Distribution of natural radioactivity and assessment of radioactive dose of Western Anatolian plutons, Turkey

Abstract

IntroductionAll varieties of building materials, including various naturally occurring as well as artificial materials, have varying concentrations of Ra, Th, and K and can cause direct radiation exposure to human beings. Granite, as a market term, includes a wide variety of rock types including plutonic, volcanic, and metamorphic rocks. Granite's durability and appearance make it a popular building material in dwellings. These rocks can contain various amounts of minerals with high Ra, Th, and K concentrations such as zircon, monazite, xenotime, allanite, epidote, or K-feldspars.According to the European Commission (1999), radioactive doses should comply with the ALARA ("as low as reasonably achievable") radioprotection principle. The average annual effective equivalent should be limited to 1.6 mSv. Materials such as granites, potentially containing high concentrations of natural radionuclides, should be studied in order to control the exposure levels for human beings. The limit of 1.6 mSv per year is widely accepted by many international organisations such as the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the European Commission.Natural radionuclides increase both the external (γ-rays) and internal (α-rays) radiation to human beings. 238 U, 232 Th, and 40 K are the main contributors of γ-rays, while α-rays are principally emitted by radon, a decay product of 238 U radioactive series. The Rn isotopes are responsible for roughly half of the radioactive dose exposure from natural sources. Moreover, Rn isotopes are considered as an important cause of lung cancer (UNSCEAR, 2000; WHO, 2009). Many investigations on the radioactivity levels of granitic rocks, used or potentially used as decorative and building materials, can be found in the recent literature

Natural radioactivity of rocks from the historic Jeroným Mine in the Czech Republic

“…Thick solid line: average 40 K activity measured from granite samples. Thin solid line: average 40 K activity reported for typical granitesPapadopoulos et al (2016) reported 40 K activity values ranging from 148 Bq kg −1 to 2518 Bq kg −1 with a mean value of 1097 Bq kg −1 for 70 samples of granites collected from plutons in western Anatolia (Turkey). Commercial granite rock used as building materials investigated byPavlidou et al (2006; 16 samples from Greece) andTzortzis et al (2003; 28 samples from Cyprus) gave mean 40 K activity values of 1104 Bq kg −1 and 1215 Bq kg −1 , respectively.…”

Bazı tütün örneklerinde doğal radyonüklitlerin aktivite konsantrasyonları ve yıllık etkin doz değerleri üzerine bir çalışma

“…As shown in Table-3, activity concentration of the 238 U, 232 Th and 40 K are the lowest value in Greece region [19] and Baghdad Market [28], respectively. In present study, 238 U, 232 Th and 40 K activity concentration of tobacco samples are higher than other studies.…”

“…In present study, 238 U, 232 Th and 40 K activity concentration of tobacco samples are higher than other studies. Because the activity concentration of natural radionuclides can be affected by the area where the tobacco is planted and the geological characteristics of the zone [28]. As a result, the activity concentrations of radionuclides may vary depending on the geological characteristics of the soil where tobacco plants are grown and the amount of fertilizer.…”

Natural Radioactivity of Rocks from the Historic Jeroným Mine in the Czech Republic

“…Granites from the easternmost part of the Sudetes (Opava Mountains) gave 232 Th values ranging from 7 (weathered granite) to 54 Bq kg -1 (granite) (Dżaluk et al, 2018) . Papadopoulos et al (2016) reported 232 Th activities ranging from 0.14 to 241 Bq kg -1 with a mean value of 90 Bq kg -1 . These values significantly exceeded average 232 Th values reported here for mine samples.…”

“…40 K activity values of 1560 Bq kg -1(Dżaluk et al, 2018) Papadopoulos et al (2016). reported40 K activity values ranging from 148 Bq kg -1 to 2518 Bq kg -1 with a mean value of 1097 Bq kg -1 for 70 samples of granites collected from plutons in western Anatolia(Turkey).…”