Determination of the Specific Activity of Soil and Fertilizers in Sergipe - Brazil

Authors: Leandro X. Cardoso, Susana O. Souza, Fernanda C. L. Ferreira, Orlando C. Ferreira, Elenilson Barboza, Carlos E. Alhanati

Abstract:

Measurements of radioactivity in the environment is of great importance to monitor and control the levels of radiation to which man is exposed directly or indirectly. It is necessary to show that regardless of working or being close to nuclear power plants, people are daily in contact with some amount of radiation from the actual environment and food that are ingested, contradicting the view of most of them. The aim of this study was to analyze the rate of natural and artificial radiation from radionuclides present in cement, soil and fertilizers used in Sergipe State – Brazil. The radionuclide activitiesmeasured all samples arebelow the Brazilian limit of the exclusion and exemption criteria from the requirement of radiation protection.It was detected Be-7 in organic fertilizers that means a short interval between the brewing processes for use in agriculture. It was also detected an unexpected Cs-137 in some samples; however its activities does not represent risk for the population. Th-231 was also found in samples of soil and cement in the state of Sergipe that is an unprecedented result.

Keywords: Cs-137, Be-7, Th-231 radiation dose, radio isotopes.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI): doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1073022

References:

[1] R. M.Anjos,E. Okuno,P. R. S.Gomes,R. Veiga,L. Estellita,L.Mangia, D.Uzeda, T.Soares, A.Facure,J. A. P.Brage,B. Mosquera,C. Carvalho,A. M. A. Santos, "Radioecology teaching: evaluation of the background radiation levels from areas with high concentrations of radionuclides in soil". Eur. J. Phys. - 25, 133 - 144, 2004.
[2] A. J. G.Santos, "Regulamenta├º├úo e decis├Áes na avalia├º├úo de impacto ambiental dos res├¡duos contendo radioatividade". Proc. International Nuclear Atlantic Conference - INAC 2005. Santos, SP, Brazil, August 28 to September 2, 2005.
[3] UNSCEAR - United Nations Scientific Committee On The Effects Of Atomic Radiation. "Sources and Effects of Ionizing Radiation".Report to the General Assembly, with scientific annexes.Volume I, Sources, Annex A; Dose assessment methodologies, 2000.
[4] E. Penna Franca, J.C. Almeida, J. Becker, M. Emmerich, F.X. Roser, G. Kegel, L. Hainsberger, T.L. Cullen, H. Petrow, R. Drew and M. Eisenbud, "Status of Investigations in the Brazilian Areas of High Natural Radioactivity",Health Phys., v. 11, 1965, pp.699-712
[5] T.L., Cullen, "Review of the Brazilian Investigations in Areas of High Natural Radioactivity, Part I: Radiometric and Dosimetric Studies".Proc. International Symposium on High Natural Radioactivity, Poços de Caldas, Brazil, 20 junho 1977.
[6] T.L. Cullen, A. S. Paschoa, E.Penna Franca, C. Costa Ribeiro, M.Barcinski, and M. Eisenbud, "Two decades of research in the Brazilian areas of high natural radioactivity".Proc. 5th International Congress of the International Radiation Protection Association. Book of Papers, Vol.II, 1980, pp.361-364.
[7] A. Malanca, V. Pessina, G. Dallara, C. N. Luce and L. Gaidolfi,"Natural Radioactivity in Building Materials from the Brazilian State of Espirito Santo",Appl. Radiat. Isot., v.46, 1995, pp.1387-1392.
[8] Nuclebras, Mapa Aerogamaespectrométrico do Brasil, Relat├│rio de fase do Departamento de Geologia, Empresas Nucleares Brasileiras S.A, 1984.
[9] R. Oliveira, C.E. Almeida, H.E. Silva, H.H. Javaroni, M. Castanho, M..J. Coelho and R.N. Alves, "Brazilian Research in Areas of High Natural Radioactivity".Proc. 4th International Conference on High Levels of Natural Radiation: Radiation Doses and Health Effects, Beijing, China, outubro 1996, eds. L. Wei, T. Sugahara and Z. Tao, Elsevier: Tokyo, 1996, pp.119-127.
[10] M.Eisenbud,Environmental Radioactivity, p.199-200, Academic Press: New York, 1963.
[11] E.Penna Franca, "Review of Brazilian Investigations in Areas of High Natural Radioactivity. Part II: Internal Exposure and Cytogenetic Survey". Proc. International Symposium on areas of high natural radioactivity.Poços de Caldas, Brazil, junho 1975, eds. T.L. Cullenand E. Penna Franca, Academia Brasileira de Ciências: RJ, 1977, pp. 29-48.
[12] F. X. Roser, T. L. Cullen, Environmental Radioactivity in High Background Areas of Brazil, Pontifical Catholic University, Institute of Physics: Rio de Janeiro, 1962.
[13] J. U.Ahmed,"High Levels of Natural Radiation".Report of an International Conference in Ramsar, IAEA Bull. Vol.33, No.2, 1991, pp.36-38.
[14] M.Sohrabi,"Environmental with Elevated Radiation Levels from Natural Radioactive Substances". Proc. International Symposium on Restoration Environments with Radioactive Residues. Arlington, Virg. US, 2000.(IAEA-SM-359).
[15] M. Sohrabi, "The State-of-the art on Worldwide Studies in some Environmental with Elevated Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials(NORM)". Appl. Radiat.Isot., v. 49-3, 1998, pp. 169-188
[16] Wei, L., Zha, Y., Tao, Z., He, W., Chen, D. and Yuan, Y.: "EpidemiologicalInvestigation in High Background Radiation Areas in Yangjiang, China". Proc. International Conference on High Level Natural Radiation Areas. Ramsar, Iran, 1990. IAEA Publication Series, Vienna. 1993.
[17] L. Wei, T. Sugahara, Z. Tao,"High Levels Natural Radiation 96; RadiationDose and Health Effect". Proc. 4th International Conference on High Levels of Natural Radiation, Beijing, China. Elsevier, Tokyo, 1997.
[18] F. Steinhausler, "Long Term Investigation in Austria of Environmental Natural Sources of Ionizing Radiation", Ber. Nat-Med. Ver., Saltzburg v. 6, 1982, pp. 7-50.
[19] ICRP - International Commission on Radiological Protection - "Reference man: Anatomical Physiological, and Metabolic Characteristics". ICRP Publication 23 - Pergamon Press, Oxford 1976.
[20] Estadão:http://www.estadao.com.br/estadaodehoje/20100119/not_imp49 7905,0.php, visitado 19/01/2010
[21] PNE2030:http://www.epe.gov.br/PNE/Forms/Empreendimento.aspx
[22] Sergipe:http://brasilcc.blogspot.com/2009/09/estado-de-sergipeaspectos- gerais.html
[23] R.W. Boyle, "Geochemical prospecting for thorium and uranium deposits". Develop. econ. geol., n.16, 1982, pp. 71-78.
[24] D. M. Bonotto, T.O.Bueno, B.W.Tessari and A. Silva. "The natural radioactivity in water by gross alpha and beta measurements".Radiat.Meas., Vol. 44, 2009, pp. 92-101.
[25] K.M. Abumurad,"Natural radioactivity due to radon in Soum region, Jordan". Radiat.Meas. 2005; 39, pp.77-80.
[26] M.H.Magalhães, E.C.S. Amaral, I. Sachett, E.R.R. Rochedo,"Radon-222 in Brazil: an outline of indoor and outdoor measurements". J.Environ.Radioactivity 2003, 67; pp.131-143.
[27] CNEN-Comissão Nacional de Energia Nuclear.Diretrizes Básicas de Radioproteção, 2006. (CNEN-NE-3.01).
[28] G. Zalidis, S. Stamatiadis, V. Takavakoglou, K. EskridgeandN. Misopolinos,"Impacts of Agricultural Practices on Soil and Water Quality in the Mediterranean Region and Proposed Assessment methodology". Elsevier, Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 2002.
[29] C. R. AppoloniandE. A. Rios, "Mass Attenuation Coefficients of Brazilian Soils in the Range 10 -1450 keV". Appl. Radiat. Isot.Vol 45, 1994, pp.287-291
[30] J. Tennenbum, Energia Nuclear: Dinamo da Reconstrução Econômica Mundial. EditoraCapax Dei, Rio de janeiro, 2009.
[31] S. Glasstone, P.J. Dolan, The Effects of Nuclear Weapons, 3 ed. U.S. Departments of defense and Energy: Washington, 1977.
[32] G.R.Choppin, J. Rydberg,Nuclear Chemistry,Pergamon Press; Oxford 1980.
[33] R. L. Kathnen, NORM sources and their origins. Appl. Rad.Isot. Vol. 49 (3), 1988, pp. 149-168.