Известия Томского политехнического университета: Инжиниринг георесурсов (Mar 2022)
NATURALLY OCCURRING RADIONUCLIDES (40K, 226Ra, 232Th) IN THE ENVIRONMENT (VERKHNEKAMSKOE DEPOSIT OF POTASSIUM-MAGNESIUM SALTS)
Abstract
The relevance of the research stems from the need to study the radioactive load in the zone of influence of mining objects. Objective: assessment of specific activity of natural radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in depositing media and analysis of their spatial distribution, as well as measurement of K+ content in snow cover. Objects: soils, bottom sediments, snow. Methods. Measurements of specific activity of natural radionuclides (40K, 226Ra, 232Th) in samples of soils and bottom sediments were performed using MULTIRAD scintillation gamma spectrometer MKS-01A (Russia). Gamma-spectra were processed using programs included in the Progress package. K+ was determined in melted water by capillary electrophoresis on KAB «Kapel 104». Results. The specific activity 40K for the majority of investigated soil samples on the territory of the Verkhnekamskoe salt deposit does not exceed average world values, for samples of bottom sediments – for other territories with anthropogenic influence. In the immediate vicinity of the potassium enterprise, increased K+ content in the snow cover is observed due to the wind regime of the territory. Migration of the investigated radionuclides is limited to the zone of 2 km, K+ ions – to the zone of 3 km. The maximum activities of 226Ra and 232Th in the investigated soil samples are significantly lower than the world average values. Zones with a ratio of 232Th/226Ra activity values <1 in soils were found, which serves as an indicator of technogenic interference. The configuration of these zones indicates that they are not related to the activities of the potassium salt mine. The results obtained can be applied in radiation monitoring of mining enterprises, as well as in environmental assessment using the data of radiation observations.
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