Natural radioactivity in marble stones- Jordan

Natural radioactivity has been measured in marble stone samples collected from Dabaa'h, Ajloun and Azrak areas using a gamma spectroscopy technique. The measured ²²⁶Ra activities in the stones collected from Dabaa'h quarries varied from 264.9 Bq kg⁻¹ to 369.5 Bq kg⁻¹. In samples from Ajloun and Azrak the maximum values of ²²⁶Ra were 28.3 Bq kg⁻¹ and 23.41 Bq kg⁻¹, respectively. The measured values of ²³²Th were less than 17.89 Bq kg⁻¹. The average values of the radium equivalent activities as well as external and internal hazard indices were also calculated. It was observed that for marble stones from Dabaa'h area, estimated average value of the external hazard index is 0.873 and that of internal hazard index is 1.71.     

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.     

Natural radioactivity levels for selected kinds of Egyptian sand

The monitoring and evaluation of natural radioactivity content of sixty-five different samples of sand used in building materials, black sand and its components, and therapy sand collected from different locations in Egypt have been investigated. The specific radioactivity concentration of 238U, 232Th series, and 40K were measured by gamma-ray spectrometer using a shielded HPGe. The obtained results of 238U and 232Th series as well as 40K are discussed. The absorbed dose rate of gamma radiation ranged from 15.1 to 64.1, 9.3 to 109, 751, and 32.9 to 63.4 nGy h(-1) for sand used in building materials, black sand with its components, and therapy sand samples, respectively. The representative external hazard index (H ex) for the corresponding values are also estimated and tabulated. The present results are compared with other data previously obtained from different sand areas in both Egyptian and foreign locations.     

Natural radioactivity and radon exhalation rates in building materials used in Egypt

Natural and fabricated building materials commonly used in Egypt were surveyed for both natural radionuclides content and radon exhalation rate. These include raw as well as construction products. Concentration of natural radionuclides in all samples were determined by γ-ray spectroscopy with HPGe detector. For Radon exhalation rate measurements of fabricated samples, the seal can-technique has been applied using CR-39 plastic track detectors. The radiation hazard indices of the total natural radioactivity in the studied samples were estimated. The results were compared with the corresponding results of different countries and were found to be lying within the average world values. Radon exhalation rate in the studied samples varied between 197 (cement brick) and 907 mBq m⁻² h⁻¹ (blast furnace slag cement). The results of this survey suggest that, using blast furnace slag cement for pre-coating the internal walls of buildings in the Urban region of Egypt is discouraged and the replacement of clay brick by cement brick will be more healthy for the public.     

Natural radioactivity and associated radiation hazards in building materials used in Peloponnese,Greece

Five different kinds of building materials (Pozzolanic and Portland cements, limestone, white cement, marble powder and sand) commonly used in building construction in Peloponnese, Greece, and Portland cement's raw materials were analyzed for their natural radioactivity content, using $\gamma$-ray spectrometry. Pozzolanic and Portland cement (Cem II) samples were found to contain the highest average ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K activity concentrations compared with the other examined building material samples. This could be attributed to their containing fly ash, which was found to contain high natural radionuclide concentrations, especially that of ²²⁶Ra $(1041\mathrm{Bq}{\mathrm{kg}}^{-1})$. Results obtained were compared with the results reported by other Greek researchers and the worldwide values for building materials and soil. The calculated activity concentration index $(I)$ values for all the examined building material samples were lower than the recommended exception limits for exposure to external $\gamma$-radiation.     

Essay review - Nuclear radiation,radioactivity and safety

Review of Practical Applications of Radioactivity and Nuclear Radiations . By G.C. LOWENTHAL and P.L. AIREY. (Cambridge University Press, 2001). Pp. xvii+337. £65.00, US $95.00 (hbk). ISBN 0 521 55305 9. Scope: textbook. Level: specialist and non-specialist.     

邮票上的物理学史(48)——人工放射性

约里奥 -居里夫妇错失了发现中子和正电子的机会 ,但他们是聪明能干的实验物理学家 ,又有很好的实验条件 ,“失之东隅 ,收之桑榆” ,就像卢瑟福预言的那样 ,他们因另一项工作———发现人工放射性获得了 1 935年诺贝尔化学奖 .1 934年 ,他们用钋的α射线轰击铝箔 ,发现当α源移去后 ,铝箔有放射性 ,其强度随时间按负指数律下降 .这种放射性是由α粒子打在铝 2 7上发出一个中子形成磷 30 ,α + 2 7Ａｌ→ｎ+ 3 0 Ｐ而磷 30不稳定又发射正电子　3 0 Ｐ→3 0 Ｓｉ+ｅ+ +ν而产生的 ,他们还发现其他一些由α粒子轰击而生成的放射性同位素 .现在 …     

Cluster radioactivity in xenon isotopes

Half-life time and branching ratio for cluster decay from various xenon isotopes are studied taking Coulomb and proximity potentials as interacting barrier. Inclusion of proximity potential reduces the height of potential barrier, which closely agrees with the experiments. It is found that⁴He,⁸Be,¹²C and¹⁶O emissions are well within the present upper limit for measurements (T _1/2 10³⁰ s). Our predicted half-life time values lie close to those values reported by Gupta and collaborators based on preformed cluster model (PCM) and also with those values reported by Poenaruet al based on ASAFM. The calculated half-life time shows that⁸Be from¹⁰⁸Xe and¹¹⁰Xe are most favourable for emission (T _1/2 ≈ 10⁸ s). LowestT ^1/2 value for⁸Be emission from¹⁰⁸Xe stress the role of doubly magic¹⁰⁰Sn daughter in cluster decay process. The logarithm of half-life time calculated for⁴He emission from¹¹⁰Xe is −0.39 s which is in good agreement with experimental value which is −0.40 s. Geiger-Nuttall plots for all clusters are studied and are found to be linear. Nuclear structure effect and shell effect are evident from the observed variation in slope and intercept of Geiger—Nuttall plots. It is found that neutron excess in the parent will slow down the cluster decay process.     

Two-proton radioactivity search

Two-proton radioactivity, a spontaneous breakup of elements with emission of two protons, was predicted to exist near the proton drip line by V.I. Goldansky long time ago. The recent theoretical and experimental progress in a search for such an exotic nuclear decay is reviewed. In theory, the new three-body model which treats two-proton radioactivity as a genuine three-particle nuclear decay is considered. In experiment, the first evidence for two-proton decay of ⁴⁵Fe is described. Four atoms of ⁴⁵Fe, produced at the fragment separator of GSI, decayed via particle emission with a total energy of 1.1(1) MeV and a half-life of 3.2 _?1.0 ^+2.6 ms. A possible experiment for a direct observation of two-proton emission from the ground state of ¹⁹Mg is considered for its decay in-flight. The half-life of ¹⁹Mg, as well as proton-proton correlations, might be derived from the distribution of the ¹⁹Mg decay vertices extrapolated from the measured trajectories of all fragments.     

Formation of nuclear molecules in cluster radioactivity on interpretation of the cluster radioactivity mechanism

The basis for cluster radioactivity is the property of nuclei of light isotopes of elements heavier than lead to spontaneously form clusters—nuclei of light elements—from valence nucleons, which gives rise to asymmetric nuclear molecules. The cluster formation proceeds through successive excitation-free transfer of valence nucleons to the α particle and to subsequent light nuclei. Nuclear molecule formation is accompanied by a considerable amount of released energy, which allows quantum-mechanical penetration of the cluster through the exit Coulomb barrier.     

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.     

Natural radioactivity and human exposure by raw materials and end product from cement industry used as building materials

During the manufacturing process in the cement industry, raw materials of different levels of natural radioactivity are utilized. In this study we present the radiological impact of cements as a building material and the different raw materials used in their manufacture. A total of 218 samples of raw materials and their end product cements were collected from the cement industry of Macedonia (The Former Yugoslav Republic) during the period 2005–2007. The specific activities, evaluated by gamma spectrometry analysis, showed the highest mean specific activity in fly ash (²²⁶Ra, 107 ± 45 Bq kg^?1; ²³²Th, 109 ± 30 Bq kg^?1; ⁴⁰K, 685 ± 171 Bq kg^?1), which is used as a raw material. However, the final cement product usually has relatively lower activity compared with the activity of the raw material and the mean specific activity of the final cement products were lower (²²⁶Ra, 42 ± 10 Bq kg^?1; ²³²Th, 28 ± 6 Bq kg^?1; ⁴⁰K, 264 ± 50 Bq kg^?1). The radium equivalent activity and the hazard index were calculated for each sample to assess the radiation hazard. The mean annual effective dose originating from the cements was found to be 111 ± 22 μSv y^?1, which is below the recommended EC limit of 300 μSv y^?1.     

New experimental results in proton radioactivity

A review of experimental data obtained recently on proton-radioactive nuclei is presented. The highlights include the observation of fine structure in proton emission, for the decays of ¹³¹Eu, ¹⁴⁵Tm and ¹⁴⁶Tm, and the studies of the excited states in proton-emitting nuclei. The observation limits are extended to few nanobarns cross-sections ( ¹⁴⁰Ho, ¹⁶⁴Ir and ¹³⁰Eu) and few microsecond half-lives (e.g., ¹⁴⁵Tm). Measured decay properties for thirty-nine proton-emitting ground and isomeric states contributed to the understanding of nuclear masses and evolution of single-particle states at and beyond the proton drip line. Experimental results have stimulated new theoretical approaches to proton emission and the structure of unbound narrow resonance states. Received: 21 March 2002 / Accepted: 16 May 2002 / Published online: 31 October 2002 RID="a" ID="a"e-mail: rykaczew@phy.ornl.gov     

Measurement of natural radioactivity in Jordanian sand

Sand samples were collected from Adasiah (near Amman), Jerash and Ghor As-Safi (near Karak). ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K activities, present in these samples, were measured using a gamma ray spectroscopy technique. The average values of the radium equivalent activities were calculated and were found to be 41.06 Bq kg⁻¹, 54.7 Bq kg⁻¹ and 85.53 Bq kg⁻¹ in samples collected from Adasiah, Jerash and Ghor As-Safi, respectively. These values are within the limit (i.e. less than 370 Bq kg⁻¹) recommended for the safe use of construction materials for dwellingsby OECD.     

Natural polymer-based electrolytes for electrochemical devices: a review

Polymer electrolytes are an important component of many electrochemical devices. Researchers have carried out a significant work for the development of polymer electrolytes. This paper reviews the recent developments in the area of polymer electrolytes using aqueous and nonaqueous-based natural polymers for developing a cheaper, ecofriendly, biodegradable, and widely used electrolytes as a substitute for existing synthetic polymer electrolytes. This paper also encompasses the merits and demerits of the different natural polymers used by the researcher. There is a scope to develop a nonaqueous-based natural polymer electrolyte as an alternate for synthetic polymer electrolyte for batteries and other electronic devices.     

Heavy-particle radioactivity of superheavy nuclei

The concept of heavy-particle radioactivity (HPR) is changed to allow emitted particles with Z(e) > 28 from parents with Z > 110 and daughter around (208)Pb. Calculations for superheavy (SH) nuclei with Z = 104-124 are showing a trend toward shorter half-lives and larger branching ratio relative to α decay for heavier SHs. It is possible to find regions in which HPR is stronger than alpha decay. The new mass table AME11 and the theoretical KTUY05 and FRDM95 masses are used to determine the released energy. For 124 we found isotopes with half-lives in the range of ns to ps.     

Microscopic theory of cluster radioactivity

Recent developments in the dynamical microscopic theories of cluster decay are reviewed with special emphasis on the nuclear structure aspects and physical interpretation of the models. What we call dynamical microscopic theories are those in which the decay width is derived from the nucleonic structures, of the participating nuclei, which are deduced through the solution of their equations of motion. After a brief review of the various expressions for the decay width, we turn to the nuclear-structure aspects of the problem. We thoroughly discuss the treatment of the Pauli effects in models involving macroscopic elements. We settle the long-standing controversy over the cluster-core norm operator that relates microscopic and macroscopic relative-motion wave functions in the transition amplitude. We conclude that the way the norm operator was originally introduced in the mid-1970s is in principle correct. The main part of the paper is a detailed review, in which the approaches considered are categorized according to the structure models used for the parent nucleus. The approaches discussed are the ordinary shell models, the cluster-like shell models and the Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) approach. By discussing these diverse calculations, it is concluded that the most essential prerequisite for a realistic model of the mother nucleus is that it should correctly describe the cluster correlation in the surface region. This implies that the proton-neutron interaction is indispensable, and the moderate success of ordinary shell models is accounted for by their failure to include both proton-neutron interaction and large enough bases. For the special case of a doubly-closed-shell residual state, cluster-like models are able to cope with this problem, because their bases are more economical, and, for these cases, they provide a fully satisfactory decay theory. The BCS approach, on the other hand, is widely applicable, and is the only one that has been applied to heavy-cluster decay with reasonable success. We point out, however, that the formation amplitude calculated in this model still contains approximations. We explain the success of the BCS theory by showing that, in spite of appearance, it does include proton-neutron interaction, in an effective manner. In discussing the results for the widths, we address the problem of the preformation probability of a cluster-core pair in the parent nucleus. One can be fairly confident that in the ground state of ²¹²Po the amount of core-α-clustering is as high as 20–30%, but, in respect of other cluster-decaying nuclei, the theory is not yet conclusive. We conclude that a satisfactory understanding of heavy-cluster radioactivity requires the application of both more sophisticated cluster models and improved BCS approaches.     

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.