Radiological risk assessment of super(238)U, super(232)Th and super(40)K in Thailand coastal sediments at selected areas proposed for nuclear power plant sites

This paper reports on the distribution of three natural radionuclides super(238)U, super(232)Th and super(40)K in marine sediments along the Gulf of Thailand to establish baseline data for future environmental monitoring. Sediments were collected from five potential sites selected for nuclear and th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of radioanalytical and nuclear chemistry 2015-01, Vol.303 (1), p.325-334
Main Authors: Kritsananuwat, R, Sahoo, S K, Fukushi, M, Pangza, K, Chanyotha, S
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Coastal
Industrial development
Marine
Radiation hazards
Sampling
Sediments
Thailand
Thermoelectricity
United Nations
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Summary:This paper reports on the distribution of three natural radionuclides super(238)U, super(232)Th and super(40)K in marine sediments along the Gulf of Thailand to establish baseline data for future environmental monitoring. Sediments were collected from five potential sites selected for nuclear and thermal power plants commission as well as heavy industry development. Concentration of uranium and thorium were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) as well as activity of super(238)U series ( super(226)Ra), super(232)Th series ( super(228)Ac) and super(40)K by gamma -spectroscopy. The radiation hazard parameters were calculated based on United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR). Variation in concentration of natural radionuclides at different sampling areas could be attributed to organic matter content and sediment particle size. The radiological health hazards to the people living nearby sampling areas and the people who handle the marine sediments are within limits recommended by UNSCEAR.
ISSN:0236-5731
1588-2780
DOI:10.1007/s10967-014-3376-7