title: 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.
authors.affiliation: Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy, University of Belgrade, Banatska 31b, 11080 Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: Milan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Momčilović
authors.forename: Jovan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kovačević
authors.forename: Milan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tanić
authors.forename: Milan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dorđević
authors.forename: Goran
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bačić
authors.forename: Snežana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dragović
mesh_terms: D001417:Background Radiation; D008906:Mining; D011834:Radiation Monitoring; D011868:Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis*; D055771:Serbia; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry*; D012990:Soil Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis*; D014501:Uranium
chemical_list: D011868:Radioisotopes; D012987:Soil; D012990:Soil Pollutants, Radioactive; D014501:Uranium