234U, 238U, 226Ra, 228Ra and 40K concentrations in feed coal and its combustion products during technological processes in the Upper Silesian Industrial Region, Poland

Walencik-Łata, Agata; Smołka-Danielowska, Danuta

doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115462

Cited by 16 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 48 publications

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“…The measurements of 234,238 U isotopes were performed by using α spectrometers 7401VR and Alpha Analyst™ (Mirion Technologies (Canberra), Inc., Meriden, CT, USA) equipped with passivated implanted planar silicon (PIPS) detectors. A detailed description of sample preparation may be found in [10,12]. The uncertainties of the activity concentrations for the above-mentioned isotopes were calculated using the same methods as presented in [10].…”

Section: α and γ Laboratory Spectrometry Techniquesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characteristics of Natural Background Radiation in the GIG Experimental Mine ‘Barbara’, Poland

et al. 2022

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Underground locations can be used in various ways for scientific and economic purposes. One of the main factors influencing the safety level in the underground mine workings is natural radioactivity. The article presents research carried out on the natural radioactivity in shallow mine workings at the GIG Experimental Mine ‘Barbara’. The description of the natural radiation includes radon determination in the air, in situ gamma spectrometry, neutron flux measurements, and laboratory measurements of 226,228Ra, 40K, and 234,238U isotopes using gamma and alpha spectrometry techniques. In the measurement chamber at the depth 46 m (122 m w.e.) in the sandstone layer, the photon flux registered at the 7–3150 keV energy range is equal to 17.6 ± 1.9 cm−2s−1, the gamma-ray dose rate is 0.200 ± 0.029 µSv/h, and the thermal neutron flux is equal to (8.6 ± 1.1) × 10−6 cm−2s−1. After closing the measurement chamber and turning off ventilation, a significant ingrowth of 222Rn content was observed, reaching the value of 4040 ± 150 Bq/m3. An increased gamma-ray flux and thermal neutron flux were observed in the investigated location.

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Section: α and γ Laboratory Spectrometry Techniquesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characteristics of Natural Background Radiation in the GIG Experimental Mine ‘Barbara’, Poland

et al. 2022

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“…238 U and 232 Th decay into a series of radioactive elements, notably including radium ( 226 Ra and 228 Ra), radon ( 222 Rn and 220 Rn), lead ( 210 Pb), polonium ( 210 Po), and potassium ( 40 K), which are collectively termed as naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMs). During the combustion of coal, the organic matter in coal is consumed so that the concentrations of several radionuclides are enriched in the coal combustion residues (CCRs). , Therefore, CCRs typically have significantly higher NORMs than their respective parent coals. , In China, the high volume of coal used for combustion leads to a large amount of CCRs produced every year. The utilization of a huge amount of CCRs has many benefits in both economic and environmental aspects.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…If a 226 Ra isotope enters the human body, about 80% of it is excreted, while the remaining 20% enters the bloodstream and bone tissues. Radium mainly accumulates in the bones, and it may cause bone cancer . Since the high concentrations of radionuclides in CCRs can potentially affect the human health, ,, the threshold of U for the radiation hazard deserves to be well discussed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Toward the Threshold of Radiation Hazards of U in Chinese Coal through the CART Algorithm

Yang

Peng

et al. 2022

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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The high volume of coal used for combustion usually leads to a large amount of coal combustion residues (CCRs), which contain the naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMs) decayed from U and Th in coals. The high radioactivity of NORMs can cause potential harm to humans if the CCRs are used as building materials. The activities of CCRs not only depend on the concentrations of radionuclides but also largely depend on the variations of ash yields of coal. On the other hand, ash yields significantly vary in coal from less than 1−50%. This indicates that similar concentrations of radionuclides in coal with different ash yields generally do not result in similar activities in CCRs. Therefore, it is significant to build a threshold of U in coals with different ash yield levels. In this research, based on the data of 945 coal samples from China and the selected optimal model using the classification and regression tree algorithm, the threshold of U for the radiation hazard is determined to be 7.98 mg/kg for coals with ash yields higher than 20%, while the threshold of U for the radiation hazard is 5.28 mg/kg for coals with ash yields lower than 20%.

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“…For the latter, the chemical composition and natural radioactivity widely vary with the geomorphological and geographical features of the investigated site. Beach sand deposits, in particular, are the result of erosion and weathering of metamorphic and igneous rocks, where the highest levels of natural radionuclides are found [4][5][6][7][8][9][10]. Thus, an investigation focused on the assessment of the specific activity of natural radioisotopes in beach sands allows to evaluate the radiological risk, due to the external gamma radiation exposure for individuals who spend their holidays on these beaches.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Radioactivity, Metals Pollution and Mineralogy Assessment of a Beach Stretch from the Ionian Coast of Calabria (Southern Italy)

Caridi

Paladini

Venuti

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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In the present article, a case study is reported regarding an investigation carried out in order to assess radioactivity concentration, heavy metals pollution and mineralogy of a beach stretch extending from Soverato to Squillace municipalities of the Ionian coast of Calabria, South of Italy, a popular tourist destination, especially in summer. The analysis of radionuclides contents was performed by using a High Purity Germanium (HPGe) gamma-ray detector, in order to quantify the average specific activity of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K natural radionuclides and 137Cs anthropogenic radioisotope. The absorbed dose rate and the annual effective dose equivalent radiological hazard indices were also estimated. Furthermore, X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry measurements were carried out for the quantitative elemental analysis of the sand, in order to investigate any possible chemical pollution by heavy metals. For this aim, different indices such as Enrichment Factor (EF), Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo), Contamination Factor (CF) and Pollution Load Index (PLI) were applied to estimate the level of toxicity imposed on the ecosystem by the detected heavy metals. Finally, in order to identify the crystalline mineral components of the investigated sand samples, X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Micro-Raman Scattering (MRS) measurements were carried out.

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234U, 238U, 226Ra, 228Ra and 40K concentrations in feed coal and its combustion products during technological processes in the Upper Silesian Industrial Region, Poland

Cited by 16 publications

References 48 publications

Characteristics of Natural Background Radiation in the GIG Experimental Mine ‘Barbara’, Poland

Characteristics of Natural Background Radiation in the GIG Experimental Mine ‘Barbara’, Poland

Toward the Threshold of Radiation Hazards of U in Chinese Coal through the CART Algorithm

Radioactivity, Metals Pollution and Mineralogy Assessment of a Beach Stretch from the Ionian Coast of Calabria (Southern Italy)

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