Dynamic equilibrium of radiocesium with stable cesium within the soil-mushroom system in Turkish pine forest

WOS: 000246978900035PubMed ID: 17258362Mushrooms and soils collected from pine forests in izrnir, Turkey were measured for radiocesium and stable Cs in 2002. The ranges of Cs-137 and stable Cs concentrations in mushrooms were 9.84 +/- 1.67 to 401 +/- 3.85 Bq kg(-1) dry weight and 0.040 +/- 0.004 to 11.3 +/- 1.09 mg kg(-1) dry weight, respectively. The concentrations of Cs-137 and stable Cs in soils were 0.29 +/- 0.18 to 161 +/- 1.12 Bq kg(-1) dry weight and 0.14 +/- 0.004 to 1.44 +/- 0.045 mg kg(-1) dry weight, respectively. Even though different species were included, the concentration ratios of Cs-137 to stable Cs were fairly constant for samples collected at the same forest site, and were in the same order of magnitude as the Cs-137 to stable Cs ratios for the organic soil layers. The soil-to-mushroorn transfer factors of 137Cs and stable Cs were in the range of 0.19-3.15 and 0.17-12.3, respectively. The transfer factors of Cs-137 were significantly correlated to those of stable Cs. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Soil-to-mushroom transfer of Cs-137, K-40, alkali-alkaline earth element and heavy metal in forest sites of Izmir, Turkey

WOS: 000288220400041The present work is devoted to an investigation on the soil to mushroom transfer parameters for Cs-137 and K-40 radionuclides, as well as for some stable elements and heavy metals. The results of transfer factors for Cs-137 and K-40 were within the range of 0.06-3.15 and 0.67-5.68, respectively and the most efficiently transferred radionuclide was K-40. The TF values for Cs-137 typically conformed to a lognormal distribution, while for K-40 showed normal distribution. Statistically significant correlations between Cs-137 soil to mushroom transfer factors and agrochemical soil properties have been revealed. Although the concentration ratios varied within the species, the most efficiently transferred elements seems to have been K, followed by Rb, Zn, Cu, Cd, S, Cs and Hg.Ege UniversityEge University [2003 NBE 006]Grateful thanks are offered to the provider of financial support for the research presented here: Ege University Scientific Research Project (Project no: 2003 NBE 006). The authors also would like to thank Dr. Halil Solak (Mug. la University, Ula Technical High School, Department of Mycology) for his indispensable help during precise identification of the different fungi species, to Mr. Nejat Ozden and Dr. Tolga Esetlili for their collaboration during identification of the different soil horizons, to Mr. Fatih Coban for his help on drawing the figures and the ACME Laboratory for carrying out trace element analyses of mushroom samples

The correlation between indoor and soil gas radon concentrations in Kiraz district, İzmir

All humans are exposed to radon, the primary source of natural radiation, which can harm people due to natural processes rather than human activity. Thus, it is of significant importance to determine the levels of radon in indoor, soil gas, water, and outdoors. Radon concentration (CRn) was measured in Kiraz district, İzmir, and the correlation between the indoor and soil gas CRn values was investigated. The indoor CRn values measured in 40 randomly selected dwellings in Kiraz exhibited a wide range from 19.50 ± 2.50 to 204.70 ± 8.00 Bq m−3 with an average value of 61.11 ± 4.23 Bq m−3. The measured indoor CRn values were compared to the reference levels in the world to help control radon in the dwellings. Indoor CRn values were lower than the ICRP reference level of 300 Bq m−3 in all of the dwellings studied. Furthermore, in 34 dwellings (representing 85% of the total number of dwellings studied), indoor CRn values were lower than the WHO reference level of 100 Bq m−3. Health hazard indices, namely annual effective dose (AED) and excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR), were also calculated for each dwelling and compared with internationally acceptable levels to estimate the risk to human health. The AED values varied from 0.49 ± 0.06 to 5.16 ± 0.20 mSv y−1 with an average value of 1.54 ± 0.11 mSv y−1, which exceeds the world average of 1.15 mSv y−1 as reported by UNSCEAR. The ELCR values ranged from 2.05 ± 0.26 × 10−3 to 21.55 ± 0.84 × 10−3 with an average value of 6.43 ± 0.44 × 10−3, exceeding the world average of 0.29 × 10−3 as reported by UNSCEAR. The soil gas CRn values measured exhibited a wide variation ranging from 129.25 ± 6.38 Bq m−3 to 6172.64 ± 44.06 Bq m−3 with an average value of 1291.79 ± 18.70 Bq m−3. The soil gas CRn values were less than 10,000 Bq m−3; hence, the research area is categorized as “low radon risk areas” according to Sweden Criteria, and so no special constructions are required in the studied area. When soil gas CRn values were compared to indoor CRn values, no linear relationship was found between the CRn values. However, a strong positive linear correlation was found between indoor and soil gas CRn values less than 200 Bq m−3 and 2500 Bq m−3, respectively

Activity concentrations of natural radionuclides and Cs-137 in soils of coniferous forest sites in West Anatolia

WOS: 000287324900012The surveys of natural gamma-emitting radionuclides and Cs-137 in surface soils of coniferous forest sites in and around Izmir were conducted during 2003-2004. The soil samples were collected from three different depths of 15 forest sites, particularly local wild edible mushrooms areas. The average activity concentrations and ranges of the natural radionuclides in the soils were as follows: 30 (14-51) Bq kg(-1) of Ra-226; 40 (17-79) Bq kg(-1) of Th-232; and 581 (308-879) Bq kg(-1) of K-40. Moreover, the values of Cs-137 activity concentrations averaged over the depth sections varied from 20 to 82 Bq kg(-1) with a mean value of 52 Bq kg(-1). Accordingly, the levels of the studied natural radionuclides in the forest soils were within the range specified by UNSCEAR (2000) report for regular soils as well as the agricultural soils from the West Anatolia, while the measured activity levels of Cs-137 in the forest soils were still high in contrast to agricultural soils after 16 years from the deposition of Chernobyl fallout.Ege UniversityEge University [2003 NBE 006]Grateful thanks are offered to the provider of financial support for the research presented here: Ege University Scientific Research Project (Project no: 2003 NBE 006)

Biomonitoring of metals in the vicinity of Soma coal-fired power plant in western Anatolia, Turkey using the epiphytic lichen, Xanthoria parietina

WOS: 000298320600007PubMed ID: 21992698In this study, epiphytic lichen Xanthoria parietina was applied as the biomonitor of air pollution to determine the environmental influence in the vicinity of Soma coal-fired power plant. Thalli of lichen Xanthoria parietina growing on olive, oak and poplar trees were collected with their substrate in 2004-2006. They were taken from 44 different stations located in 3x3 km grids within an area of 30 km in diameter around the Soma power plant near the town of Soma. Lichen samples were analyzed by using the ICP-MS for As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Ni, Pb, Se, Th, U, V and Zn elements and their concentrations were mapped. The sample analyses results were evaluated by using the statistical software (SPSS 11). Average element contents of samples were, in descending order, Fe > Zn > V > Pb > Cr > Cu > Ni > As > Co > U > Th > Se > Cd > Hg. Results obtained in the current study were generally found to be higher than the data reported in literature although some lower values exist for Cd, Co, Hg, Ni, Pb elements. The most polluted areas were found to be those in the vicinity of the coal-fired power plant, particularly along the direction of predominant wind and in the corridor which runs from west to southeast direction due to topographic conditions. We believe that this research which is conducted around a coal-fired power plant will shed light on future research on pollution.Ege University Research FoundationEge University [2003 NBE 007]This work was supported by Ege University Research Foundation Contract No: 2003 NBE 007. The authors would also like to thank very warmly Dr. Cem Kincal, Dr. Ozden Yasar and Dr. Ercan Turan for their invaluable help in this work

A survey of natural radiation levels in soils and rocks from Aliaga-Foca region in Izmir, Turkey

WOS: 000321056600006PubMed ID: 23222553The gamma spectroscopic analysis of Ra-226, Th-232 and K-40 has been carried out in surface soil samples collected from Aliaga-Foa industrial region. The rock samples as parent materials of the soils are also collected and analysed for relevant radionuclides in order to evaluate the natural radiation levels. In the present study, the mean activity concentrations and ranges of the related radionuclides in the soil samples from 60 sites distributed all over the region are as follows: Ra-226 is 38 (14123) Bq kg(1); Th-232, 63 (27132) Bq kg(1) and K-40, 633 (1411666) Bq kg(1). Meanwhile, the ranges of natural radionuclide activities in the rock samples characterising the region are 4195 Bq kg(1) for Ra-226, 10122 Bq kg(1) for Th-232 and 2641470 Bq kg(1) for K-40, respectively. Based on the available data, the radiation hazard parameters associated with the surveyed soils/rocks are calculated and the results do not exceed the permissible recommended values except for soils originated from Foa rhyolites and tuffs. Furthermore, the collected data allowed for the mapping of the measured activities and corresponding gamma dose rates

Reference levels of natural radioactivity and Cs-137 in and around the surface soils of Kestanbol pluton in Ezine region of Canakkale province, Turkey

WOS: 000320913900008PubMed ID: 23802161The aim of the study was to conduct a systematic investigation on the natural gamma emitting radionuclides (Ra-226, Th-232 and K-40) as well as Cs-137 in the surface soils from Kestanbol/Ezine plutonic area in Canakkale province as part of the environmental monitoring program on radiologic impact of the granitoid areas in Western Anatolia. The activity measurements of the gamma emitters in the surface soil samples collected from 52 sites distributed all over the region has been carried out, by means of HPGe gamma-ray spectrometry system. The activity concentrations of the relevant radionuclides in the soil samples appeared in the ranges as follows: Ra-226 was 20-521 Bq kg(-1); Th-232, 11-499 Bq kg(-1)and; K-40, 126-3181 Bq kg(-1), yet the Cs-137 was much lower than 20 Bq kg(-1)at most. Furthermore, based on the available data, the radiation hazard parameters associated with the surveyed soils were calculated. The present data also allowed evaluation of some correlations that may exist in the investigated natural radionuclides of the soil samples from the plutonic area in Canakkale province. It is concluded from the above that the concerned region did not lead to any significant radiological exposure to the environment.Ege UniversityEge University [2006 FEN 044]Financial support for the present work from the Ege University under the following Project 2006 FEN 044 is gratefully acknowledged. We sincerely thank Prof. Dr. Osman Candan and Dr. Cuneyt Akal for their guidance in the field studies

Terrestrial gamma exposure in the granodiorite area of Bergama (Pergamon)-Kozak, Turkey

WOS: 000290040000039As higher radiation levels are associated with granite and Bergama (Pergamon) has increasingly become a large market for granite use over the last years, an extensive investigation was started in 2009. Samples from the granites and soils underlying this area were collected and analyzed by HPGe gamma spectrometry system. The specific activities of the naturally occurring radionuclides Ra-226, Th-232, and K-40 were found to be in the range of 29-111 Bq kg(-1) for Ra-226, 35-87 Bq kg(-1) for Th-232 and 698-1100 Bq kg(-1) for K-40 in granite samples. The ranges of Ra-226, Th-232, and K-40 activity concentrations for soils were 32-82, 42-88 and 667-1127 Bq kg(-1), respectively. From these data radiological parameters were calculated and compared with respective data from the UNSCEAR reports.Dokuz Eylul UniversityDokuz Eylul University [2009.KB.FEN.039]Grateful thanks are offered to the provider of financial support for the research presented here: Dokuz Eylul University Scientific Research Project (Project no: 2009.KB.FEN.039). The authors also would like to thank graduate and undergraduate students; Mrs. Ipek Emen, Mr. Sadi Deniz Kayhan and Mr. Onur Buyukok for assisting in sample collection, preparation of granites and soils