Natural radionuclides content and associated dose rates in fine-grained sediments from Patras-Rion sub-basins, Greece.
The activity concentrations of the natural radionuclides (238)U, (226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K were measured in soil samples collected from the Patras-Rion sub-basins (Southern Greece) and were found to be 28, 27, 30 and 483 Bq kg(-1), respectively. These values compare well with the average Greek and worldwide values for crustal soil and sedimentary rocks. The mean (226)Ra/(238)U activity ratio was close to 1, implying secular radioactive equilibrium in the uranium series. All soil samples have Ra(eq) values lower than the limit of 370 Bq kg(-1), indicating their safe use in brick production. The average annual terrestrial absorbed dose rate in air was 51±14 nGy h(-1), and the average annual effective dose 0.06±0.02 mSv y(-1), which is consistent with the average worldwide exposure to external terrestrial radiation outdoors (0.07 mSv y(-1)). Non-significant differences between soils with different age and depositional environments were found, which could be attributed to a common source of sediments.
Division of Physical, Inorganic and Nuclear Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Patras, 26500 Patras, Greece. epap@chemistry.upatras.gr
H V
HV
Papaefthymiou
G
G
Chourdakis
J
J
Vakalas
D001417:Background Radiation; D006115:Greece; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011834:Radiation Monitoring; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry*; D012990:Soil Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis*
D012987:Soil; D012990:Soil Pollutants, Radioactive