A method for the measurement of Li2B02+ ions by thermal ionization mass spectrometry employing a Daly ion-counting system was examined. By solving simultaneous quadratic equations of intensity ratios ranging between mlz 55 and 57, and between mlz 56 and 57, precise and accurate measurement of lithium and boron isotope ratios can be carried out simultaneously. The intensity ratio between mlz 54 and 57 can be used to check the internal consistency of the lithium and boron isotope ratios obtained. The isotopic fractionation rate with the species LiZB02+ was low. Prior to measurement, a two-column ion-exchange process was used to separate lithium from the sample matrix and then to convert LiCl into LiOH, which subsequently reacts with H3B03 to form lithium tetraborate. Lithium and boron isotope ratios were successfully measured simultaneously with precisions (relative standard deviations) of 0.05% for lithium and 0.01% for boron.

The radioactive fission product 90Sr has a long biological half-life (˜18 y) in the human body. Due to its chemical similarity to calcium it accumulates in bones and irradiates the bone marrow, causing its high radio-toxicity. Assessing 90Sr is therefore extremely important in case of a nuclear disaster. In this work 16 soil samples were collected from the exclusion zone (<30 km) of the earthquake-damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, to measure 90Sr activity concentration using liquid scintillation counting. 137Cs activity concentration was also measured with gamma-spectroscopy in order to investigate correlation with 90Sr. The 90Sr activity concentrations ranged from 3.0 ± 0.3 to 23.3 ± 1.5 Bq kg−1 while the 137Cs from 0.7 ± 0.1 to 110.8 ± 0.3 kBq kg−1. The fact that radioactive contamination originated from the Fukushima nuclear accident was obvious due to the presence of 134Cs. However, 90Sr contamination was not confirmed in all samples although detectable amounts of 90Sr can be expected in Japanese soils, as a background, stemming from global fallout due to the atmospheric nuclear weapon tests. Correlation analysis between 90Sr and 137Cs activity concentrations provides a potentially powerful tool to discriminate background 90Sr level from its Fukushima contribution.

Radionuclide concentrations in environmental samples such as surface soils, plants and water were evaluated by high purity germanium detector measurements. The contribution rate of short half-life radionuclides such as 132I to the exposure dose to residents was discussed from the measured values. The highest values of the 131I/137Cs activity ratio ranged from 49 to 70 in the environmental samples collected at Iwaki City which is located to the south of the F1-NPS. On the other hand, the 132I/131I activity ratio in the same environmental samples had the lowest values, ranging from 0.01 to 0.02. By assuming that the 132I/131I activity ratio in the atmosphere was equal to the ratio in the environmental samples, the percent contribution to the thyroid equivalent dose by 132I was estimated to be less than 2%. Moreover, the contribution to the thyroid exposure by 132I might be negligible if 132I contamination was restricted to Iwaki City.

Radon (222 Rn) generated within the grains of rocks, soils, building materials and other materials by the radioactive decay of radium ( 226 Ra) can migrate to the atmosphere. This paper reviews the emanation coefficient, diffusion coefficient, and exhalation rate, and the factors that control the rate at which radon can enter atmosphere. The emanation coefficient which is the fraction of radon generated within the grains of materials and escaped to the pore space, varied from 2.1 to 32% for rocks, from 0.14 to 80% for soil, and from 0.10 to 58% in case of building materials. In addition, measurement methods used to evaluate emanation coefficient and its influence factors are also reviewed. The diffusion of radon is a process determined by radon concentration gradient across the radon sources and the surrounding air. The effective diffusion coefficient of some materials is summarized. Moreover, the radon exhalation rate process and the main influencing factors on the variation of exhalation rate data are reviewed. The exhalation rate varied in the range of 0.11 to 80 mBq m -2 s -1 , 2.0 10 -3 to 5.0 10 4 mBq m -2 s -1 and 4.0 10 -3 to 5.0 10 1 mBq m -2 s -1 for rocks, soils and building materials, respectively.

A car-borne survey was carried out in Kerala, India to estimate external dose. Measurements were made with a 3-in × 3-in NaI(Tl) scintillation spectrometer from September 23 to 27, 2013. The routes were selected from 12 Panchayats in Karunagappally Taluk which were classified into high level, mid-level and low level high background radiation (HBR) areas. A heterogeneous distribution of air kerma rates was seen in the dose rate distribution map. The maximum air kerma rate, 2.1 μGy/h, was observed on a beach sand surface. 232Th activity concentration for the beach sand was higher than that for soil and grass surfaces, and the range of activity concentration was estimated to be 0.7–2.3 kBq/kg. The contribution of 232Th to air kerma rate was over 70% at the measurement points with values larger than 0.34 μGy/h. The maximum value of the annual effective dose in Karunagappally Taluk was observed around coastal areas, and it was estimated to be 13 mSv/y. More than 30% of all the annual effective doses obtained in this survey exceeded 1 mSv/y.