铀尾矿库区稻田土中放射性核素的空间分布和放射性水平评价

以我国南方某铀尾矿库下游稻田土壤为研究对象,通过现场取样与室内检测,对土壤中放射性核素238U、226Ra、232Th、40K的比活度进行空间分析。同时采用γ辐射吸收剂量率和年有效剂量法进行土壤环境放射性水平评价,得出土壤中所检测的4种典型核素放射性比活度差异较大。在土壤表层和剖面,226Ra和40K的均值、最大比活度和标准差均较高,232Th和238U较低。而226Ra含量超出当地背景值较多。剖面上4种放射性核素比活度均有随深度降低的趋势,高值出现在土壤浅层,这可能与土壤的有机质含量等有关。综合垂向和平面上的分布特征可知核素232Th、40K的迁移能力比238U、226Ra弱。放射性水平评价结果显示:研究区土壤年有效剂量率平均值小于联合国原子辐射效应科学委员会和全国年有效剂量率的推荐背景值,但是γ辐射吸收剂量率均值高出全国和世界平均水平的3倍。准确定量评价了尾矿库对居民造成的辐射影响,同时为放射性核素在周边稻田植物根系中的迁移机理研究提供基础资料。     

铀矿山尾矿库区浅层尾砂中核素的垂直分布特征

选取相山铀尾矿库的浅层尾矿砂为研究对象,研究核素在浅层尾矿砂的垂直分布特征.通过对尾矿砂样进行放射性核素(238U、226Ra、232Th、40K等)比活度的测量,发现不同深度尾矿砂中放射性比活度差异明显,最显著的是在80cm处放射性核素比活度达到最大,此处238U、226Ra、232Th、40K的放射性比活度分别为11480.9、15793.8、1903.2、3885.0 Bq·kg-1.尾矿砂中核素的这种分布特征可能是由于在氧化、降雨淋滤、水-岩(砂)作用下,核素发生了溶解、迁移和沉淀等系列水文地球化学过程而形成.     

拉萨河放射性核素238U和232Th分布特征及健康风险评估

为了解拉萨河中放射性核素238 U和232 Th的污染水平及其对人类的致癌风险,利用拉萨河中下游和堆龙曲支流16个采样点水样的238 U和232 Th含量,采取美国环境保护局(U.S.Environmental Protection Agency,US EPA)推荐的放射性核素健康风险评价方法,评估不同年龄人群因饮水途径摄入核素的致癌风险.结果表明,拉萨河中238U和232Th平均活度浓度分别为(2.62±3.46)×10-2 Bq·L-1和(2.3±0.478)×10-3 Bq·L-1,比我国地表水平均值分别高31％和低61.7％;238U和232Th含量沿程分别呈波动稳定和波动变化的趋势;不同人群平均总致癌风险分别为(4.81±4.61)×10-8(幼儿组)、(2.29±1.81)×10-8(少年组)和(3.08±2.13)×10-8 a-1(成年组),均低于1×10-6 a-1(US EPA标准)和我国地表水平均致癌风险值,但对幼儿的致癌危害最大;238U和232Th的致癌风险贡献率随年龄的增长分别下降和上升;建议对羊八井镇附近河水进行持续监测,确保地热资源开发不会造成拉萨河放射性核素的污染.本研究不仅可以为拉萨河放射性核素污染的研究提供参考,而且可以为拉萨河未来的环境保护提供科学依据.     

南沙海域沉积物岩心中~(238)U和~(40)K的测定及深度变化

用HPGeγ谱方法测定了6个来自南沙海域沉积物岩心的~(238)U和~(40)K,获得结果如下:~(238)U的放射性活度变化范围为(13.87±1.73)—(46.63±3.08)Bq·kg-1,平均值的变化范围为(19.30±1.72)—(43.19±3.06)Bq·kg-1;~(40)K的放射性活度变化范围为(147.37±8.13)—(569.35±11.11)Bq·kg-1,平均值的变化范围为(159.32±6.51)—(471.30±9.16)Bq·kg-1.与其他海域比较发现,本研究海域的~(238)U活度范围及平均值与其他海域比较接近,而~(40)K的活度范围与平均值则比其他海域要稍低点.这两个核素的深度变化趋势均随深度的增加有微弱的增大、减小或不明显变化的3种类型,相比较而言,~(40)K随深度的变化幅度不如~(238)U明显,造成这种现象的原因主要可能是沉积物组成、水动力学等.     

90Sr、137Cs在河流-沉积物体系的吸附规律研究进展

90Sr、134Cs在河流-沉积物体系的吸附规律及分配系数(Kd)是我国内陆核电厂选址和核环境安全管理的重要环节,放射性核素在河流-沉积物体系的吸附规律包括:①放射性核素在河流、沉积物中的浓度分布;②核素在河流-沉积物体系的分配系数;③多种因素对放射性核素在河流.沉积物中吸附规律的影响;④吸附机理、吸附动力学等的有关研究.介绍了国内外90Sr、134Cs在河流-沉积物体系的吸附规律研究进展及发展动态.20世纪80年代,国外已开展了90Sr、134Cs在河流-沉积物中吸附规律研究,20世纪90年代以来,90Sr、134Cs在河流-沉积物中吸附行为研究日益受到关注,研究内容主要集中在:①现场河流、沉积物中核素浓度调查;②现场及实验室Kd值测定;③各种因素对Kd值影响研究.目前,我国拟建内陆核电厂排放核素在河流生态系统的行为研究还未开展,其实验方法学、影响因素研究等仍是空白领域,建议尽快开展这方面的研究,为评估内陆核设施放射性排放对生态系统的影响研究提供科学依据.     

普者黑岩溶湿地沉积物氮、磷、有机质分布及污染风险评价

为探究典型岩溶湿地沉积物营养物质的污染状况及其富营养化风险,以典型岩溶流域普者黑为研究区,通过对流域内湖泊湿地、沼泽湿地、库塘湿地和河流湿地的表层沉积物进行采样,采用国家标准方法对沉积物中总氮(TN)、总磷(TP)及有机质(OM)的含量进行测定,并运用综合污染指数法和有机污染指数法对普者黑岩溶流域不同类型湿地沉积物的污染程度进行评价,以期为岩溶湿地水-沉积物污染的控制与治理提供参考和依据。普者黑表层沉积物TN的质量分数范围为893.57-4 841.85 mg·kg~(-1),平均值为1 949.09 mg·kg~(-1),TP的质量分数范围为235.81-1 439.58 mg·kg~(-1),平均值646.06 mg·kg~(-1),OM的质量分数范围为1.10%-6.27%,平均值为2.58%,空间分布上均表现为流域中游流域下游流域上游。Pearson相关性分析表明,库塘湿地的TN、TP和OM相关性最显著(P0.01),河流湿地的TN、TP和OM相关性次显著(P0.01),湖泊湿地的TN和OM相关性显著(P0.05),沼泽湿地的TN、TP和OM无显著相关性(P0.05)。流域综合污染指数整体上呈中度-重度污染,沼泽湿地污染比河流湿地、湖泊湿地及库塘湿地严重,而有机污染指数整体上呈中度污染。普者黑岩溶流域不同类型湿地表层沉积物TN、TP和OM的含量均处于中等偏高水平,污染水平呈中度-重度污染,其内源负荷不容忽视。     

三峡库区香溪河沉积物重金属含量分布及风险评价

为充分了解三峡库区香溪河沉积物中重金属分布特征及其对环境风险的影响,于2017年5月和2018年5月在香溪河汛期采集了表层和柱状沉积物样品,通过电感耦合等离子体发射光谱仪(Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer,ICP-OES)测定样品中的锌(Zn)、锰(Mn)、钡(Ba)、铬(Cr)、铜(Cu)和镍(Ni)等重金属元素的含量,同时使用地累积指数法(Igeo)和潜在生态危害指数法(RI)两种评价方法对沉积物中重金属的污染水平进行评估。结果发现:三峡库区表层沉积物在采样点各处Zn、Mn、Cr、Cu和Ni的含量变化并不明显,柱状沉积物中Ba和Zn在沉积过程中有累计作用,而Ni变化不大。重金属变异系数分析表明,表层沉积物中Cu受人类活动的影响最大,各采样点的含量变化较大,人为活动带入的污染占主导地位;柱状沉积物中Zn的垂直分布变化最明显,受到人类活动影响比其他重金属严重,根据相关性分析表明不同重金属之间可能来源相同。地累积指数法(I_(geo))和潜在生态危害指数法(RI)评价结果表明,沉积物的重金属属于无污染至轻度污染类别,处于低生态危害等级,不会对环境造成过大的危害。总体而言,三峡库区香溪河沉积物的生态危害程度较低,未发生重大重金属污染,且不同重金属之间存在相同来源。     

太湖梅梁湾沉积物中铁氧化氨作用及其脱氮贡献

铁氧化氨反应是最近发现的一种新型氮转化途径,在林地、水稻田和湿地土壤氮循环过程中具有重要作用。然而,鲜有研究关注富营养化湖泊沉积物中的铁氧化氨过程。该研究在调查太湖梅梁湾沉积物理化性质和主要铁还原菌丰度的基础上,采用同位素示踪技术和C_2H_2抑制法研究了沉积物的铁还原速率和铁氧化氨过程,以实验过程中~(30)N_2和~(29)N_2的产生速率核算了沉积物的铁氧化氨速率。通过考察沉积物相关理化性质、铁还原菌丰度与铁氧化氨速率之间相关性,确定了这些因子对铁氧化氨的影响。结果表明:在太湖梅梁湾4个采样点的沉积物中均存在铁氧化氨过程,该过程能够在厌氧条件下将NH_4~+直接氧化为N_2,或者将NH_4~+氧化为NO_2~-、NO_3~-,然后厌氧氨氧化或反硝化过程将NO_2~-、NO_3~-转化为N_2导致沉积物氮损失。梅梁湾沉积物铁氧化氨速率范围为0.28~0.43 kg~(-1)·d~(-1),占太湖人为输入无机氮的6.1%~9.4%。沉积物Fe(Ⅲ)含量和TOC含量与铁氧化氨速率之间呈显著相关性(P0.05),在铁氧化氨过程中起重要作用。相反,pH与铁氧化氨之间无显著相关性(P0.05)。地杆菌属(Geobacteraceae spp.)、希瓦氏茵属(Shewanella spp.)、酸微菌科(Acidimicrobiaceae)及微酸菌A6属(Acidimicrobiaceae A6)与铁氧化氨呈显著相关性(P0.05),表明铁还原菌可能直接参与铁氧化氨过程。综上,铁氧化氨是富营养化湖泊沉积物中氮素迁移转化的重要途径之一。     

北江流域抗生素污染水平和来源初探

北江是发源于湖南(武水)和江西(浈水),汇于广东韶关,流经广东全境并入海的三大河流之一。为了解整个北江抗生素污染情况,共设置44个采样点,并采集了河水及部分沉积物样品,较全面地分析了各样品中12种典型抗生素含量并初步探究了其污染来源。研究发现,包括北江源头在内的全河段均有抗生素的检出,5类抗生素在表层水和沉积物中的平均浓度分别为77.8 ng·L~(-1)和3.6 ng·g~(-1)。其中,大环内酯类污染最为严重,其含量范围为11.7~114.6 ng·L~(-1)和0~435.3 ng·g~(-1),远高于其他类抗生素。表层水中磺胺类的磺胺甲恶唑和氯霉素类的检出率达100%,其中以磺胺甲恶唑(14.7 ng·L~(-1))和阿奇霉素(25.0 ng·L~(-1))为主,而沉积物中以阿奇霉素(35.9 ng·g~(-1))、氧氟沙星(5.4 ng·g~(-1))和四环素(3.3 ng·g~(-1))为主。由于流域污染源种类和数量不同,各抗生素在北江中的分布也存在差异。表层水中抗生素含量水平表现为下游高于上中游,在沉积物中则主要集中于中、下游之间河段。这反映了人类活动强度对北江抗生素污染的直接影响。     

137 Cs在我国滨海核电周边海洋生物的富集及生态风险研究

铯-137(~(137)Cs)是滨海核电站液态流出物中主要人工放射性核素和重要监控指标之一,易被水生生物累积,有关核电周边海域内海洋生物的核素富集状况备受关注。通过分析海洋生物富集放射性~(137)Cs的方式、生物富集系数的种群特征、人工放射性核素在生物体内的辐射剂量率状况,结果显示:1)滨海核电周边海域内~(137)Cs的放射性水平较低; 2)海洋生物对于~(137)Cs的富集未呈现显著的种群规律; 3)目前对放射性铯的富集能力较高的生物主要是底栖生物; 4)核电厂周边海域内海洋生物通常未达到可导致电离辐射损伤的辐射剂量率水平。随着滨海核电在我国的大力发展,对能够快速反映环境放射性状况的指示生物的筛选、生物放射性质量安全及其生态健康风险需进一步关注。     

Environmental risk assessment of radioactivity and heavy metals in soil of Toplica region,South Serbia

Activity levels of natural and artificial radionuclides and content of ten heavy metals (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn and Hg) were investigated in 41 soil samples collected from Toplica region located in the south part of Serbia. Radioactivity was determined by gamma spectrometry using HPGe detector. The obtained mean activity concentrations ± standard deviations of radionuclides ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, ⁴⁰K and ¹³⁷Cs were 29.9 ± 9.4, 36.6 ± 11.5, 492 ± 181 and 13.4 ± 18.7 Bq kg⁻¹, respectively. According to Shapiro–Wilk normality test, activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra and ²³²Th were consistent with normal distribution. External exposure from radioactivity was estimated through dose and radiation risk assessments. Concentrations of heavy metals were measured by using ICP-OES, and their health risks were then determined. Enrichment by heavy metals and pollution level in soils were evaluated using the enrichment factor, the geoaccumulation index (I_geo), pollution index and pollution load index. Based on GIS approach, the spatial distribution maps of radionuclides and heavy metal contents were made. Spearman correlation coefficient was used for correlation analysis between radionuclide activity concentrations and heavy metal contents.

     

Radionuclide concentrations in raw and purified phosphoric acids from Brazil and their processing wastes: implications for radiation exposures

Radionuclides from the U and Th natural series are present in alkaline rocks, which are used as feedstock in Brazil for the production of raw phosphoric acid, which can be considered as a NORM (naturally occurring radioactive material). As a result of the purification of raw phosphoric acid to food-grade phosphoric acid, two by-products are generated, i.e., solid and liquid wastes. Taking this into account, the main aim of this study was to evaluate the fluxes of natural radionuclide in the production of food-grade phosphoric acids in Brazil, to determine the radiological impact caused by ingestion of food-grade phosphoric acid, and to evaluate the solid waste environmental hazards caused by its application in crop soils. Radiological characterization of raw phosphoric acid, food-grade phosphoric acid, solid waste, and liquid waste was performed by alpha and gamma spectrometry. The ²³⁸U, ²³⁴U, ²²⁶Ra, and ²³²Th activity concentrations varied depending on the source of raw phosphoric acid. Decreasing radionuclides activity concentrations in raw phosphoric acids used by the producer of the purified phosphoric acid were observed as follows: Tapira (raw phosphoric acid D) > Catal?o (raw phosphoric acids B and C) > Cajati (raw phosphoric acid A). The industrial purification process produces a reduction in radionuclide activity concentrations in food-grade phosphoric acid in relation to raw phosphoric acid produced in plant D and single raw phosphoric acid used in recent years. The most common use of food-grade phosphoric acid is in cola soft drinks, with an average consumption in Brazil of 72 l per person per year. Each liter of cola soft drink contains 0.5 ml of food-grade phosphoric acid, which gives an annual average intake of 36 ml of food-grade phosphoric acid per person. Under these conditions, radionuclide intake through consumption of food-grade phosphoric acid per year per person via cola soft drinks is not hazardous to human health in Brazil. Considering these annual additions of ²³⁸U, ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K, and since these radionuclide should be homogeneously distributed in the upper 10 cm of soils with an assumed apparent density of 1.5 g/cm³, a maximum increase of 0.19 ± 0.03 Bq kg⁻¹ of soil is expected for ²³⁸U and ²³⁴U. Thus, the addition of solid waste as phosphate fertilizers to Brazilian agricultural soils does not represent a hazard to the ecosystem or to human health.     

Radiation hazard assessment in Egyptian painting oxides. A comparative study

Building materials are potential sources of radiation, which represents a risk factor for human disease including cancer. In this work, the natural radioactivity due to the presence of ²³⁸U, ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K in different painting oxides has been measured using gamma spectrometry with a Hyper Pure germanium detector. The concentrations of the heavy metals (Cd, Co, Mn, Pb, Ni, Sr, Rb, Cr, Cu and Zn) were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry in order to investigate their possible correlation with radioactive elements. The activity concentrations of ²³⁸U, ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K ranged from 15 ± 0.75 to 126 ± 14, 2.35 ± 0.09 to 72.96 ± 1.96, 1.76 ± 0.31 to 12.88 ± 0.7 and 2.26 ± 0.09 to 200 ± 3.34 Bq kg⁻¹, respectively. The calculated radium-equivalents were lower than values recommended for construction materials (370 Bq kg⁻¹). The absorbed dose rates due to the natural radioactivity of the investigated samples ranged from 8.11 ± 0.24 to 68.46 ± 4.20 nGy/h. Also, the results revealed that some heavy metals (Cd, Co, Mn and Rb) were correlated with ²³⁸U, ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th or ⁴⁰K.     

Natural radioactivity and trace metals in crude oils: implication for health

Crude oil samples were collected from six different fields in the central Niger Delta in order to determine their natural radioactivity and trace element contents, with the aim of assessing the radiological health implications and environmental health hazard of the metals, and also to provide natural radioactivity baseline data that could be used for more comprehensive future study in this respect. The activity concentrations of the radionuclides were measured using a well, accurately calibrated and shielded vertical cryostat, Canberra coaxial high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector system, and the derived doses were evaluated. The metal concentrations were determined by the graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopic (GFAAS) method. The radionuclides identified with reliable regularity belong to the decay series of naturally occurring radionuclides headed by ²³⁸U and ²³²Th along with the non-decay series radionuclide, ⁴⁰K. The averaged activity concentrations obtained were 10.52 ± 0.03 Bq kg⁻¹, 0.80 ± 0.37 Bq kg⁻¹ and 0.17 ± 0.09 Bq kg⁻¹ for ⁴⁰K, ²³⁸U and ²³²Th, respectively. The equivalent doses were very low, ranging from 0.0028 to 0.012 mSv year⁻¹ with a mean value of 0.0070 mSv year⁻¹. The results obtained were low, and hence, the radioactivity content from the crude oils in the Niger delta oil province of Nigeria do not constitute any health hazard to occupationally exposed workers, the public and the end user. The concentrations of the elements (As, Cd, Co, Fe, Mn, Ni, Se and V) determined ranged from 0.73 to 202.90 ppb with an average of 74.35 ppb for the oil samples analysed. The pattern of occurrence of each element agreed with the earlier studies from other parts of the Niger Delta. It was obvious from this study and previous ones that the Niger Delta oils have low metal contents. However, despite the low concentrations, they could still pose an intrinsic health hazard considering their cumulative effects in the environment. Also, various studies on the impact of oil spillage and activities of oil exploration and production on organisms in the immediate environment suggest this.     

Determination of natural and artificial radionuclide materials in the Ma’assel used in hubbly-bubbly (Shisha) in Jordan

In the last decade the habit of smoking the hubbly-bubbly has increased sharply in many regions, including Europe, North America and Australia. Jordan is considered as having one of the highest consumptions of hubbly-bubbly in the world with respect to the general population. Our investigation was initiated due to the increasing trend of cancer cases in the last 10 years. The aim of this study was to determine the radioactive content in tobacco products available in the Jordanian market together with the related supplies. This study showed that all 13 samples investigated contained one or more radionuclides, from ²¹⁰Pb, ⁴⁰K, ¹³⁷Cs, ²³⁸U, and ²²⁶Ra. Most of the samples contained natural potassium ⁴⁰K and uranium ²³⁸U, lead ²¹⁰Pb was found in three samples, while radium ²²⁶Ra was present only in one sample. Five samples contained the anthropogenic ¹³⁷Cs. The estimated daily intake of U was found in the range between 4.4 and 115.8?µg per day (0.05–1.43 Becquerel (Bq) per day ²³⁸U), with geometric mean of 17.3?µg per day (0.2?Bq per day ²³⁸U). The geometric mean of U daily intake found represents 25% of the reference dose (RfD) value, where the highest determined U content represents 165% of the RfD value. This study demonstrated that a water vessel of hubbly-bubbly trapped less than 1.5% of the total U in Ma’assel samples. It is misleading to the public to indicate that a water vessel serves as an active filter for toxic and radiotoxic elements.     

Geologic materials and gamma radiation in the built environment

Human exposure to natural ionizing radiation is due to both internal sources such as ingestion and inhalation of radioactive isotopes, and external sources from cosmic radiation and primordial radionuclides present in the Earth crust. Primordial radionuclides are ⁴⁰K and radioisotopes of the decay series of ²³⁸U and ²³²Th, which emit gamma radiation at low doses. Gamma emission can occur both in outdoor, due to background geologic radiation, and in indoor spaces, due to the use of geologic materials in dwellings. This radiation has received less attention than man-made sources because it contributes less to the total doses that affect humans, on the average. However, there are geographical areas and rocks used as building materials that contain high concentrations of radionuclides, thus being a source of relatively high gamma dose exposures. Assessing exposure is difficult, especially in indoor situations where there are marked variations regarding materials application. Nonetheless, some measures and regulations to control such dose exposures on building materials have been suggested. This article reviews gamma radiation in geologic materials used for buildings. We discuss: (1) procedures that relate radionuclide contents in building materials to external gamma radiation, considering namely indoor applications and that are used for establishing restrictions on building materials commerce; (2) relation of rock radionuclide contents with their geologic history that can lead to listing of some geologic materials as potentially hazardous in terms of gamma radiation; and (3) the implications for the European regulation, which has an universal criteria that might be excessively restrictive for the commerce of geologic materials used in small amounts, and does not have provisions regarding existing structures where geologic materials are used in extended amounts.     

Ground water contamination with 238U, 234U, 235U, 226Ra and 210Pb from past uranium mining: cove wash,Arizona

The objectives of the study are to present a critical review of the ²³⁸U, ²³⁴U, ²³⁵U, ²²⁶Ra and ²¹⁰Pb levels in water samples from the EPA studies (U.S. EPA in Abandoned uranium mines and the Navajo Nation: Red Valley chapter screening assessment report. Region 9 Superfund Program, San Francisco, 2004, Abandoned uranium mines and the Navajo Nation: Northern aum region screening assessment report. Region 9 Superfund Program, San Francisco, 2006, Health and environmental impacts of uranium contamination, 5-year plan. Region 9 Superfund Program, San Franciso, 2008) and the dose assessment for the population due to ingestion of water containing ²³⁸U and ²³⁴U. The water quality data were taken from Sect. “Data analysis” of the published report, titled Abandoned Uranium Mines Project Arizona, New Mexico, Utah–Navajo Lands 1994–2000, Project Atlas. Total uranium concentration was above the maximum concentration level for drinking water (7.410–1 Bq/L) in 19 % of the water samples, while ²³⁸U and ²³⁴U concentrations were above in 14 and 17 % of the water samples, respectively. ²²⁶Ra and ²¹⁰Pb concentrations in water samples were in the range of 3.7 × 10^?1 to 5.55 × 102 Bq/L and 1.11 to 4.33 × 102 Bq/L, respectively. For only two samples, the ²²⁶Ra concentrations exceeded the MCL for total Ra for drinking water (0.185 Bq/L). However, the ²¹⁰Pb/²²⁶Ra ratios varied from 0.11 to 47.00, and ratios above 1.00 were observed in 71 % of the samples. Secular equilibrium of the natural uranium series was not observed in the data record for most of the water samples. Moreover, the ²³⁵U/^totalU mass ratios ranged from 0.06 to 5.9 %, and the natural mass ratio of ²³⁵U to ^totalU (0.72 %) was observed in only 16 % of the water samples, ratios above or below the natural ratio could not be explained based on data reported by U.S. EPA. In addition, statistical evaluations showed no correlations among the distribution of the radionuclide concentrations in the majority of the water samples, indicating more than one source of contamination could contribute to the sampled sources. The effective doses due to ingestion of the minimum uranium concentrations in water samples exceed the average dose considering inhalation and ingestion of regular diet for other populations around the world (1 μSv/year). The maximum doses due to ingestion of ²³⁸U or ²³⁴U were above the international limit for effective dose for members of the public (1 mSv/year), except for inhabitants of two chapters. The highest effective dose was estimated for inhabitants of Cove, and it was almost 20 times the international limit for members of the public. These results indicate that ingestion of water from some of the sampled sources poses health risks.     

Factor analysis applied to a geochemical study of suspended sediments from the Gediz River, western Turkey

Suspended sediment particles collected from 33 sampling points at a site located close to industrial and geological areas in Gediz river, western Turkey were analysed for 15 elements (Ca, Ti, Mn, Zn, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Ba, La, Ce, Ra, U, Th and ⁴⁰K) by Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XRF), Gamma Spectroscopy (GS), and Collector Chamber Method (CCM). Both varimax and oblimin factor rotations were applied to the data, but varimax rotated factor analysis was used for source identification of suspended sediments. Three factors were extracted from the suspended data, which account for about 70% of the total data variance. These factors are interpreted as economy, mine and radioactivity/mine/agriculture.     

A methodology for assessing the maximum expected radon flux from soils in northern Latium (central Italy)

Northern Latium (Italy) is an area where the Rn risk rate is potentially high because of the extensive outcropping of Neogene U-rich volcanics and the presence of major active tectonic lineaments. The lack of data on Rn risk rates in that area, which is undergoing major urban and industrial development, has prompted this study. It proposes a methodology to evaluate the maximum potential diffusive Rn flux from soils based on the measurement of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K activities by γ-ray spectrometry, and the measurement of main soil parameters influencing the Rn emanation. This methodology provides a simple, reliable and low-cost tool for drawing up radon flux maps useful to both public planners and private individuals, who want to operate safely in the study area. The proposed methodology may also be applied to other geographic areas outside the prescribed study area.     

Measurement of natural radioactivity in chemical fertilizer and agricultural soil: evidence of high alpha activity

People are exposed to ionizing radiation from the radionuclides that are present in different types of natural sources, of which phosphate fertilizer is one of the most important sources. Radionuclides in phosphate fertilizer belonging to ²³²Th and ²³⁸U series as well as radioisotope of potassium (⁴⁰K) are the major contributors of outdoor terrestrial natural radiation. The study of alpha activity in fertilizers, which is the first ever in West Bengal, has been performed in order to determine the effect of the use of phosphate fertilizers on human health. The data have been compared with the alpha activity of different types of chemical fertilizers. The measurement of alpha activity in surface soil samples collected from the cultivated land was also performed. The sampling sites were randomly selected in the cultivated land in the Midnapore district, which is the largest district in West Bengal. The phosphate fertilizer is widely used for large agricultural production, mainly potatoes. The alpha activities have been measured using solid-state nuclear track detectors (SSNTD), a very sensitive detector for alpha particles. The results show that alpha activity of those fertilizer and soil samples varies from 141 Bq/kg to 2,589 Bq/kg and from 109 Bq/kg to 660 Bq/kg, respectively. These results were used to estimate environmental radiation exposure on human health contributed by the direct application of fertilizers.