Map of radionuclide distribution and assessment of absorbed dose and nuclear contamination on the Miankala Peninsula in the north of Iran

Subject Areas : Radio active

Reza Pourimani ^{1 *} , Seyed Mohsen Mortazavi Shahroudi ² , Roshanak Ghorbani ³

1 - Associate professor in nuclear physics, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Arak University, Arak, Iran. *(Corresponding Author)
2 - Ph.D. in nuclear physics, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Arak University, Arak, Iran
3 - MSc in nuclear physics, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Arak University, Arak, Iran.

Received: 2022-09-12 Accepted : 2022-11-23 Published : 2023-01-21

Keywords: Miankaleh Peninsula, HPGe detector, Petrochemical Industry, environmental radiation, Specific activity,

Abstract :

Background and objective: The study, to assess the level of environmental radiation and to obtain the impact of the development of industry, including petrochemicals, on the formation of nuclear pollution, the specific activity of radionuclides, and the amount of absorbed dose were measured in the Miankaleh peninsula in the north of Iran, south-east of the Caspian Sea. Material and Methodology: 43 samples were collected from the north and south coasts of the Miankala peninsula, including 13 bottles of water and 30 bags of sediments, and the specific activities of radionuclides in the samples were determined using a high-purity germanium detector. The distribution map of radioactive elements was made using GIS software. Findings: The average specific activity of 226Ra, 232Th, 40K and 137Cs in sediment samples were 18.17±1.62, 16.21±1.36, 266.28±9.45, and 2.61±0.27 Bqkg-1, respectively, and the average specific activity of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in water samples was 0.78±0.12, 5.39±0.75 and 17.89±1.79 Bqkg-1, respectively. The average absorbed dose rate in air was calculated as 28.73±1.91 nGyh-1. Discussion and Conclusion: The specific activity of natural radionuclides was calculated to be lower than the global average. The amount of dose absorbed in this area is within the permissible limit. The average radioactive concentration in the water samples of the southern shores of the Miankala peninsula is higher than its northern shores, which are adjacent to the Caspian Sea. However, the concentration of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in the northern coastal sediments is higher than that of the southern coasts. The concentration of 137Cs is higher on the southern coast of the Miankala peninsula, which located in a dry area, due to the lack of water flow.

References:

1. United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR), 2008, Sources, effects and risks of ionizing radiation, New York: Report to the General Assembly with annexes.


2. Ali, Y.F., Cucinotta, F.A., Ning-Ang, L., Zhou, G., 2020. Cancer Risk of Low Dose Ionizing Radiation. Front. Phys. Vol. 8, pp. 234. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphy.2020.00234.

3. Wrenn, M.E., Durbin, P.W., Howard, B., Lipsztein, J., Rundo, J., Still, E.T., Willis, D.I., 1985. Metabolism of ingested U and Ra. Health. Phys. Vol. 48, pp. 601-633.


4. Sankaranarayanan, K., 1999. Ionizing radiation and genetic risks: X. The potential “disease phenotypes” of radiation-induced genetic damage in humans: perspectives from human molecular biology and radiation genetics. Mutation Research. Vol. 429, pp. 45-83. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0027-5107(99)00100-1.


5. Pujol, L., Sanchez-Cabeza, J.A., 2000. Natural and artificial radioactivity in surface waters of the Ebro river basin (Northeast Spain). J. Environ. Radioact. Vol. 51(2), pp. 181-210. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0265-931X(00)00076-X.

1. M J Frissel, and R Pennders, 1983. Models for the accumulation and migration of ⁹⁰Sr, ¹³⁷ Cs, ^239,240Pu and ²⁴¹Am in the upper layer of soils. In: Coughtrey PJ (ed) Ecological aspects of radionuclide release. Blackwell, Oxford, pp. 63-72.  ISBN 0632011858


2. He, Q., Walling, D.E., 1997. The distribution of fallout ¹³⁷Cs and ²¹⁰Pb in undisturbed and cultivated soils. Appl. Radiat. Isot. Vol. 48, pp. 667-690. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0969-8043(96)00302-8.


3. Ritchie, J.C., Mchenry, J.R., 1990. Application of radioactive fallout cesium-137 for measuring soil erosion and sediment accumulation rates and patterns. J. Environ. Qual. Vol. 19, pp. 215-233. https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq1990.00472425001900020006x.


4. Davidson, W., Spezanno, P., Hilton, J., 1993. Remobilization of caesium from freshwater sediments. J. Environ. Radioact. Vol. 19, pp. 109-124. https://doi.org/10.1016/0265-931X(93)90072-F.


5. Geographic information system version 10.3 (GIS10.3) (Computer software), 2014. Retrieved from: https://www.esri.com

11. Sufi, T., Hassanzati, A., Mohammadgholipour, M., Sa, A., Mohammadnazemi, A., 2006. hydrological study on Gorgan Bay. Iran Fisheries Science Research Institute. (In Persian) https://civilica.com/doc/1091120


12. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), 2003, Collection and Preparation of bottom sediment sample for analysis of radionuclides and trace element (IAEA-TECDOC-1360, Vienna).


13. Pourimani, R., Mortazavi Shahroodi, S.M., 2018. Radiological Assessment of the Artificial and Natural Radionuclide Concentrations of Wheat and Barley Samples in Karbala, Iraq. Iran. J. Med. Phys. Vol. 15(2), pp. 126-131. https://doi.org/10.22038/ijmp.2017.24190.1238.


14. Paiva, J.D.S., Farias, E.E., Franca, E.J.D., 2015. Assessment of the equilibrium of Th-228 and Ra-228 by gamma-ray spectrometry in mangrove soils.


15. Shahrokhi, A., Kovacs, T., 2021. Radiological survey on radon entry path in an underground mine and implementation of an optimized mitigation system. Environ. Sci. Eur. 33, 66. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12302-021-00507-w.


16. Pourimani, R., Anoosheh, F., 2015. A Study on Transfer Factors of Environmental Radionuclides: Radionuclide Transfer from Soil to Different Varieties of Rice in Gorgan, Iran. J. Med. Phys. 12(3), 189-199. https://doi.org/10.22038/IJMP.2015.6220.


17. Pourimani R., and Mohebian M., 2021. Study of Background Correction of Gamma-Ray Spectrometry Using Reference Materials. Iranian journal of Science and Technology Transaction A: Vol. 45, pp. 733-736. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40995-020-01044-6


18. Pourimani, R., Rahimi, S., 2016. Radiological Assessment of the Artificial and Natural Radionuclide Concentrations of Some Species of Wild Fungi and Nourished Mushrooms. Iran. J. Med. Phys. Vol. 13(4), pp. 269-275. https://dx.doi.org/10.22038/ijmp.2017.8293.


19. European Commission (EC), 1999. Radiological protection principles concerning the natural radioactivity of building material, In EC radiation protection, 112, Directorate General Environment, Nuclear Safety and Civil Protection.


20. Pourimani R, Davoodmaghami T, Mohebian M.,2020. Determination of radiological map of radionuclides distribution in soils ‎around of Shazand oil power plant. IJRSM 2020; 8 (4) :63-72.