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Effect of soil properties on radioactivity concentrations and dose assessment

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Abstract

This study evaluated the correlation between radioactivity concentrations and soil properties, and determined the total annual effective dose near an underground geologic repository for transuranic wastes. Soil samples were collected from two historical monitoring areas (Near Field and Cactus Flats). Alpha-particle spectrometry was used for the analysis of 241Am, 239+240Pu and 238U, while 137Cs, 40K, 232Th and 226Ra were detected by gamma ray spectrometry. Higher radioactivity concentrations and stronger positive correlations between radioactivity concentrations and soil properties were obtained in Cactus Flats compared to Near Field. The total annual effective dose was lower than the recommended limit of 1 mSv y− 1.

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Acknowledgements

This research is supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Carlsbad Field Office through grant No. DE-EM 0005159. The opinions, findings, and conclusions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the sponsors. Authors thank Savannah Hixon and Jim Monks from CEMRC for providing the soil samples.

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  1. Carlsbad Environmental Monitoring & Research Center, 1400 University Drive, 88220, Carlsbad, NM, USA

    Amir M. González-Delgado & Punam Thakur

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Correspondence to Amir M. González-Delgado.

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González-Delgado, A.M., Thakur, P. Effect of soil properties on radioactivity concentrations and dose assessment. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 331, 3535–3544 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-022-08416-9

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