RESUMEN
A medium resolution underwater gamma ray spectrometer was deployed in the submarine groundwater spring of Anavalos and was combined with conductivity and temperature sensors for continuous measurements of natural radioactivity, salinity and water temperature, respectively. The activity concentrations of radon progenies varied from (5-40) kBq m-3, exhibited reverse dependence with salinity and were found above the guideline proposed by Environmental Protection Agency (11 kBq m-3). Their ratio was above unity indicating radon gas escape to the atmosphere. Time-series of the activity concentration together with their ratios were provided enabling the system configuration for long term monitoring applications. The in-situ method proved to be an effective tool to study the radioactivity levels of the spring and the groundwater - seawater interaction process. Furthermore, the proposed tool provides cost-effective measurements in terms of real-time and long-term requirements and, it is characterized by flexibility in terms of sensor integration in different platforms to perform submarine groundwater studies in a temporal and spatial manner.
Asunto(s)
Agua Subterránea , Monitoreo de Radiación , Radón , Contaminantes Radiactivos del Agua , Monitoreo del Ambiente , Agua Dulce , Grecia , Radón/análisis , Agua de Mar , Contaminantes Radiactivos del Agua/análisisRESUMEN
During the last days of September to the first days of October in 2017, a unique detection of 106Ru was observed in air filters sampled at different locations in Sweden via the national air monitoring network. Furthermore, measurements of precipitation also showed the presence of 106Ru. This initiated soil sampling and in situ gamma-ray spectrometry at one of the locations.
Asunto(s)
Contaminantes Radiactivos/análisis , Radioisótopos de Rutenio/análisis , Filtros de Aire , Contaminantes Radiactivos del Aire/análisis , Humanos , Monitoreo de Radiación/métodos , Monitoreo de Radiación/estadística & datos numéricos , Lluvia/química , Estaciones del Año , Contaminantes Radiactivos del Suelo/análisis , Espectrometría gamma/métodos , SueciaRESUMEN
In situ gamma-ray spectrometry has since the introduction of portable germanium detectors been a widely used method for the assessment of radionuclide ground deposition activity levels. It is, however, a method that is most often associated with fairly large and, more important, poorly known combined measurement uncertainties. In this work an uncertainty analysis of in situ gamma ray spectrometry in accordance with the Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurements is presented. The uncertainty analysis takes into account uncertainty contributions from the calibration of the detector system, the assumed activity distribution in soil, soil density, detector height and air density. As a result, measurement results from in situ gamma spectrometry will serve as a better basis for decision-making in e.g. radiological emergencies.
Asunto(s)
Contaminación Ambiental/estadística & datos numéricos , Monitoreo de Radiación/métodos , Contaminantes Radiactivos del Suelo/análisis , Método de Montecarlo , Espectrometría gamma/métodosRESUMEN
This paper presents the radiometric survey results of the Mrima-Kiruku high background radiation (HBR) anomaly complex of south coastal Kenya. Utilizing a portable γ-ray spectrometer consisting of a 2.0 l NaI(Tl) backpack detector integrated with GPS to perform the relevant in-situ radiometric measurements, a novel geospatial gating method was devised to represent the measurements. The goal of this study was to assess radiation exposure and associated natural radioactivity levels in the complex and to compare the results obtained with those from previous preliminary related studies. Absorbed dose-rates in air were found to range <60-2368 nGy h-1. These rates were observed to correspond with the spatial variability of the underlying geology and terrain, increasing toward the summits of both Mrima and Kiruku Hills which implies that the complex is a geogenic HBR anomaly. The activity concentrations of 232Th in the study area are generally higher than those of 40K and 238U: The means of 40K, 238U and 232Th ranged 235±19-603±28 Bq kg-1, 68±6-326±24 Bq kg-1 and 386±12-1817±51 Bq kg-1 respectively. It was concluded that the high air absorbed dose-rate values that were measured (>600 nGy h-1) are due to elevated activity concentrations of 232Th. Therefore there is significant (>1 mSv/y) radiological hazard to the inhabitants of the area particularly those who reside at the foothills of both Mrima and Kiruku Hills.
Asunto(s)
Radiación de Fondo , Monitoreo de Radiación/métodos , Humanos , Kenia , Exposición a la Radiación/estadística & datos numéricos , Radiometría , Espectrometría gammaRESUMEN
An in-situ gamma-ray spectrometer survey with a scintillation detector of NaI(Tl) (Φ75 mm × 75 mm) was carried out in the Baotou and Bayan Obo Districts in order to estimate the levels of natural radionuclides near rare-earth (RE) tailings dams. In the RE tailings dam of Baotou, the mean concentrations of (238)U and (232)Th were 3.0 ± 1.0 mg/kg (range: 1.9-4.6 mg/kg) and 321 ± 31 mg/kg (range: 294-355 mg/kg), respectively. In the Bayan Obo tailings dam, the mean concentrations of (238)U and (232)Th were 5.7 ± 0.5 mg/kg (range: 5.3-6.1 mg/kg) and 276 ± 0.5 mg/kg (range: 275.5-276.3 mg/kg), respectively. The average (232)Th concentrations in the mining areas of the Bayan Obo Mine and the living areas of the Bayan Obo Town were 18.7 ± 7.5 and 26.2 ± 9.1 mg/kg, respectively. The (232)Th concentration recorded in the tailings dams was much higher than the global average (7.44 mg/kg). Our investigation shows that the (232)Th concentration in the tailings in the Baotou dam was 34.6 times greater than that in the local soil (in Guyang County); the average concentrations of (232)Th in the soil in the Baotou District and Bayan Obo Districts were about 1.35 and 2.82 times greater, respectively, than that in the soil in Guyang County. Based on our results, the highest estimated effective dose due to gamma irradiation was 1.15 mSv per year, estimated from the data observed in the Baotou tailings dams. The results of this preliminary study indicate the potential importance of radioactivity in RE tailings dams and that remedial measures may be required.
Asunto(s)
Rayos gamma , Metales de Tierras Raras/análisis , Contaminantes Radiactivos del Suelo/análisis , China , Minería , Espectrometría gammaRESUMEN
The in-situ underwater gamma-ray spectrometry method is validated by inter-comparison with laboratory method. Deployments of the spectrometer KATERINA on a submarine spring and laboratory measurements of water samples with HPGe detector were performed. Efficiency calibrations, Monte Carlo simulations and the Minimum Detectable Activity (MDA) estimations were realized. MDAs varied from 0.19 to 10.4 (lab) and 0.05 to 0.35 (in-situ) Bq/L, while activity concentrations differed from 7% (for radon progenies) up to 10% (for (40)K), between the two methods.
Asunto(s)
Monitoreo de Radiación/métodos , Espectrometría gamma/métodos , Contaminantes Radiactivos del Agua/análisis , Calibración , Simulación por Computador , Grecia , Humanos , Límite de Detección , Método de Montecarlo , Monitoreo de Radiación/instrumentación , Monitoreo de Radiación/estadística & datos numéricos , Radioisótopos/análisis , Agua de Mar/análisis , Espectrometría gamma/instrumentación , Espectrometría gamma/estadística & datos numéricosRESUMEN
The application of GEANT 4 and GESPECOR Monte Carlo simulation codes for efficiency calibration of in situ gamma-ray spectrometry was studied. The long computing time required by GEANT 4 prevents its use in routine simulations. Due to the application of variance reduction techniques, GESPECOR is much faster. In this code specific procedures for incorporating the depth profile of the activity were implemented. In addition procedures for evaluating the effect of non-homogeneity of the source were developed. The code was validated by comparison with test simulations carried out with GEANT 4 and by comparison with published results.