title: Spatial and vertical distribution and risk assessment of natural radionuclides in soils surrounding the lignite-fired power plants in Megalopolis basin, Greece.
abstract: Twenty soil profile samples and fourteen surface soil samples collected from the vicinity of the lignite-fired power plants in the Megalopolis basin (Greece) were analysed for their natural radionuclide concentration and (137)Cs, since fossil fuels are associated with naturally occurring radioactive materials and hence with radiological impact. No significant enhancement of surface soil radioactivity levels in the vicinity of lignite-fired plants was observed. A downcore decreasing trend of (137)Cs was observed in a number of cores reflecting its atmospheric origin, whereas the uniform distribution observed in a number of other cores gave information on the mechanical alteration of the soil. The average dose rate value was found to be 63 ± 22 nGy h(-1), while the annual average effective dose from the terrestrial gamma radiation was found to be 0.08 ± 0.03 mSv.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Patras, 26500 Patras, Greece. epap@chemistry.upatras.gr
authors.forename: H V
authors.initials: HV
authors.lastname: Papaefthymiou
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Manousakas
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fouskas
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Siavalas
mesh_terms: D000396:Air Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis*; D002244:Carbon / Q000032:analysis; D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis; D003031:Coal; D005843:Geography; D006115:Greece; D010316:Particle Size; D052638:Particulate Matter; D011197:Potassium Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis; D011210:Power Plants; D011834:Radiation Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D011868:Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis*; D011874:Radiometry / Q000379:methods; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012987:Soil; D012990:Soil Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis*; D013910:Thorium / Q000032:analysis; D014501:Uranium / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000396:Air Pollutants, Radioactive; D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes; D003031:Coal; D052638:Particulate Matter; D011197:Potassium Radioisotopes; D011868:Radioisotopes; D012987:Soil; D012990:Soil Pollutants, Radioactive; D014501:Uranium; D013910:Thorium; D002244:Carbon