Concentrations of Natural Radionuclides (40K, 226Ra, 232Th) at the Potash Salts Deposit

Abstract

Specific activity of natural radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th and 40K was measured by gamma spectrometry in samples of soil and bottom sediments of rivers on the territory of potassium salt deposit development in order to collect information on radionuclide distribution. According to the results of examinations, the range of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K activity values in soils and bottom sediments of the territory of influence was <2.17-19.7 Bq/kg, <2.5-20.5 Bq/kg, 123-500 Bq/kg. Migration of the studied radionuclides is limited to 2 km zone. The results obtained provide useful information on the levels of naturally occurring radionuclides in the zone of influence of mining objects and are of interest for a comparative evaluation of the impact of salt mining on the radiation environment of the territory.

Keywords

• soils
• bottom sediments
• radium
• thorium
• potassium
• γ-spectrometer
• verkhnekamskoe potash salt deposit