Characterization of clay from Kolubara mining basin, Serbia

Abstract

During coal exploitation in the Kolubara mining basin, Serbia, clay is deposited as accompanying mineral. The aim of the present study is to analyze the activity concentrations of terrestrial (226Ra, 232Th and 40K) and anthropogenic (137Cs) radionuclides in clay collected from Kolubara mining using the high resolution gamma spectrometer with HPGe detector and evaluate external ionizing radiation exposure in outdoor air. The total absorbed gamma dose was in the range of 39-44 nGy/h. In addition, inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy (ICP), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluoroscence (XRF), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) clay from Kolubara mining basin, Serbia, were used. Also, this study is indicative that clay from Kolubara mining is not a significant source of radiation and is suitable for potential use clay in advanced environmental protection area