• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• 제42권1호
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• pp.33-41
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• 2017

Background: Phosphate rock and its by-product are widely used in various industries to produce phosphoric acid, gypsum, gypsum board, and fertilizer. Owing to its high level of natural radioactive nuclides (e.g., $^{238}U$ and $^{226}Ra$), the radiological safety of workers who work with phosphate rock should be systematically managed. In this study, $^{238}U$, $^{232}Th$, $^{226}Ra$, and $^{40}K$ levels were measured to analyze the transport characteristics of these radionuclides in the production cycle of phosphate rock. Materials and Methods: Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence and gamma spectrometry were used to determine the activity of $^{238}U$, $^{232}Th$, $^{226}Ra$, and $^{40}K$. To evaluate the extent of secular disequilibrium, the analytical results were compared using statistical methods. Finally, the distribution of radioactivity across different stages of the phosphate rock production cycle was evaluated. Results and Discussion: The concentration ratios of $^{226}Ra$ and $^{238}U$ in phosphate rock were close to 1.0, while those found in gypsum and fertilizer were extremely different, reflecting disequilibrium after the chemical reaction process. The nuclide with the highest activity level in the production cycle of phosphate rock was $^{40}K$, and the median $^{40}K$ activity was $8.972Bq{\cdot}g^{-1}$ and $1.496Bq{\cdot}g^{-1}$, respectively. For the $^{238}U$ series, the activity of $^{238}U$ and $^{226}Ra$ was greatest in phosphate rock, and the distribution of activity values clearly showed the transport characteristics of the radionuclides, both for the byproducts of the decay sequences and for their final products. Conclusion: Although the activity of $^{40}K$ in k-related fertilizer was relatively high, it made a relatively low contribution to the total radiological effect. However, the activity levels of $^{226}Ra$ and $^{238}U$ in phosphate rock were found to be relatively high, near the upper end of the acceptable limits. Therefore, it is necessary to systematically manage the radiological safety of workers engaged in phosphate rock processing.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제55권5호
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• pp.1757-1762
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• 2023

Radiological hazards from external exposure of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) scales residues, generated during the extraction process of oil and gas production in southern Algeria, are evaluated. The activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K were measured using high-purity gamma-ray spectrometry (GeHP). Mean activity concentration of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K, found in scale samples are 4082 ± 41, 1060 ± 38 and 568 ± 36 Bq kg^-1, respectively. Radiological hazard parameters, such as radium equivalent (Ra_eq), external and internal hazard indices (H_ex, H_in), and gamma index (I_γ) are also evaluated. All hazard parameter values were greater than the permissible and recommended limits and the average annual effective dose value exceeded the dose constraint (0.3 mSv y^-1). However, for occasionally exposed workers, the dose rate of 0.65 ± 0.02 mSv y^-1 is lower than recommended limit of 1 mSv y^-1 for public.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제56권6호
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• pp.2182-2189
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• 2024

The high-purity germanium gamma-ray spectrometer was used to measure the radioisotope in surface water of lakes in a Chinee petroleum industrial area. 92 samples were collected from surface water of three lakes. Activity concentrations of ²³²Th, ²²⁶Ra and ⁴⁰K in three lakes were measured, distributed in the range of 101.8-209.4, 192.1-224.9 and 335.0-548.9 mBq/L, respectively. Results were all within the limits of WHO and China. Potential environmental and health risks were assessed by calculating some radiation hazard indicators, radium equivalent index, annual effective dose, excess lifetime cancer risk, absorbed dose rate, external hazard index, internal hazard index, annual gonadal dose equivalent, activity utilization index and representative gamma index, which ranged 0.38-0.54 Bq/L, 0.06-0.08 mSv/y, 0.23 × 10^-3-0.31 × 10^-3, 0.17-0.24 nGy/h, 1.01 × 10^-3-1.46 × 10^-3, 1.55 × 10^-3-2.02 × 10^-3, 1.16-1.66 μSv/y, 3.13 × 10^-3-4.45 × 10^-3 and 2.60 × 10^-3-3.77 × 10^-3. The results were all at acceptable levels, meaning no impact on human health. The relationship between the electrical conductivity of surface water and the activity concentration of ²³²Th, ²²⁶Ra and ⁴⁰K was evaluated. The electrical conductivity value was 0.241-0.369 mS/cm, showing a significant correlation coefficient between ²²⁶Ra and ⁴⁰K and electrical conductivity. Multivariate statistical methods were used to determine the relationship between the activity concentrations of ²³²Th, ²²⁶Ra, and ⁴⁰K, radiation hazard indicators and electrical conductivity.

• 분석과학
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• 제16권1호
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• pp.39-47
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• 2003

시료 전처리가 필요 없는 감마선 분광분석법을 이용하여 지하수 중의 라듐 ($^{226}Ra$) 분석을 위한 측정법을 확립하였다. 방사평형된 딸핵종을 이용한 라듐의 분석 시 가장 문제가 되는 대기 중 라돈 딸핵종에 의한 바탕계수는 측정함 내부로 질소가스를 흘려주므로써 해결하였고, 라듐과 그 딸핵종들 사이의 방사평형 과정에서 생성된 라돈가스의 용기 외부로의 누출은 밀폐된 알루미늄 용기를 사용함으로써 방지할 수 있었다. 또한 측정용기 내부의 공기층에 의한 방사능 변화정도를 조사하기 위하여 임의로 공기층을 만들어 측정한 결과, 물 속에 녹은 라돈의 공기층으로의 발산에 의한 방사능 변화정도는 통상적인 측정오차인 5% 범위 이내였다. 측정 시 검출기 주위로 질소가스를 흘려줌으로서 대기 중 라돈 딸핵종에 의한 간섭을 제거하였고, 검출하한값을 0.02 Bq/L로 낮출 수 있었다. 이는 최근 US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)에 의하여 제안된 지하수 중의$^{226}Ra$ Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL)인 0.74 Bq/L보다 충분히 작은 값으로서 감마선 분광법을 이용하여 지하수 중의 라듐을 방사능 농도를 정확히 결정할 수 있다는 것을 확인하였다.

• 대한방사선기술학회지:방사선기술과학
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• 제46권1호
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• pp.37-42
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• 2023

Most of research on environmental radioactivity is conducted in areas near nuclear power plants, so basic data about the distribution of environmental radioactivity in soil in other areas are insufficient. Therefore, in this study, divide into four categories by the land development characteristics of Incheon and the purpose of development, and confirm the stability of the Incheon through soil sample collection and gamma-ray analysis based on ⁴⁰K, ¹³⁷Cs and ²²⁶Ra (²¹⁴Pb, ²¹⁴Bi). The spectrum obtained by measuring for 80,000 seconds by using the HPGe detector was analyzed by Genie 2000 program. Soil radioactivity concentrations in urban parks of Incheon area are generally within a safe range compared to the results of the Nuclear safety and security commission. However, as ¹³⁷Cs was detected in one park, which will require continuous monitoring.

• 한국방사성폐기물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국방사성폐기물학회 2016년도 춘계학술논문요약집
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• pp.393-394
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• 2016

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제56권5호
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• pp.1925-1931
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• 2024

The study conducted in the northwest region of Jordan aimed to assess the levels of natural radioactivity in soil and olive mill pomace (OMP) samples. The researchers used Nal (TI) gamma-ray spectrometry to measure the activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, ⁴⁰K, and ¹³⁷Cs in the samples. The average activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, ⁴⁰K, and ¹³⁷Cs in the soil samples were found to be 18.624 ± 5.82, 12.276 ± 5.728, 518.33 ± 212.57, and 0.140 ± 0.09 (Bq, kg^-1), respectively. In the OMP samples, the average activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K were 7.272 ± 4.386, 3.454 ± 1.503, and 169.997 ± 81.873 (Bq kg^-1), respectively, and no ¹³⁷Cs was detected. The study also investigated fundamental parameters associated with radon, specifically the radon emanation coefficient (Rn_EC) and radon mass exhalation rate (E_x). The Rn_EC values ranged from 0.621 to 0.78 (Bq kg^-1), with an average value of 0.71 ± 0.06 (Bq kg^-1). The estimated E_x from the soil samples ranged from 65.83 to 124.86 (mBq kg^-1h^-1), with an average value of 99.74 ± 21.73 (mBq kg^-1h^-1). Regarding radiological hazards, the study examined various parameters, including radium equivalent activity, external and internal hazard indices, gamma and alpha indices, absorbed gamma dose rate, and excess lifetime cancer risk. All of these assessed values were found to be below the worldwide recommended limits for radiological safety. Additionally, the study analyzed the concentrations of gross alpha and gross beta radioactivities in soil and OMP samples. The soil samples had an average gross alpha activity of 4.642 ± 1.04 (Bq kg^-1) and an average gross beta activity of 48.13 ± 14.50 (Bq kg^-1). The OMP samples showed an average gross alpha activity of 0.32 ± 0.27 (Bq kg^-1) and an average gross beta activity of 59.19 ± 12.94 (Bq kg^-1). Overall, the obtained results are crucial for evaluating the radiological risks associated with natural radioactivity in the northwest region of Jordan. The findings establish baseline data for comparison and reference for radioactivity levels in the environment.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제55권7호
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• pp.2447-2453
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• 2023

The radioactivity concentrations of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM) i.e., ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, and ⁴K in various chemical fertilizers being used in the agricultural soil of Pakistan were determined utilizing gamma spectrometry by employing a High Purity Germanium (HPGe) detector. The radioactivity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, and ⁴K extended from 2.58 ± 0.8-265.7 ± 8.8 Bq kg^-1, 1.53 ± 0.14-76.6 ± 1.07 Bq kg^-1 and 36.5 ± 1.34-15606.7 ± 30.2 Bq kg^-1 respectively. The radiological hazard parameters such as internal and external indices and annual effective dose rates were calculated, while excessive lifetime cancer risk factors for the indoor and outdoor areas were found in the range from 0.3×10^-3 to 10.723×10^-3 and 0.03×10^-3 to 2.7948×10^-3 of most fertilizers, however, some values were slightly higher than the UNSCEAR (The United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation) recommended values for potash-containing fertilizers such as MOP (Muriate of Potash).

• 한국방사성폐기물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국방사성폐기물학회 2015년도 추계학술논문요약집
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• pp.471-472
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• 2015

• 한국해양학회지:바다
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• 제4권4호
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• pp.305-311
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• 1999

라디움(Ra) 동위원소 분포특성을 이용하여 동중국해와 남중국해 여름철 표층수의 해수의 조성을 밝히고자 하였다. 염분과 라디움 동위원소 방사능비($^{228}Ra/^{226}Ra$)의 분포는 동중국해와 남중국해에서 각기 쿠로시오 표층수와 장강 희석수, 쿠로시오 표층수와 연안 희석수의 두 단성분 해수의 단순혼합으로 설명하기에 적절하게 점진적으로 변화하는 분포양상을 나타냈다. 동중국해의 경우에 두 단성분 해수의 혼합은 Ra 동위원소비와 염분의 두 추적자로 각각 정량화가 가능하였는데, 결과를 비교해 보면 쿠로시오에 가까운 정점에서는 매우 비슷한 결과를 보였으나 대마난류가 분지된 이후부터는 차이가 커지기 시작하였다. 이러한 차이를 보이게 하는 가능한 요인으로 중층수와의 혼합이 지목되었다. 이 경우 염분과 Ra 동위원소비는 서로 반대방향으로 교란될 것으로 예상된다. 즉 염분은 저염수의 기여도를 과소평가하는 방향으로 반대로 Ra 동위원소비는 과대평가하게 되므로 두 결과값의 중간값이 실제에 가까울 것으로 판단되었다.