Biological effects of background radiation and their risk of humans

Background: Exposure rate measurements of the natural background radiation are found in some selected locations at the university of Kufa in Najaf city, Iraq. Materials and Methods: The experimental results of this study are found using a G-M survey meter [SEI Inspector EXP (Digital Radiation Detector, USA)]. Two radioactive sources (137Cs and 60Co) are used to calibrate the GM tube exposure rate meter. Results: The most frequently recorded readings of the gamma-ray dose rate were observed between 74 and 93 nGy h-1. The absorbed dose rates are found to be from 55 nGyh-1 at Science College (Chemistry Store) to 189 nGy h-1 at Science College (Classroom) (mean= 99 nGyh-1). Conclusions: Meanwhile, absorbed dose rates of background radiation are fell within the range reported in other listed regions worldwide. This finding indicates that selected locations in the present study have normal values and may not be harmful and have not biological effects on people in this region. The university of Kufa classified as an area of normal background radiation

Detection of Radon Exhalation from Various Building Materials Using CR-39, RAD7, and Biosensors

Study aimed to design and manufacture two biosensors, namely BIOS-I and BIOS-II, for 222Rn and Pb+2 measurements in building materials and soil samples. For comparison, the conventional detectors of RAD7 and CR-39 were used. The biosensor material used was based on ssDNA rich guanine or primer. The two biosensors have a difference in the sequence of the nitrogenous bases. The measurement revealed that the average of 222Rn exhalation by the BIOS-Ι was 373.30 Bqm-3, while the BIOS-ΙΙ was 342.29 Bqm-3. The average 222Rn exhalation measured by the CR-39 detector was 326.17 Bqm-3, whereas by the RAD7 detector it was 319.95 Bqm-3. This study found that 222Rn exhalation in the Indian and Chinese granites, soil, and Iraqi mosaic samples was higher than the limits recommended by WHO, while the rest of the samples were within the permissible limits. It is also known that there is a very weak positive correlation between BIOS-Ι or BIOS-ΙΙ and humidity, while a very weak negative correlation was found between them and temperature. There is a very strong positive correlation between radon exhalation recorded by RAD7 and humidity. On the other hand, there are no statistically significant differences between BIOS-I and BIOS-II at (level 0.01), while there are statistically significant differences between BIOS-I and CR-39 or RAD7 at level 0.01. It was concluded that the manufactured biosensors have better detection for radon than RAD 7 and CR-39 detectors

Northeast‐Oriented Transpression Structure in the Northern New Madrid Seismic Zone: Extension of a Shear Zone across the Reelfoot Fault Stepover Arm

High‐resolution seismic‐reflection profiles recently acquired 12 km northeast of the New Madrid seismic zone’s Reelfoot thrust and along the central axis of the Reelfoot rift, imaged steeply dipping N30°E striking faults that have uplifted and arched post‐Paleozoic sediments in a manner consistent with a dextral strike‐slip component of displacement. The subparallel fault strands have been traced 1.4 km between reflection profiles. In order to evaluate the structure’s potential regional scale, the strike was projected northeast 22 km to its intersection with a nearby industry profile. At the intersection, this lower‐resolution profile exhibits a discrete 0.75 km wide structure with style and offset similar to the high‐resolution lines. The high‐resolution images indicate the deformation extends above Paleozoic bedrock, affecting the Late Cretaceous and Eocene Mississippi embayment sediments, as well as the base of the Quaternary. The Paleozoic and Cretaceous horizons show as much as 75 and 50 m of relief, respectively, with the middle Eocene and basal Quaternary disrupted 25 and 15 m, respectively. Geologic and geophysical logs from a borehole adjacent to the seismic lines constrain the depth, velocity, and stratigraphic interpretations. We interpret the faults as a minimum 34 km northeast extension of the Axial fault zone from a throughgoing intersection with the left‐stepover Reelfoot thrust

Evaluation of CO2 storage potential in offshore strata, mid-south Atlantic: Southeast Offshore Storage Resource Assessment (SOSRA)

Subsurface geological storage of CO2 has the potential to significantly offset greenhouse gas emissions for safe, economic, and acceptable public use of fossil fuels. Due to legal advantages and vast resource capacity, offshore CO2 storage provides an attractive alternative to onshore options. Although offshore Lower Cretaceous and Upper Jurassic reservoirs have a vast expected storage capacity, quantitative assessment of the offshore storage resource in the southeastern United States is limited. This work is a part of the Southeast Offshore Storage Resource Assessment (SOSRA) project, which presents quantitative evaluation of a high-quality potential geological repository for CO2 in the Mid- and South Atlantic Planning Areas. This is the first comprehensive investigation and quantitative assessment of CO2 storage potential for the outer continental shelf within the Lower Cretaceous and Upper Jurassic rocks, including the Southeast Georgia Embayment and most of the Blake Plateau. An interpretation of 200,000 km of legacy industrial 2D seismic reflection profiles and geophysical well logs (TRANSCO 1005-1, COST GE-1, and EXXON 564-1) are utilized to create structure and thickness maps for the potential reservoirs and seals. Three target reservoirs isolated by seals based on their effective porosity values are identified and assessed. A quantitative evaluation of CO2 Storage Potential in the Offshore Atlantic Lower Cretaceous and Upper Jurassic Strata is calculated using the DOE-NETL equation for saline formations. The prospective storage resources evaluation ranges between 450 and 4700 Mt of CO2 within the Lower Cretaceous and between 500 and 5710 Mt within the Upper Jurassic sandstone rocks at P10 to P90. The efficiency factor of the dolomite ranges from 0.64 to 5.36 percent at P10 to P90 for the formation scale. Facies classification of five offshore wells in the Southeast Georgia Embayment was applied to the Machine Learning approach using Support Vector Classifier (SVC) and Random Forest Classifier (RFC). As a result, the SVC and RFC algorithms were compared to evaluate facies classification accuracy; the RFC had the most accurate and effectively used outcomes to classify lithofacies. The Machine Learning approach resulted in reliable and accurate values of predicted facies classification to improve CO2 storage estimation

The enhancement of prostate cancer treatment using gold nanoparticles and high energy photons

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are widely used for medical applications, because it ability to convert as colloidal solution, have no interaction with biotic tissue, low toxicity, easy in the detection, and thermally stabile. This study focuses on the treatment of prostate cancer by interaction the gamma ray (6 MeV) with Gold nanoparticles, without the extirpation of prostate. This method occurs in a minimum dose given for the patient for the improvement of radiotherapy that is used in prostate cancer treatment by depended on pair production phenomenon. Keywords: gold nanoparticles(AuNPs), gamma photons, prostate cancer, pair production

Study On Radioactivity In Human Teeth, Animal Bones And Soil In Selected Areas In Northern Region Of Malaysian Peninsular

Natural radioactivity measurements in soil, sand, and water samples obtained from Northern Peninsular Malaysia (NPM), comprising the states of Penang, Kedah, Perlis, and Perak were carried out using the Exploranium GR-135 Plus, High Purity Germanium (HPGe), and NaI (Tl) spectroscopes. The activity concentrations of 238U, 232Th, and 40K in Penang, Perlis, Kedah, and Perak states were found to be within those reported from literatures for other countries of the world. All the health hazard indices are well below their recommended value, except some soil from Kedah and Perak states. Soils with Hin and Hex< 1 are suitable for agriculture and as building materials. Also, in this study Hin and Hex< 1 for water, therefore, water after processing and filtration is safe and suitable for use in household and industrial purposes. The sites of high concentrations of displaying 226Ra/238U disequilibrium

Determination of Alpha Particles and Heavy Metals Contamination in Meat Samples in Najaf, Iraq

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to determine the levels of alpha particles and heavy metals contamination in the meat products consumed in Najaf, Iraq. Moreover, this study was also targeted toward comparing the results with those in the literature and making appropriate conclusion and recommendations. Material and Methods: This study determined the track of alpha particles and heavy metals pollution in meat samples collected from the open markets in Najaf, Iraq. These meat samples included cow, sheep (lamb), chicken, and fish. The alpha particles contamination was determined using nuclear track detectors (CR-39). The heavy metal concentrations were analyzed using atomic-absorption spectroscopy. Results: The highest alpha particles emission rate was 0.0204 mBq cm-2 in Ascary sheep (lamb). On the other hand, the lowest rate of alpha particles (0.00008 mBq cm-2) was associated with Kufa fish. Gadeer sheep and Kufa chicken had the highest and lowest concentrations of cadmium, which were obtained as 0.2600 and 0.0020 ppm, respectively. Regarding the lead concentration, the highest and lowest concentrations were found in Kufa cow (0.8936 ppm) and Kufa chicken (0.0542 ppm), respectively. Conclusion: This study indicated that alpha particle and heavy metal contamination in the meat samples were within permissible limits. Therefore, the consumption of the selected meat products did not pose any significant hazard to the public health in Najaf. Moreover, the findings suggested that there would be no increase in the current rates of not only particle contamination, but also heavy metal pollution, compared to those of international studies

Radionuclides and heavy elements in a water deposits of Reverse Osmosis system filters in Iraqi houses

Introduction: In this study, we investigated contaminants in sediments of reverse osmosis water systems in Iraqi households. These filters are imported from the US and Taiwan and are available in the Iraqi market. The rate of environmental pollutions in residues of the water filters was examined by measuring alpha particles emission rates and the concentration of heavy metals. Material and Methods: In this study, we measured the rate of alpha particles emission using CR-39 detector. Heavy elements were measured using an atomic absorption spectrometer. Results: The highest value of cadmium was found in Ghadeer district and the lowest cadmium value in Alswag district. The highest value of lead was found in Ghadeer district and the lowest in Aljameha. The emission rates of alpha particles were found to be the lowest in the sediments of Ghadeer district, and the highest values were found in Khan Almkhdhar. Conclusion: The average concentrations of dissolved Cd and Pb were higher than the safe limits for Iraq specifications and the world standard limit

Genotypic Characterization of Marek’s Disease Virus from Clinically Suspected Layer in Basrah, South of Iraq

A reemerging viral disease known as Marek's disease affects chickens and has a devastating financial impact on the global poultry sector. The emergence of pathogenic strains must be continuously monitored using molecular approaches of Marek’s disease and to adevise to use appropriate vaccination program with implement bio-security. This study was continued from May 2021 to August2021. Clinical symptoms and postmortem lesions were used to identify MD, and PCR testing for the Meq gene provided further confirmation. The meq gene's phylogenetic analysis was also performed, and such test revealed clustering of the our Iraqi field strains with Euroasian cluster, where the genetic characteristics of the present study MD strains were similar to those of Chinese and European strain