Radiochemical separation and determination of radium-228 in bottled mineral waters by low level gamma spectrometry and its committed effective dose

?The gross beta and ²²⁸Ra radioactivity measurements in mineral waters were performed by proportional counter and gamma spectrometry, respectively, in this study. The natural mineral water samples were collected from various regions of Turkey for this study. Gross beta activities have been determined according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency standard method (EPA 900). In the case that the gross beta activity was determined to be greater than 1 Bq/L, then the ²²⁸Ra activity concentration in the related mineral water sample was specifically measured. ²²⁸Ra activity in mineral water samples was determined by high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector. The photopeak efficiencies were calculated by modeling the sample geometry and the detector in Canberra software LabSOCS. The gross beta activities in the eight of 32 bottled mineral water samples were greater than 1 Bq/L. ²²⁸Ra activity concentrations in bottled mineral waters were determined within 0.100–1.04 Bq/L. The committed effective doses were calculated for three different scenarios according to mineral water consumption rates.     

Anomalous concentrations of radionuclides in the groundwater of Ede area,southwestern Nigeria: a direct impact of geology

An assessment of the groundwater in areas underlain by pegmatite in Ede, southwestern Nigeria was carried out to determine the concentration of Potassium-40 (⁴⁰K), Uranium-238 (²³⁸U) and Thorium-232 (²³²Th) radionuclides. In the earlier work, it was established that zircons in these pegmatites have suffered a high degree of metamictization that has enhanced continuous loss of some radionuclides since the time of emplacement of the pegmatite host rock to the present. The aim of this work is to determine whether or not there is corresponding increase in the concentration of radionuclides in groundwater in the study area. Fifteen groundwater samples were collected from both hand dug wells and boreholes in the area. Ten samples were from Ede town, two samples each from nearby communities of Iddo and Ekuro and one from Iwoye, where the bedrocks were not pegmatites. All the 15 samples were analyzed with the Sodium Iodide scintillator (NaI [Tl]) detector at the Centre for Energy Research and Development, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. The results showed varying concentrations of the radionuclides in the water samples. Activity concentrations of Potassium-40 (⁴⁰K) indicated an average value of 17.149 Bq/L for samples from Ede, 9.265 Bq/L for Iddo, 6.6 Bq/L for Ekuro, while Iwoye has a value of 21.21 Bq/L. The Uranium-238 (²³⁸U) series had an average value of 13.64 Bq/L for Ede, 13.49 Bq/L for Ekuro, 11.685 Bq/L for Iddo and 12.04 Bq/L for the lone sample from Iwoye. Thorium-232 (²³²Th) series had an average value of 11.182 Bq/L for Ede, while average values of 7.79 Bq/L and 9.025 Bq/L, respectively, were recorded for Iddo and Ekuro and 12.25 Bq/L for Iwoye. The annual effective dose level of ⁴⁰K is generally below the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended dosage of 0.1 mSv/y except for three locations, while those of ²³⁸U and ²³²Th are in excess of the standard values. The high radionuclides in the groundwater in the study area were not due to anthropogenic sources but directly due to geological processes which release the radioisotopes from rocks after weathering, continuous loss from metamict minerals and natural lateral mobility from regions of radionuclides’ release to other areas. There is thus the need to carry out systematic studies of the radionuclides concentrations on regional scale in the area which could lead to investigating on both short- and long-term health effects on organic species in these areas, and development of purification systems before utilizing water from the areas for domestic and industrial purposes.     

Evaluation of dose parameters and radiological hazards in gravel samples of Konyaaltı Beach,Antalya

It is important to know the distribution and transfer of radionuclides such as uranium, thorium, and potassium, which exist naturally in the environment we live in. For this reason, measurements of these natural radionuclides have been carried out for 15 gravel samples collected from Konyaalt? Beach, Antalya. In order to measure the natural activity concentrations of potassium-40, uranium-238, and thorium-232 radionuclides, we performed the measurements by applying a gamma spectrometry method with a “3?×?3” NaI(Tl) detector, which is a multichannel analytical detector in the Suleyman Demirel University gamma spectrometry laboratory. The minimum, maximum, and mean values for the ²²⁶Ra activity concentration were measured as 19.74 Bq/kg, 37.03 Bq/kg, and 31.64 Bq/kg, respectively. The minimum, maximum, and mean values for the ²³²Th activity concentration were measured as 12.76 Bq/kg, 34.32 Bq/kg, and 26.67 Bq/kg, respectively. The minimum, maximum, and mean values for the ⁴⁰K activity concentration were measured as 196.37 Bq/kg, 421.13 Bq/kg, and 350.42 Bq/kg, respectively. Dose parameters and radiation damage indices were calculated using experimentally measured activity results and the resulting dose and hazard index values were compared with the determined limit values. It can be concluded that no risk may threat in terms of the hazard index values. In addition, all results obtained in terms of calculated dose values except for annual gonadal dose are below the recommended limit values.     

Determination of the radiation dose due to radon ingestion and inhalation

The distribution of radon in ground and surface water samples in Sankey Tank and Mallathahalli Lake areas was determined using Durridge RAD-7 analyzer with RAD H₂O accessory. The radiation dose received by an individual falling under different age groups (viz., 3 months; 1, 5, 10, 15 years and adult) depending upon their average annual water consumption rate was attempted. The mean radon activity in surface water of Sankey Tank and Mallathahalli Lake was 7.24 ± 1.48 and 11.43 ± 1.11 Bq/L, respectively. The average radon activities ranged from 11.6 ± 1.7 to 381.2 ± 2.0 Bq/L and 1.50 ± 0.83 to 18.9 ± 1.59 Bq/L, respectively, in 12 groundwater samples each around Sankey Tank and Mallathahalli Lake areas. Majority of the measured groundwater samples (viz., 100 % in Sankey Tank area and 75 % in Mallathahalli Lake area) showed mean radon values above the EPA’s maximum contaminant level of 11.1 Bq/L and only 66.67 % of samples in Sankey Tank area showed radon above the WHO and EU’s reference level of 100 Bq/L. The overall radiation dose due to radon emanating from water in the study area was increasing with increase in age and water consumption rates, but significantly lower than UNSCEAR and WHO recommended limit of 1 mSv/year except for few groundwater samples in Sankey Tank area (i.e., 0.92, 0.99 and 1.39 mSv/year). The radiation dose rate received by bronchial epithelium via inhalation was very high compared to that by stomach walls via ingestion.     

Radon distributions in the Hail Region of Northern Saudi Arabia

Indoor radon measurements were carried out in a total of 420 dwellings and 17 schools in Hail region of Saudi Arabia, using NTDs based radon dosimeters. The duration of the measurements was one year, from April 2008 to April 2009. The indoor radon concentrations varied from 4 to 513 Bq/m³ with an overall average of 45 Bq/m³ for all surveyed dwellings. These passive measurements were confirmed by the active measurements. The anomalous concentrations above 200 Bq/m³ were observed in 13 dwellings, representing 3.1 % of the total surveyed dwellings. In Inbowan village alone, it was found that 7.6 % of the dwellings have indoor radon concentration above 200 Bq/m³. The highest average indoor radon concentration of 64 Bq/m³ was found in Inbowan village while the lowest average of 24 Bq/m³ was found in Majasah village. The city of Hail showed an average indoor radon concentration of 49 Bq/m³. The average indoor radon concentration in one area located at the edge of the Aja Mountain in Hail city was 111 Bq/m³. The elevated indoor radon concentrations in many dwellings in the Hail region, prompted us to measure outdoor ground radon in such locations using gas monitor. It was found that radon concentrations at a depth of 0.5 m varied significantly from place to place ranging from 1.2 to 177 kBq/m³. The outdoor radon concentrations are generally correlated with the indoor radon measurements. Radon exhalations from construction materials and soil samples from the Hail region were also measured. It was found that radon exhalations from soil samples are higher than that of construction materials by a factor of at least 3 and reaching up to 11. These results indicate that soil is the main source of indoor radon. Geological interpretations of the results are also given.     

江西某地区水中总α,总β放射性测量及评价

为了对江西某地区水中总α,总β放射性进行监测,对该地区的河水和井水进行采样,将样品分别进行浓缩、转移、洗涤、灼烧,经马弗炉高温灰化,采用BH1216低本底α、β测量仪测量水中总α、β放射性浓度。测量结果显示,井水水样总α、总β的平均比活度分别为0.045 9 Bq/L与0.110 2 Bq/L;河水水样总α、总β的平均比活度分别为0.079 9 Bq/L与0.146 8 Bq/L,平均值均符合国家标准,少数井水样品与河水样品的总α比活度超过了国家标准。     

The influence of geological factors on radon risk in groundwater and dwellings in the region of Amarante (Northern Portugal)

The region of Amarante (Northern Portugal) is composed of Hercynian tardi-tectonics granites and Paleozoic metasediments. Petrographic observations and SEM studies show that uranium is mainly contained within the rock in heavy accessory minerals such as apatite, zircon, monazite, uraninite, thorite and thorianite. The geological, geochemical and radiological data obtained suggest that the radon concentrations in dwellings of the studied area are mainly related with the uranium content of the rocks. Indeed, the highest contents were observed in granite AT2 of Padronelo (18.2 ppm) and the granite AT1 of Telões (10.3 ppm), with metasediments showing much lower uranium contents of 1.6 ppm; radon concentrations were evaluated in dwellings, using CR-39 passive detectors, and the results obtained in winter conditions suggest that the most productive geological units are the granites AT2 and AT1, with geometric means of 430 and 220 Bq/m³, respectively, while the metasediments show the lowest value of 85 Bq/m³. Some moderate radiometric anomalies, where uranium contents can double typical background values, were found in relation with specific fault systems of the region affecting granitic rocks, thus increasing radon risk; this is an indication of uranium mobility, likely resulting from the leaching of primary mineral supports as uraninite. Groundwater radionuclide contents show a wide range of results, with the highest activities related with granitic lithologies: 2,295 Bq/l for radon, 0.83 Bq/l for gross α and 0.71 Bq/l for gross β, presenting metasediments much lower values, in good agreement with other results obtained. Absorbed dose measured with gamma spectrometers in direct contact with the rocks is directly related with the uranium contents of the rocks, and thus works as a fast proxy for radon risk. It is concluded that radon risk is moderate to high in the granitic areas of the Amarante region and low in the metasediments of the same region.     

Study of radon in soil gas,trace elements and climatic parameters around South Kordofan state,Sudan

This study was conducted primarily to measure and map radon activity concentration in soil gas and to understand the effect of geology and lithology and meteorology on radon concentration. Portable radon meter has been used for the measurement of soil gas radon at 30 different locations around Uro and Korn area in eastern Nuba Mountain South Kordofan State. The results indicate that the activity concentrations of ²²²Rn in soil gas fall within the range of 20–1,359 Bq/m³ with geometric mean of 102.80 Bq/cm³. The obtained data show that samples around Uro have anomaly of ²²²Rn concentrations than the sample around Korn. The reason could be attributed to differences in the geological structure, lithology and climate parameters. GIS predicative map has shown that the elevated levels of radon concentration were measured in North study area. Upon comparing the results with global data, it was found that the obtained values are far below the reported range of India, Slovenia, Portugal and Syria. However, the range of ²²²Rn concentrations in the soil observed in this study is significantly high relative to similar data reported from Libya. The regression analysis has shown that no correlation was noted between radon concentrations, climatic parameters and trace element.     

Natural radionuclide concentrations in thermal springs of east Algeria

The variation of the natural radionuclide concentrations depends on the chemical composition of each site. In this work, two thermal springs in the east of Algeria have been chosen to assess the activity concentration of natural radionuclide, mainly the three natural radioactive series ²³⁸U, ²³⁵U and ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K. The high-resolution gamma ray spectroscopy was used to determine these concentrations. In these water samples, ²³⁵U, ²³⁴Th, ²¹⁰Pb, ²²⁶Ra radionuclides are less than the minimum detectable activity. The activity of ²³⁸U is dominant. The ²³⁸U activity was determined by taking the mean activity of two separate photo-peaks of daughter nuclides ²¹⁴Pb at 351.92 (37.2%) keV and ²¹⁴Bi at 609.31 (45%) keV. The measured activity concentrations of ²³⁸U in water samples obtained from the concentrations of ²¹⁴Bi and ²¹⁴Pb ranged from 0.56 ± 0.20 to 1.13 ± 0.20 Bq/L. The annual effective dose value due to the ingestion of the measured radionuclide ²³⁸U in 1 L of water, for an adult, ranged from 9.20 to 18.56 µSv.     

A study on the measurement and analysis of radioactivity concentration and the ambient dose rate in soil on the playgrounds of elementary schools in the Gwangju area

The aim of this study was to obtain nationwide basic data on the distribution of environmental radiation in normal times and to compare the characteristics and distribution in many areas. The data obtained can contribute to improve the radioactivity analysis technology, public health, and the environment in the future. Ten elementary schools in the Gwangju area were selected and soil samples were taken from the playgrounds of the selected schools for analysis. A high-purity Ge (HPGe) semiconductor detector, a multi-channel analyzer (MCA), and a FH40G dose rate detector were used to measure the radioactivity concentration of K-40 and Cs-137, and the ambient gamma dose rate. According to the measured radioactivity concentrations of ⁴⁰K and ¹³⁷Cs, the K-40 concentration (Bq/kg dry) was measured at 723.61 ± 162.72, which was higher than the minimum detection limit (MDL). The Cs-137 concentration (Bq/kg dry) measured was 0.203 ± 0.023, which was lower than the MDL. FH40G was used to measure the ambient gamma dose rate (nSv/h) in different areas. According to the measurement results, the ambient gamma dose rate was 176.73 ± 4.91. With regard to the correlation between the ambient gamma dose rate and radioactivity concentrations of ⁴⁰K and ¹³⁷Cs, ⁴⁰K showed a correlation coefficient with Cs-137 and the ambient gamma dose rate of ?0.36 and 0.124, respectively. ¹³⁷Cs revealed a correlation coefficient of 0.293 with an ambient gamma dose rate of ?0.210. In conclusion, the low correlation coefficient (<0.5) indicates no significant correlation between the ambient dose rate measurements of K-40 and ¹³⁷Cs.     

Naturally occurring radionuclides and their geochemical interactions at a geothermal site in the North German Basin

The activities of the most common, naturally occurring radionuclides ²³⁸U, ²²⁶Ra, ²¹⁰Pb, ²²⁸Ra, ²²⁸Th, and ⁴⁰K were measured by gamma-ray spectrometry in samples from reservoir rocks, geothermal fluids, and mineral precipitates at the geothermal research site Groß Schönebeck (North German Basin). Results demonstrated that the specific activity of the reservoir rock is within the range of the mean concentration in the upper earth crust of <800 Bq/kg for ⁴⁰K and <60 Bq/kg for radionuclides of the ²³⁸U and ²³²Th series, respectively. The geothermal fluid showed elevated activity concentrations (up to 100 Bq/l) for ²²⁶Ra, ²¹⁰Pb, and ²²⁸Ra, as compared to concentrations found in natural groundwater. Their concentration in filter residues even increased up to 100 Bq/g. These residues contain predominantly two different mineral phases: a Sr-rich barite (Sr, BaSO₄) and laurionite (PbOHCl), which both precipitate upon cooling from the geothermal fluid. Thereby they presumably enrich the radionuclides of Ra (by substitution of Ba) and Pb. Analysis of these precipitates further showed an increased ²²⁶Ra/²²⁸Ra ratio from around 1–1.7 during the initial months of fluid production indicating a change in fluid composition over time which can be explained by different contributions of stimulated reservoir rock areas to the overall produced fluid.     

Impact of geohydrology and neotectonic activity on radon concentration in groundwater of intermontane Doon Valley, Outer Himalaya, India

 Radon concentration was measured in 133 water samples from tubewells, handpumps, dug wells and springs of the Doon Valley, Outer Himalaya, India. The observed radon values were found to vary from 10 to 154 Bq/l whereas radium in selected water samples varied from 0.11 to 0.75 Bq/l. Three different clusters of high radon values were observed in the north-western, central and south-eastern parts of the Doon Valley. These clusters were found to be associated with tectonics (thrust/fault) and associated uranium mineralization in the area. In general, radon concentration in groundwater was found to be positively correlated with the depth of the wells, whereas no significant correlation was observed between radon concentration in groundwater and the water temperature, pH value, conductivity and altitude of the water samples. An attempt has also been made to determine the nature and extent of aquifers in the Doon Valley on radon concentration in groundwater. The variation in radon concentration within the groundwater of the study area was found to be controlled by the neotectonic activity and geohydrological processes that occur in the area. The impact of these activities on radon concentration in groundwater are discussed. Received: 17 September 1999 · Accepted: 11 April 2000     

Spatio-temporal variation in radon concentration in groundwater with respect to rock types: A case study from Chitradurga district,Karnataka

An attempt was made in the present study to delineate how the radon concentrations vary with respect to different geological formations and to evaluate annual effective dose exposure due to ingestion of radon. A total of 60 groundwater samples were collected from layered sequential aquifers in Chitradurga district having major rock types such as Bababudan Group, Charnockite, Chitradurga Group, Closepet granite, migmatites and granodiorite — tonalitic gneisses and Sargur Schist complex during pre-monsoon and post-season of the year 2011. Radon measurement was made using Durridge RAD-7 radon-in-air monitor, connected to RAD H₂O accessory with closed loop aeration concept. In the present study, the radon activity ranged from 0 to 186.6 Bq/L and 0 to 150.6 Bq/L during pre- and post-monsoon seasons of the year 2011, with 56.67 % (17 samples) of samples during both the seasons exceeding the EPA’s MCL value of 11.1 Bq/L. The annual mean radon activity in the groundwater was higher in the area having Chitradurga rock group formations (78.1 Bq/L) followed by Sargur-Satyamangalam schist complex group (56.8 bq/L), migmatites and granodiorite — tonalitic Gneisses group (56.3 Bq/L), Closepet granite (42.7 Bq/L), Charnonkite (29.1 Bq/L) and Bababudan Group (22.2 Bq/L). It is inferred that radon concentration found to depend on the tectonic structure, geology of the area and on the presence of uranium minerals in these rocks. The annual effective dose resulting from radon in groundwater in the Chitradurga district were significantly lower than UNSCEAR and WHO recommended limit of 1 mSv/y.     

Estimation of excess lifetime cancer risk and radiation hazard indices in southern Iraq

Relatively high activity concentrations of some radionuclides (²²⁶Ra, ²³⁸U, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K) have been measured in surface and subsurface soils in areas (southern Iraq) where many warfare actions have taken place during the Iran–Iraq and Gulf wars. Such high activity concentrations might be related to the increase in cancerous injuries and birth defects recently reported. The study was aimed to estimate the activity concentrations of some nuclides and a comparison of results with international health hazard indices. In addition, the excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) was assessed. Soil samples were collected at three depths (0, 30, and 60 cm) in three locations in Abu Al Khasib and Ad Dayr in Basrah governorates. The average activity concentrations were estimated employing hyper-pure germanium HPGe gamma-ray detection technology. The values obtained in Abu Al Khasib were: 58.44 Bq/kg (²²⁶Ra), 43.56 Bq/kg (²³⁸U), 19.38 Bq/kg (²³²Th), and 321.76 Bq/kg (⁴⁰K) whereas in Ad Dayr 45.71 Bq/kg (²²⁶Ra), 35.53 Bq/kg (²³⁸U), 20.33 Bq/kg (²³²Th), and 337.02 Bq/kg (⁴⁰K). According to UNSCEAR (Sources and effects of ionizing radiations: a report on the effects of atomic radiation to the general assembly with scientific annexes, Annex B, United Nations, New York, 2000) report, higher levels of ²²⁶Ra, ²³⁸U concentrations than the world’s average values (35 Bq/kg) were observed in both locations. In addition, some radiation hazard indices were determined for both locations: average outdoor external dose (D _out), average indoor external dose (D _in), total average value of the external dose (D _tot), average annual outdoor effective dose (E _out), average annual indoor effective dose (E _in), and averaged total annual effective dose (E _tot). Values for D _tot and E _tot were higher than the worldwide median (143 nGy/h and 0.48 mSv/y, respectively) in both regions. The measured values of activity concentrations were also used to estimate the outdoor, indoor, and total ELCR. The ELCR values were higher than the worldwide averages. Further analyses and studies need to assess the real risks for human health and possible soil remediation.     

Determination of 137Cs activities in surface sediments and derived sediment accumulation rates in Thessaloniki Gulf, Greece

Surficial and core samples collected from the eastern Thessaloniki Gulf, located in the NW Aegean Sea, were analyzed for their sedimentation rate and inventories of ¹³⁷Cs and ²¹⁰Pb. The study of the spatial radionuclide dispersion in the specific region is essential for the assessment of marine pollution levels. The sedimentation rates were calculated from the vertical distribution of ¹³⁷Cs and excess ²¹⁰Pb in the sediment cores. The spatial distribution of ¹³⁷Cs was studied with respect to sediment characteristics such as the grain size of the sample and the organic carbon content. The activity concentrations were measured by means of gamma ray spectrometry using HPGe detector for ¹³⁷Cs and gross alpha counting using alpha counter for ²¹⁰Pb. The average sedimentation rate along the sediment cores is characterized by a consistent pattern and varies from 0.18?±?0.02 to 0.22?±?0.03?cm?year^?1. The ¹³⁷Cs inventories varied from 205?±?15 to 602?±?39?Bq?m^?2, while the ²¹⁰Pb inventories of the studied cores exhibited average value of 140?±?9?Bq?m^?2. Elevated ¹³⁷Cs activities were observed compared to certain Mediterranean marine areas; however, they were lower than the reported values in the Black Sea.     

Mechanism of fluoride enrichment in groundwater of hard rock aquifers in Medak,Telangana State,South India

A total of 194 groundwater samples were collected from wells in hard rock aquifers of the Medak district, South India, to assess the distribution of fluoride in groundwater and to determine whether this chemical constituent was likely to be causing adverse health effects on groundwater user in the region. The study revealed that the fluoride concentration in groundwater ranged between 0.2 and 7.4 mg/L with an average concentration of 2.7 mg/L. About 57% of groundwater tested has fluoride concentrations more than the maximum permissible limit of 1.5 mg/L. The highest concentrations of fluoride were measured in groundwater in the north-eastern part of the Medak region especially in the Siddipeta, Chinnakodur, Nanganoor and Dubhaka regions. The areas are underlain by granites which contain fluoride-bearing minerals like apatite and biotite. Due to water–rock interactions, the fluoride has become enriched in groundwater due to the weathering and leaching of fluoride-bearing minerals. The pH and bicarbonate concentrations of the groundwater are varied from 6.6 to 8.8 and 18 to 527 mg/L, respectively. High fluoride concentration in the groundwater of the study area is observed when pH and the bicarbonate concentration are high. Data plotted in Gibbs diagram show that all groundwater samples fall under rock weathering dominance group with a trend towards the evaporation dominance category. An assessment of the chemical composition of groundwater reveals that most of the groundwater samples have compositions of Ca²⁺–Mg²⁺–Cl^? > Ca²⁺–Na⁺–HCO₃ ^? > Ca²⁺–HCO₃ ^? > Na⁺–HCO₃ ^?. This suggests that the characteristics of the groundwater flow regime, long residence time and the extent of groundwater interaction with rocks are the major factors that influence the concentration of fluoride. It is advised not to utilize the groundwater for drinking purpose in the areas delineated, and they should depend on alternate safe source.     

Deterioration of groundwater quality in the vicinity of an active open-tipping site in West Malaysia

There is an urgent need for characterization of leachate arising from waste disposal to ensure a corresponding effective leachate management policy. Field and laboratory studies have been carried out to investigate the impact of municipal landfill leachate on the underlying groundwater at a site in West Malaysia. The solid waste was disposed of directly onto an unprotected natural soil formation. This situation was made worse by the shallow water table. The hydrochemical composition of groundwater in the vicinity of the site (background) is a dilute mixed cation, bicarbonate water. The high ionic balance error of ~13.5% reveals that the groundwater body underneath the site was a highly contaminated leachate rather than contaminated groundwater. Elevated concentration of chloride (355.48 mg/L), nitrate (10.40 mg/L as NO₃), nitrite (14.59 mg/L), ammoniacal-N (11.61 mg/L), sodium (227.56 mg/L), iron (0.97 mg/L), and lead (0.32 mg/L) measured downgradient indicate that the contamination plume has migrated further away from the site. In most cases, the concentration of these contamination indicators, together with the ranges of sodium percentage (66.3–89.9%) and sodium adsorption ratio (10.1–19.7%), were found to be considerably higher than the limit values of safe water for both domestic and irrigation purposes, respectively.     

Leaching study of cesium from spent ion-exchange resins and Portland cement package

The leaching rate of ¹³⁴Cs in cement has been studied. The solidification matrix by a standard Portland cement mixed with the spent ion-exchange resins was previously developed. The leaching rates from cement matrices were measured in function of pH, the immersion and curing times, the resin amounts, and ¹³⁴Cs concentration. In all cases, the leaching rate was deduced from ¹³⁴Cs cumulative activity measured by gamma spectrometry. The study showed that only 11.8% of total ¹³⁴Cs has been leached. This fraction concentrated to the solid surface by silanols has been moved during 34 days through two mechanisms. The Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms attributed these two mechanisms at successive attacks, by water and multilayer and monolayer site formed at the interface package/water. The presence of the spent ion-exchange resins in the matrix, as waste, improves and increases ¹³⁴Cs retention power in the cemented package. In fact, the fraction of ¹³⁴Cs mobilized in the absence of resins (3.18 Bq/Kg) becomes negligible in the presence of 12% of resins.     

Temporal variation of soil radon and thoron concentrations in Mizoram (India), associated with earthquakes

Continuous soil-gas radon and thoron measurements were carried out at 15 days interval along Mat fault in Mizoram (India), which lies in the seismic zone V of the seismic zonation map of India. The study was carried out from March 2012 to February 2013 using LR-115 Type II detectors, manufactured by Kodak Pathe, France. The effect of meteorological parameters on radon and thoron data was taken into consideration. The annual average value of radon and thoron concentration was found to be 621.21 and 590.18 Bq/m³ with a standard deviation of 377.60 and 301.34 Bq/m³, respectively. Inverse correlation coefficient was obtained between radon/thoron concentration and the meteorological parameters except in one case (thoron and relative humidity) which showed a weak positive correlation. Standard deviation method was employed in order to differentiate those anomalies which are solely caused by seismic events and not by meteorological parameters. The data obtained have been correlated with the seismic activities that occurred around the measuring site. Positive correlations were found between radon/thoron data and the earthquakes.     

Findings on water quality in Upper Mustang (Nepal) from a preliminary geochemical and geological survey

The major ion and trace element chemistry of water samples, including springs, rivers and irrigation ditches, collected during a survey on August 2016 in the Upper Mustang region of the Mustang District of Dhawalagiri Zone (Nepal) has been investigated. The Upper Mustang region, a cold desert, represents a hot-spot for climate change: indeed, violent hailstorms and rainstorms have been recently observed, consequently exposing land to erosion. Results of this study indicate that waters in the region belong to the Ca–HCO₃, Ca–Mg–Cl–SO₄ and Na–K–Cl-types, reflecting different hydrochemical regimes. Uranium is widespread in waters, with concentrations up to 19 µg/L recorded in a potable water supply. Locally, anoxic conditions affect uranium mobility due to the low solubility of U(IV) minerals. Highly toxic thallium was detected in a thermal spring at an elevated concentration (45 µg/L Tl). The association of thallium with high concentrations of iron suggests that these elements are derived from pyrite oxidation. Detectable levels of thallium were also measured in the water of an irrigation ditch. Lithium concentrations ranged from 7 µg/L to 12 mg/L in the thermal water and showed a strong association with chloride ions. Arsenic concentrations up to 4.7 µg/L were measured in tributaries of the Kali Gandaki river. The data provide evidence that solutes in water have originated from an array of input sources, including carbonate dissolution, the dissolution of soluble salts, silicate weathering and localized sulfide oxidation. In particular, chemical weathering of granitic rocks is likely the primary source for metals and metalloids in waters. Since the erosion rate is a factor affecting lithological weathering, high-intensity rainfalls due to climate change are expected to influence the release and fate of potentially harmful elements in the in the Upper Mustang Valley.