Evaluating the Radiological Hazards of Contaminated Soil with Natural Radioactive Materials (NORM) Resulting from Produced Water during Oil & Gas Production

Abstract

Uncontrolled disposal of water extracted during oil and gas production leads to contamination of the surrounding soil with naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM), resulting in contamination of huge volumes of soil with radium isotopes (226 Ra and 228 Ra). In order to assess the radiological health hazards and excess lifetime cancer risks associated with the contaminated soil, the concentration of the naturally occurring radionuclides 226 Ra, 232 Th and 40 K were determined using gamma ray spectrometry. The mean activity concentrations of 226 Ra, 232 Th and 40 K were found to be 1939.56, 737.86 and198.21Bq kg _1 , respectively. The results of the radiological indices and annual effective dose & cancer risk estimated by RESRAD obtained in this study were all higher than their worldwide mean values. This indicates the danger of discharging the produced water resulting from oil and gas production into evaporation ponds without taking preventive measures that limit soil contamination and thus limiting workers' exposure to natural radioactive materials. There is a need to establish clear national rules and regulations for dealing with natural radioactive materials resulting from various oil and gas fields in order to contribute to the control and management policy of technologically enhanced naturally occurring radioactive materials (TE-NORM) released from this industry.

DNA Damage Detection after Chronic Exposure and Radio-adaptive Response of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM)

“…It is known that a high dose radiation linked with cancer development. In contrast, there is no direct association between cause and effect at low radiation levels with a high degree of uncertainty [38]. A significant disadvantage of the linear non threshold model LNT is the non-compliance with DNA defense mechanisms.…”