Radioactivity measurements in the environment of the Udhampur area,Jammu and Kashmir Himalayas,India

LR-115 plastic track detectors have been used for the measurement of radon exhalation rate and radium concentration in soil samples collected from some villages of the Udhampur district, Jammu and Kashmir, India. Uranium concentration has also been determined in these soil samples using the fission track registration technique. Radium concentration in soil samples varies from 5.46 to 19.17 Bqkg^?1, whereas uranium concentration varies from 2.53 to 3.65 ppm. The radon exhalation rate in these samples has been found to vary from 6.42 to 22.47 mB kg^?1 hr^?1. The work is undertaken for health risk assessments due to uranium and radium in the study area. A positive correlation has been observed between uranium and radium, as well as uranium and radon exhalation rate in soil samples.     

基于ICP-OES分析的某尾矿库土壤铀分布特征与污染评价

通过三维取样分析,对江西某铀矿田下游水稻土壤铀含量进行测定,结果表明表层土壤中铀含量介于1.34～13.39 μg·g-1;利用surfer软件,对该区块土壤铀含量进行直观绘图,绘制四组剖线铀含量变化图,可见其与距矿山距离负相关;经过翻耕的土壤铀含量变化受到一些干扰,但在origin软件绘图中仍可见其在40 cm深处达到最大值,均达到10 μg·g-1以上,这可能与植物吸附,核素迁移规律等有关。经土壤综合污染指数评价,该地区为轻度污染。综合以上分析,铀矿山尾矿库的废水渗漏是造成这些现象的主要原因。其中,铀浓度分析是建立在ICP-OES数据基础上的,这是光谱学指导环境监测和评价的重要途径。     

植物叶片光谱角对土壤铀污染的指示作用

通过在土壤中添加浓度为0(对照组),25,75,125,175,275,375和485μg·g-1的铀,进行5种植物(苎麻、印度芥菜、酸模、甘蓝型油菜、玉米)的盆栽实验,研究了不同生长期的叶片光谱角对土壤铀污染的定性和定量指示作用,分析了定量指示作用与叶片铀含量的关系,并筛选出来在苗期即能反演土壤铀含量的植物,为通过野...     

Uranium concentration in drinking water samples using the SSNTDs

Uranium concentrations in the drinking water samples collected mainly from hand pumps along the Amritsar to Bathinda track are presented. Uranium concentration values in these samples show a wide range of variation depending upon different factors like source, location, depth and local geology etc. The observed uranium content in water samples has been found to be varying from 0.9 ± 0.08 to 63 ± 0.21 ppb and even the radon activity in ground water observed in our earlier survey carried out in this area has been found to be increasing from Amritsar towards Bathinda. The higher values were observed from the ground water samples particularly of the areas falling in belt from Zira to Maur towards the Haryana border. The values observed at certain locations are found to be higher than the highest recommended value of 15 ppb [1]. The high uranium concentration observed particularly in certain areas along this track can be attributed due to interaction of ground water with the soil formation of this region and the local subsurface geology of the region.      

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.     

Radon emanation from soil samples

The soil or bedrock beneath a building is one of the sources of radon gas in the indoor air. The ²³⁸U content of samples of the soil or the bedrock can be measured by gamma ray spectrometry and is of interest because the uranium content in the soil is a precursor of the presence of the radon gas in the soil. The emanation of radon gas from different types of material can be estimated to some extent if the content of ²³⁸U of a sample is known and the ²²⁶Ra content is only minorly affected. The true emanation is, however, affected by various parameters. One of these parameters is the possibility or not for the gas to come out from the grains into the air in the space between the grains of the sample.

In this study we report the results from measurements of radon gas emanating from samples of soil frequent in the Lund region in Sweden and in the Barcelona region in Spain. As soils have different grain size it is important to know the type of soil. The ²³⁸U content of the soil is measured with gamma ray spectrometry. The radon measurements are made by Kodak plastic film in closed cans, filled with the soil according to a technique, developed for radon measurements in water samples.

The result shows, that the combination of grain size and uranium content is important for the emanation of the radon gas from the grains of the soil.     

江西相山铀矿区与非铀矿区稻谷中天然放射性核素含量对比研究

文章对比分析研究了江西相山铀矿区和非铀矿区稻谷中天然放射性核素U和Th的含量特征。样品分别采自江西省相山铀矿区及远离铀矿区的抚州市郊丘陵水稻种植区。结果表明相山铀矿区稻谷中天然放射性核素U的含量显著高于非铀矿区的稻谷,铀矿区内稻谷中放射性核素U含量平均值是非铀矿区的5.30倍;但铀矿区内稻谷中放射性核素Th的含量却较非铀矿区稻谷含量低,仅为其Th含量的50%。另外,相山铀矿区内稻谷中放射性核素U和Th之间存在较为显著的线性关系,稻谷中放射性核素Th的含量随U含量的增加而升高。铀矿区内稻谷中放射性核素U含量显著高于非铀矿区的原因还有待于进一步深入研究,然而加强该领域的研究对于保证我国区域稻谷质量和食品安全是非常重要和有意义的。     

Uranium content measurement in drinking water samples using track etch technique

The concentration of uranium has been assessed in drinking water samples collected from different locations in Bathinda district, Punjab, India. The water samples are taken from hand pumps and tube wells. Uranium is determined using fission track technique. Uranium concentration in the water samples varies from 1.65±0.06 to 74.98±0.38 μg/l. These values are compared with safe limit values recommended for drinking water. Most of the water samples are found to have uranium concentration above the safe limit. Analysis of some heavy metals (Zn, Cd, Pb and Cu) in water is also done in order to see if some correlation exists between the concentration of uranium and these heavy metals. A weak positive correlation has been observed between the concentration of uranium and heavy metals of Pb, Cd and Cu.     

Determination of uranium contents in rock samples from Kakul phosphate deposit, Abbotabad (Pakistan), using fission-track technique

Some times high uranium contents are present in the phosphate rocks used for the manufacturing of fertilizer. In view of the harmful effects on human health due to the processing and use of such fertilizers in agriculture, it is important to analyse phosphate rocks for uranium content determination. Ten representative rock samples from Kakul phosphate deposit exposed near Abbotabad, Pakistan which are used for the manufacturing of fertilizers were studied for uranium content determination with the help of fission track and neutron activation analysis techniques. Each sample was split into three parts. The first and second parts (solid slabs and pellets) were subjected to fission track analysis, while the third part was analysed using neutron activation analysis technique for comparison. On the average a uranium content of 37 ppm was found in the phosphate rocks. The results of uranium content determinations with the help of fission track and neutron activation analysis techniques show a remarked resemblance up to ±0.1%. This indicates that the fission track analysis technique of uranium content determination is a reliable method inspite of its simplicity. The uranium content in the Kakul deposits is within the permissible limit allowed for the mining and processing of the phosphate rocks for the manufacturing of fertilizers.     

Uranium, radium and radon exhalation studies in some soil samples using plastic track detectors

Radium concentration and radon exhalation rate have been measured in soil samples collected from some areas belonging to upper Siwaliks of Kala Amb, Nahan and Morni Hills of Haryana and Himachal Pradesh states, India using LR-115 type II plastic track detectors. Uranium concentration has also been determined in these soil samples using fission track registration technique. Radium concentration has been found to vary from 5.30 to 31.71 Bq.kg⁻¹, whereas uranium concentration varies from 33.21 to 76.26 Bq.kg⁻¹. The radon exhalation rate in these samples varies from 216.87 to 1298.00 mBq.m⁻²hr⁻¹ (6.15 to 36.80 mBq.kg⁻¹.hr⁻¹). Most of the samples have uranium concentration above the worldwide average concentration of 35 Bq.kg⁻¹. A good correlation (R ² = 0.76) has been observed between uranium concentration and radon exhalation rate in soil. The values of uranium, radium and radon exhalation rate in soil are compared with that from the adjoining areas of Punjab.     

内蒙古河套平原表层土壤近红外光谱分析及其意义

近红外分析技术已经广泛应用于岩石分析中,方法简单、快速、有效,可以在短期内分析较多样品,适合应用于区域地质物质成分的分析。近红外光谱中不同矿物分子会表现出不同的峰值特征,故对层土壤进行近红外分析,可以较精确的获得土壤中矿物成分、含水量、矿物结晶程度等信息。通过分析河套平原土壤样品,推测出其矿物成分、含水量、晶体结晶程度等,结合当地气候特征和地质环境,推测其物质来源和矿物形成环境,不仅完善了当地的地质特征,还对河套地区土壤的成因机制的研究有重要意义。实验结果表明,河套平原表层土壤的矿物主要由高岭石、蒙脱石、伊利石、白云母等蚀变矿物组成,从而推测其来源为阴山山脉中酸性岩体,同时提出阴山山脉在气候方面对河套平原土壤形成也有重要影响,内蒙古地区虽然为大陆性干旱气候,但降水量充足,且阴山山脉南北两侧的年平均降水量差异巨大,阴山山脉南部的年平均降水量较北部大,保证了河套平原湿润的环境,有利于沉积物充分蚀变,这些均为土壤成因机制的完善提出了新的研究方向。     

Feasibility of estimating copper content using visible and near-infrared spectra of bedrock,weathered rock and soil - a case study of the Baogutu stock II,Xinjiang, China

Geochemical anomalies are important symbols for prospecting. To determine a new method for identifying geochemical anomalies rapidly, this study examines the possibility of using visible and near-infrared spectra of bedrock, weathered rock, and soil to assess copper content in the Baogutu stock II, Xinjiang, China. Partial least squares regression was employed to study the relationship between visible and near-infrared spectra and the ore-forming element contents of collected bedrock samples, weathered rock samples, and soil samples. More specifically, our study aims to achieve three objectives. First, to explore the correlations between the contents of different elements and the correlations between the visible and near-infrared spectra and the ore-forming element contents for the three sample types. Second, to evaluate the performance of the reflectance-based partial least squares regression model. The models for iron in bedrock samples and copper in soil samples were chosen for estimating copper content. Third, to assess the effectiveness of data transformation methods in the partial least squares regression model. In our case study, the square root-based models for iron in bedrock samples and copper in soil samples with coefficients of determination for prediction are 0.614 and 0.409 respectively, maximized the model performance. Therefore, it is evident that visible and near-infrared spectra can be an alternative method for estimating ore-forming element contents based on bedrock, weathered rock, and soil samples.     

低本底伽马能谱测量在沉积岩分类判别中的应用及其影响因素探讨

沉积岩中放射性元素铀、钍、钾的含量主要取决于岩石中泥质的含量,而泥质含量的高低是判别沉积岩类别的主要依据,因此,可以将铀、钍、钾的比活度或含量值作为判别沉积岩岩类的量化指标。利用低本底伽马能谱法测量岩石样品中铀、钍、钾的比活度或含量,可以快速、准确地进行岩类判别。由于放射性测量受样品几何形状、样品质量及其所含水分含量变化的影响,因此岩类判别的准确性会受到影响。通过理论探讨和实验验证,发现各待测核素特征峰计数率值与样品质量成线性关系, 且不同的能量区域、不同的岩性,线性关系系数与趋势拟合程度都是不同的;当样品的水分含量不超过10%(取样时,岩屑水分不超过10%)时,对测量结果的影响很小(变化值均在一倍均方差以内),因此,水分含量对低本底伽马能谱法判别沉积岩岩类的准确性不产生显著的影响,一般可以不予考虑。对陕西定边某油气勘查区钻孔岩屑样品进行判别试验,对实测数据进行质量校正后,利用铀、钍、钾道的“归一化”计数率值(即单位质量的计数率)只能粗略地划分不同沉积岩的大类,再以铀、钍、钾特征峰的合峰计数率建立综合判别模式,能够对岩类进行进一步细分,且判别准确度达到75%以上。     

Study of uranium, radium and radon exhalation rate in soil samples from some areas of Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh, India using solid-state nuclear track detectors

LR-115 plastic track detectors have been used for the measurement of radon exhalation rate and radium concentration in soil samples collected from some villages of Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh, India. Uranium concentration has also been determined in these soil samples using fission track technique. Radium concentration in soil samples has been found to vary from 11.54 to 26.71 BqKg⁻¹, whereas uranium concentration varies from 0.75 to 2.06 ppm. The radon exhalation rate in these samples has been found to vary from 15.16 to 35.11 mBqKg⁻¹ h⁻¹ (502.12 to 1162.64 mBqm⁻² h⁻¹).     

铀元素的激光诱导击穿光谱测量分析

为促进LIBS技术在微量重金属元素检测以及核污染检测领域的应用,提高检测灵敏度和准确性,采用了激光双脉冲LIBS技术和光电双脉冲LIBS技术,分别对土壤和二氧化硅中的铀元素进行分析。首先,对激光脉冲能量、电压和采集延时等参数进行优化,提高铀元素特征谱线的强度和信噪比;然后在优化实验参数条件下,对含不同浓度铀元素的土壤样品和二氧化硅样品进行激发;选取UII 367.01 nm、 UII 454.36 nm两条铀元素的特征谱线作为分析线,通过铀元素浓度与特征谱线强度的线性关系,建立定标曲线。双脉冲激光激发条件为：激光脉冲1作为预脉冲,主要参数为1 064 nm, 90 mJ, 9.2 ns,激光脉冲2作为再加热脉冲,主要参数为355 nm, 50 mJ, 8 ns,两个脉冲的时间间隔800 ns,光谱采集相对第二个脉冲延时1μs,得到铀元素在土壤和二氧化硅两种样品中的浓度检测下限分别为572和110 mg·kg^-1,拟合优度值R²分别为0.958和0.999。在光电双脉冲激发条件下,激光脉冲作为预脉冲,主要参数为355 nm, 50 mJ, 8 ...     

Determination of thorium and uranium contents in soil samples using SSNTD’s passive method

Thorium-to-uranium ratios have been determined in different soil samples using CR-39 and LR-115-II solid-state nuclear track detectors (SSNTDs). A calibration method based on determination of SSNTD registration sensitivity ratio for α-particles of thorium and uranium series has been developed. Thorium and uranium contents of the standard soil samples have been determined and compared with its known values. There is a good agreement between the results of this method and the values of standard samples. The method is simple, inexpensive, non-destructive and has a wide range of applications in environment, building materials and petroleum fields.     

Evaluation of radiation level and radon exhalation rate of rock samples from Mahd Ad Dahab mine in Saudi Arabia

Mahd Ad Dahab mine is the largest and oldest gold mine in the middle East, situated in the western region of Al-Madina Al-Munawara in Saudi Arabia. By using a high-resolution gamma-ray spectroscopy system, various radionuclides in about 20 rock samples, collected from four different locations of the Mahd Ad Dahab mine, have been identified quantitatively based on their characteristic spectral peaks. The activity concentrations of the natural radionuclides uranium (²³⁸U), thorium (²³²Th), and potassium (⁴⁰K) as well as some radiological parameters were measured in the rock samples. The activity concentration of uranium was found to vary from 7.94 to 38.52 Bq/kg, thorium from 3.14 to 17.79 Bq/kg and potassium activity from 93.51 to 175.83 Bq/kg. The radon emanation coefficient of the rock samples was estimated. It ranged between 0.48 and 0.55. Moreover, the radium equivalent activity in the samples ranged between 19.3 and 77.49 Bq/kg, which is lower than the allowed maximum value for worker safety. The external and internal hazard indices and gamma-radiation hazard index were found not to exceed the permissible limits.     

内蒙古草原拜仁达坝矿区地表土壤的X射线衍射和近红外光谱分析

在内蒙古草原拜仁达坝矿区上部的地表覆盖层中均匀采集土壤样品,用X射线衍射和近红外光谱技术对样品进行分析测试,旨在探讨草原矿区土壤成分来源及其与地下岩体的关系。结果表明,该土壤样品主要由石英、石墨、碳酸盐、角闪石、云母、绿泥石、蒙脱石、伊利石、块磷铝矿、硬水铝石、蓝铜矿、赤铁矿等组成,说明了地表土壤成分不仅来源于地表岩体风化产物,与地下岩体及其围岩蚀变作用更加密切相关。土壤中所含蓝铜矿和赤铁矿主要来源于矿体氧化带,可作为找矿标志;蚀变矿物组合主要为绿泥石-伊利石-蒙脱石,推测该区域大致经历了钾化→硅化、碳酸盐化→绢云英岩化→泥化的蚀变过程。通过分析蚀变矿物组合,可以还原围岩蚀变及物理风化过程,为深部找矿以及矿床成因研究提供了重要的参考信息,提高了找矿的成功率。X射线衍射和近红外光谱技术用于矿物、矿床研究方面,有着经济、快速的特点,能很好的鉴定矿区地表土壤中的矿物成分。尤其是近红外光谱分析技术对样品要求低,可以对样品进行快速批量的分析,具有其独特的优越性。随着近红外技术的发展,其在地质领域中将有越来越广泛的应用,并且能在找矿勘探中发挥重要的作用。     

Influence of and correction for moisture in rocks,soils and sediments on in situ XRF analysis

This paper discusses the influence of water contained in rocks, soils and sediments on in situ XRF analysis with a portable XRF analyzer. Water in natural rocks, soil and sediments absorbs the characteristic x‐rays from the elements and also causes the primary radiation from the excitation sources to scatter, which results in a decrease in the intensity of characteristic x‐rays and an increase in the intensity of scattered x‐rays in a fluorescence spectrum. A method for correcting for the influence of the water on the analysis of wet samples is proposed, based on the fact that the intensity of scattered radiation is directly proportional to the water content of wet samples. Tests on a set of wet soil samples showed that the method can effectively correct for the influence of the water in wet samples up to a 20% water content. The method was also applied to the analysis of soil with an IED‐2000P XRF analyzer in a copper prospecting area in Yunnan, China. The results show satisfactory agreement of the results for Cu, Zn and Sr analyses before and after rain. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evolution of vegetation and soil nutrients after uranium mining in Los Ratones mine (Cáceres,Spain)

The evolution of vegetation structure following mine rehabilitation is rather scarce in the literature. The concentration of long-lived radionuclides of the ²³⁸U series might have harmful effects on living organisms. We studied soil properties and the natural vegetation occurring along a gradient in Los Ratones, an area rehabilitated after uranium mining located in Cáceres, Spain. Soil and vegetation were sampled seasonally and physical and chemical properties of soil were analysed, including natural isotopes of ²³⁸U, ²³⁰Th, ²²⁶Ra and ²¹⁰Pb. Species richness, diversity, evenness and plant cover were estimated and correlated in relation to soil physical and chemical variables. The location of the sampling sites along a gradient had a strong explanatory effect on the herbaceous species, as well as the presence of shrubs and trees. Seasonal effects of the four natural isotopes were observed in species richness, species diversity and plant cover; these effects were directly related to the pH values in the soil, this being the soil property that most influences the plant distribution. Vegetation in the studied area resembles that of the surroundings, thus proving that the rehabilitation carried out in Los Ratones mine was successful in terms of understorey cover recovery.