Natural radioactivity levels and associated health hazards from the terrestrial ecosystem in Rosetta branch of the River Nile,Egypt

Twenty soil and 25 sediment samples were collected from the banks and bottom of the River Nile in the surroundings of biggest cities located close to it. Natural radioactivity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K have been evaluated for all samples by means of γ spectrometric analysis. The radioactivity levels of soil and sediment samples fall within the internationally recommended values. Nevertheless, high natural background radiation zones are detected in the Kafr El-Zayat region due to the presence of a fertilizer factory, and in the Rosetta region due to the presence of black sand deposits. The absorbed dose rate, the γ index and excess life time cancer risk are calculated. High values for some of the radiation health parameters are detected in the Kafr El-Zayat and Rosetta regions representing a serious problem to public health because the soil and sediment are used as constructing material for buildings. Furthermore, the isotope analysis of uranium for representative collected sediment samples via α spectrometry showed average specific activities of 18.7?±?3.6, 0.087?±?0.0038 and 18.6?±?3.8 Bq kg^–1 for ²³⁴U, ²³⁵U and ²³⁸U, respectively. In general, these values confirm the balance in the isotopic abundance of U isotopes.     

Interpolated mapping and investigation of environmental radioactivity levels in soils and mushrooms in the Middle Black Sea Region of Turkey

The activity concentration of natural (²³⁸U, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K) and artificial (¹³⁷Cs) radionuclides was determined in 50 samples (obtained from the same station) from various species of mushrooms and soil collected from the Middle Black Sea Region (Turkey). The activities of ²³⁸U, ²³²Th, ⁴⁰K, and ¹³⁷Cs were found as 84 ± 16, 45 ± 14, 570 ± 28, and 64 ± 6?Bq?kg^–1 (dry weight), respectively, in the mushroom samples and as 51?±?6, 41?±?6, 201?±?11, and 44?±?4?Bq?kg^–1, respectively, in the soil samples for the entire area of study. The results of all radionuclide activity measurements, except those of ²³⁸U and ²³²Th in the mushroom samples, are consistent with previous studies. In the soil samples, the mean values of ²³⁸U and ²³²Th are above the world mean, and the activity mean of ⁴⁰K is below the world mean. Finally, the activity estimation was made with both the soil and mushroom samples for unmeasured points within the study area by using the ordinary kriging method. Radiological distribution maps were generated.     

Unexpected radiation hazard in dyes of textiles

Textile dyes are among the most problematic pollutants because of their toxicity on several organisms and ecosystems. Many of the chemicals used in the textile industry may represent some health concerns. The determination of the radioactivity in textile dyes is therefore very important for both human health and environment. The study was designated to determine, for the first time, the values of ²³⁸U, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K in nine different dyes employed in the textile industry using gamma spectrometry with a Hyper Pure Germanium (HPGe) detector. The mean activity concentrations of ²³⁸U, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K were 29.37?±?4.48, 1.15?±?0.13 and 565?±?4 Bq/kg, respectively. The calculated radium equivalents for all samples were lower than the maximum admissible value (370 Bq/kg). The absorbed dose rates due to the natural radioactivity of the investigated samples ranged from 2.94?±?0.05 to 166?±?3 nGy/h. So, the absorbed dose rates for all samples of textile dyes were lower than the international recommended value (55 nGy/h) except the yellow dye (166?±?3 nGy/h), which recorded a significant radiological hazard. The external hazard index was also calculated. Conclusively, the results have indicated that the textile dyes may possess a measurable amount of radioactivity that should be taken into account. Therefore, safety rules and precautions should be applied for dyes used in the textile industry and for people working in this field.     

Natural radioactivity and radiation hazards assessment of soil samples from the area of Tuzla and Lukavac,Bosnia and Herzegovina

The results of activity concentration measurements of natural occurring radioactive nuclides ²³⁸U, ²³⁵U, ²³²Th, ²²⁶Ra, and ⁴⁰K in surface soil samples collected in the area of cities Tuzla and Lukavac, northeast region of Bosnia and Herzegovina were presented. Soil sampling was conducted at the localities that are situated in the vicinity of industrial zones of these cities. The measured activity was in the range from (8?±?4) to (95?±?28) Bq kg^–1 for ²³⁸U, from (0.41?±?0.06) to (4.6?±?0.7) Bq kg^–1 for ²³⁵U, from (7?±?1) to (66?±?7) Bq kg^–1 for ²³²Th, from (6?±?1) to (55?±?6) Bq kg^–1 for ²²⁶Ra, and from (83?±?12) to (546?±?55) Bq kg^–1 for ⁴⁰K. In order to evaluate the radiological hazard of the natural radioactivity for people living near industrial zones, the absorbed dose rate, the annual effective dose and the radium equivalent activity have been calculated and compared with the internationally approved values.     

Natural radioactivity measurements in Pahang State,Malaysia

This study was aimed at providing the baseline data of terrestrial gamma dose rates and natural radioactivity to assess the corresponding health risk in the ambient environment of the Pahang State. Terrestrial gamma radiation (TGR) from 640 locations was measured with the mean value found to be 176?±?5 nGy h^?1. Ninety-eight soil samples were analysed using a high-purity germanium detector (HPGe), and the mean concentrations of the radionuclides ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K are 110?±?3, 151?±?5 and 542?±?51 Bq kg^?1, respectively.²²⁶Ra and ²³²Th concentrations were found to be three times the world average, while that of ⁴⁰K is quite higher than the world average value. The acid-intrusive geological formation has the highest mean concentrations for ²²⁶Ra (215?±?6 Bq kg^?1), ²³²Th (384?±?12 Bq kg^?1) and ⁴⁰K (1564?±?153 Bq kg^?1). The radium equivalent activities (Req) and the external hazard index (Hex) for the various soil types were also calculated. Some of the soil types were found to have values exceeding the internationally recommended levels of 370 Bq kg^?1 and the unity value, respectively.     

Radioactivity concentrations in topsoil samples from the Thrace region of Turkey and assessment of radiological hazard

The activity concentrations of gamma emitting radionuclides were measured in surface soil samples from the Thrace region. ²³²Th, ²³⁸U, ²²⁶Ra, ⁴⁰K and ¹³⁷Cs activities and physico-chemical parameters of the soil samples were determined in samples collected from 73 sampling stations. Radionuclide concentrations measured were compared with those found in the samples from other locations of Turkey and from different countries. The average activity concentrations of ²³²Th, ²³⁸U, ²²⁶Ra, ⁴⁰K and ¹³⁷Cs were found to be 24.71 ± 8.79, 22.30 ± 7.93, 32.09±12.44, 509.00±160.05, 32.74±29.24 Bq kg^?1, respectively. The mean value of the annual effective dose equivalent from the outdoor terrestrial gamma radiation was calculated as 57.2 μ Sv.     

Statistical relationship between activity concentrations of radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th, 40K,and 137Cs and geological formations in surface soil of Jordan

An extensive study was conducted to determine the activity concentrations of natural and artificial radionuclides ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, ⁴⁰K, and ¹³⁷Cs in soil samples of each governate of Jordan. A total of 370 samples have been measured using a high-purity germanium detector. The activity concentration for ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, ⁴⁰K, and ¹³⁷Cs has mean values of 42?±?3, 23?±?3, 309?±?21, and 3.7?±?0.9 Bq kg^–1, respectively. The highest mean activity concentration for ²²⁶Ra was found to be 138?±?4 Bq kg^–1 in the Alkarak governate. In the Ajloun and Jarash governates, the highest mean activity concentration was 35?±?3 Bq kg^–1 for ²³²Th, and 14.2?±?1.9 Bq kg^–1 for ¹³⁷Cs, respectively. Geological influence on the activity concentrations was investigated using the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and independent samples. The ANOVA results indicate that there are strong significant differences between the activity concentrations of ²³²Th, ⁴⁰K, and ¹³⁷Cs based on geological formations the radionuclides occur. The main contribution to gamma dose rate was due to ²²⁶Ra activity concentration. Radium equivalent and external hazard index are associated with a mean value of 98 Bq kg^–1, and 0.266, respectively.     

The influence of the nature of soil and plant and pollution on the 238U, 232Th, 222Rn and 220Rn concentrations in various natural honey samples using nuclear track detectors: Impact on the adult consumers

²³⁸U and ²³²Th concentrations as well as ²²²Rn and ²²⁰Rn α-activities per unit volume were measured in various natural honey samples collected from different regions in Morocco using CR-39 and LR-115 type II solid state nuclear track detectors (SSNTDs). These radionuclides were also measured in soils, plant flowers and nectar solutions corresponding to the honey samples studied. In addition, these radionuclides were measured in different imported honey samples. The measured ²³⁸U, ²³²Th, ²²²Rn and ²²⁰Rn concentrations ranged from (1.5±0.1) mBq kg⁻¹ to (10.6±0.6) mBq kg⁻¹, (1.1±0.1) mBq kg⁻¹ to (4.2±0.2) mBq kg⁻¹, (1.5±0.1) Bq kg⁻¹ to (10.6±0.6) Bq kg⁻¹ and (1.1±0.1) Bq kg⁻¹ to (4.2±0.2) Bq kg⁻¹ for the honey samples studied, respectively. Annual ²³⁸U, ²³²Th and ²²²Rn intakes by Moroccan adults from the consumption of honey were assessed. The influence of the nature of soil and plant on the ²³⁸U and ²³²Th contents of the studied honey samples was investigated. These measurements were completed by an investigation of the ²³⁸U and ²³²Th transfer between soils and plant flowers and that between plant flowers and honey, and also by the investigation of the influence of pollution due to different material dusts on ²³⁸U, ²³²Th and ²²²Rn in the honey samples studied. Committed equivalent doses due to the annual intake of ²³⁸U, ²³²Th and ²²²Rn were evaluated in the organs of adult members of the Moroccan rural population from the ingestion of the honey samples. The maximum total committed effective dose due to ²³⁸U, ²³²Th and ²²²Rn from the ingestion of natural honey by the Moroccan rural population was found to be equal to 0.64 μ Sv y⁻¹.     

The determination of concentrations of radioisotopes in some granite samples in Turkey and their radiation hazards

The primordial radionuclides activity concentrations (²²⁶Ra, ⁴⁰K and ²³²Th) are measured in some granite samples in this study. The collected granite materials are analyzed with NaI(Tl) gamma-ray spectrometry. The specific activity of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K values are in range 2.60?±?0.10 to 178.9?±?0.6?Bq?kg^?1, 1.46?±?0.10 to 162.50?±?0.75?Bq?kg^?1 and 19.8?±?0.3 to 579.7?±?2.8?Bq?kg^?1 respectively. The radium’s equivalent activity, annual effective dose, absorbed dose rate, hazard index, radioactivity level index, activity utilization’s index and exposure rate are calculated for determination of radiological risk. The concentration of ²²⁶Ra (in the 71.4% of samples), ²³²Th (in the 71.4% of samples) and ⁴⁰K (in the 14.3% of samples) in the granite samples are higher than average radioactivity concentrations of this radio-isotopes defined by ICRP (35.0, 30.0 and 400.0?Bq?kg^?1, respectively).     

Assessment of radiological hazard parameters due to natural radioactivity in soils from granite-rich regions in Kütahya Province,Turkey

The analysis of natural radioactivity from ²³⁸U, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K in 357 soil samples collected from the province of Kütahya was carried out using a NaI(Tl) gamma-ray spectroscopy system at the Nuclear Physics Research Laboratory, Dumlup?nar University, Kütahya, Turkey. The specific activities of ²³⁸U, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K in the soil samples were evaluated. From the activity concentrations of ²³⁸U, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K, the total absorbed outdoor gamma-ray dose rates and the corresponding annual effective dose rates were determined. The corresponding values of the external and internal hazard indices of all the soil samples were also calculated. The external gamma-ray dose rate at 1 m above the ground was directly measured at each collected soil sample location. The results obtained in this study were compared within the limits of values obtained in other cities of Turkey, those in other countries. Radiological maps of Kütahya Province were constructed from the results of this study.     

Evaluation of some pollutant levels in environmental samples collected from the area of the new campus of Taif University

The levels of radioactivity and heavy metals in soil, plant and groundwater samples collected from the area of the new campus of Taif University, Saudi Arabia, and its neighbouring areas have been determined. High-resolution gamma-ray spectroscopy was used for radioactivity measurements, and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy was used to determine the concentration of heavy metals. The means of ²²⁶Ra, ²²⁸Ra and ⁴⁰K concentrations in water samples collected from four wells were found to be 0.13±0.03, 0.05±0.03 and 1.3±0.5 Bq l^?1, respectively. The means of ²³⁸U, ²²⁶Ra, ²²⁸Ra (²³²Th for soil samples) and ⁴⁰K concentrations in wild plant and soil samples were found to be 3.7±4.1, 8.8±11.6, 3.8±2.9 and 1025±685, and 8.6±3.4, 12.8±3.4, 16.6±7.1 and 618±82 Bq kg^?1 dry weight (DW), respectively. The ¹³⁷Cs of artificial origin was also detected in soil samples with a mean concentration of 3.8±2.2 Bq kg^?1 DW. Evaluating the results, it can be concluded that the concentrations of ²³⁸U, ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K in soil samples fall within the world average. Furthermore, 19 trace and major elements in groundwater samples and 22 elements in soil and plant samples were determined. The sampling locations of soil can be classified into three groups (relatively high, medium and low polluted) according to their calculated metal pollution index using the contents of trace and major elements. A cluster analysis of the contents of radioactivity and trace element contents in soil samples shows the presence of two main distinct clusters of sampling locations.     

Measurement of radionuclides and absorbed dose rates in soil samples of Peshawar,Pakistan, using gamma ray spectrometry

The analysis of gamma-emitting radionuclides in nature, i.e. ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, ⁴⁰K and ¹³⁷Cs, has been carried out in soil samples collected from Peshawar University Campus and surrounding areas using a high purity germanium detector coupled with a computer-based high-resolution multichannel analyser. The activity concentrations in soil ranged from 30.20±0.65 to 61.90±0.95, 50.10±0.54 to 102.80±1.04, 373.60±4.56 to 1082±11.38 and 9.50±0.11 to 46.60±0.42 Bq kg^?1 for ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, ⁴⁰K and ¹³⁷Cs, with a mean value of 45±7.70, 67±12.50, 878±180 and 19±9.20 Bq kg^?1, respectively. The radium equivalent activity, internal and external hazard indices have mean values of 203.40±29.40 Bq kg^?1, 0.56 and 0.68, respectively. The mean values of outdoor and indoor absorbed dose rates in air and the annual effective dose equivalents were found to be 106.50 and 128 nGy h^?1 and 0.19 and 0.54 mSv y^?1, respectively. In the present study, ⁴⁰K was the major radionuclide present in soil samples. The presence of ¹³⁷Cs indicates that this area also received some fallout from the nuclear accident of the Chernobyl power plant in 1986. The activity concentrations of radionuclides found in soil samples during the current investigation were nominal. Therefore, they are not associated with any potential source of health hazard to the public.     

Environmental and radio-ecological studies on shallow marine sediments from harbour areas along the Red Sea coast of Egypt for identification of anthropogenic impacts

Analysis of marine sediments of the studied localities provides investigators with data to characterise the composition of these sediments allowing for the identification of particular pollution sources. A study of texture, geochemistry, X-ray diffraction and natural radionuclide content of shallow marine sediments from Quseir harbour, Safaga harbour and El-Esh area in the Red Sea coast of Egypt was conducted for the purpose of assessing the possible influence of human activities on the composition of the sediments. The activity concentrations of the naturally occurring radionuclides ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K were measured by using γ-ray spectrometry. The mean activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K in all areas studied were found to be 71±6, 66±5 and 92±7 Bq kg^?1 for ²²⁶Ra, 83±5, 71±7 and 162±23 Bq kg^?1 for ²³²Th and 513±10, 493±20 and 681±28 Bq kg^?1 for ⁴⁰K, respectively. The results of the study presented were compared with corresponding results obtained in other coastal and aquatic environments in the Red Sea.     

Energy Dependence of the Most Stable Nuclei Production in Proton-Induced 238U and 232Th Fission

Using the available experimental data, production cross sections of the most stable nuclei have been calculated for the proton-induced fission of ²³⁸U and ²³²Th at 12, 20, 35, 50, 96 MeV in case of ²³⁸U and at 8, 9.3, 12, 19.55, 32.2, 44.7, 53 MeV for ²³²Th. The analysis has been carried out for the fission fragment mass ranges corresponding to N/Z ratios in the ranges 1.33 ± 0.09 and 1.32 ± 0.08 for ²³⁸U and ²³²Th respectively. Results have been compared with the ones generated indirectly by employing GEF nuclear reaction code, version 2017/1.1. From the production cross sections point of view, for the same energy, ²³²Th is found to be a better target than ²³⁸U for producing nuclei A around the symmetric mass peak, while ²³⁸U comes out to be a better one than ²³²Th for producing the fission fragments around the asymmetric peaks of the mass distribution.

     

Radiation dose-dependent risk on individuals due to ingestion of uranium and radon concentration in drinking water samples of four districts of Haryana,India

Uranium gets into drinking water when the minerals containing uranium are dissolved in groundwater. Uranium and radon concentrations have been measured in drinking water samples from different water sources such as hand pumps, tube wells and bore wells at different depths from various locations of four districts (Jind, Rohtak, Panipat and Sonipat) of Haryana, India, using the LED flourimetry technique and RAD7, electronic silicon solid state detector. The uranium (²³⁸U) and radon (²²²Rn) concentrations in water samples have been found to vary from 1.07 to 40.25?µg?L^?1 with an average of 17.91?µg?L^?1 and 16.06?±?0.97 to 57.35?±?1.28?Bq?L^?1 with an average of 32.98?±?2.45?Bq?L^?1, respectively. The observed value of radon concentration in 43 samples exceeded the recommended limits of 11?Bq?L^?1 (USEPA) and all the values are within the European Commission recommended limit of 100?Bq?L^?1. The average value of uranium concentration is observed to be within the safe limit recommended by World Health Organization (WHO) and Atomic Energy Regulatory Board. The annual effective dose has also been measured in all the water samples and is found to be below the prescribed dose limit of 100?µSv?y^?1 recommended by WHO. Risk assessment of uranium in water is also calculated using life time cancer risk, life time average daily dose and hazard quotient. The high uranium concentration observed in certain areas is due to interaction of ground water with the soil formation of this region and the local subsurface geology of the region.     

Geological influence on the activity concentration of terrestrial radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in the Jos Plateau,Nigeria

The Jos Plateau has been reported to have elevated levels of natural background radiation. A few earlier studies have measured the levels of natural radioactivity for specific locations in the area. Our interest is to investigate how geology of the study area influences the activity concentrations of natural radionuclides. Thus, the activity concentrations of terrestrial radionuclides in soil samples collected across the geological formations of the Jos Plateau were determined by gamma spectrometry technique. The mean activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K were found to exceed their corresponding world reference values of 35, 40 and 400?Bq?kg^?1, respectively. Data were compared using statistical methods, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post hoc tests. The results revealed in some instances significant influences of geological types on the activity concentrations in the area. The spatial distribution maps of activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K were geostatistically interpolated by ordinary Kriging method using ArcGIS software.     

Determination of terrestrial gamma, 238U, 232Th and 40K in soil along fracture zones

²³⁸U, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K concentrations in 72 soil samples from two major fault systems (North and East Anatolian Active Fault Sytems) in Turkey have been studied. However, terrestrial gamma radiation dose originated by natural radionuclides in soil was measured and compared with other measurements in literature for different countries. This extensive survey regarding U, Th and K radionuclide and terrestrial gamma dose measurement was carried out by means of NaI(TI) gamma spectroscopic system and a dose rate meter, respectively. The mean concentration of ²³⁸U, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K in soil samples in NAFS is higher than determined in EAFS. The measured and calculated mean gamma dose rates in two fault systems are found to be higher than 57 nGyh⁻¹.     

Influence of collective rotational degrees of freedom in medium energy fission

In the present work rms angular momenta have been deduced for the fission fragments corresponding to¹³¹Te^m,g and¹³³Te^m,g in²³²Th(α _{40 MeV},f) and²³⁸U(α _{40 MeV},f) systems from the radiochemically determined independent isomeric yield ratios and statistical model based analysis. For¹³¹Te and¹³³Te the rms angular momenta deduced are 5.9±1.0 and 7.9±1.2 ? respectively in²³²Th(α _{40 MeV},f) and 7.2±0.6 and 8.0±0.8 ? respectively in²³⁸U(α ₄₀ MeV,f). Comparison of the present data with the literature data for these fragments in the same compound nuclei²³⁶U^* and²⁴²Pu^* at lower excitation energies shows increase in the fragment angular momentum with increasing excitation energy and angular momenta of the fissioning nuclei. Fragment angular momentum deduced theoretically for asymmetric and deformed fragments on the basis of thermal equilibration of the collective rotational degrees e.g., rigid rotation, wriggling, tilting, bending and twisting modes considering the effect of multichance fission, are in good agreement with the experimental observations.