Evaluation and Improvement of Nuclear Security Measures at a Radiological Facility in Morocco

Nuclear security combines both concepts of physical security and security culture within a nuclear facility to protect people, property, society and the environment from harmful effects of ionization radiation. Physical security means prevention, detection, and response to unauthorized removal, sabotage, and/or illegal transfer involving radioactive sources and nuclear material. Nuclear security culture is the human factor within the nuclear field which is considered a principal means to support and enhance nuclear security system. This paper presents a study of nuclear security system already established within a radiological facility considering concepts such as: deter, detect, delay, and response layers. This study focuses on nuclear security culture in order to assess, improve, and complement existing nuclear security practices

Volumic activities measurements and equivalent doses calculation of indoor 222Rn in Morocco

Purpose: As a way of prevention, we have measured the volumic activities of indoor 222Rn and we have calculated the corresponding effective dose in some dwellings and enclosed areas in Morocco. Seasonal variation of Radon activities and Relationships between variation of these activities and some parameters such height, depth and type of construction were also established in this work.Methods: The passive time-integrated method of using a solid state nuclear track detector (LR-115 type II) was employed. These films, cut in pieces of 3.4 ´ 2.5 cm2, were placed in detector holders and enclosed in heat-scaled polyethylene bags.Results: The measured volumic activities of radon vary in houses, between 31 and 136 Bq/m3 (0.55 and 2.39 mSv/year) with an average value of 80 Bq/m3 (1.41 mSv/year). In enclosed work area, they vary between 60 Bq/m3 (0.38 mSv/year) in an ordinary area to 1884 Bq/m3 (11.9 mSv/year) at not airy underground level of 12 m. the relatively higher volumic activities of 222Rn in houses were measured in Youssoufia and khouribga towns situated in regions rich in phosphate deposits. Measurements at the geophysical observatory of Berchid show that the volumic activity of radon increases with depth, this is most probably due to decreased ventilation. Conclusion: The obtained results show that the effective dose calculated for indoor dwellings are comparable to those obtained in other regions in the word. The risks related to the volumic activities of indoor radon could be avoided by simple precautions such the continuous ventilation. The reached high value of above 1884 Bq/m3 don't present any risk for workers health in the geophysical observatory of Berchid because workers spend only a few minutes by day in the cellar to control and reregister data

Measurement of radium isotope activities in reservoir and spring water in the Cameroon Central Region

Purpose: To determine the activities of 226Ra and 228Ra in the reservoir and spring water samples respectively during the dry and the rainy seasons; and to calculate the annual intake Ii (Bq/y) for each type of water samples. Methods: Using both well calibrated Canberra NaI(Tl) and HPGe detector systems, it was possible to determine the average specific activity of those radium’s isotopes in water samples which were collected in 2010, from Reservoirs and springs in Cameroon central region including Ngoaekelle, Minboman, Etoudi and Njoungolo. Results: The average specific activity values obtained for 226Ra and 228Ra in reservoir water samples were 8.76 ± 3.50 BqL-1 and 0.64 ± 0.28 BqL-1 during the dry season and, 8.24 ±3.48 BqL-1 and 0.58 ± 0.24 BqL-1 during the rainy season respectively. For spring water, the average values were 3.50 ± 0.63 BqL-1 and below 0.0002 BqL-1 (detection limit of 228Ra in water) during the dry season; 3.20 ± 0.60 BqL-1 and below 0.0002 BqL-1 (detection limit of 228Ra in water) during the rainy season respectively. Assuming that the volume of drinking water for adult is 2.5 litres per day, the average annual intakes of 226Ra and 228Ra through ingestion in these water samples were 7702 Bq/y and 575 Bq/y for reservoir water; 2993 Bq/y and < 0.25 for spring water respectively. Conclusion: The results have indicated that the annual intake by the population of sampling region as a result of 226Ra in these drinking waters is 7.7 × 103Bq/y more than the maximum limit fixed by ICRP which is 7 × 103 Bq/y. There is a need for regular monitoring the radiological water quality aspect in this region

Difficulties in dating Pleistocene marine levels using fossil mollusk shells: the Ouljian level on the High Atlas shore, Morocco

In order to comprehend the difficulty of dating marine strata using samples of mollusks shells and in an attempt to establish criteria that help in judging the validity of a 230Th /234U age determination, we present here the results of a radioactive element analysis of some 80 samples of mollusk shells. The shells were taken from fossil marine beaches between 4 and 8 meters above current sea level. When compared with the Egyptian shore of the Red Sea these levels are taken to be related to climate stage 5 dated as about 122,000 years ago. The ages obtained are often rejuvenated regardless of site, the incidence of calcite, the amount of uranium and the relationships of 234U/238U. Unlike coral, mineralogical criteria cannot be used to select mollusk shells unaffected by recrystallization, for present-day shells may be composed of aragonite, others are calcitic, and others contain both minerals. In any case, the rules concerning their effects of composition on radioactivity are as yet poorly understood. With these problems in mind, we made multiple analyses on several species of of mollusks, always collected from the same sites, in order to understand progressive changes in the process of age rejuvenation and to attempt eventually to determine systematic criteria providing information on the validity of the calculated age. Possible mechanisms that may influence the incorporation of uranium in rejuvenation have been conceived and are discussed.Afin de comprendre la difficulté de datation des niveaux marins à l'aide des échantillons de coquilles de mollusques et d'essayer d'établir des outils méthodologiques pouvant aider à juger de la validité d'un âge 230Th /234U, nous confrontons 80 analyses radiochimiques d'échantillons de coquilles de mollusques prélevés dans des plages marines fossiles situées entre 4 et 8 m par rapport au niveau de l'eau actuel. les niveaux où ont été faits les prélèvements, analogues à ceux de la côte égyptienne de la Mer Rouge, sont sensés appartenir au stade climatique 5e daté à 122 ka environ. On note que les âges obtenus sont souvent rajeunis indépendamment du site, du taux de calcite, de la teneur en uranium et du rapport 234U/238U. Contrairement aux échantillons de coraux, le critère minéralogique ne peut pas être utilisé pour choisir les échantillons non recristallisés, certaines coquilles de mollusques actuelles sont en aragonite, d'autres sont en calcite et d'autres contiennent les deux formes sans que les rapports de proportion en soient encore bien connus. Devant cette situation, nous avons multiplié les analyses sur des échantillons de coquilles de mollusques appartenant à plusieurs espèces prélevés aux mêmes endroits afin de comprendre le scénario de rajeunissement des âges et d'essayer d'établir éventuellement des critères méthodologiques pouvant nous renseigner sur la validité de l'âge calculé. Des scénarios sur le mode d'incorporation de l'uranium et son rôle dans le rajeunissement de l'âge ont été également imaginés et discutés

Uranium and radium activities measurements and calculation of effective doses in some drinking water samples in Morocco

Purpose: As a way of prevention, we have measured the activities of uranium and radium isotopes (234U, 238U, 226Ra, 228Ra) for 30 drinking water samples collected from 11 wells, 9 springs (6 hot and 3 cold), 3 commercialised mineral water, and 7 tap water samples. Methods: Activities of the Ra isotopes were measured by ultra-gamma spectrometry using a low background and high efficiency well type germanium detector. The U isotopes were counted in an alpha spectrometer.Results: The measured Uranium and radium activities are similar to those published for other non-polluting regions of the world. Except in one commercialised gaseous water sample, and in two hot spring water samples, the calculated effective doses during one year are inferior to the reference level of 0.1 mSv/year recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection. Conclusion: These activities don't present any risk for public health in Morocco. The sparkling water of Oulmes is occasionally consumed as table water and waters of warm springs are not used as main sources of drinking water.

Rajeunissement diagénétique des récifs émergés et précision des datations absolues. La contribution des récifs quaternaires de la Mer Rouge à la question de la fiabilité des datations par la méthode des déséquilibres radioactifs de la famille de l'uranium des terrasses récifales de référence du Pléistocène moyen et supérieur

Une revue générale des datations de récifs de la Mer Rouge, affleurant sur les côtes d'Égypte, de Jordanie, du Soudan, d'Érythrée, d'Arabie Saoudite et de Djibouti, est commentée en fonction des méthodes d'échantillonnage et de datation, par comparaison avec les nouvelles conceptions testées sur les récifs égyptiens et divers dépôts associés. Des processus de rajeunissement révélés par les coraux les mieux préservés, attribuables à la diagenèse de la matière organique des bio-minéraux, justifient une révision de beaucoup de datations de coraux supposés plus récents ou plus anciens que l'âge admis pour le haut niveau marin du sous-stade isotopique (δ18O) MIS 5.5 (= 5e). Une baisse rapide du niveau de la mer, brève et limitée à une dizaine de mètres, a été mise en évidence pendant cette culmination majeure du Pléistocène supérieur et interprétée en termes de glacio-eustatisme dont l'enregistrement se doit d'être global malgré sa brièveté. Une comparaison avec les chronologies récifales les plus "classiques", de Nouvelle-Guinée, d'Australie occidentale et des Caraïbes, plus ou moins décalées vis-à-vis des courbes globales (isotopiques) du niveau de la mer remet en question plusieurs reconstitutions régionales et appelle un réexamen du fondement chronologique des courbes de référence qui en ont résulté.This paper is a general review of the dating of reefs on the coasts of the Red Sea, including those of Egypt, Jordan, Sudan, Eritrea, Saudi Arabia and Djibouti. New methods of sampling and dating (U/Th) already tested on the reefs and associate deposits of the African coast of Egypt have demonstrated that processes of rejuvenation shown to exist in the best-preserved corals are probably attributable to the diagenesis of the organic material in their bio-minerals, thus justifying a revision of a great many datings of corals supposedly younger or older than the age assigned to the high-level isotopic substage (δ18O) MIS 5.5 (= 5e). During this late Pleistocene substage, a rapid lowering of sea level, short and limited to about ten meters, was detected and associated with a glacio-eustatic episode of global influence. A comparison of these Middle East reef chronologies with those of New Guinea, Australia and the western Atlantic that are referred only with difficulty to the δ18O global sea-level curves, casts doubt on the reliability of many regional reconstructions. Moreover the most "classic" reef chronologies, more or less out-of-phase with global isotopic records calls for a reexamination of the chronologic basis of the reference curves derived from marine isotopic data

Distribution of the Rare Earth Elements in the Sediments of the Bouregreg River (Morocco) Using the Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA).

Rare earth elements (REE), define a group of fifteen chemical elements from lanthanum to lutetium (atomic numbers 57-71) characterized by similar chemical properties. To study their distribution in sediment samples of the Bouregreg river and its tributaries, 10 sampling sites have been chosen. The collected sediment samples were analysed by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) using the Orph\ue9e and Osiris reactors of CEA Saclay (France). The chondritic normalisation curves show enrichment in light rare earth elements (LREE), a negative Eu anomaly in several samples, and a progressive depletion of heavy rare earth elements (HREE). Two hypotheses are discussed: the nature of parent rocks of these sediments and the phisico-chemical conditions of sedimentation especially complexation and oxydo-reduction phenomenons

Natural radionuclides (NORM) in a Moroccan river affected by former conventional metal mining activities

The main aim of this work was to determine the levels of multiple natural radionuclides in an aquatic system (Moulouya river, Morocco) impacted by multiple abandoned Zinc and Lead mines. 238U, 234U, 232Th, 230Th and 210Po were determined by alpha-particlespectrometry in water and sediment samples collected along the river and in samples from three pit lakes of abandoned mines, located in the Upper Moulouya catchment area. The results enabled the analysis of the different levels of impact of former mining activities, depending on the natural radionuclides. While the activity concentrationof U-isotopes in Moulouya river water was slightly elevated in the vicinity of abandoned mine wastes, other natural radionuclides (Th-isotopes and 210Po) levels were typical of a natural environment. This fact is clearly reflected in the magnitude and range observed in the distribution coefficients for the different radionuclides analyzed.Spanish Agency of International Cooperation and Development (AECID) of the Government of Spai

Volumic activities measurements and equivalent doses calculation of indoor 222Rn in Morocco

Purpose: As a way of prevention, we have measured the volumic activities of indoor 222Rn and we have calculated the corresponding effective dose in some dwellings and enclosed areas in Morocco. Seasonal variation of Radon activities and Relationships between variation of these activities and some parameters such height, depth and type of construction were also established in this work.Methods: The passive time-integrated method of using a solid state nuclear track detector (LR-115 type II) was employed. These films, cut in pieces of 3.4 ´ 2.5 cm2, were placed in detector holders and enclosed in heat-scaled polyethylene bags.Results: The measured volumic activities of radon vary in houses, between 31 and 136 Bq/m3 (0.55 and 2.39 mSv/year) with an average value of 80 Bq/m3 (1.41 mSv/year). In enclosed work area, they vary between 60 Bq/m3 (0.38 mSv/year) in an ordinary area to 1884 Bq/m3 (11.9 mSv/year) at not airy underground level of 12 m. the relatively higher volumic activities of 222Rn in houses were measured in Youssoufia and khouribga towns situated in regions rich in phosphate deposits. Measurements at the geophysical observatory of Berchid show that the volumic activity of radon increases with depth, this is most probably due to decreased ventilation. Conclusion: The obtained results show that the effective dose calculated for indoor dwellings are comparable to those obtained in other regions in the word. The risks related to the volumic activities of indoor radon could be avoided by simple precautions such the continuous ventilation. The reached high value of above 1884 Bq/m3 don't present any risk for workers health in the geophysical observatory of Berchid because workers spend only a few minutes by day in the cellar to control and reregister data.</p

Measurement of radium isotope activities in reservoir and spring water in the Cameroon Central Region

Purpose: To determine the activities of 226Ra and 228Ra in the reservoir and spring water samples respectively during the dry and the rainy seasons; and to calculate the annual intake Ii (Bq/y) for each type of water samples. Methods: Using both well calibrated Canberra NaI(Tl) and HPGe detector systems, it was possible to determine the average specific activity of those radium’s isotopes in water samples which were collected in 2010, from Reservoirs and springs in Cameroon central region including Ngoaekelle, Minboman, Etoudi and Njoungolo. Results: The average specific activity values obtained for 226Ra and 228Ra in reservoir water samples were 8.76 ± 3.50 BqL-1 and 0.64 ± 0.28 BqL-1 during the dry season and, 8.24 ±3.48 BqL-1 and 0.58 ± 0.24 BqL-1 during the rainy season respectively. For spring water, the average values were 3.50 ± 0.63 BqL-1 and below 0.0002 BqL-1 (detection limit of 228Ra in water) during the dry season; 3.20 ± 0.60 BqL-1 and below 0.0002 BqL-1 (detection limit of 228Ra in water) during the rainy season respectively. Assuming that the volume of drinking water for adult is 2.5 litres per day, the average annual intakes of 226Ra and 228Ra through ingestion in these water samples were 7702 Bq/y and 575 Bq/y for reservoir water; 2993 Bq/y and &lt; 0.25 for spring water respectively. Conclusion: The results have indicated that the annual intake by the population of sampling region as a result of 226Ra in these drinking waters is 7.7 × 103Bq/y more than the maximum limit fixed by ICRP which is 7 × 103 Bq/y. There is a need for regular monitoring the radiological water quality aspect in this region.</p