Investigation of (235)U, (226)Ra, (232)Th, (40)K, (137)Cs, and heavy metal concentrations in Anzali international wetland using high-resolution gamma-ray spectrometry and atomic absorption spectroscopy.
Measurements of natural radioactivity levels and heavy metals in sediment and soil samples of the Anzali international wetland were carried out by two HPGe-gamma ray spectrometry and atomic absorption spectroscopy techniques. The concentrations of (235)U, (226)Ra, (232)Th, (40)K, and (137)Cs in sediment samples ranged between 1.05 ± 0.51-5.81 ± 0.61, 18.06 ± 0.63-33.36 ± .0.34, 17.57 ± 0.38-45.84 ± 6.23, 371.88 ± 6.36-652.28 ± 11.60, and 0.43 ± 0.06-63.35 ± 0.94 Bq/kg, while in the soil samples they vary between 2.36-5.97, 22.71-38.37, 29.27-42.89, 472.66-533, and 1.05-9.60 Bq/kg for (235)U, (226)Ra, (232)Th, (40)K, and (137)Cs, respectively. Present results are compared with the available literature data and also with the world average values. The radium equivalent activity was well below the defined limit of 370 Bq/kg. The external hazard indices were found to be less than 1, indicating a low dose. Heavy metal concentrations were found to decrease in order as Fe > Mn > Sr > Zn > Cu > Cr > Ni > Pb > Co > Cd. These measurements will serve as background reference levels for the Anzali wetland.
Department of Physics, Malek-ashtar University of Technology, Shahin-shahr, Islamic Republic of Iran. M_R_Zare@yahoo.com.
Mohammad Reza
MR
Zare
Chemical Process Research Group, Institute of Process Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, 81746-73441, Islamic Republic of Iran. m.kamali@eng.ui.ac.ir.|Graduate Faculty of Environment, Department of Environmental Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran. m.kamali@eng.ui.ac.ir.
Mahdi
M
Kamali
Iranian Fisheries Science Research Institute, National Inland water aquaculture Institute, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (A REEO), Bandare Anzali, Islamic Republic of Iran.
Maryam
M
Fallahi Kapourchali
Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, 81746-73441, Islamic Republic of Iran.
Hashem
H
Bagheri
Energy Engineering and Physics Department, Amir Kabir University of Technology, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
Mahdi
M
Khoram Bagheri
National Inland water Aquaculture Institute, Bandar Anzali, Islamic Republic of Iran.
Ali
A
Abedini
Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, 81746-73441, Islamic Republic of Iran.
Hamid Reza
HR
Pakzad
D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis*; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis*; D011197:Potassium Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis*; D011883:Radium / Q000032:analysis*; D012990:Soil Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis*; D013051:Spectrometry, Gamma / Q000379:methods; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic / Q000379:methods; D013910:Thorium / Q000032:analysis*; D014501:Uranium / Q000032:analysis*; D053833:Wetlands
D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D011197:Potassium Radioisotopes; D012990:Soil Pollutants, Radioactive; D014501:Uranium; D013910:Thorium; D011883:Radium
Activity concentration; Anzali international wetland; Gamma spectrometry; HPGe; Heavy metals; Sediment