Determination of radionuclide concentration and radiological hazard in soil and water near the uranium tailings reservoir in China

Environmental Pollutants & Bioavailability

Ying He¹  Zhihong Zheng²  Bai Gao²  Gongxin Chen²  Qianglin Wei²  Weibo Zhou³  Yuanyuan Liu³ 

[1] Environmental Monitoring Center of Shaanxi Province;Fundamental Science on Radioactive Geology and Exploration Technology Laboratory, East China University of Technology;School of Water and Environment, Chang’an University;

关键词: radionuclides concentrations;    soil;    water;    hazard index;    uranium tailing;   

DOI  :  10.1080/26395940.2021.1951123

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Radioactive levels and radiological hazard assessment associated with exposure to radionuclides from uranium tailings were investigated in this study. Herein, the concentrations of 238U, 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in 36 samples including 25 soil and 11 water samples were measured using a low background HPGe semiconductor detector. The radionuclide concentrations were much lower outside the tailings reservoir than inside the reservoir; however, both exceeded the national average and world average values. The mean concentrations of 238U, 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in water samples were higher than the WHO guideline levels. The radionuclide transfer factors showed that the radionuclides in soil of the tailings enter the surrounding water. Additionally, the radiological hazard indices around the reservoir were much higher than the worldwide average. Results suggest that the high level of radiation in the tailings reservoir posed a potential threat to the health of the local residents.

【 授权许可】

Unknown