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Natural radioactivity is a source of continuous exposure to human beings. The natural radioactivity due to the presence of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in sand samples collected from Ad-Dahna was measured by means of HPGe. The measured activity concentrations of radionuclides were compared with the worldwide reported data. Mean measured activity concentrat...
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Background
The radiological quality of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in some samples of water resources collected in Anarak-Khour a desertic area, Iran has been measured by direct gamma ray spectroscopy using high purity germanium detector in this paper.
Result
The concentration ranged from ≤0.5 to 9701 mBq/L for 226Ra; ≤0.2 to 28215 mBq/L for 232Th and <...
Citations
... A gamma-ray spectrum of Sample 1 in the 30.00-1678.85 keV range of radiation energies is shown inFigure 4. The spectrum obtained contains characteristic lines for natural radionuclides, for example, Na-22 and Na-24 produced by cosmic radiation [18] and K-40[19].The rest of radionuclides, such as those of Eu-152, Co-57, Ce-144, Xe-138, Xe-131M, Ce-139, Ba-139, Kr-88, Xe-125, Fe-59, Te-132, Xe-133M, Nb-95M, Sr-92, Xe-135, Cr-51, Bi-211, Zr-97, Y-94, I-126, Sn-113, Kr-87, Pb-211, Zn-69M, Y-92, Nb-96, I-124, Sb-124, Bi-214, Ru-106, Nb-95, Rb-88, Y-88, Zr-89, Zn-65, Co-60, Cu-64 are of Page 5/14 ...
Current work reports on a novel method for determining radionuclide concentration and radioactivity in seawater by comparing the gamma-ray spectra of water-free samples of seawater and foreshore sand flooded by waves. By applying the proposed method, it is possible to save time and effort that are used to monitor the quality of seawater in the Baltic Sea with its characteristic sandy shores. Foreshore sand filters seawater trapping insoluble sediments together with radionuclides brought by waves. Radiation spectra of natural and artificial radionuclides in samples of seawater, foreshore sand, and sand taken on top of the dune (reference sample) in the Juodkrante area in Lithuania, were recorded by a gamma-ray spectrometer utilizing a NaI detector. The analysis of radiation spectra in the energy range of 30–1670 keV and the identification of radionuclides were performed using computer software. The richest collection and the highest concentration of radionuclides, including Na-22, Ar-41, Sc-46, Fe-59, Y-91, Zr-97, Nb-94, and Te-132, found in the foreshore sand confirm that the sand traps them from seawater carried by waves. Simultaneous analysis of both seawater and foreshore sand spectra is a way of accurate estimation of the radionuclide concentration at the time of seawater sampling and prior to that. Using a reference sample, the NaI detector, operating at room temperature, can be exploited to make a qualitative determination of the concentration and radioactivity of radionuclides in water-free samples.
... For example, the sandy deserts in Saudi Arabia are the most prominent feature and cover about 35% of the land in the country. There are three major deserts, as shown in Figure 1: An-Nafud is an upland desert of red sands because of an iron oxide coating that covers an area of 64,000 km 2 , lying in the northern part of the country at an elevation of 900 m [4]. The Rub-al-khali desert covers much of the southeast of the country and beyond the southern border, which has an estimated area of around 650,000 km 2 . ...
... The Rub-al-khali desert covers much of the southeast of the country and beyond the southern border, which has an estimated area of around 650,000 km 2 . The Ad-Dahna desert, or reddish sandy desert, is a narrow strip of sandy terrain located in the central region of Saudi Arabia, which extends around 1300 km southward from the northwestern side of An-Nafud desert to the northwestern borders of the Rub-al-khali desert [4]. ...
... Map of deserts in Saudi Arabia[4]. ...
Sandstorms that cause shifting dunes are a huge technical challenge in the development of the railway network in Saudi Arabia, and are known as one of the most concerning atmospheric aspects. In this case, the weather or climate change makes railways more problematic and costly in Saudi Arabia compared to other countries. The purpose of this article is to develop Saudi Arabia’s rail system in order to overcome environmental difficulties and obstacles such as wind–sand flow behavior and other impediments (e.g., camels) by constructing obstructions such as protective walls and dykes. Theoretical analysis is used to investigate the major components that influence wind velocity and density. The wind velocity in the majority of the locations in Saudi Arabia was employed as a control value in this study, which was based on the Saudi building standard SBC301. Sandstorm protection is best achieved by combining four different building solutions, including ditches, dykes, trees, and concrete barriers. The site parameters, such as sand particle size, air velocity, and the required downwind strip distance, all influence which of the four recommended approaches is optimal. From this study, it is concluded that the wind speed at the height of interest (barrier height) should be calculated using wind shear exponents ranging from 0.2 to 0.5 depending on the topography and surface roughness aspects. A new equation based on two parameters, Q1 and n, as a function of the wind shear exponent is suggested to predict the percentage of wind velocity increase (Vinc %) over the barriers. This study found that the protected distance between the downwind strip and the receiver might be anywhere between 20 and 40 m.
... Uniformity with respect to exposure to radiation has been defined in terms of radium equivalent activity (Ra eq ) in Bq kg − 1 to compare the specific activity of materials containing different concentrations of 226 Ra, 232 Th, and 40 K. It is assessed using the following equation (Alaamer 2012;Al-Ghamdi et al. 2016): ...
... The external absorbed dose rate in air at 1 m above ground level was calculated from the measured activities of 226 Ra, 232 Th, and 40 K in soil assuming that the contribution of other radionuclides and the 235 U series can be neglected as their contribution to the total dose is very low (Alaamer 2012;Al-Ghamdi et al. 2016). The calculations were performed using the following equation (UNSCEAR 2000): ...
The present study was conducted to study the compositional trends of rare earth elements (REEs), Th, and U in marine sediment samples in terms of distribution patterns, anomalies, and indicator ratios. For this purpose, a total of 32 marine sediment samples were collected from 12 coastal areas of the Egyptian Red Sea and analyzed using instrumental neutron activation (INAA) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analytical techniques. The analyses investigated 14 REEs, Th, and U. The results revealed that the contents of REE, light REE (LREE), and heavy REE (HREE) are 47.6, 38.7, and 8.3 mg/kg, respectively, whereas the concentration of Th and U is determined as 2.15 and 2.23 mg/kg, respectively. Indicator ratios were calculated, and
inter-correlation elements with Th and U were constructed. Multivariate statistics were implemented on the data and GIS technology to construct the distribution patterns of REE, Th, and U along the Egyptian coast of the Red Sea. The obtained results were compared with the corresponding values published in literature to show a good matching. There is a significant enrichment of LREE relative to HREE, a reduced ratio of Th/U, a weak positive
anomaly of Eu/Eu*, and a slight positive Ce anomaly is noticed. Among the 12 studied areas, one area, Sharm ElBahari, located in the middle of the coast, shows peak values of REE, Th, and U relative to the other areas. However, it still shows a good agreement with the results published in the literature.
... Uniformity with respect to exposure to radiation has been defined in terms of radium equivalent activity (Ra eq ) in Bq kg − 1 to compare the specific activity of materials containing different concentrations of 226 Ra, 232 Th, and 40 K. It is assessed using the following equation (Alaamer 2012;Al-Ghamdi et al. 2016): ...
... The external absorbed dose rate in air at 1 m above ground level was calculated from the measured activities of 226 Ra, 232 Th, and 40 K in soil assuming that the contribution of other radionuclides and the 235 U series can be neglected as their contribution to the total dose is very low (Alaamer 2012;Al-Ghamdi et al. 2016). The calculations were performed using the following equation (UNSCEAR 2000): ...
... The mean (range) of Dose eff of this study area is observed as 0.85 ± 0.16 (0.37-1.51) mSv/y. The annual effective dose of the world as reported by the UNSCEAR, 2000, [2] is about 0.4 mSv; the world average of about 0.5 mSv/y; [16] and the national average of about 0.3 mSv/y. [11] The observed data of annual effective dose of the presents study are higher than 0.5 mSv except two sites in Chandel district (site number 42 and 43). ...
The terrestrial gamma radiation levels and associated dose rates were estimated at 120 different sites with 12 soil samples in the southern hilly regions of Manipur, India, consisting of Churachandpur and Chandel district, by using NaI (Tl) scintillator-based Micro-R survey meter and high-purity germanium detector. The observed annual effective dose in this study area ranges from 0.37 to 1.51 mSv/y, with a mean value of 0.85 ± 0.16 mSv/y. Whereas Churachandpur and Chandel districts showed a mean value of 0.88 ± 0.18 (ranges: 0.67 to 1.51) mSv/y and 0.83 ± 0.14 (ranges: 0.37–1.24) mSv/y, respectively. This southern region of Manipur shows slightly higher values of annual effective dose as compared with the earlier reported value of about 0.7 mSv/y for the central valley region of Manipur, and world average value of about 0.4 mSv/y, reported by United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (2000). The soil analysis for226Ra,232Th, and40K of this area gives an average activity concentration of 44.3 (ranges: 23.8–78.6) Bq/kg, 169.1 (ranges: 83.6–305.1) Bq/kg, and 1489.1 (ranges: 752.5–2426.8) Bq/kg, respectively.
... Radon concentrations in this Wadi, reflect a significant correlation between the RAD7 and Cr-39 techniques that were used to detect it [14], while it has a significant correlation with coarse and fine sand grain size [15]. Authors in [16][17][18][19] used gamma spectroscopic analysis measuring the radioactivity of Ra, Th, and K, to obtain hazard indices in AlKhobar, Jeddah, Aqabah, and Ad-Dahna respectively. According to them, the hazard indices at Ad-Dahna were below the global average value, but the values of K at Jeddah and Aqabah were higher than the global average. ...
The surficial quaternary deposits of Wadi Arar were radioactively evaluated for construction purposes. The concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K were used to evaluate the radioactive suitability of Wadi Arar. Gamma-spectrometry technique with an HPGe detector was used to measure the concentrations of Ra, Th, and K. The average specific activities of Ra, Th, and K were 22.92, 16.99, and 223.66Bq/kg respectively. The average value of the air absorbed dose rate (D) was 30.47nGy/h. The average values of the indoor and outdoor annual effective dose equivalent (AEDE) were 149.46 and 37.36μSv/y respectively. The average value of the radium equivalent activity index (Raeq) was 64.44Bq/kg. The maximum values of the external and internal hazard index (H) were 0.20 and 0.27 respectively. Radioactivity concentration and hazard index values are within the acceptable global values and do not pose any significant radiological threat to the population. These results reflect the safety of Wadi Arar as a site for construction and the potential to use depositional sediments at the site as construction materials.
... Uniformity with respect to exposure to radiation has been defined in terms of radium equivalent activity (Ra eq ) in Bq kg − 1 to compare the specific activity of materials containing different concentrations of 226 Ra, 232 Th, and 40 K. It is assessed using the following equation (Alaamer 2012;Al-Ghamdi et al. 2016): ...
... The external absorbed dose rate in air at 1 m above ground level was calculated from the measured activities of 226 Ra, 232 Th, and 40 K in soil assuming that the contribution of other radionuclides and the 235 U series can be neglected as their contribution to the total dose is very low (Alaamer 2012;Al-Ghamdi et al. 2016). The calculations were performed using the following equation (UNSCEAR 2000): ...
Due to the interaction of water with hot deep bedrock within the geothermal system, the geochemical, elemental and radiological aspects of water and nearby soil and sediment samples are essential to investigate the water quality and the potential ecological impacts on the nearby area. In this study, four geothermal water springs located within Al-Lith region, Saudi Arabia, (namely Al-Harra, Bani Hilal, Markoub and Daraka) have been investigated. In addition to 9 water samples, 15 soil and sediment samples were collected from the adjacent areas. Some physicochemical parameters of water samples such as major anions and cations, pH, EC, and temperature were measured. The concentration of some toxic and other elements such as As, Cd, Ni, Pb, Th, U, and Zn, as well as some natural radionuclides [e.g.²²⁶Ra (²³⁸U series), ²³²Th series, ⁴⁰K] and the artificial radionuclide (¹³⁷Cs) was measured using ICP-MS and gamma-ray spectrometer based on hyper-pure germanium detector. The ecological impacts of the discharged water were evaluated using pollution and risk indices such as enrichment factor (EF), geo-accumulation index (Igeo), contamination factor (CF), degree of contamination (Cd), pollution load index (PLI) and potential ecological risk index (RI). The water quality was evaluated by comparing the elemental concentration of water samples to the maximum contaminant level (MCL) of USEPA and WHO for drinking water. The elemental concentration of water samples was below the MCL except for Fe and As. Pollution and risk indices for soil and sediment samples revealed that there was a slight enrichment of Sr and Mo in three locations and considerable contamination with Hg in one location. However, the pollution load index was still below unity. The average activity concentration in Bq kg− 1of ²²⁸Ra (²³²Th series), ⁴⁰K and ¹³⁷Cs was within their world average values, while that of ²²⁶Ra (²³⁸U series) was slightly higher, which could be due to its accumulation from geothermal water to soil and sediment matrices.
... The location-wise measured average values collected in 1 year are presented in Table 2. Significant changes in gamma radiation dose rate due to seasonal variation were not observed in the present study, similar with the earlier work of Reddy et al. [10] The effective dose rate in and around Loktak Lake from natural gamma radiation ranges from 0.3 to 1.2 mSvy −1 , with an average value of 0.7 ± 0.1 mSvy −1 . The annual effective dose of the world as reported by the UNSCEAR, 2000, [2] is about 0.4 mSv, world average of about 0.5 mSv per year by Alaamer, [14] and national average of about 0.3 mSv per year by the UNSCEAR, 2008. [9] The observed data of annual effective dose of the presents study are higher than 0.5 mSv except two sites (site number 6 and 30). ...
Natural pollution level due to terrestrial gamma radiation was measured at about seventy different sites in and around the Loktak Lake of Manipur, India, using NaI (Tl) scintillator-based Micro-R-survey meter, and high purity germanium detector. The observed annual effective dose in this study area ranges from 0.3 to 1.2 mSvy−1 with an average value of 0.7 ± 0.1 mSvy−1, which is higher than world average value of about 0.4 mSy−1 reported by the UNSCEAR 2000. The soil analysis for 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K of this area gives an average concentration of 74.6 (38.9-126.0) Bq/kg, 112.1 (30.2–224.3) Bq/kg, and 792.9 (287.4–1194.8) Bq/kg, respectively.
... [27] The absorbed gamma radiation dose rate in air (D), annual effective dose rate (D eff ), and external radiation hazard index (H ex ) evaluated in this study ranges from 54.5 to 239.3 nGyh -1 , 0.3 to 1.5 mSv, and 0.3 to 1.4 with mean values 121.4 nGyh -1 , 0.7 mSv, and 0.7, respectively. However, the mean dose rate level of 121.4 nGyh -1 and annual effective dose of 0.7 mSv are higher compared with the world average dose rate of 59 nGyh -1 reported by UNSCEAR 2000, [16] 55 nGyh -1 by Butt et al. [28] and 52.76 nGyh -1 by Alaamer [24] and annual effective dose of 0.38 mSv by UNSCEAR in 1998 [10] and the world average of about 0.5 mSv per year by Alaamer. [24] The majority (10/12) of the annual effective doses are observed higher than the world average of about 0.5 mSv, [24] since the enhanced radioactivity presence of heavy mineral deposits ...
... However, the mean dose rate level of 121.4 nGyh -1 and annual effective dose of 0.7 mSv are higher compared with the world average dose rate of 59 nGyh -1 reported by UNSCEAR 2000, [16] 55 nGyh -1 by Butt et al. [28] and 52.76 nGyh -1 by Alaamer [24] and annual effective dose of 0.38 mSv by UNSCEAR in 1998 [10] and the world average of about 0.5 mSv per year by Alaamer. [24] The majority (10/12) of the annual effective doses are observed higher than the world average of about 0.5 mSv, [24] since the enhanced radioactivity presence of heavy mineral deposits ...
... However, the mean dose rate level of 121.4 nGyh -1 and annual effective dose of 0.7 mSv are higher compared with the world average dose rate of 59 nGyh -1 reported by UNSCEAR 2000, [16] 55 nGyh -1 by Butt et al. [28] and 52.76 nGyh -1 by Alaamer [24] and annual effective dose of 0.38 mSv by UNSCEAR in 1998 [10] and the world average of about 0.5 mSv per year by Alaamer. [24] The majority (10/12) of the annual effective doses are observed higher than the world average of about 0.5 mSv, [24] since the enhanced radioactivity presence of heavy mineral deposits ...
The radioactivity concentration and the natural gamma absorbed dose rates of the terrestrial radionuclides (226Ra, 232Th, and 40K) have been measured in soil samples collected from Thoubal and Bishnupur districts, Manipur, India, using high purity germanium detector. The range of activity concentration of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in the soil from the studied areas varies from 28.7 Bq/kg (Thoubal College) to 126.0 Bq/kg (Kakching Khunou College), 27.2 Bq/kg (Ikop Pat) to 203.5 Bq/Kg (Kakching Khunou College), and 335.6 Bq/kg (Nongpok Sekmai) to 1953.9 Bq/kg (Mantak) with overall mean values of 69.8, 76.6, and 1028.0 Bq/kg, respectively. The radium equivalent activities (Raeq) have been evaluated in soil samples for the assessment of the radiation hazard. The corresponding absorbed dose rate, annual effective dose, and external radiation hazard index in the study area range from 54.5 to 239.3 nGyh−1, 0.3 to 1.5 mSv, and 0.3 to 1.4 with an average value of 121.4 nGyh−1, 0.7 mSv, and 0.7, respectively.
... Many investigations were reported on natural radioactivity and natural gamma radiation level by in situ measurement or by analysis of radionuclide concentration in soil samples. [6][7][8][9][10][11] Imphal, the capital of Manipur state, India, is at the northeastern part of the country and is about 300 km away from Domiasiat, Meghalaya, a well-known placed for its heavy-mineral deposit area for the country. Imphal city is having two districts, namely, Imphal East and Imphal West with a total population of about 10 lakhs (2011 census) and area of about 1300 sq km. ...
... It is observed that mean values of the concentration of three radionuclides in the soil of the twenty samples are much higher than the mean values reported worldwide. [3][4][5]11] National reported values of concentration of the radionuclides in the soil are in the range from 18 concentration of potassium usually lower in basaltic rock than in acidic rock, but more variable in basaltic rock region. [35] Soil available in Imphal Valley is acidic with pH ranging between 4.5 and 6.8. ...
... The mean values of the three radionuclide concentrations are well within the above national ranges. However, the mean dose rate level of 182.9 nGyh −1 and annual effective dose of 1.1 mSv are much higher compared with the world average dose rate of 59.0 nGyh −1 reported by UNSCEAR 2000, [4] 55.0 nGyh −1 by Butt et al. [37] and 52.8 nGyh −1 by Alaamer [11] and annual effective dose of 0.4 mSv by UNSCEAR in 1998, [3] and world average of about 0.5 mSv per year by Alaamer. [11] However, the mean absorbed gamma dose rate is well within the nationwide range of 37.7 nGyh −1 (Kaiga) to 351.1 nGyh −1 (Garhwal Himalaya). ...
The radioactivity concentration and the natural gamma absorbed dose rates of the terrestrial radionuclides (226Ra, 232Th, and 40K) have been determined in soil samples collected from twenty different locations of Imphal city, India, using high-purity germanium detector. The range of activity concentration of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in the soil from the studied areas varies from 30.3 Bq/kg (Phayeng) to 155.5 Bq/kg (Lamphel), 21.2 Bq/kg (Yairipok) to 257.1 Bq/kg (Lamphel), and 287.4 Bq/kg (Uchiwa) to 2209.3 Bq/kg (Changangei) with overall mean values of 94.1 Bq/kg, 146.5 Bq/kg and 1222.9 Bq/kg, respectively. The absorbed dose rate and annual effective outdoor dose in the study area range from 61.0 nGyh−1 and 0.4 mSv (Laphupat Tera) to 294.4 nGyh−1 and 1.1 mSv (Lamphel) with an average value of 182.9 nGyh−1 and 1.1 mSv. The external hazard index ranged from 0.4 to 1.8 with an average of 1.1. It was significant in 12 locations as it exceeded unity.
