title: Anthropogenic and naturally occurring radionuclide content in near surface air in Cáceres (Spain).
abstract: The anthropogenic (137Cs,90Sr,239+240Pu and241Am) and naturally occurring radionuclide (40K,234,238U,228,230,232Th,226Ra and210Pb) content in near surface air present seasonal variations related to natural processes, such as soil erosion, resuspension of fine particles of soil and radon exhalation from soil (210Pb). The objective is to analyze seasonal variations of their concentrations and compare with radiological events (Fukushima fallout and wild fire) in a location without any known source of anthropogenic radionuclides. The210Pb,40K, and137Cs presented annual variations, with maximum activity levels in summer. Solar radiation and rainfall were correlated with210Pb and40K. The234,238U,228,230,232Th,226Ra,137Cs and90Sr presented positive correlation with monthly mean values of temperature. The ratio90Sr/137Cs was within the range of those reported for soils in Spain. Finally, the maximal effective dose rate was estimated to be 37 and 88 μSv/y for infants and adults, respectively, well below 1 mSv/y reference level. The main contributor to effective dose was210Pb, about 92%, followed by:210Pb ≫228,230,232Th >226Ra,234,238U >7Be,239+240Pu >40K,90Sr >137Cs >22Na.
authors: LARUEX, Environmental Radioactivity Laboratory, Dpt. Applied Physics, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Avda. Universidad s/n, 10003, Cáceres, Spain.
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Baeza
authors: LARUEX, Environmental Radioactivity Laboratory, Dpt. Applied Physics, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Avda. Universidad s/n, 10003, Cáceres, Spain.
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Rodríguez-Perulero
authors: LARUEX, Environmental Radioactivity Laboratory, Dpt. Applied Physics, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Avda. Universidad s/n, 10003, Cáceres, Spain. Electronic address: fguillen@unex.es.
authors: Javier
authors: J
authors: Guillén
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000396:Air Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis*; D000398:Air Pollution, Radioactive / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D000069079:Radiation Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011834:Radiation Monitoring; D011868:Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis*; D013030:Spain; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000396:Air Pollutants, Radioactive; D011868:Radioisotopes
keywords: (137)Cs; (210)Pb; (40)K; (90)Sr; Aerosol; Plutonium; Radium; Thorium; Uranium