Assessment of natural radioactivity in aquifer medium bearing uranium ores in Koprubasi,Turkey |
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Authors: | Celalettin Simsek |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Drilling, Torbali Technical Vocational School of Higher Education, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, 35860, Turkey |
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Abstract: | 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 (Raeq) and radiation hazard index (Iyr). All the samples have Raeq levels that are lower than the world average limit of 370 Bq/kg. On the other hand, D, He and Iyr 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. |
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Keywords: | Radioactivity Radiological hazard Uranium bearing sediments Aquifer medium Koprubasi |
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