Combustion curves of some Turkish lignites

In this study, combustion curves of twenty-five Turkish lignites were obtained through use of a differential thermal analyser. 20 mg lignite samples were heated at a constant rate of 10 deg·min^?1 in a 40 cc/min flow of air up to 1073 K and held for 10 minutes at this constant temperature. The combustion curves of the samples are compared and discussed.     

Seasonal variation of natural radionuclides and some elements in plant leaves

Leaf and aerosol samples were monthly collected in Mt. Sefuri (Fukuoka Prefecture). Radioactivities of ⁷Be, ²¹⁰Pb and ⁴⁰K were determined with gamma-ray spectrometry. The concentrations of some elements in the leaf samples were determined by neutron activation analysis. Similar seasonal variation of ⁷Be and ²¹⁰Pb was observed between leaf and aerosol samples, high in spring and winter and low in summer. Correlation factors for trace elements contained in the leaf show large variations. This indicates that the contribution of two sources (atmospheric deposition and uptake from soil) is very variable.     

Distribution of natural radionuclides

The distribution of natural nuclides and of the effective specific radioactivity in processing of the sphene concentrate was studied.Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Khimii, Vol. 77, No. 8, 2004, pp. 1237–1240.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2004 by Melnik, Lokshin, Sedneva.     

Incorporation of natural radionuclides and rare earth elements into a salt tolerant plant

A highly salt tolerant shrub, samphire (Halosarcia halocnemoides), found growing in the soild alkaline residues in an evaporation pond at a former uranium and monoazite treatment plant, has been analysed for natural radionuclides and rate earths. The data obtained have been copared with that for plants from the local natural environment. Vegetation-to-soil concentration ratios have been determined. The radionuclide concentration ratios for samples from the contaminated site are similar to those from the natural environment. Significant differences have been noted in the case of the rare earth elements with an apparent preferential incorporation of the light rare earth elements into the plant growing in the chemical residues.     

Trace metals in lignites and ashes of Greek power plants

In continuation, of an early study of trace metal /TM/ccontent of Greek lignites and power plant ashes, taken to assess mobilization of TM in Greece by the operation of power plants, new data are presented. Both power plant sites in Greece, i. e. /a/ Northern /Ptolemais, Kardia/, and /b/ Southern /Megalopolis/ have been examined for trace metal content in ashes and in locally used lignites. Instrumental neutron activation analysis /INAA/ was used to determine the content of about 30 minor and major elements. The uranium content of southern Greek lignites was found again to be exceptionally high. The new data are correlated with those of our previous investigation.     

Sorption of radionuclides on natural materials

Information about the sorption of radionuclides on natural materials used for cementation of liquid radioactive wastes (RAW) is important for predictions of migration rates of radionuclides in the products of fixation. Cementation process for conditioning liquid RAW uses, besides cement, materials which improve quality of products. In Czechoslovakia technology among these materials are clinoptilolite tuffit, mordenite tuff, tobermorite and fly ash. Liquid RAW issued from nuclear power plants contains the principal radionuclides⁶⁰Co,¹³⁴Cs and¹³⁷Cs, therefore, a sorption study of these radionuclides was carried out. pH of liquid RAW was 12.5–13.7 and salt content ca. 200 g·dm^–3. Results of sorption are given by distribution coefficients. The best results for cesium in those pH region and salt content had mordenite tuff D_Cs=100 dm³·kg^–1 and the worst results had fly ash D_Cs=4.1 dm³·kg^–1. The best results for cobalt in those solutions had tobermorite D_Co=38 dm³·kg^–1 and the worst results had fly ash D_Co=6.9 dm³·kg^–1.     

Influence of the mineral matter content on the rate of heat release from Turkish lignites

In this study, combustion curves of twenty-five original and demineralized Turkish lignite samples were obtained through use of a differential thermal analyser. The lignite samples were demineralized by treatment with hydrochloric and hydrofluoric acids. Samples of 20 mg were heated up to 1074 K at a constant rate of 10 K min^–1 in a 40 cm³ min^–1 flow of dry air. The rates of heat release from the original and demineralized samples were compared and are discussed.     

Study of natural radionuclides in Karun river region

In this study the concentration of natural radionuclides has been investigated in soil and water of Karun river by using a high resolution (HPGe detector, n-type) γ-spectrometry. The concentrations range in water sample was 47.6 ± 5.6–130.8 ± 6.3, 0.0–23.4 ± 0.5 and 0–6.4 ± 2.0 Bq L⁻¹ for ⁴⁰K, ²³²Th and ²²⁶Ra respectively. For soil samples the concentration range of 275.7 ± 8.6–458.6 ± 6.8, 19.2 ± 5.35–41.1 ± 3.95 and 29.9 ± 1.53–50 ± 1.54 Bq kg⁻¹ was obtained respectively for ⁴⁰K, ²³²Th and ²³⁸U. ¹³⁷Cs was also detected in some part of the region in soil samples. The mean concentration of ¹³⁷Cs was 5.5 ± 0.6 Bq kg⁻¹. The origin of this activity is unknown. The average absorbed dose rate in outdoor air at a height of 1 m above the ground was found to be 54.3 ± 3.7 nGy h⁻¹. The results of this study indicate that the area has standard background radiation level.     

Activity concentrations of selected artificial and natural radionuclides in water and sediment samples from the North Western Black Sea, 1999

Radioactive concentrations of several artificial and natural radionuclides were determined in water and sediment samples collected from various locations in the NW Black Sea in December 1999. For water samples, ⁹⁰Sr and ¹³⁷Cs activity concentrations were of approximately 11 mBq/l and 26.3-41.2 mBq/l, respectively. The concentration of tritium ranged from 7 to 24 T.U. In sediment samples, maximum concentrations of ¹³⁷Cs, ^239+240Pu and ²⁴¹Am were found of 128±6 Bq·kg^-1, 1.8±0.1 Bq·kg^-1 and 0.05±0.04 Bq·kg^-1, respectively. For U and Th radionuclides, the concentrations ranged from 20-80 Bq·kg^-1 and 30-50 Bq·kg^-1, respectively. The results were consistent with those reported in earlier research for the Black Sea. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Extraction of radionuclides from natural waters using alginates

Fourteen samples of wastes from algal plants were tested for possible analytical and/or technological use for⁹⁰Sr and¹³⁷Cs extraction from natural waters. Sorption experiments were carried out in static and dynanic conditions. It was noted that the examined sorbents posses high affinity for Sr²⁺. The sorption capacity reached the value of 4.72·10⁻³ mole/g. Simple and express analytical procedures for⁹⁰Sr determination were developed and tested in the Dnieper estuary region.     

Bismuth radionuclides in the natural background gamma radiation spectrum

The natural background gamma (NBG) spectrum was accumulated inside the laboratory, with 102.88 cm³ Ge(Li) detector, to investigate bismuth natural radionuclides in the energy range of 500–1700 keV. The relative intensities of identified²¹⁴Bi gamma lines were obtained from the spectrum. The results were in good agreement with that obtained from a source of a precise strength. Out of the 25 gamma lines of²¹⁴Bi, 19 lines were established including 6 lines observed for the first time in the NBG spectrum. Most of the gamma lines of²¹¹Bi and²¹²Bi were observed. Some of these lines are new.     

Distribution of some natural and anthropogenic radionuclides in Sudanese harbour sediments

The distribution of some natural and anthropogenic radionuclides (²²⁶Ra,²²⁸Ra,²¹⁰Po,⁴⁰K,¹³⁷Cs) in surface marine sediments from the harbours at Port Sudan and Sawakin on the Sudanese coast of the Red Sea has been investigated using α-spectrometry and direct high-resolution γ-spectrometry. The prime ams were to assess the levels of radioactivity and the influence of factors such as dredging and the organic matter content of the sediments on the distribution pattern of the radionuclides. The results have been evaluated and the leves indicate the absence of any possible enhancement by anthropogenic influx from the hinterland. The spatial distribution pattern is more heterogeneous in Sawakin harbour where some parts have recently been dredged and the sludge is removed to maintain the required depth. The data also show an insignificant relationship between the activity concentrations of all the radionuclides and the content of organic matter in the sediments.     

Speciation of natural and antropogenic radionuclides in different sea sediment samples

A sequential extraction method consisting of six operationally-defined fractions was used to determine the geochemical partitioning of natural (U, Th,) and antropogenic (Pu, Am, ¹³⁷Cs) radionuclides in three sediment samples of different origin (Venice Lagoon, Adriatic Sea; Gaeta Gulf, Thyrrhenian Sea; IAEA-367, Enewetak Atoll, Central Pacific Ocean). Fe, Mn, Al, Ti, Ca, Sr, Pb, Ba, K were also determined in the different fractions to get more information about the chemical association of the single radionuclides. The experimental results were compared to those described in the literature for an IAEA-135 Sea Sediment collected in the Irish Sea in front of the Sellafield Plant (UK).     

Concentration of natural radionuclides in various types of building materials in Slovakia

The building materials and products whose content of natural radionuclides are contributors to the radiation exposure of the population. In this study several types of building materials used for construction of living buildings in Slovakia were examined. The concentrations of natural radionuclides (²²⁶Ra,²³²Th and⁴⁰K) were determined by -ray spectrometry with an HPGe detector. In the second part of the work, sixty samples of building products (panel), used for dwelling construction in several towns in Slovakia, were analysed. The concentration of natural radionuclides and the radium equivalent activity content in the inner-and outerside of the wall were estimated. The results were used for the calculation of the annual mean effective photon dose rates, by the model and calculation procedure of KRISIUK and KARPOV.     

Lognormal distribution of natural radionuclides in freshwater sediments and coal-ash repositories

The distribution of natural radionuclides,⁴⁰K,²²⁶Ra, and²³²Th, in freshwater sediments and in coal-fired power-plant ash repositories has been tested for lognormality. Thereafter, lognormality for natural radionuclide concentration frequency distribution was accepted with a high probability. The lognormal natural radionuclide distribution in sediments and coal-ash indicated single population groups. The anthropogenic modifications of the natural radionuclide concentrations in the environment are indicated. The adsorbed dose rates, in mGy y^–1, in air from gamma field of the natural radionuclides were calculated.     

Levels and effects of natural radionuclides in soil samples of Garhwal Himalaya

Distribution of natural radionuclide gives significant parameter to assess the presence of gamma radioactivity and its radiological effect in our environment. Natural radionuclides are present in the form of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K in soil, rocks, water, air, and building materials. Distribution of natural radionuclides depends on the type of minerals present in the soil and rocks. For this purpose gamma spectrometer is used as tool for finding the concentration of these radionuclides. The activity concentration of naturally occurring radionuclides ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K in these soil samples were found to vary from of 8 ± 1 Bq/kg to 50 ± 10 Bq/kg with an average 20 Bq/kg, 7 ± 1–88 ± 16 Bq/kg with an Average 26 Bq/kg and 115 ± 18–885 ± 132 Bq/kg with an average 329 Bq/kg, respectively. In this paper, we are presenting the radiological effect due to distribution of natural radionuclide present in soil of Garhwal Himalaya.     

Depth profile study of natural radionuclides in the environment of coastal Kerala

The present work investigated the activity concentrations of natural radionuclides ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K in beach sand samples along coastal Kerala including high background radiation area. The activity of ²³²Th ranges from below detectable level to 23029.9 Bq kg⁻¹ with a mean value of 2660.2 Bq kg⁻¹ for 0–10 cm depth interval. For 10–20 cm depth, the ²³²Th activity ranged from below detectable to 4452.2 Bq kg⁻¹ with a mean value of 815.5 Bq kg⁻¹. The variation of ²²⁶Ra activity with depth is parallel with the ²³²Th activity distribution in beach sand. Its activity varied from below detectable to 5169.5 Bq kg⁻¹ with a mean value 487.6 Bq kg⁻¹ at 0–10 cm depth. For 10–20 cm depth interval, the ²²⁶Ra activity ranges from below detectable to 1823.6 Bq kg⁻¹ with a mean value 296.0 Bq kg⁻¹. Similarly the activity varies from below detectable to 1826.6 Bq kg⁻¹ with a mean value of 211.0 Bq kg⁻¹ for a depth interval of 20–30 cm. The activity of ⁴⁰K at different depth is also discussed. Statistical analysis of radioactivity was also carried out. The results of these investigations are presented in this paper.