• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.197-204
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• 2004

Vertical distributions of $^{137}Cs\;and\;^{90}Sr$ activities are studied for the soils of six areas, Korea (Gori, Yeonggwang, Uljin, Weolseong, Goseong and Jeju). The soils from 6 areas are at geographically different locations with the different environmental conditions and parent rook. The activities of $^{137}Cs\;and\;^{90}Sr$ vary N.D.(below detection limit) to 185 Bq/kg and 2.79 - 8.06 Bq/kg, respectively. Activities of $^{137}Cs\;and\;^{90}Sr$ show the highest value at the surface soil and decrease with depth. $^{137}Cs$ activities at the top surface soils are positively correlated with annual precipitation and organic carbon content with little relationship with mean grain size and the clay content. The highest $^{137}Cs$activities are found at the Jeju site, followed by the Goseong site of which soils have much different parent rock and textural properties. Though the activities of $^{137}Cs\;and\;^{90}Sr$ on the basis of dry weight are higher in Jeju soils than in Goseong soils, their inventories are similar in both soils due to their textural differences.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.245-260
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• 1991

Surficial dispersion patterns of heavy metals and toxic elements (U, Mo, Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Co, Cr, V, Ni, Pb, and Cd) were investigated in the Dukpyungri, Goesan area covered with low grade uranium-bearing black shales. Maximum abundance of U in the black shale was 455ppm. Radioactivity was counted at a maximum of 7cps in black shales, and was less than 0.5cps in shales, slates, and oil shales of the control areas. Enrichment of Mo, V, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb in black shales is particularly characteristic compared with shales, slates, and oil shales of the control areas, whereas contents of Mn, Cr, Co, and Th in all rock samples tend to be almost similar. Residual top soils (0~15cm depth) over black shales show high contents of Mo, Cu, Zn, Ni, Cd, and V in comparison with the control areas. Contents of trace elements in subsoils (15~30cm depth) were higher about one and half times than those in topsoils. Average contents of Mo, Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd and V in garden soil and playground soil of an elementary school in Dukpyungri, Goesan area, were high about two to fifteen times compared with the control areas. Contents of trace elements in stream sediments were higher from two to eight times than those in residual soils. Sodium, AI, K, V, Cr, and Fe were more enriched in the roots of pine than in the twigs of pine. Contents of Li, AI, V, Ni, Cd, Fe, and Co were higher in the roots of azalea than in the twigs of azalea. Enrichment of P, Ca, and Mg was remarkable in the twigs of both pine and azalea. Biological absorption coefficients for essential elements (Zn, P, Mn, Ca and K)tend to be high, whereas those for the non-essential elements.(Ba, Ti, V, and Mo) and toxic elements(Cr, Co, Pb and Ni) be low. Less mobile elements (Pd, Cd, and Co) tend to show anomalies with higher contrast than more mobile elements(Mo, V, Zn, Cu and Ni) in the area covered with black shales.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.321-328
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• 2019

The detection performances of the NaI(Tl), $LaBr_3$(Ce) and $CeBr_3$ scintillation detectors, which can be used to rapidly evaluate the major artificial radionuclides deposited on the soil surface in a nuclear accident or radiological emergency, were compared. Detection performance was assessed by calculating the minimum detectable activity (MDA). The detection efficiency of each detector for artificial radionuclides was semi-empirically determined using mathematical modelling and point-like sources having certified radioactivity. The background gamma-ray energy spectrum for MDA evaluation was obtained from relatively wide and flat grassland, and the MDA values of each detector for the major artificial radionuclides that could be released in nuclear accidents were calculated. As a result, the relative MDA values of each detector regarding surface deposition distribution at normal environmental radiation level were evaluated as high in the order of the NaI(Tl), $LaBr_3$(Ce), and $CeBr_3$ detectors. These results were compared based on each detector's intrinsic and measurement environment background, detection efficiency, and energy resolution for the gamma-ray energy region of the radionuclide of interest.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.261-276
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• 2016

The occurrence of natural radioactive materials such as uranium and radon-222 in groundwater was examined with hydrogeochemistry and geology at ○○ village in the Yongin area. Two rounds of 19 groundwater and 5 surface water sampling were collected for analysis. The range of pH value in groundwaters was 5.81 to 7.79 and the geochemical types of the groundwater were mostly Ca(Na)-HCO₃ and Ca(Na)-NO₃(Cl)-HCO₃. Uranium and radon-222 concentrations in the groundwater ranged from 0.06 to 411 μg/L and from 5.56 to 903 Bq/L, respectively. Two deep groundwaters used as common potable well-water sources exceeded the maximum contaminant levels of the uranium and radon-222 proposed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). Three groundwater samples from residential areas contained unsuitable levels of uranium, and 12 groundwater samples were unsuitable due to radon-222 concentrations. Radioactive materials in the unsuitable groundwater are naturally occurring in a Jurassic amphibole- and biotite-bearing granitic gneiss. High uranium and radon-222 groundwater concentrations were only observed in two common wells; the others showed no relationship between bedrock geology and groundwater geochemical constituents. With such high concentrations of naturally occurring radioactive materials in groundwater, the affected areas may extend tens of meters for uranium and even farther for radon-222. Therefore, we suggest the radon-222 and the uranium did not originate from the same source. Based on the distribution of radon-222 in the study area, zones of higher radon-222 concentrations may be the result of diffusion through cracks, joint, or faults. Surface radioactivity and uranium concentrations in the groundwater show a positive relationship, and the impact areas may extend for ~200m beyond the well in the case of wells containing high concentrations of uranium. The highest uranium and thorium concentrations in rock samples were detected in thorite and monazite.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.557-576
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• 2015

Groundwaters in granite, gneiss, and two-mica granite formations, including faults, in the Hoengseong area are examined to determine the relationship between their uranium and radon-222 contents and rock types. The chemical compositions of 38 groundwater samples and four surface water samples collected in the study area were analyzed. Sixteen of the samples showing high uranium and radon-222 contents were repeatedly analyzed. Surface radioactivities were measured at 30 points. The uranium and radon-222 concentrations in the groundwater samples were in the ranges of 0.02-49.3 μg/L and 20-906 Bq/L, respectively. Four samples for uranium and 35 samples for radon had concentrations exceeding the alternative maximum contaminant level of the US EPA. The chemical compositions of groundwaters indicated Ca(Na)-HCO₃ and Ca(Na)-NO₃(HCO₃+Cl) types. The pH values ranged from 5.71 to 8.66. High uranium and radon-222 contents in the groundwaters occurred mainly at the boundary between granite and gneiss, and in the granite area. The occurrence of uranium did not show any distinct relationship to that of radon-222. The radon-222, an inert gas, appeared to be dissolved in the groundwater of the aquifer after wide diffusion along rock fractures, having been derived from the decay of uranium in underground rocks. The results in this study indicate that groundwater of neutral or weakly alkaline pH, under oxidizing conditions and with a high bicarbonate content is favorable for the dissolution of uranium and uranium complexes such as uranyl or uranyl-carbonate.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.18 no.2_spc
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• pp.227-235
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• 2020

In this study, we discussed the limitations of gross alpha measurements for the characterization of radioactive wastes produced in nuclear facilities through experimental tests and Monte Carlo N-particle transport simulations. The determination of gross alpha is essential for the disposal of radioactive waste produced in nuclear facilities in Korea. The measurements of gross alpha are easy to perform and yield rapid analytical results, but it cannot be used for quantitative analysis. The error of counting efficiency for gross alpha with various masses of the deposit on planchets using KCl and ²⁴¹Am was determined. The relative deviation of the counting efficiency in samples having the same mass was 20%. Uranium was extracted from the soil through acid leaching and extraction chromatography, and the concentration of U determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was compared with the results for gross alpha. The gross alpha was underestimated by 50% compared to the U concentration by ICP-MS. The counting efficiency depended on the energy from the alpha emitters, which differed by up to three times in determination of the counting efficiency depending on the kinds of alpha radionuclides of interest. Therefore, the gross alpha is not compatible with the sum of radioactivity for each alpha emitter and is suitable as a screening method.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.9-24
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• 1993

The time-dependent radioecological model applicable to Korean environment has been developed in order to assess the radiological consequences following the short-term deposition of radionuclides in an accident of nuclear power plant. Time-dependent radioactivity concentrations in foodstuffs can be estimated by the model called 'KORFOOD' as well as time-dependent and time-integrated ingestion doses. Three kinds of critical radionuclides and thirteen kinds of foodstuffs were considered in this model. Dynamic variation of radioactivities were simulated by considering several effects such as deposition, weathering and washout, resuspension, root uptake, translocation, leaching, senescence, intake and excretion of soil by animals, intake and excretion of feedstuffs by animals, etc. The input data to the KORFOOD are the time of the year when the deposition occurs, the kinds of radionuclides and foodstuffs for estimation. The time-dependent specific activities in rice and the ingestion doses due to the consumption of all considered foodstuffs were calculated with deposition time using agricultural data-base in Kori region. In order to validate results of KORFOOD, the calculated results were compared with those by a leading German model, ECOSYS-87. The comparison of results shows good agreements within a factor of ten.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.405-416
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• 2018

In this research, the distribution of Platinum Group Elements (PGEs) at roadside dust in Daejeon, Korea was examined using an ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry) technique. For the quality assurance of the determination, method validation based on its accuracy and precision was conducted using SRM (Standard Reference Material). It was found that the relative errors of Pt, Pd, and Rh against each SRM value were -0.7%, -10.0%, and -20.4%, respectively, while relative standard deviations for three elements were less than 10%. The concentrations of Pt, Pd and Rh in roadside dust averaged as $17.4{\pm}9.2{\mu}g/kg$, $283.6{\pm}20.5{\mu}g/kg$, and $7.3{\pm}2.8{\mu}g/kg$, respectively. The concentrations of Pt and Rh have significantly higher distribution patterns in the dust at roadside and underground parking lot than those in soil of the background or other urban area. The correlation analysis between concentrations of PGEs in roadside dust indicates that the distribution of Pt and Rh concentration were strongly affected by automobile sources.

• Korean Journal of Weed Science
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.174-177
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• 1991

This study was conducted to determine the influence of dithiopyr on growth of transplanted rice with different transplanting depths and the amount of $^{14}C$-dithiopyr adsorpted in the root and shoot of rice plants under paddy soil conditions. The growth rate of transplanted rice was lower in 0 and 0.25cm of transplanting depths with exposed basal stem than in 1 and 2cm of the depths in control plot. In the growth of transplanted rice treated with dithiopyr, plant hight and dry weight were significantly inhibited in 0 and 0.25cm depth plots but not affected.in 0.5, 1, 2 and 4cm depth plots, and roop length were influenced in 0, 0.25 and 4cm depth plots but not in 0.5, 1 and 2cm depth plots. The amount of ratioactivity in shoot and root of rice plants as affected by $^{14}C$-dithiopyr were the highest in 0 and 0.25cm depth plots and decreased in over 0.5cm depth plots. However the extent in amount of distributed radioactivity in the plants among the different transplanting depths was narrow gradually with the growth of plants. Therefore, injury of transplanted rice by dithiopyr is little in over 0.5cm transplanting depth with burried basal stem and the inhibition on rice plants with extreme shallow transplanting such as 0 and 0.25cm depths should be due to more adsorption of dithiopyr.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.211-216
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• 2014

Radium is rock or soil of crust or uranium of building materials after radioactivity collapse process are created colorless and odorless inert gas that accrue well in sealed space like basement. It inflow to lung circulate respiratory organ and caused lung cancer because of deposition of lung or bronchial tubes. In this study, the air in the elementary school classroom nongdoeul tonkatsu place of measured values were compared using the calculated annual internal radiation exposure. La tonkatsu exposure measured in primary school classroom at least five schools when you close the windows in the average floor 0.56mSv 2 floors ground floor windows when opened 0.384mSv 048mSv 3 floors, 2 floor levels of the same three layers 0.31mSv 0.296mSv the human exposure to radon and radiation on the first floor of 3 floors above ground in a lot of exposure was moderate. When you close the window from the first floor up 0.384mSv 056mSv 3 floors with a minimum annual radiation exposure due to natural radiation in the 16 to 23.3 percent minimum 2.4mSv accounted for. When I opened the window to the maximum annual radiation exposure 2.4mSv 0.296mSv 0.31mSv least a minimum of 12.3 to 12.91% accounted for Results suggest that more than five chodeunghakgyoeun La tonkatsu domestic radon measurements conducted below regulatory requirements and internal exposure has also fall within the normal range. People The less the radiation exposure to the human body because it reduces the impact in the classroom in elementary school vent windows often reduced to the maximum radon concentration in the air, if called tonkatsu be able to reduce radiation exposure for the immune system is weak and elementary will be helpful to experiment more in the future for the school authorities called tonkatsu investigation is done to him if the action to establish a more secure school building facilities is thought would be helpful.