Radon concentration in groundwater of Varahi and Markandeya river basins, Karnataka State, India

The present study presents an overview of the distribution of radon (²²²Rn) activity concentration in the groundwater samples and their annual effective dose exposure in the Varahi and Markandeya command areas. Radon measurement was made using Durridge RAD-7 radon-in-air monitor, using RAD H₂O technique with closed loop aeration concept. The measured ²²²Rn activities in 16 groundwater samples of Varahi command area ranged between 0.2 ± 0.4 and 10.1 ± 1.7 Bq L⁻¹ with an average value of 2.07 ± 0.84 Bq L⁻¹, well within the EPA’s maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 11.1 Bq L⁻¹. In contrast, the recorded ²²²Rn activities in 14 groundwater samples of Markandeya command area found to vary from 2.21 ± 1.66 to 27.3 ± 0.787 Bq L⁻¹ with an average value of 9.30 ± 1.45 Bq L⁻¹. 21.4% of the samples (sample no. RMR5, RMR11 and RMR12) in the Markandeya command area exceeded the EPA’s MCL of 11.1 Bq L⁻¹ and it was found that some samples in both the command areas were found to have radon values close to MCL value. The spatial variation in the radon concentration in the Varahi and Markandeya command area were delineated by constructing the contour map. The total annual effective dose resulting from radon in groundwater of both Varahi and Markandeya command areas were significantly lower than the UNSCEAR and WHO recommended limit for members of the public of 1 mSv year⁻¹.     

Determination of <Superscript>3</Superscript>H, <Superscript>226</Superscript>Ra, <Superscript>222</Superscript>Rn and <Superscript>238</Superscript>U in Austrian ground- and drinking water

Screening measurements for ³H, ²²⁶Ra, ²²²Rn and ²³⁸U in ground water were performed within a ground- and drinking water project in Austria. The aim of this project is to get an overview of the distribution of natural radionuclide activity concentration levels in ground water bodies. In some cases this water is used for drinking water abstraction. In this paper methods and results of the screening measurements are presented. Regions with high activity concentrations were identified and in these regions further investigation for ²²⁸Ra, ²¹⁰Pb and ²¹⁰Po will be conducted.     

Distribution of <Superscript>210</Superscript>Po and <Superscript>210</Superscript>Pb in riverine environs of coastal Karnataka

The concentrations of ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb have been measured in soil, sediment and rock samples collected from major rivers of coastal Karnataka, viz. Kali, Sharavathi and Netravathi. The activity of ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb in the samples were separated by radiochemical methods and the activity was counted using ZnS(Ag) alpha-counter. The activity ratio of ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb and the dependence of organic matter content on the activity of these radionuclides were studied.     

Determination of <Superscript>90</Superscript>Sr, <Superscript>129</Superscript>I and gross beta radioactivity concentration in some teas

In this study, ⁹⁰Sr (540 keVβ ⁻), ¹²⁹I (150 keVβ ⁻) and the gross beta radioactivity concentrations were determined for the samples of tea as the most leading consumed hot drink in the markets (processed and packaged for sale) in our country. Furthermore, the obtained data were statistically analyzed. For determination of ¹²⁹I (150 keVβ⁻), ⁹⁰Sr (540 keVβ⁻) and gross radioactivity concentrations in tea samples, a sensor system consisting of scintillation detector with BP4 probe sensitive to beta radiation and a radiation meter (ST7) configurable for windows at desired power was used.     

Production of monoenergetic MeV-range neutrons by <Superscript>3</Superscript>H(p,n)<Superscript>3</Superscript>He reaction

Monochromatic MeV-energy neutron source for secondary reaction was developed utilizing tritium embedded titanium (Ti-³H) thin film via ³H(p,n)³He reaction. We have measured the neutron energies and the energy spread by resonance reactions of ¹²C(n,tot) and ²⁸Si(n,tot). The available energy was within the range from 0.6 to 2.6 MeV. Energy spread was 1.6% at energy of 2.077 MeV. The flux in the beam direction was determined to be 3.76·10⁷ n/s/sr by irradiating ¹⁹⁷Au by about 2 MeV neutrons. This source was shown to be useful for measurements of nuclear data by measuring the total cross sections of neutrons on Fe and comparing these data to the data of ENDF-6.     

Assessment of ingestion dose due to radioactivity in selected food matrices and water near Vizag,India

Activity concentrations of ²³⁸U, ²³²Th, ²²⁶Ra, ⁴⁰K and ¹³⁷Cs were measured in milk, egg, fruit and fish samples collected around a proposed site for setting up nuclear facilities, near Vishakhapatanam. The activity concentrations of the radionuclides ranged from 0.002 to 10.6, 0.002 to 2.8, 0.1 to 7.2, 3 to 110.8, 0.03 to 3 mBq g^?1 for ²³⁸U, ²³²Th, ²²⁶Ra, ⁴⁰K and ¹³⁷Cs considering analysed food matrices. Natural uranium was measured in drinking water samples and the values were below 15 ppb. The average ingestion dose was 2.07 ± 2.01, 2.81 ± 4.38, 7.66 ± 8.24, 1.28 ± 0.84 and 0.04 ± 0.05 μSv year^?1 for ²³⁸U, ²³²Th, ²²⁶Ra, ⁴⁰K and ¹³⁷Cs in milk, egg, fruit, fish and water. The ingestion dose received was the highest for milk, due to its high ingestion rate. It was observed that ²²⁶Ra is the largest contributor of measured radionuclides in this study for the different food matrices analysed due to its high dose conversion factor. The study was carried out as a part of baseline data generation for this region with which future changes in the radiological scenario can be compared.     

<Superscript>1</Superscript>H and <Superscript>31</Superscript>P nuclear spin-lattice relaxation in C-phosphorylated oximes

The ¹H spin-lattice relaxation times of the proton-bearing groups and the ³¹P spin-lattice relaxation times in C-phosphorylated oximes R¹C(=NOH)P(=O)R²R³ (R¹ = Ph, R² = R³ = OMe; R¹ = Ph, R² = OMe, R³ = OCH²CH²Br; R¹ = PhCH², R² = R³ = OCHMe²) and dioxime R²P(=O)C(=NOH)(CH₂)₄C(=NOH)P(=O)R² (R = OMe) in DMSO-d₆ were measured. The characteristic reorientation times of the whole molecules were estimated using the measured values of the ¹H relaxation times and the results of semiempirical PM3 quantum chemical calculations of the molecular geometries. The reorientation times were used to identify the contributions of different relaxation mechanisms to the rate of ³¹P spin-lattice relaxation. The anisotropy of the chemical shielding of ³¹P nuclei was evaluated from the difference between the ³¹P relaxation rates measured at 101.27 and 161.92 MHz.     

Diffusion mobility of alkali metals in perfluorinated sulfocationic and carboxylic membranes as probed by <Superscript>1</Superscript>H, <Superscript>7</Superscript>Li, <Superscript>23</Superscript>Na,and <Superscript>133</Superscript>Cs NMR spectroscopy

Water self-diffusion and ion mobilities in various ionic forms (H⁺, Li⁺, Na⁺, Rb⁺, Cs⁺, and Ba²⁺) of perfluorinated sulfocationic membranes MF-4SK were studied by NMR and impedance spectroscopy. When degrees of hydration are low, the self-diffusion coefficients of water and ionic conductivities are considerably affected by the water content of the membrane. The self-diffusion coefficients decrease in the order H⁺ > Ba²⁺ > Cs⁺ > Rb⁺ > Na⁺ > Li⁺, whereas the ion mobility decreases in the order H⁺ > Li⁺ > Na⁺ > Cs⁺ > Ba²⁺.     

Synthesis,scope, <Superscript>1</Superscript>H and <Superscript>13</Superscript>C spectral assignments of isomeric dibenzofuran carboxaldehydes

Two isomeric dibenzofuran carboxaldehydes, namely 2-methoxydibenzo[b,d]furan-1-carbaldehyde (4) and 2-methoxydibenzo[b,d]furan-3-carbaldehyde (5), were synthesized. Formylation of 2-methoxydibenzo[b,d]furan (3) with α,α-dichloromethyl methyl ether and tin(IV) chloride gave a mixture of aldehydes 4 and 5 in 95 % yield and in a 35:65 ratio. Their ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectral signals were not sufficiently resolved in CDCl₃ solution to achieve their complete assignment, but this was possible in DMSO-d ₆ with the help of 2D-NMR techniques: NOESY for ¹H–¹H interactions and HSQC and HMQC experiments for ¹H–¹³C correlations. These aldehydes were used in the synthesis of novel β-phenylethylamines and NBOMe derivatives, which are undergoing biological evaluation.     

Determination of <Superscript>40</Superscript>K, <Superscript>226</Superscript>Ra and <Superscript>232</Superscript>Th concentration and radiation dose assessment in titanium enamel frits use in polishing household utensils in Ghana

As part of monitoring the exposure of the Ghanaian public to natural radioactivity, radioactivity concentrations in titanium enamel frits use for coating, spraying and decorating steel bowls were investigated. Samples collected from Ghana Utensil Manufacturing Company in Ghana were analyzed using γ-ray spectrometry with a high purity germanium detector. The samples were found to contain an average absorbed dose rate of 509.38 nGy h⁻¹, while an average annual effective dose was calculated to be 2.50 mSv.     

DFT calculations of <Superscript>14</Superscript>N, <Superscript>17</Superscript>O,and <Superscript>2</Superscript>H NQR parameters: Investigation of hydrogen bond interactions in sulfapyridine crystalline structure

DFT calculations of electric field gradient (EFG) tensors at the sites of ¹⁴N, ¹⁷O, and ²H nuclei are carried out to characterize the hydrogen bond (HB) interactions in the sulfapyridine crystal structure. One-molecule (monomer) and hydrogen-bonded hexameric cluster models of sulfapyridine are constructed according to available X-ray coordinates where the proton positions are optimized. Then, EFG tensors are calculated for both monomer and target molecule in the hexameric cluster of sulfapyridine to show the effect of HB interactions on the tensors. The calculated EFG tensors are converted to the experimentally measurable nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) parameters: quadrupole coupling constant (C _Q ) and asymmetry parameter (η _Q ). The results reveal different contribution of various nuclei to N-H⋯N and N-H⋯O HB interactions in the cluster where the N2 and O1 have major contributions. The computations are performed with B3LYP and B3PW91 functionals DFT method and 6-311+G* and 6-311++G** standard basis sets using the Gaussian 98 package.     

Distribution of <Superscript>137</Superscript>Cs, <Superscript>40</Superscript>K, <Superscript>232</Superscript>Th and <Superscript>238</Superscript>U in coastal marine sediments of Margarita Island,Venezuela

This work presents the results of ¹³⁷Cs, ⁴⁰K, ²³²Th and ²³⁸U concentration (Bq kg⁻¹) values in coastal marine sediments collected from 38 sites along the coastline of the island of Margarita, Venezuela. The purpose was to determine baseline values for these radionuclides in surface marine sediments and to detect if there were any anomalously high concentration values. Only three of the 38 sediments analyzed had measurable values above the detection limit of 0.9 Bq kg⁻¹ for ¹³⁷Cs and the highest only being 1.4 Bq kg⁻¹. While, the concentration (Bq kg⁻¹) ranges for the primordial radionuclides, ⁴⁰K, ²³²Th and ²³⁸U were as follows: 12.2–211.7, <1.5–9.8 and <4.4–20.7, respectively. These concentration ranges for the primordial radionuclides can be considered as baseline values for surface marine sediments for areas that are considered not polluted by man or contaminated by nature. Finally, the concentration range of ¹³⁷Cs can also be employed as baseline values, which only seem to have been the result of the atmospheric testing of nuclear weapons in the past.     

Determination of activity ratios of <Superscript>238,239+240,241</Superscript>Pu, <Superscript>241</Superscript>Am, <Superscript>134,137</Superscript>Cs,and <Superscript>90</Superscript>Sr in Bulgarian soils

The origins of different artificial radionuclides found in soils from Northern and Southern Bulgaria was determined by measurements of their actual concentrations and respective ratios. On the basis of the measured mobility and concentrations of the investigated radionuclides in soils, it was estimated that after the Chernobyl accident the mean depositions of fresh ¹³⁷Cs were 3.0 ± 2.5 kBq/m² for Northern Bulgaria and 15 ± 7 kBq/m² for Southern Bulgaria. As a result of global fallout following atmospheric nuclear weapon tests in the 1950s, mean depositions (corrected to 1965) were calculated for Northern and Southern Bulgaria as follows: for ⁹⁰Sr—1.0 ± 0.5 and 2.3 ± 1.3 kBq/m², ²³⁸Pu—1.3 ± 0.8 and 2.8 ± 1.6 Bq/m², ^239+240Pu—15 ± 14 and 47 ± 38 Bq/m², and ²⁴¹Pu—520 ± 200 and 760 ± 260 Bq/m².     

Distribution of <Superscript>14</Superscript>C, <Superscript>90</Superscript>Sr and <Superscript>228</Superscript>Th in an elephant tusk

The period of date of death of an elephant can be assessed by analyzing four different radionuclides, ¹⁴C, ⁹⁰Sr, ²²⁸Th and ²³²Th in its ivory. These nuclides are supposed to have variing concentrations at different parts of a tusk. The reason is the procedure of growth which takes place at the butt-site of a tusk. Therefore the site of sampling could have a big influence on the assessed date of death. However, to find out if the position of sampling is important a complete tusk was analyzed regarding the distribution of these nuclides. Results show that the concentration activity of ¹⁴C and ²²⁸Th varies in different parts of a tusk. The activity concentration of ⁹⁰Sr is very similar in all analyzed parts. The conclusion is that sampling at the butt of a tusk is recommended for age assessment.     

Determination of configurational isomers in polybutadienes by <Superscript>1</Superscript>H and <Superscript>13</Superscript>C NMR spectroscopy

The NMR spectra (600 MHz) of polybutadienes containing different amounts of cis-1,4, trans- 1,4 and 1,2 units are analyzed. The critical consideration of signal assignment and the comparison of ¹H and ¹³C NMR data reveal that there are significant limitations to the quantitative characterization of polybutadienes with the use of NMR spectroscopy.     

2-Amino-4-aryl-1-arylideneaminoimidazoles and Acylation Products: A Multinuclear (<Superscript>1</Superscript>H, <Superscript>13</Superscript>C, <Superscript>15</Superscript>N) NMR Study

Summary. The structure of 2-amino-4-aryl-1-arylideneaminoimidazoles in DMSO-d₆ solution was investigated by means of NMR spectroscopic methods (¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁵N). From these data the (E)-configuration at the excocyclic C=N bond and a strong preference for the conformer with the imidazole H-5 and the N=CH proton being spatially close (s-trans regarding the N–N bond) can be concluded. Reaction of the title compounds with acetic anhydride leads to mono and diacylation at the 2-amino group, whereas treatment with pivalic anhydride exclusively affords the corresponding monoacyl product. The mono- and diacylation products exhibit similar configurational and conformational properties as the parent compounds.     

Structure of binuclear platinum(III) acetamidate complexes in solutions as probed by <Superscript>195</Superscript>Pt, <Superscript>13</Superscript>C,and <Superscript>1</Superscript>H NMR spectroscopy

¹⁹⁵Pt, ¹H, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy was used to study the structure of binuclear platinum(III) acetamidate complexes with 1,10-phenanthroline and 2,2′-bipyridine ligands [Pt₂(phen)₂(acam)₄](NO₃)₂ (1) and [Pt₂(bipy)₂(acam)₄](NO₃)₂ (2) in aqueous solutions. The ¹⁹⁵Pt NMR spectra of solutions of complexes 1 and 2 in D₂O exhibit two signals with satellites due to the ¹⁹⁵Pt–¹⁹⁵Pt spin-spin coupling (¹ J(Pt–Pt) ≈ 6345 Hz), whereas their ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra contain four sets of signals for the protons and the carbon atoms of the heterocyclic and acetamidate ligands. The signals were assigned using the COSY, NOESY, and HSQC/ HMBC experiments and comparing the coordination shifts of the signals for the protons of heterocycles. These data allowed us to draw a conclusion that binuclear complexes 1 and 2 in solution have a head-to-head structure with nonequivalent platinum(III) atoms (coordination cores PtN₅ and PtN₃O₂), the axial-equatorial coordination of the bidentate heterocyclic molecules, and two bridging and two terminal acetamidate ligands.     

Synthesis,Structure, and Keto-Enol Tautomerism of 3-R<Superscript>1</Superscript>-5,5-R<Superscript>2</Superscript>,R<Superscript>2</Superscript>-6-R<Superscript>3</Superscript>-2,3,5,6-Tetrahydropyran-2,4-diones

Ethyl esters of 2,4-dibromo-2-R¹-4-R²-3-oxopentanoic and -hexanoic acids react with zinc and aliphatic or aromatic aldehydes under the conditions of the Reformatskii reaction to give 3-R¹-5,5-R², R²-6-R³-2,3,5,6-tetrahydropyran-2,4-diones, which are obtained in three forms: keto, enol with enolization of the keto group, and enol with enolization of the ester group. The keto form is isolated by crystallization from a mixture of CCl₄ and petroleum ether; the first enol form, from MeOH, EtOH, and polar aprotic solvents; and the second enol form, from CHCl₃. The second enol form is oxidized in DMSO to form a keto compound containing a hydroxy group at the 3-position of the heteroring.     

<Superscript>1</Superscript>H and <Superscript>7</Superscript>Li NMR in defect cobaltite Li<Subscript>0.6</Subscript>CoO<Subscript>2</Subscript>

Within a temperature range of 120–330 K, ⁷Li NMR spectra in Li_0.6CoO₂ are obtained. It is shown that as the temperature increases, both smooth and stepwise variation of ⁷Li NMR contact shifts occurs. The observed effects are explained by the occupation of the excited levels of cobalt ions. The stepwise change of the resonance line width depending on the temperature is revealed. It is driven by the features of the diffusive motion of lithium ions. The calculation of the ¹H NMR line shape provides the determination of the ratio of one-, two-, and three-spin proton clusters in Li_0.6CoO₂·xH₂O.