Analysis of terrestrial naturally occurring radionuclides in soil samples from some areas of Sirsa district of Haryana,India using gamma ray spectrometry

The activity concentration and the gamma-absorbed dose rates of the terrestrial naturally occurring radionuclides (²³²Th, ²²⁶Ra and ⁴⁰K) were determined in soil samples collected from ten different locations of Sirsa district of Haryana, using HPGe detector based on high-resolution gamma spectrometry system. The range of activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K in the soil samples from the studied areas varies from 19.18 Bq kg⁻¹ (Moriwala) to 40.31 Bq kg⁻¹ (Rori), 59.43 Bq kg⁻¹ (Pipli) to 89.54 Bq kg⁻¹ (Fatehpur) and 223.22 Bq kg⁻¹ (Moriwala) to 313.32 Bq kg⁻¹ (SamatKhera) with overall mean values of 27.94, 72.75 and 286.73 Bq kg⁻¹ respectively. The absorbed dose rate calculated from activity concentration of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K ranges between 8.84 and 18.58, 37.02 and 55.78, and 9.24 and 12.97 nGy h⁻¹, respectively. The total absorbed dose in the study area ranges from 60.40 to 82.15 nGy h⁻¹ with an average value of 70.12 nGy h⁻¹. The calculated values of external hazard index (H _ex) for the soil samples of the study area range from 0.36 to 0.49 with an average value of 0.42.     

Measurement of natural radioactivity in sand samples collected from the Baoji Weihe Sands Park, China

The activity concentrations and the gamma-absorbed dose rates of the primordial naturally occurring radionuclides ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K were determined for sand samples collected from the Baoji Weihe Sands Park, China, using γ-ray spectrometry. The natural radioactivity concentration of sand ranges from 10.2 to 38.3 Bq kg⁻¹ for ²²⁶Ra, 27.0 to 48.8 Bq kg⁻¹ for ²³²Th and 635.8 to 1,126.7 Bq kg⁻¹ for ⁴⁰K with mean values of 22.1, 39.0 and 859.1 Bq kg⁻¹, respectively. The concentrations of these radionuclides are compared with the typical world values and the average activity of Chinese soil. The measured activity concentration of ²²⁶Ra and ²³²Th in sand is lower than the world average while that of ⁴⁰K is higher. . To evaluate the radiological hazard of the natural radioactivity, the radium equivalent activity, the external hazard index, the absorbed dose rate, and the effective dose rate have been calculated and compared with internationally approved values. The radium equivalent activity values of all sand samples are lower than the limit of 370 Bq kg⁻¹. The values of the external hazard index are less than unity. The mean outdoor air absorbed dose rate is 69.6 nGy h⁻¹ and the corresponding outdoor effective dose rate is 0.085 mSv y⁻¹.     

<Superscript>226</Superscript>Ra, <Superscript>232</Superscript>Th and <Superscript>40</Superscript>K activities in soils of Cuihua Mountain National Geological Park,China

Gamma activity from the naturally occurring radionuclides namely, ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, the primordial radionuclide ⁴⁰K was measured in the soil of Cuihua Mountain National Geological Park, China using γ-ray spectrometry technique. The mean activity of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K were found to be 27.2 ± 6.5, 43.9 ± 6.2 and 653.1 ± 127.6 Bq kg⁻¹, respectively. The concentrations of these radionuclides were compared with the typical world values and the average activities of Chinese soil. The radium equivalent activity, the air absorbed dose rate, the annual effective dose rate, and the external hazard index were evaluated and compared with the internationally approved values. All the soil samples have Ra_eq lower than the limit of 370 Bq kg⁻¹ and H _ex less than unity. The overall mean outdoor terrestrial gamma dose rate is 66.3 nGy h⁻¹ and the corresponding outdoor annual effective dose is 0.081 mSv.     

Radiological hazards of coal and ash samples collected from Xi’an coal-fired power plants of China

The natural radiological characteristics and their respective annual effective dose (AED) rates, produced by ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K in coal, fly ash and bottom ash from two large coal-fired power plants (CFPPs) of Xi’an were determined by means of γ-ray spectrometry. The average activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K in all ash samples (fly ash and bottom ash samples) from the two CFPPs were 67.6, 74.3 and 225.3 Bq kg⁻¹, respectively. The results are compared with data from other locations. To evaluate the radiological hazards of the natural radioactivity, the radium equivalent activity (Ra_eq), air absorbed dose rate (D), AED and external hazard index (H _ex) are compared with internationally accepted values. Ra_eq and H _ex of all samples except three fly ash samples were less than the limits of 370 Bq kg⁻¹ and unity, respectively. The average D and AED for ash samples were 86.8 nGy h⁻¹ and 0.11 mSv y⁻¹, respectively, which exceed the world average and Xi’an average values.     

Natural radioactivity in sediment of Wei River,China

The concentrations of natural radionuclides in sediment of Wei River of China were measured using γ-ray spectrometry with the aim of estimating the radiation hazard as establishing a database for radioactivity levels of river sediment of China. The activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K in sediment samples ranged from 10.4 to 39.9 Bq kg⁻¹, 15.3 to 54.8 Bq kg⁻¹ and 514.8 to 1,175.5 Bq kg⁻¹, respectively. The concentrations of these radionuclides were compared with the typical world values and the average activities of Chinese soil and Shaanxi soil. Radium equivalent activity (Ra_eq), external hazard index (H _ex) and representative level index (I _γr) were calculated for the samples to assess the radiation hazards arising due to the use of these sediment samples in the construction of dwellings. All the sediment samples have Ra_eq lower than the limit of 370 Bq kg⁻¹, H _ex less than unity and I _γr close to 1 Bq kg⁻¹. The overall mean outdoor terrestrial gamma dose rate is 64.8 nGy h⁻¹ and the corresponding outdoor annual effective dose is 0.079 mSv. None of the studied location is considered a radiological risk and sediment can be safely used in construction.     

Radioactivity in sediments and gross alpha–beta activities in surface water of Fırtına River, Turkey

The concentrations and distribution of natural and artificial radionuclides in sediment and water samples collected from Fırtına River in the Eastern Black Sea region of Turkey were investigated with an aim of evaluating the environmental radioactivity and radiation hazard. Natural gross α and gross β activities were determined for 21 different water samples, and the activity concentrations were obtained for ²²⁶Ra, ²¹⁴Pb, ²¹⁴Bi, ²²⁸Ac, ²⁰⁸Tl, ⁴⁰K and ¹³⁷Cs in 20 different sediment samples. The obtained results showed that natural gross α and gross β activity concentrations in water samples range from 12.4 ± 3.4 to 66.2 ± 9.2 mBq l⁻¹ and from 27.9 ± 3.3 to 133.3 ± 4.1 mBq l⁻¹, respectively. The mean activity concentrations were 32.6 ± 3.8 mBq l⁻¹ for gross α and 69.9 ± 4.4 mBq l⁻¹ for gross β. Generally, the gross β activities were higher than the corresponding gross α activities. The average concentrations of ²³⁸U and ²³²Th daughter products vary from 11 to 167 Bq kg⁻¹ and from 16 to 107 Bq kg⁻¹, respectively. The concentrations of ⁴⁰K and ¹³⁷Cs vary from 51 to 1,605 Bq kg⁻¹ and from 0.8 to 42 Bq kg⁻¹, respectively. Sediment characterization was also investigated using grain size, thin section and XRD analysis.     

Natural radioactivity levels and evaluation of radiological hazards from Beni Haroun dam sediment samples,northeast Algeria

Levels of naturally occurring radioactivity in sediment samples of Beni Haroun dam have been investigated. The activity concentrations of ²³⁸U and ²³²Th decay chains and ⁴⁰K primordial radionuclide have been measured using high-resolution HPGe detector. Activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K radionuclides were found in the ranges 9–66, 14–37, and 177–288 Bq/kg with the mean values 24.67, 25.98, and 208.10 Bq/kg, respectively. Radiological hazard parameters were estimated based on the activity concentrations for ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K to find out any radiation hazard associated with the sediments. Correlation studies between pairs of radionuclides were performed and discussed, and the obtained results are compared with international recommended values.     

Natural radionuclide survey in the coastal strip of the 290 Ramsar site,Uruguay

An initial on-going survey of the activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K for sand samples collected within the coastal strip of 290 Ramsar site evaluated the external hazard index, the outdoor annual effective dose equivalent and the radium equivalent activity, to elucidate potential risks for the resident inhabitants. The range of mean activity concentrations in the whole area for ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K were between 4.12?±?0.26 and 48.3?±?1.4, 5.47?±?0.55 and 194?±?13, 77.7?±?4.2 and 445?±?18 Bq kg^?1, respectively. The Barra de Valizas–Aguas Dulces region had the highest activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra and ²³²Th. The annual effective dose equivalent for this region was higher than the mean worldwide value, whereas it is lower than the recommended values for public exposure.     

Environmental aspect of radon potential in terra rossa and eutric cambisol in Slovenia

Terra rossa and eutric cambisol soils were surveyed in Slovenia. At both sites, 6–13 boreholes were drilled in a regular 24 m × 24 m square grid. Soil samples from various depths were taken for gamma spectrometric analysis, and radon in soil gas was measured at a depth of 80 cm using an AlphaGuard instrument. The following ranges of activity concentration (Bq kg⁻¹) were obtained for ²³⁸U, ²²⁶Ra, ²²⁸Ra, ⁴⁰K and ¹³⁷Cs: in terra rossa, 64–74, 70–84, 45–49, 293–345, 20–30 and, in eutric cambisol, 55–80, 132–147, 50–57, 473–529, 106–272. Radon activity concentrations in both soils ranged from about 100 kBq m⁻³ to 370 kBq m⁻³.     

Mineralogy and geochemistry of the Texeo Cu–Co mine site (NW Spain): screening tools for environmental assessment

The Cu–Co–Ni Texeo mine has been the most important source of Cu in NW Spain since Roman times and now, approximately 40,000 m³ of wastes from mine and metallurgical operations, containing average concentrations of 9,263 mg kg⁻¹ Cu, 1,100 mg kg⁻¹ As, 549 mg kg⁻¹ Co, and 840 mg kg⁻¹ Ni, remain on-site. Since the cessation of the activity, the abandoned works, facilities and waste piles have been posing a threat to the environment, derived from the release of toxic elements. In order to assess the potential environmental pollution caused by the mining operations, a sequential sampling strategy was undertaken in wastes, soil, surface and groundwater, and sediments. First, screening field tools were used to identify hotspots, before defining formal sampling strategies; so, in the areas where anomalies were detected in a first sampling stage, a second detailed sampling campaign was undertaken. Metal concentrations in the soils are highly above the local background, reaching up to 9,921 mg kg⁻¹ Cu, 1,373 mg kg⁻¹ As, 685 mg kg⁻¹ Co, and 1,040 mg kg⁻¹ Ni, among others. Copper concentrations downstream of the mine works reach values up to 1,869 μg l⁻¹ and 240 mg kg⁻¹ in surface water and stream sediments, respectively. Computer-based risk assessment for the site gives a carcinogenic risk associated with the presence of As in surface waters and soils, and a health risk for long exposures; so, trigger levels of these elements are high enough to warrant further investigation.     

Assessment of natural radioactivity in aquifer medium bearing uranium ores in Koprubasi,Turkey

Koprubasi, located within Manisa Province near the Izmir, is the biggest uranium mine where uranium ores originate from Neogene aged altered sandstone and conglomerate layers. The main objective of this study is to determine the radiation hazard associated with radioactivity levels of uranium ores, and the rocks and sediments around Koprubasi. In this regard, measured activity levels of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K were compared with world averages. The average activity levels of ²²⁶ Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K were measured to be 5369.75, 124.78 and 10.0 Bq/kg in uranium ores, 24.32, 52.94 and 623.38 Bq/kg in gneiss, 46.24, 45.13 and 762.26 Bq/kg in sandstone and conglomerate, 73.11, 43.15 and 810.65 Bq/kg in sediments, respectively. All samples have high ²²⁶Ra and ⁴⁰K levels according to world average level. As these sediments are used as construction materials and in agricultural activities within the study area, the radiation hazard are calculated by using dose rate (D), annual effective dose rate (He), radium equivalent activity (Ra_eq) and radiation hazard index (I_yr). All the samples have Ra_eq levels that are lower than the world average limit of 370 Bq/kg. On the other hand, D, He and I_yr values are higher than world average values. These results indicate that the uranium ores in the Koprubasi is the most important contributor to the natural radiation level. The radioactivity levels of sediments and rocks make them unsuitable for use as agricultural soil and as construction materials. Moreover, it is determined that shallow groundwater in sediments and deep groundwater in conglomerate rocks and also surface water sources in the Koprubasi have high ²²⁶Ra content. According to environmental radioactive baseline, some environmental protection study must be taken in Koprubasi uranium site and the environment.     

Determination of natural radioactivity levels in soil and travertine of the region of Tokat and Sivas,Turkey

In this study, the environmental radioactivity measurements for Tokat and Sivas provinces in the northeast of Turkey were performed. Using gamma ray spectrometry, the activity concentrations of natural radionuclides in soil and travertine samples (²³²Th, ²²⁶Ra, and ⁴⁰K) were determined. The annual effective dose equivalent, the absorbed doses rate in air, the radium equivalent, and the external hazard index were obtained from these activities. The activity concentrations vary from 9.09 to 17.04 Bq kg^?1 for ²³²Th, from 36.53 to 76.95 Bq kg^?1 for ²²⁶Ra, and from 216.56 to 576.59 Bq kg^?1 for ⁴⁰K in soil samples. The activity concentrations in travertines vary from 15.99 to 21.01 Bq kg^?1 for ²³²Th, from 19.89 to 67.71 Bq kg^?1 for ²²⁶Ra, and from 179.89 to 314.43 Bq kg^?1 for ⁴⁰K. The average dose rate in air for soil and travertine samples was 43.41 and 41.05 nGy h^?1 respectively. The obtained results are presented and compared with other studies, and the results of this study are lower than the international recommended value (55 nGy h^?1) given by UNSCEAR ( 2000). The results show that the region has a background radiation level within the natural limits.     

Assessment of radiation hazards due to the concentration of natural radionuclides in the environment

A study of natural radionuclides and radon concentration of Hamirpur District of Himachal Pradesh, India is carried out using various methodologies. The activity concentration of the natural radionuclides viz. ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K is measured using high-resolution-based HPGe detector. Indoor radon measurements in the dwellings of Hamirpur district is carried out using LR-115 type II cellulose nitrate films in the bare mode. The average activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K are 35.58, 54.95 and 580.58 Bq kg^?1, respectively. The annual average indoor radon value in the study area varies from 173.90 to 198.25 Bq m^?3, which is well within the recommended action level given by International Commission on Radiological Protection. The indoor radon values obtained in the present investigation are higher than the world average of 40 Bq m^?3. Radon concentration in water samples is measured using RAD7, an active radon detector. The annual effective dose for stomach and lung is determined from the measured value of radon concentration in water. To assess the radiation hazard of the natural radioactivity in all samples to the people, the radium equivalent activity, external hazard index, lifetime fatality risk, absorbed dose rate and total annual effective dose is estimated. The results signify that the studied area does not possess any radiation hazards due to the presence of natural radioactivity concentration.     

Trace metals (Cd,Pb, Cu,Zn and Ni) in sediment of the submarine pit Dragon ear (Soline Bay,Rogoznica, Croatia)

Vertical profiles of trace metal (Cd, Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni) concentrations, organic matter content, carbonate content and granulometric composition were determined in two sediment cores from the submarine pit Dragon Ear (Middle Adriatic). Concentrations of the analyzed metals (Cd: 0.06–0.12 mg kg⁻¹, Pb: 28.5–67.3 mg kg⁻¹, Zn: 17.0-65.4 mg kg⁻¹, Cu: 21.1–51.9 mg kg⁻¹, Ni: 27.8–40.2 mg kg⁻¹) were in usual range for Adriatic carbonate marine sediments. Nevertheless, concentrations of Cu, Zn, and especially Pb in the upper layer of sediments (top 12 cm) were higher than in bottom layer, while Cd and Ni concentration profiles were uniform. Regression analysis and principal component analysis were used to interpret distribution of trace metals, organic matter and carbonate content in sediment cores. Results of both analysis showed that concentrations of all trace metals in the core below the entrance to the pit were significantly positively correlated with organic matter and negatively correlated with carbonate, while in the core more distant from the entrance only Pb showed significant positive correlation with organic matter. Obtained results indicated that, except for lead which was enriched in surface sediment, in the time of sampling (before the building of the nautical marina) investigated area belonged to unpolluted areas.     

Environmental evaluation of elemental cesium and strontium contents and their isotopic activity concentrations in different soils of La Mancha (Central Spain)

Cesium and Strontium concentrations were analyzed in eight pedogenetic soil profiles developed on different rocks from a semiarid mediterranean region: La Mancha (Central Spain). Concentration activities of ¹³⁷Cs and ⁹⁰Sr, as for some soil properties, were also measured. The results are presented in this document: Cs concentrations range between 0.4 and 18.3 mg kg⁻¹ and Sr varies widely between 11.0 and 3,384 mg kg⁻¹. Therefore, it is clear that there is a broad range of concentrations and there are also values significantly higher than the average values stated by several authors. Concentrations of long-life artificial radionuclides (¹³⁷Cs, ⁹⁰Sr) were determined in some of the same soils. The activity concentration mean values (Bq kg⁻¹) were ranging between 0.82 and 21.76 for ¹³⁷Cs and ⁹⁰Sr variations range between 6.73 and 0.35. There were no significant correlations between radionuclides and stable trace elements. The data indicate that the soils do not show significant radioactivity of these elements and therefore they do not pose a danger. By the same token, no risk of contamination by this activity was detected. Finally, spatial patterns seem to be affected by the soil type and some soil properties.     

The relative importance of terrestrial versus marine sediment sources to the Nueces-Corpus Christi Estuary, Texas: An isotopic approach

Determining sources of sediment to coastal systems is an important and complex problem that figures prominently in a myriad of geological, geomorphological, geochemical, and biological processes. Lithogenic (²²⁶Ra,²²⁸Ra,²²⁸Th,²³⁰Th,²³²Th) and fallout (¹³⁷Cs,²¹⁰Pb) isotopes were employed in conjunction with sedimentological methods to determine rates of sedimentation in the Nueces Delta and Nueces-Corpus Christi Estuary and to assess the relative importance of marine versus terrestrial sediment sources to the estuary. Similarity of lithogenic isotope ratios in surface sediments throughout the system precluded a numeric approach to discerning the importance of each of the two large scale sediment sources (terrestrial and marine). A stepwise, graphical examination of discrete lithogenic isotope activity concentrations shows more promise. Terrestrial, marine, and bay sediment means for²²⁶Ra versus²³²Th,²²⁶Ra versus²³⁰Th, and²²⁸Ra versus²³²Th show that terrestrial and marine sediment sources have different signatures, despite having similar grain size distributions (sands), and that sediment deposited in Nueces and Corpus Christi Bays are indistinguishable from the terrestrial component. Supporting evidence is provided by thorium isotopes,²³⁰Th versus²³²Th,²²⁸Th versus²³²Th, and²²⁸Th versus²³⁰Th. Nueces Delta sedimentation (0.09–0.53 g cm⁻² yr⁻¹) shows a subtle gradient, with rates generally lower in the west and progressively higher moving east, likely reflecting contrasts in land use and topography. Nueces Bay cores differ from those in Corpus Christi Bay in that sands comprise a larger percentage of their composition, and they are mixed over greater depth, most likely due to geographic and physiographic effects. Sediment accumulation rates consistently decrease over the first 20 km from the Nueces River and become constant after that, implying that the river is the most significant source of sediment to the estuary. The interpretation of sediment supply to this estuary as dominated by terrestrial inputs is based on three complimentary sets of data: sediment grain size distributions, discrete lithogenic isotope data (Ra versus Th and Th versus Th), and sediment accumulation rates for both Nueces and Corpus Christi Bays.     

Estimation of radiation exposure in soils and organic (animal) and inorganic (chemical) fertilizers using active technique

In this study, activity concentrations of ⁴⁰K, ²²⁶Ra and ²³²Th in fertilized soil samples and different organic and inorganic fertilizers used in agricultural soil were analysed using gamma-ray spectrometry NaI (Tl) detector in order to access the implications of extended use of fertilizers in 2–3 years. The concentrations of radionuclides in some granular fertilizer brands were discovered to be higher for ⁴⁰K, ²²⁶Ra and ²³²Th than those obtained in leafy fertilizer, animal fertilizer and fertilized soil samples. From the results, the highest overall mean concentrations of the specific activities of ⁴⁰K, ²²⁶Ra and ²³²Th were 2301.8 (granular fertilizer), 42.5 (leafy fertilizer) and 327.1 (animal fertilizer) in Bq kg^?1, while the lowest values observed in the specific activities of the same radionuclides were 357.7 (leafy fertilizer), 28.1 (animal fertilizer) and 36.5 (animal fertilizer). The radiological hazards of the radium equivalent (Ra_eq), normative value (NRN), outdoor radium equivalent (Ra_eq-out), external hazard index (H _ext), internal hazard index (H _in), dose rate, annual effective dose rate, activity utilization index and concentration accumulation index (CAI) and Ra_FZ due to the presence of these radionuclides in the investigated samples were calculated. Nevertheless, some of the fertilizer brands have higher concentration values than the recommended limit, and the values of hazard indices of fertilizer brands used in the selected teaching and research farms were within acceptable limit. Therefore, the fertilized soil samples in the studied farms are safe.     

Nitrogen and phosphorus mineralization in sediments of Taihu Lake after the removal of light fraction organic matter

Mineralization of organic matter (OM) in sediment is crucial for biogeochemical cycle of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in lake ecosystem. Light fraction OM (LFOM) is a reactive pool in sediment and is considered as labile fraction contributing to N and P cycling. In our study, the effect of LFOM on the process and characteristics of N and P mineralization in sediments of Taihu Lake were investigated with 77-day waterlogged incubation plus intermittent leaching at 27°C. Sediments from Yuantouzhu (Y) and Gonghu (G) were used, which were removed the LF. Results indicated that the organic nitrogen mineralized ranged from 14.3 to 19.5% of total nitrogen (193.49–378.93 mg kg⁻¹ sediment) and the organic phosphorus mineralized ranged from 5.7 to 7.9% of total phosphorus (19.86–60.65 mg kg⁻¹ sediment). The heavily polluted sediment had a higher mineralization rate and net mineral-N and mineral-P than slightly polluted sediment. LF stimulated the initial amounts of inorganic N and P and also can be the potential source for mineralization. After the LFOM removal, the net mineral-N of Y and G decreased 116.47 mg kg⁻¹ sediment and 48.03 mg kg⁻¹sediment, respectively, and the net mineral-P decreased 2.67 mg kg⁻¹sediment for Y and 4.82 mg kg⁻¹sediment for G. Two models were used to fit the observed mineral-N data vs. incubation days using a non-linear regression procedure: one is the effective cumulated temperature model, a thermodynamic model which assumes that N mineralization is affected by temperature; the other is the single first-order exponential model, which is a dynamic model. Based on root mean square error values for the two models, the effective cumulated temperature model made a better prediction of N mineralization than the other model for all the four treatments. The single first-order exponential model underestimated N mineralization during the first 14 days and the last 21 days, and overestimated it in the other days during the 77-day incubation. This indicated that temperature was the primary factor influencing N mineralization and the amount of mineral-N were correlated significantly with the effective cumulated temperature (T ≥ 15°C) and incubation time when waterlogged incubation plus intermittent leaching was used.     

Factors controlling the groundwater transport of U, Th, Ra, and Rn

A model for the groundwater transport of naturally occurring U, Th, Ra, and Rn nuclides in the²³⁸U and²³²Th decay series is discussed. The model developed here takes into account transport by advection and the physico-chemical processes of weathering, decay, α-recoil, and sorption at the water-rock interface. It describes the evolution along a flowline of the activities of the²³⁸U and²³²Th decay series nuclides in groundwater. Simple sets of relationships governing the activities of the various species in solution are derived, and these can be used both to calculate effective retardation factors and to interpret groundwater data. For the activities of each nuclide, a general solution to the transport equation has been obtained, which shows that the activities reach a constant value after a distance ϰ_i, characteristic of each nuclide. Where ϰ_i is much longer than the aquifer length, (for²³⁸U,²³⁴U, and²³²Th), the activities grow linearly with distance. Where gKⁱ is short compared to the aquifer length, (for²³⁴Th,²³⁰Th,²²⁸Th,²²⁸Ra, and²²⁴Ra), the activities rapidly reach a constant or quasi-constant activity value. For²²⁶Ra and²²²Rn, the limiting activity is reached after 1 km. High δ²³⁴U values (proportional to the ratio^ɛ234Th/^W238U) can be obtained through high recoil fraction and/or low weathering rates. The activity ratios²³⁰Th/²³²Th,²²⁸Ra/²²⁶Ra and²²⁴Ra/²²⁶Ra have been considered in the cases where either weathering or recoil is the predominant process of input from the mineral grain. Typical values for weathering rates and recoil fractions for a sandy aquifer indicate that recoil is the dominant process for Th isotopic ratios in the water. Measured data for Ra isotope activity ratios indicate that recoil is the process generally controlling the Ra isotopic composition in water. Higher isotopic ratios can be explained by different desorption kinetics of Ra. However, the model does not provide an explanation for²²⁸Ra/²²⁶Ra and²²⁴Ra/²²⁶Ra activity ratios less than unity. From the model, the highest²²²Rn emanation equals 2ɛ. This is in agreement with the hypothesis that²²²Rn activity can be used as a first approximation for input by recoil (Krishnaswamiet al 1982). However, high²²²Rn emanation cannot be explained by production from the surface layer as formulated in the model. Other possibilities involve models including surface precipitation, where the surface layer is not in steady-state.     

Radiological monitoring and statistical approach of primordial and anthropogenic radionuclides in surface soil of Mami-water site in the Western Cameroon

The study referred to measure activity concentrations of some primordial radionuclides and anthropogenic of ¹³⁷Cs in soil samples of Mami-water in the Menoua subdivision, Dschang employing gamma-ray spectrometry-based characterized Broad Energy Germanium (BE6350) detector and a comparison of radiological and safety impact parameters on human due to primordial radioactivity in soil with some internationally approved values. In addition, statistical analysis of primordial radionuclides of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K was performed to evaluate the distribution and the interrelation of radionuclides. Samples were randomly collected from a depth of about 0 to 5 cm from the top surface layer. Each of the sampling points was considered as being overlaid with a grid and subdivided into cells. The observed radioactivity level of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K in the investigated soil samples was compared with some published data available in some countries including Cameroon and observed varying within some reported data of radioactivity in soil from bauxite ore deposit. ²³⁵U and ¹³⁷Cs were found in very few samples with a very low average of activity concentrations. In the majority of the samples, the observed radiological safety parameters seem to be greater than the internationally approved values. Consequently, using bricks made of soil as building materials might lead to an increase in radiation risk for the population. Multivariate statistical analysis of activity concentrations of primordial radionuclides performed showed an asymmetrical distribution with more peaked than Gaussian distribution and relatively flatter distribution of radionuclides in soil. In addition, a good positive interrelation between ²²⁶Ra and ²³²Th was observed and a weak negative one observed between ⁴⁰K and ²²⁶Ra–²³²Th.