Abstract
The natural radionuclide (238U, 226Ra, 232Th and 40K) contents in soil were determined for three different regions of Bulgaria using high-resolution gamma-ray spectrometric analysis. A comparison of the dynamics of their behavior throughout the years was performed. Bulgaria is a country with intensive uranium mining activities. That is why radiological monitoring of closed uranium mining facilities in different regions of the country are obligatory and of great interest. This work presents results from such investigations made in regions where remediation was necessary. The results have been evaluated according to Bulgarian radionuclide environment contamination legislation.
Graphical Abstract
References
[1] UNSCEAR, In: Sources and Effects of Ionizing Radiation, Report of the General Assembly with Scientific Annexes, vol. 1 (New York), 2000 Search in Google Scholar
[2] UNSCEAR, In: Sources and Effects of Ionizing Radiation, Report of the General Assembly with Scientific Annex B, (New York), 1993 Search in Google Scholar
[3] Montes M.L., Mercader R.C, Taylor A., Runco J., Desimoni J., Assessment of natural radioactivity levels and their relationship with soil characteristics in undisturbed soils of northeast of Buenos Aires province, Argentina; J Environ Radioactiv, 2012, 105;30-39 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2011.09.014Search in Google Scholar
[4] Ministry of Environment and Water in Bulgaria (MEWB), Annual Report 1998, (in Bulgarian) Search in Google Scholar
[5] ISO 18589-3, Measurement of Radioactivity in the Environment - Soil, Part 3 - Measurement of Gamma-emitting Radionuclides Search in Google Scholar
[6] ISO 18589-2, Measurement of Radioactivity in the environment - Soil, Part 2: Guidance for the selection of the sampling strategy, sampling and pre-treatment of samples, 2007 Search in Google Scholar
[7] Pimpl M., Yoo B., Yordanova I., Optimization of Radioanalytical Procedure for the Determination of Uranium Isotopes in Environmental Samples, J Radioanal Nucl Ch, 1992, 161(2), 437-441 10.1007/BF02040490Search in Google Scholar
[8] Yu KN, Guan ZJ, Stoks MJ, Young EC, The assessment of natural radiation dose committed to the Hong Kong people, J Environ Radioactiv, 1992, 17:31-48. 10.1016/0265-931X(92)90033-PSearch in Google Scholar
[9] Yordanova I., Natural Radioactivity in Samples from Some Regions in the Rila Mountains and around Former Uranium Mining Areas, J Environ Prot Ecol, 2006, 7, No 1,151-156 Search in Google Scholar
[10] Regulation No1/15.11.1999 on norms for radiation protection and safety purposes during liquidating the backlash of uranium mining industry in Republic of Bulgaria Search in Google Scholar
[11] Degering D., Schlenker S., Unterricker S., Radionuclide Behaviour in Natural Organic Matter (Peat, Coal and Forest Soil Surfaces), NRC 5, 5th International Conference on Nuclear and Radiochemistry, Pontresina, Switzerland ,2000, 3-8, p. 449-452 Search in Google Scholar
[12] IAEA, Applicability of Monitored Natural Attenuation at Radioactively Contaminated Sites. Technical Reports Series No. 445, Vienna, 2003 Search in Google Scholar
[13] Fisenne I.M., USDOE remediation site case study, Environ. Int., 1996, 22, S243-S249. 10.1016/S0160-4120(96)00114-6Search in Google Scholar
[14] Goldstein S.J., Rodriguez J.M., Lujan N., Measurement and Application of Uranium Isotopes for Human and Environmental Monitoring, Health Phys., 1997, 72(1), 10-18 10.1097/00004032-199701000-00002Search in Google Scholar PubMed
[15] Masitah Alias, et al., An assessment of Absorbed Dose and Radiation Hazard Index from Natural Radioactivity, Malays J Anal Sci, 2008, 12, No. 1, pp 195-204 Search in Google Scholar
© 2015 Ivanka I.Yordanova et al.
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.