Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 2425-2433 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry |
| Volume | 318 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| Early online date | 6 Oct 2018 |
| Publication status | Published - Dec 2018 |
Abstract
From earlier surveys conducted by soviet researchers, the Kabul area was identified as a region of high natural radioactivity. In addition, depleted uranium ammunition was used by the Soviet armed forces. Fragmentary maps (often only given in relative units) indicate regions of anomalously elevated gamma radiation dose rates. In recent years, residential houses have been built in some of these places. However, no detailed information of uranium and thorium distributions in the upper soil and rock exists. In order to assess possible radiological risk, soil and rock samples as well as all-purpose water samples were collected and measured with regard to radioisotope content and contamination by other pollutants such as, e.g., heavy metals. Activity concentrations in soil and rocks ranged between 160 to 28,600 Bq/kg, 73 to 383,000 Bq/kg, and 270 to 24,600 Bq/kg for uranium, thorium, and potassium, respectively. The elevated thorium abundances was traced back to incorporation into cheralite minerals. No anomalies of the radioactive equilibria were found in the decay chains. Hence, contributions of depleted uranium or other anthropogenic sources can be excluded. However, the high uranium content causes enhanced radon levels in houses and dwellings up to mean activity concentrations of 2000 Bq/m3 strongly exceeding the reference level of 300 Bq/m3 recommended by the ICRP. Heavy metal concentrations of some of the investigated waters also exceed the regulatory limits and are not safe for drinking. Dose assessments are given.
Keywords
- Afghanistan, Natural radioactivity, Radioecology
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Chemistry(all)
- Analytical Chemistry
- Energy(all)
- Nuclear Energy and Engineering
- Medicine(all)
- Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging
- Environmental Science(all)
- Pollution
- Chemistry(all)
- Spectroscopy
- Medicine(all)
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
- Environmental Science(all)
- Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis
Sustainable Development Goals
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In: Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, Vol. 318, No. 3, 12.2018, p. 2425-2433.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Environmental radioactivity studies in Kabul and northern Afghanistan
AU - Tanha, Mohammad
AU - Riebe, Beate
AU - Ikeda-Ohno, Atsushi
AU - Schulze, Jana Marie
AU - Khalid, Fazal R.
AU - Storai, Abobaker
AU - Walther, Clemens
N1 - Funding information: The authors would like to thank their colleagues from AAEHC and AUWSSC for collaboration in collecting samples; Mohammad Tanha is grateful to the Siebold Sasse foundation for the financial support of his PhD.
PY - 2018/12
Y1 - 2018/12
N2 - From earlier surveys conducted by soviet researchers, the Kabul area was identified as a region of high natural radioactivity. In addition, depleted uranium ammunition was used by the Soviet armed forces. Fragmentary maps (often only given in relative units) indicate regions of anomalously elevated gamma radiation dose rates. In recent years, residential houses have been built in some of these places. However, no detailed information of uranium and thorium distributions in the upper soil and rock exists. In order to assess possible radiological risk, soil and rock samples as well as all-purpose water samples were collected and measured with regard to radioisotope content and contamination by other pollutants such as, e.g., heavy metals. Activity concentrations in soil and rocks ranged between 160 to 28,600 Bq/kg, 73 to 383,000 Bq/kg, and 270 to 24,600 Bq/kg for uranium, thorium, and potassium, respectively. The elevated thorium abundances was traced back to incorporation into cheralite minerals. No anomalies of the radioactive equilibria were found in the decay chains. Hence, contributions of depleted uranium or other anthropogenic sources can be excluded. However, the high uranium content causes enhanced radon levels in houses and dwellings up to mean activity concentrations of 2000 Bq/m3 strongly exceeding the reference level of 300 Bq/m3 recommended by the ICRP. Heavy metal concentrations of some of the investigated waters also exceed the regulatory limits and are not safe for drinking. Dose assessments are given.
AB - From earlier surveys conducted by soviet researchers, the Kabul area was identified as a region of high natural radioactivity. In addition, depleted uranium ammunition was used by the Soviet armed forces. Fragmentary maps (often only given in relative units) indicate regions of anomalously elevated gamma radiation dose rates. In recent years, residential houses have been built in some of these places. However, no detailed information of uranium and thorium distributions in the upper soil and rock exists. In order to assess possible radiological risk, soil and rock samples as well as all-purpose water samples were collected and measured with regard to radioisotope content and contamination by other pollutants such as, e.g., heavy metals. Activity concentrations in soil and rocks ranged between 160 to 28,600 Bq/kg, 73 to 383,000 Bq/kg, and 270 to 24,600 Bq/kg for uranium, thorium, and potassium, respectively. The elevated thorium abundances was traced back to incorporation into cheralite minerals. No anomalies of the radioactive equilibria were found in the decay chains. Hence, contributions of depleted uranium or other anthropogenic sources can be excluded. However, the high uranium content causes enhanced radon levels in houses and dwellings up to mean activity concentrations of 2000 Bq/m3 strongly exceeding the reference level of 300 Bq/m3 recommended by the ICRP. Heavy metal concentrations of some of the investigated waters also exceed the regulatory limits and are not safe for drinking. Dose assessments are given.
KW - Afghanistan
KW - Natural radioactivity
KW - Radioecology
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85057772512&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s10967-018-6242-1
DO - 10.1007/s10967-018-6242-1
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85057772512
VL - 318
SP - 2425
EP - 2433
JO - Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry
JF - Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry
SN - 0236-5731
IS - 3
ER -