Evaluation of radiation levels of natural radionuclides in the lead-zinc mine of Kushk, Iran

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Arak University, Arak, Iran

2 Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran

Abstract

The natural level of radioactivity in the Zn-Pb ore at the Yazd mine was determined and the associated radiological hazards were assessed. Specific activities of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K radionuclides in the Zn-Pb ore were measured using a high purity germanium detector (HPGe) system and radiological hazards indices as radium equivalent activity (Raeq), external and internal hazard indices (Hex), gamma representative levels index (Iγ), adsorption dose rate in the air (D), annual effective dose (AED), annual gonadal dose equivalent (AGDE) and excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) were calculated. The average specific activities of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K radionuclides in Zn-Pb ore were obtained as 37.12±5.32, 14.66±5.43, and 293.56±21.18 Bq/kg, respectively. These values ​​were less than the global average, except for the 226Ra activity value, which was close to the global average. Also, the average radiological risk parameters, such as Raeq, Hex, Hin, D, AED, AGDE, and Iγ were obtained in a safe range. The mean ELCR for Zn-Pb ore, mine waste, and the surrounding soil was 0.15 × 10-3, 0.15 × 10-3 and 0.23 × 10-3, respectively, which was lower than the global average 0.29 × 10-3. The study showed that the level of radioactivity in the Zn-Pb ore zone did not exceed the critical value and is in line with the global results. Moreover, the calculated indicators of radiation hazard showed that lead zinc ore is safe for mine workers and does not pose a significant radiological hazard to them.
 

Keywords

References

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