  
Zsuzsanna Szabó-Krausz ◽  
Péter Völgyesi ◽  
Zoltán Kis ◽  
Csaba Szabό
Keyword(s):  
Building Material ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Radiation Risk ◽  
Radiation Hazard ◽  
External Radiation ◽  
Hazard Indices ◽  
Remote Areas ◽  
Activity Concentrations ◽  
Radiation Hazard Indices ◽  
Geological Formations

AbstractThis study aims to investigate the radioactivity of adobe in Angola, where it is a widely used building material. Sixty samples have been collected from three remote areas of the country with different geological backgrounds (Cabinda, Huambo, Menongue). Activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K have been determined by gamma-ray spectroscopy and radiation hazard indices were also calculated. The area Huambo shows elevated 226Ra and 232Th values which can be explained by its older geological formations. 40K concentrations are low in general. Regarding external radiation risk, adobe from Angola is safe to use as building material.

scholarly journals Natural radioactivity and radiological risks of common building materials used in Semnan Province dwellings, Iran

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Morteza Imani ◽  
Mohammademad Adelikhah ◽  
Amin Shahrokhi ◽  
Ghazaleh Azimpour ◽  
Ali Yadollahi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Building Materials ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Health Hazard ◽  
Radiation Risk ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Activity Concentrations ◽  
Radiological Health ◽  
Hazard Parameters ◽  
Semnan Province

AbstractImpact assessment of building materials is a focused topic in the field of radioecology. A radiological survey has conducted to monitor radioactivity of most common building materials in Semnan Province, Iran, and assess the radiation risk. Activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K were measured in 29 samples including nine commonly used building materials that were collected from local suppliers and manufacturers, using a high purity germanium gamma-ray detector. The activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K varied from 6.7±1 to 43.6±9, 5.9±1 to 60±11, and 28.5±3 to 1085±113 Bq kg−1 with averages of 26.8±5, 22.7±4, and 322.4±4 Bq kg−1, respectively. By applying multivariate statistical approach (Pearson correlation, cluster, and principal component analyses (PCA)), the radiological health hazard parameters were analyzed to obtain similarities and correlations between the various samples. The Pearson correlation showed that the 226Ra distribution in the samples is controlled by changing the 232Th concentration. The variance of 95.58% obtained from PCA resulted that the main radiological health hazard parameters exist due to the concentration of 226Ra and 232Th. The resulting dendrogram of cluster analysis also shows a well coincidence with the correlation analysis.

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 Natural radiation exposure and radon exhalation rate of building materials used in Turkey

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-166
Author(s):  
Seref Turhan ◽  
Alper Temirci ◽  
Asli Kurnaz ◽  
Aydan Altikulac ◽  
Elif Goren ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radiation Exposure ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Germanium Detector ◽  
Gamma Ray Spectrometry ◽  
Limit Values ◽  
Radon Exhalation ◽  
Activity Concentrations ◽  
Materials Used ◽  
Radioactivity Levels

Measuring the natural radioactivity levels and radon exhalation rates (surface and mass) in building materials is essential to evaluate the extent of radiation exposure (external and internal) for residents in dwellings. Gamma-ray spectrometry with a high purity germanium detector was used to measure the activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in some building materials used in Turkey. Moreover, an active radon gas analyser with an accumulation container was used to measure their radon surface and mass exhalation rates. Results showed that the activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K varied from 5.2 ? 0.6 (satin plaster) to 187.0 ? 2.4 (granite) Bqkg-1, 2.6 ? 0.8 (gypsum) to 172.2 ? 7.6 (granite) Bqkg-1 and 12.3 ? ? 17.0 (sand) to 1958.0 ? 83.4 (brick) Bqkg-1, respectively. Radon surface and mass exhalation rates varied from 2.9 (marble) to 2734.6 mBqm-2h-1(granite) and 0.033 (marble) to 53.866 mBqkg-1h-1 (granite), respectively. The activity concentration index, indoor absorbed gamma dose rate and corresponding annual effective dose were estimated and compared with the recommended limit values. The results indicated that the building materials sampled presented no significant radiological risk.

scholarly journals Assessment of Beach sand using Gamma Ray Spectrometer in Thiruvanathapuram District, Kerala of South India

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ajithra Abinesh ◽  
Shanthi G.
Keyword(s):  
Tamil Nadu ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Background Radiation ◽  
Beach Sand ◽  
Hazard Indices ◽  
Air Exposure ◽  
High Background ◽  
Activity Concentrations ◽  
The World ◽  
The Waves

<div><p><em>It is well recognized fact that some areas of the world have anomalously high levels of natural background radiation referred to as high background radiation areas (HBRAs).  Typical examples include Yangjiang in China, Rasmar in Iran and In India, part of coastal areas of Kerala and Tamil Nadu fall in this category.  It has been established earlier that the cause for this high background is the presence of monazite (thorium). This study focuses on the estimation of the environmental radioactivity levels in the beach sands of </em><em>Thiruvanathapuram district, Kerala. </em><em> </em></p></div><p><em>Using high resolution gamma ray spectroscopy activity concentrations of <sup>40</sup>K, <sup>238</sup>U &amp; <sup>232</sup>Th were estimated. Activity concentrations ranged from 17-154 Bq/kg for <sup>40</sup>K, from 4 to 100 Bq/kg for <sup>238</sup>U and from 6 to 296 Bq/kg for <sup>232</sup>Th.The mean activity concentration values obtained for the radionuclide are below than the world average values reported by the UNSCEAR. Subsequently assessed radiological effects show that the mean radium equivalent activity is 65 Bq/kg. The range of the calculated air exposure rate was between 14.2 to 228.1 nGy/h in both 0 m from the Waves and 10 m from the Waves. The values of external and internal radiation hazard indices are found to be less than unity. Measured natural radioactivity, hazard indices and effective dose received by the population were found to within the recommended limits. This work provides a good baseline data of natural radioactive elements for the sand of the area and  its radiological significance. </em></p>

scholarly journals Natural radioactivity of rocks from the historic Jeroným Mine in the Czech Republic

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (18) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dariusz Malczewski ◽  
Maria Dziurowicz ◽  
Zdenek Kalab ◽  
Marketa Rösnerová
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Natural Radioactivity ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Hazard Index ◽  
Metal Extraction ◽  
Radiation Hazard ◽  
Gamma Ray Spectrometry ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Activity Concentrations

AbstractThis study reports the natural radioactivity of characteristic rocks found in the historic Jeroným Mine of the Czech Republic as measured under the laboratory conditions. The rocks analyzed included granites and schists weathered to varying degrees and collected from different levels of the underground workings of the Jeroným Mine. The mine itself has been subject to metal extraction (mainly tin and tungsten) since the sixteenth century and has recently been developed as a cultural and scientific attraction open to the public. Activity concentrations of 40K, 232Th and 238U were measured from nine rock samples using gamma-ray spectrometry. The activity concentrations of 40K varied from 595 Bq kg−1 to 1244 Bq kg−1, while 232Th varied from 25 Bq kg−1 to 55 Bq kg−1. The activities associated with 238U ranged from 46 Bq kg−1 to 386 Bq kg−1. The measured activities were used to estimate two radiation hazard indices typically applied to building materials, the activity concentration index I and the external hazard index Hex. Mean respective values of 1.02 and 0.77 for I and Hex indicate that the rocks found in the Jeroným Mine meet radiological safety standards for building materials and do not pose a risk to potential tourists and staff.

scholarly journals Spatial Distributions and Risk Assessment of the Natural Radionuclides in the Granitic Rocks from the Eastern Desert, Egypt

Minerals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 386
Author(s):  
Hany El-Gamal ◽  
Essam Sidique ◽  
Mervat El-Haddad
Keyword(s):  
Dose Rate ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Activity Index ◽  
Natural Radionuclides ◽  
Radiation Risk ◽  
Eastern Desert ◽  
Risk Indicators ◽  
Granitic Rocks ◽  
Absorbed Dose Rate ◽  
Lifetime Cancer Risk

This paper investigates the distribution of four natural radioisotopes 238U, 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in one hundred twenty-five granitic samples covering sixteen mountainous areas situated at the northern, central and southern parts of the Eastern Desert of Egypt (EDE). The concentrations of the examined radioisotopes in the collected samples were recognized utilizing a HPGe detector based gamma spectrometry. The average concentrations of these radioisotopes were higher when compared with the worldwide reference values. The radiation risk indicators including the radium equivalent activity index (Raeq), external and internal hazard indicators (Hex and Hin), external and internal level indicators (Iα and Iγ), absorbed dose rate (ADR), annual effective dose rate (AEDR), annual gonadal dosage equivalent (AGDE), and excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR), associated with these radioisotopes have been calculated and compared with their recommended global values and safety limits. These indicators showed that the granites from most studied areas exceeded the universal standards pointing to the difficulty of using them as building materials. This study together with future investigations will serve to develop an essential database for future environmental monitoring surveys.

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