Study on the relationship between soil properties and activity concentrations of radioisotopes in some environmental samples

• Published in: Journal of radioanalytical and nuclear chemistry 2023-06, Vol.332 (6), p.2205-2212
• Main Authors: Huynh, Thi Yen Hong, Nguyen, Minh Thuan, Truong, Huu Ngan Thy, Nguyen, Van Thang, Trinh, Hoa Lang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analysis; Carbon content; Cesium 137; Cesium isotopes; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Diagnostic Radiology; Electrical conductivity; Electrical resistivity; Hadrons; Heavy Ions; Inorganic Chemistry; Ionizing radiation; Nuclear Chemistry; Nuclear Physics; Nuclear radiation; Organic carbon; Physical Chemistry; Radiation; Radioactivity; Radioisotopes; Radium 226; Soil analysis; Soil properties; Spectrum analysis; Thorium isotopes
• ISSN: 0236-5731; 1588-2780
• DOI: 10.1007/s10967-023-08887-4

In this work, activity concentrations of 226 Ra, 232 Th, 40 K and 137 Cs in soil and plant samples in Vi Thanh City were analyzed by laboratory gamma spectrometer with HPGe detector based on the Full Spectrum Analysis (FSA) method. The analytical results showed that the radioactivity values of 226 Ra, 232 Th, 40 K and 137 Cs reach the highest values in the Gleysols. The radioactivity contents of 226 Ra, 232 Th and 137 Cs in some soil samples exceeded the average value reported by UNSCEAR (Sources and effects of ionizing radiation. Report of the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation to the General Assembly, United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation, New York, 2000). Among many considered soil properties, the pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon content and cation absorbance are correlated with the radioactivity content in the soil samples. The analysis of soil-to-plant transfer factors showed the general absorption trend in plants with the orders of transfer factors 40 K >  137 Cs >  226 Ra >  232 Th.