Distribution of natural radionuclides in surface soils in the vicinity of abandoned uranium mines in Serbia

Abstract

The activity concentrations of natural radionuclides in soils from the area affected by uranium mining at Stara Planina Mountain in Serbia were studied and compared with the results obtained from an area with no mining activities (background area). In the affected area, the activity concentrations ranged from 1.75 to 19.2 mg kg(-1) for uranium and from 1.57 to 26.9 mg kg(-1) for thorium which is several-fold higher than those in the background area. The Th/U, K/U, and K/Th activity ratios were also determined and compared with data from similar studies worldwide. External gamma dose rate in the air due to uranium, thorium, and potassium at 1 m above ground level in the area affected by uranium mining was found to be 91.3 nGy h(-1), i.e., about two-fold higher than that in background area. The results of this preliminary study indicate the importance of radiological evaluation of the area and implementation of remedial measures in order to prevent further dispersion of radionuclides in the environment.

Uranium decay daughters from isolated mines: Accumulation and sources

“…An abundant literature is available concerning the dispersion in the environment of natural radionuclides associated with uranium mining and milling activities (Neame et al 1982;Waite et al 1988;Mosinets, 1991;Bunzl et al 1994;Jurado Vargas et al 1997, McConnell et al 1998Fernandes et al 1998;Fernandes and Franklin, 2001;Fernandes et al 2006;Lozano, 2000Vera Tom e et al 2002;Carvalho et al 2007Carvalho et al , 2014Frostick et al 2008Frostick et al , 2011Kipp et al 2009;Mom cilovi c et al 2013;Blanco Rodríguez et al 2014;Kayzar et al 2014). However, only few published studies offer maps of radionuclide distribution (Dragovi c et al 2014;Erenturk et al 2014), in particular for uranium mining impacted environments (Vandenhove et al 2006;Bollh€ ofer et al 2006Bollh€ ofer et al , 2014.…”

Assessing the Impact of Housing Features and Environmental Factors on Home Indoor Radon Concentration Levels on the Navajo Nation

“…This EPA radon zone map predicts that homes on the Navajo Nation may have estimated indoor radon levels between 74.0 to 148.0 Bq/m 3 of radon gas. Individuals who live near uranium mines may also be potentially exposed to higher levels of radon compared to the general population [5,20]. A home built in this type of landscape, specifically upon soil with elevated levels of natural uranium concentration levels, is a potential main source of indoor radon exposure.…”

Measurement and spatial distribution pattern of natural radioactivity in a uranium tailings pond in Northwest China

“…However, a large number of radioactive contaminations will inevitably be produced in the process of uranium mining and milling (Craft et al, 2004;Jagetiya & Purohit, 2006;Portnov et al, 2017;Qin et al, 2020). The fine mineral slag produced in the process of uranium mining and milling is called uranium tailings which contain natural long-life radionuclides such as 238 U, 226 Ra, 232 Th, 40 K and some heavy metals associated with uranium mines (Dinis de & Fiúza, 2013;Landa, 2004;Laxman Singh et al, 2015;Momčilović et al, 2013;Zong et al, 2017). It is often hard to completely separate the long-life radionuclides and heavy metals in uranium tailings account for technical reasons and economic factors.…”