Study of natural radioactivity and the state of radioactive disequilibrium in U-series for rock samples, North Eastern Desert, Egypt.

Twenty rock samples collected from North Eastern Desert in Egypt have been investigated. Natural radionuclide contents have been measured by gamma-ray spectrometry employing a shielded HPGe detector. The activities of (238)U, (232)Th and (40)K have been determined in Bq/kg dry weight. The absorbed dose rate of gamma radiation ranged from 100.48 to 22,140.53 nGy/h. The representative external hazard index values (H(ex)) for the corresponding samples were estimated. In the present work, the state of radioactive disequilibrium in the U-series at Wadi Baligh area was studied. The activity ratios between (226)Ra/(214)Pb and (214)Pb/(214)Bi were measured. The thorium-to-uranium concentration ratios (Clark value) were also estimated.     

Radioactivity distribution in some Permian sediments from the Iratí and Corumbataí Formations of the Paraná Basin, Southeastern Brazil.

In the city of Limeira, southeastern Brazil, an important exposure of Permian sediments of the Paraná basin was revealed by an open pit mine that exploits limestone for production of soil correction compounds and raw materials for the ceramic industry. The radioactivity of these sediments was investigated in some detail and the results provided a general view of the vertical distributions of uranium, thorium and potassium concentrations and of the element ratios U/K, U/Th and Th/K. In general, the concentrations of the main natural radioactive elements are low, with uranium being enriched in some limestone and shale levels. In addition the results showed that the 238U series is in radioactive disequilibrium in many of the analyzed samples. Although the origin of the observed disequilibrium has not been investigated, the results suggest that it is due to weathering processes and water interaction with the rock matrix.     

Radioactivity in local and imported kaolin types used in Egypt.

Natural radioactive materials are present in all geological rocks in varying amounts, they are easily mobilized in the environment, and can reach hazardous radiological levels under certain conditions, requiring precautions to be taken. The present study deals with 50 geological samples of local (Tushki and Kalabsha in upper Egypt) and imported (southeast Asia and Turkey) kaolin types. The samples were analyzed by gamma-ray spectroscopy using a HPGe detector. The activity concentrations of 232Th and 238U series and 40K and the contents (in ppm) are given. The radium equivalent activity varied from 187.8 to 10185.19 Bq/kg. 137Cs was found in a range of 0.23-8.5 Bq/kg, for the local samples. The kaolin in Tushki area was suitable for industrial use.     

An investigation of radon exhalation rate and estimation of radiation doses in coal and fly ash samples.

Coal is a technologically important material used for power generation. Its cinder (fly ash) is used in the manufacturing of bricks, sheets, cement, land filling etc. Coal and its by-products often contain significant amounts of radionuclides, including uranium which is the ultimate source of the radioactive gas radon. Burning of coal and the subsequent atmospheric emission cause the redistribution of toxic radioactive trace elements in the environment. In the present study, radon exhalation rates in coal and fly ash samples from the thermal power plants at Kolaghat (W.B.) and Kasimpur (U.P.) have been measured using sealed Can technique having LR-115 type II detectors. The activity concentrations of 238U, 232Th, and 40K in the samples of Kolaghat power station are also measured. It is observed that the radon exhalation rate from fly ash samples from Kolaghat is higher than from coal samples and activity concentration of radionuclides in fly ash is enhanced after the combustion of coal. Fly ash samples from Kasimpur show no appreciable change in radon exhalation. Radiation doses from the fly ash samples have been estimated from radon exhalation rate and radionuclide concentrations.     

Study of radioactivity levels in granite of Gable Gattar II in the north eastern desert of Egypt.

The present work deals with the radioactivity of granites in Gable Gattar II, which is located in the north eastern desert of Egypt. Fifty samples from the area of Gable Gattar II were investigated. The radionuclides of the samples, in Bq/kg, have been measured using a hyper-pure germanium spectrometer. The dose obtained for 238U and 232Th ranged from 165 +/- 5 to 27,851 +/- 836 and 71 +/- 2 to 274 +/- 8 Bq/kg, respectively. The dose of 40K only changes slightly. To assess the radiological hazard of the natural radioactivity in the samples, the radium equivalent activity, the absorbed dose rate and the external hazard index were calculated. This study provides a baseline map of radioactivity background levels in the Egyptian environment and will be used as reference information to assess any changes in the radioactive background level due to geological processes. The Gable Gattar granite, from uranium mineralization, has high economic potential.     

Determination of the natural radioactivity levels in north west of Dukhan, Qatar using high-resolution gamma-ray spectrometry

This study is aimed at the determination of the activity concentrations of naturally occuring and technologically enhanced levels of radiation in 34 representative soil samples that have been collected from an inshore oil field area which was found to have, in a previous study, the highest observed value of 226Ra concentration among 129 soil samples. The activity concentrations of 238U and 226Ra have been inferred from gamma-ray transitions associated with their decay progenies and measured using a hyper-pure germanium detector. Details of the sample preparation and the gamma-ray spectroscopic analysis techniques are presented, together with the values of the activity concentrations associated with the naturally occuring radionuclide chains for all the samples collected from NW Dukhan. Discrete-line, gamma-ray energy transitions from spectral lines ranging in energy from ～100 keV up to 2.6 MeV have been associated with characteristic decays of the various decay products within the 235.8U and 232Th radioactive decay chains. These data have been analyzed, under the assumption of secular equilibrium for the U and Th decay chains. Details of the sample preparation and the gamma-ray spectroscopic analysis techniques are presented. The weighted mean value of the activity concentrations of 226Ra in one of the samples was found to be around a factor of 2 higher than the values obtained in the previous study and approximately a factor of 10 higher than the accepted worldwide average value of 35 Bq/kg. The weighted mean values of the activity concentrations of 232Th and 40K were also deduced and found to be within the worldwide average values of 30 and 400 Bq/kg, respectively. Our previous study reported a value of 201.9±1.5Stat.±13Syst.Bq/kg for 226Ra in one sample and further investigation in the current work determined a measured value for 226Ra of 342.00±1.9Stat.±25Syst.Bq/kg in a sample taken from the same locality. This is significantly higher than all the other investigated soil samples in the current and previous works. Notably, the Th levels in the same sample are within the worldwide average expectations, implying that the increased 226Ra concentration arises from TENORM processes.     

Evaluation of natural radionuclides at Um-Greifat area, eastern desert of Egypt.

Air borne radiometric maps and remote sensing techniques were used to explore for the occurrence of radioactive materials. The previous techniques recorded radioactive mineralization for the first time along the NW-SE trending fault zones within the Miocene clastic-carbonate sediments. In the present study, gamma-ray spectrometry was used to confirm the presence of this mineralization.Concentrations of radionuclides, associated within the iron ochre at Um-Greifat area, have been measured, using a hyper-pure germanium spectrometer. The variation in concentration of radionuclides for the area under investigation can be classified into A, B and C regions of high, medium and low natural radioactivity. In region A, average concentration in Bqkg(-1) has been observed to range from 1858 to 4062 for 238U, between 29 and 151 for 232Th, from 60 to 136 for 235U and between 46 and 409 Bqkg(-1) for 40K. Radium equivalent activities (Ra(eq)) in addition to external and internal hazard indices (H(ex), H(in)) have also been determined. Ra(eq) varies between 1901 and 4307Bqkg(-1), which exceeds the permitted value (370Bqkg(-1)) and H(ex) and H(in) are higher than 1. The high activity concentration within region A points to an environmental hazard, while regions B and C have less exposure effect on human beings.     

Radioelement distributions in the Proterozoic granites and associated pegmatites of Gabal El Fereyid area, Southeastern Desert, Egypt.

Lithologically, the rock types in the Gabal El Fereyid area are dominantly granites with minor amounts of pegmatites. The granites range in composition from tonalite to granite-adamallite with minor acidic dikes, quartz and pegmatite veins. The granite-adamallite is peraluminous and formed as a result of partial melting of amphibole-bearing rocks at depths of approximately 24-30 km and at temperatures of 800-950 degrees C. Among the different rock types, the muscovite-rich pegmatites had the highest U and Th contents (66 and 38 ppm on average, respectively). The high level of radioactivity in pegmatites is attributed to the presence of the radioactive minerals thorianite, uranophane and allanite as confirmed by XRD analysis. Binary relations of Zr/U, Zr/Th, Ce/U and Ce/Th against either U or Th in the granite-adamellite exhibit significant negative correlations indicating that both elements are not preferentially hosted in the accessory minerals phases such as zircon and monazite, but could be associated with major forming minerals such as biotite, muscovite, plagioclase and quartz, or U is situated within labile sites within granite. The uranium and thorium enrichment in the pegmatites is a two-stage process. The primary stage is magmatic whereas the secondary enrichment is from hydrothermal concentration. The magmatic U and Th are indicated by the presence of thorianite and allanite, whereas evidence of hydrothermal mineralization is the alteration of rock-forming minerals such as feldspar and the formation of secondary minerals such as uranophane and pyrite.     

Effect of lower grain sized particles on natural radiation level of the Ponnaiyar river sediments

River sediment depositions on the bottom of rivers most frequently consist of sand and gravel particles with different grain sizes, which make them particularly valuable for the building construction. Knowledge of radioactivity present in building material enables one to assess any possible radiological hazard to mankind by the use of such materials. The natural radionuclide (²³⁸U, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K) contents have been analyzed for the sediment samples of Ponnaiyar River with an aim of evaluating the radiation hazard nature. To know the radiological characteristics of the sediment, dose rate is calculated and are compared with recommended values. Mineral characteristics of the sediments have been analyzed through FTIR and XRD techniques. Extinction coefficient and Crystallinity index is calculated to know the relative distribution of major minerals and crystalline nature of quartz, respectively. Multivariate statistical analyses were carried to find the relationship between the radioactivity characteristics and minerals, the results obtained in the study suggest that the level of natural radioactivity of the present sediments mainly depends upon the amount of kaolinite (clay). Mineral characterization of various grain sized sediments show clay and magnetic minerals are rich in lower grain sized (≤120 μm) samples. The level of radioactivity has also been measured for >120 μm sediments and results show that both activity concentrations and dose rate are considerably lowered when compared with the respective values of the bulk samples. The removal of ≤120 μm particles from the sediments of the river make it safer to use these materials for building construction.     

Role of light and heavy minerals on natural radioactivity level of high background radiation area,Kerala, India

Natural radionuclides (²³⁸U, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K) concentrations and eight different radiological parameters have been analyzed for the beach sediments of Kerala with an aim of evaluating the radiation hazards. Activity concentrations (²³⁸U and ²³²Th) and all the radiological parameters in most of the sites have higher values than recommended values. The Kerala beach sediments pose significant radiological threat to the people living in the area and tourists going to the beaches for recreation or to the sailors and fishermen involved in their activities in the study area. In order to know the light mineral characterization of the present sediments, mineralogical analysis has been carried out using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic technique. The eight different minerals are identified and they are characterized. Among the various observed minerals, the minerals such as quartz, microcline feldspar, kaolinite and calcite are major minerals. The relative distribution of major minerals is determined by calculating extinction co-efficient and the values show that the amount of quartz is higher than calcite and much higher than microcline feldspar. Crystallinity index is calculated to know the crystalline nature of quartz present in the sediments. Heavy mineral separation analysis has been carried out to know the total heavy mineral (THM) percentage. This analysis revealed the presence of nine heavy minerals. The minerals such as monazite, zircon, magnetite and illmenite are predominant. Due to the rapid and extreme changes occur in highly dynamic environments of sandy beaches, quantities of major light and heavy minerals are widely varied from site to site. Granulometric analysis shows that the sand is major content. Multivariate statistical (Pearson correlation, cluster and factor) analysis has been carried out to know the effect of mineralogy on radionuclide concentrations. The present study concluded that heavy minerals induce the ²³⁸U and ²³²Th concentrations. Whereas, light mineral (calcite) controls the ⁴⁰K concentration. In addition to the heavy minerals, clay content also induces the important radioactive variables.     

Passive and active measurements of Egyptian monazite samples.

Five samples of Egyptian monazite from beach black sand at Abou Khashba near Rosetta, North Egypt were separated in the laboratories of the nuclear materials authority of Egypt. Neutron activation analysis has been used to determine the elemental content of monazite samples. Twelve elements Sc, Cr, Fe, Co, Zn, Cs, La, Eu, Sm, Hf, Pa and Np are observed and the concentrations of these elements have been calculated. Using passive measurements natural radioactivity has also been determined in Bq/kg for the investigated monazite samples. Th and U concentrations from both passive and active measurements are in agreement. Some of the observed elements have a high economic value.     

Environmental radioactivity at Stromboli (Aeolian Islands).

HPGe gamma spectrometry, thermoluminescence dosimetry, X-ray diffractometry and fluorescence techniques have been used to analyze the natural radionuclides content of soil and rock samples, air kerma and geochemical features on the island of Stromboli, belonging to the Aeolian Islands, in the Mediterranean Sea. The 214Bi, 238Ac, and 40K contents obtained are in agreement with the magmatic evolution of the rock formation, as shown by the correlations between radionuclide and chemical elements abundacies, depending on the various magmatic differentiation mechanisms. Correlations between radiometric, lithological and geochemical data have been assessed in order to obtain some hints on the geochronology of the magmatic products.     

拉萨市天然石材放射性水平调查

目的 对拉萨市天然石材进行放射性水平调查研究,了解其放射性核素比活度范围及使用限制。方法 对拉萨市各天然石材矿区进行辐射监测和调查取样,对采集的样品进行放射性核素含量分析,根据分析结果计算内、外照射指数,并根据建筑材料放射性核素限量标准进行分类。结果 拉萨市天然石材样品中⁴⁰K、²²⁶Ra、²³²Th和²³⁸U比活度均值分别为912、59.0、77.1和64.4 Bq/kg,样品内、外照射指数均<1。结论 本次调查的拉萨市产天然石材放射性核素含量水平总体低于全国平均水平,可作为建筑主体材料及A类装饰装修材料。     

238U 226Ra 210Pb, 232Th and 40K activities in soil profiles of the Flysch sector (Central Spanish Pyrenees).

Distributions of natural gamma-emitting radionuclides were determined in three soil profiles developed on Tertiary sedimentary materials in mountain landscapes of the Central Spanish Pyrenees. Radioisotope activities (Bq kg(-1)) lie in the range of 0-53 for 238U; 19-33 for 226Ra; 7-75 for 210Pb; 24-48 for 232Th and 335-562 for 40K. 238U and 210Pb activities show an important variability down the soil profiles. 238U was markedly depleted in all upper soil layers and highly enriched in lower layers of two soil profiles. 210Pb exhibits very dissimilar distribution patterns in all three soils. 226Ra and 232Th had quite uniform depth distributions. 40K showed depletion in both upper and lower layers in one soil profile but remained fairly constant in the other two profiles. 238U/226Ra activity ratios (ARs) have been used to assess equilibrium in the 238U decay chain and as indicators of edaphogenesis in the studied soil profiles. Maintenance of initial proportionality in the ratio of 232Th/238U activities has been assessed through ARs of their progenies. Additionally, a variety of soil properties were measured down the soil profiles. Among soils, variation in radionuclide activies may be due to differences in carbonate content, organic matter and/or grain size. In this environment, soil properties differently affect mobilization of natural radionuclides. The association of some radiologic properties with soil layers suggest a relationship between soil processes and radionuclide distribution.     

Neutron- and photon-activation detection limits in breast milk analysis for prospective dose evaluation of the suckling infant

Complex situations related to the environment, as in the regions affected by the Chernobyl accident and regions in which nuclear weapons testing were undertaken, as in Semipalatinsk, could be reflected in the trace element content in mothers' milk. The evaluation of fractional transfer to milk of ingested or inhaled activity and of the corresponding dose coefficients for the infant, following a mothers' radioactive intake, can take advantage from wide-ranging studies of elemental and radionuclide contents in mothers' milk. In this work the possibility to determine elements, such as Ru, Zr, Nb, Te, Ce, Th, U, in milk powder has been investigated. Although results from elemental analyses of breast milk are to be found in the literature, the determination of the identified elements has attracted poor attention since they are not considered essential elements from a biological point of view. Nevertheless, in the case of radioactive releases to the environment, such data could be of interest in evaluation of dose to the breast-fed infant.     

Heat production rate from radioactive elements in igneous and metamorphic rocks in Eastern Desert, Egypt.

Radioactive heat-production data of Igneous and Metamorphic outcrops in the Eastern Desert are presented. Samples were analysed using a low level gamma-ray spectrometer (HPGe) in the laboratory. A total of 205 rock samples were investigated, covering all major rock types of the area. The heat-production rate of igneous rocks ranges from 0.11 (basalt) to 9.53 microWm(-3) (granite). In metamorphic rocks it varies from 0.28 (serpentinite ) to 0.91 microWm(-3) (metagabbro). The contribution due to U is about 51%, as that from Th is 31% and 18% from K. The corresponding values in igneous rocks are 76%, 19% and 5%, respectively. The calculated values showed good agreement with global values except in some areas containing granites.     

Evaluation of 234Th nuclear decay data

²³⁴Th is a naturally occurring radionuclide being the daughter of ²³⁸U. This paper presents the results obtained in a new evaluation of the nuclear data characterizing the ²³⁴Th radioactive decay. The following decay characteristics have been evaluated: half-life, energies and probabilities of beta and gamma-ray transitions, internal conversion coefficients, energies and emission probabilities of gamma-rays, X-rays, conversion and Auger electrons. Some evaluation difficulties encountered have been pointed out. A new recommended absolute emission probability of 3.75 (8)% has been proposed for the main 63.3-keV gamma-ray in the ²³⁴Th decay. Some practical considerations of the ²³⁴Th activity determination by gamma-ray spectrometry are also presented.     

Distribution of natural and anthropogenic radionuclides in soil and beach sand samples of Kalpakkam (India) using hyper pure germanium (HPGe) gamma ray spectrometry.

Pre-operational survey at Kalpakkam coast, indicated elevated gamma background radiation levels in the range of 100-4000 nGy h(-1) over the large tracts of the coastal sands due to the presence of pockets of monazite mineral in beach sands. In view of the prevalence of monazite, a systematic gamma spectrometric study of distribution of natural radionuclides in soil and beach sand samples collected from the terrestrial and coastal environment of Kalpakkam was performed and concentrations of primordial radionuclides such as 238U, 232Th and 40K and anthropogenic radionuclide 137Cs were determined. The concentrations of 238U, 232Th and 40K in soil samples were 5-71, 15-776 and 200-854 Bq kg(-1) dry, respectively. In beach sand samples, 238U, 232Th and 40K contents varied in the range of 36-258, 352-3872 and 324-405 Bq kg(-1) dry, respectively. The total absorbed gamma dose rate in air due to the presence of 238U, 232Th and 40K in Kalpakkam soil samples varied between 24 and 556 nGy h(-1) with a mean of 103 nGy h(-1). The contribution to the total absorbed gamma dose rate in air in the decreasing order was due to the presence of 232Th (76.4%), followed by 40K (16.9%) and 238U (6.7%) in Kalpakkam soils. However, in beach areas of Kalpakkam, the presence of 232Th in beach sand contributed maximum (94.0%) to the total absorbed gamma dose rate in air followed by 238U (4.7%) and minimum contribution was by 40K (1.3%). 137Cs in Kalpakkam soils ranged from < or = 1.0 to 2.8 Bq kg(-1) dry, which was 1-3 order of magnitude less than the concentration of primordial radionuclides in soil.     

Performance analysis of gamma ray spectrometric parameters on digital signal and analog signal processing based MCA systems using NaI(Tl) detector

Accurate and speedy estimations of ppm range uranium and thorium in the geological and rock samples are most useful towards ongoing uranium investigations and identification of favorable radioactive zones in the exploration field areas. In this study with the existing 5 in. × 4 in. NaI(Tl) detector setup, prevailing background and time constraints, an enhanced geometrical setup has been worked out to improve the minimum detection limits for primordial radioelements K(40), U(238) and Th(232). This geometrical setup has been integrated with the newly introduced, digital signal processing based MCA system for the routine spectrometric analysis of low concentration rock samples. Stability performance, during the long counting hours, for digital signal processing MCA system and its predecessor NIM bin based MCA system has been monitored, using the concept of statistical process control. Monitored results, over a time span of few months, have been quantified in terms of spectrometer's parameters such as Compton striping constants and Channel sensitivities, used for evaluating primordial radio element concentrations (K(40), U(238) and Th(232)) in geological samples. Results indicate stable dMCA performance, with a tendency of higher relative variance, about mean, particularly for Compton stripping constants.     

Disequilibrium in naturally occurring radioactive series in some phosphate ores

Eight phosphate ore samples from Egypt and Saudi Arabia were studied by atomic absorption spectrometry for the Bi, Pb, Th and Al concentrations in ppm or ppb or per cent. Also X-ray diffraction spectrometry was applied for determining the mineral and chemical composition of the phosphate ore samples. A gamma spectrometry system, based on HPGe crystal, was applied for determining the concentrations of the radioactive elements in (238)U, (226)Ra and (232)Th series as well as (40)K, in Bq/kg dry weight. Concentrations in ppm were found to be from <10.0 to 20.48, from <7.50 to 27.30 and from <1.0 to 50.0 for Bi, Pb and Th, respectively. Al ranged from <0.05 to 3.13%. Major, minor and trace chemical and mineral compositions were assigned for each sample by XRD spectrometry. Concentrations of the different elements in both radioactive series, (238)U, (226)Ra and (232)Th were compared. Disequilibrium was found in both series.