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- MakaleAçık Erişim2026Distribution and radiological risk assessment of natural and artificial radionuclides in soils from the Aktutan hydrothermal alteration zone, Türkiye
Kaya, Ali
This study investigates the distribution of natural radionuclides (226Ra, 232Th, and 40K) and the artificial radionuclide 137Cs in soil samples collected from the Aktutan hydrothermal alteration zone in Gümüşhane, Türkiye. Hydrothermal systems are known to enhance radionuclide mobility and enrichment due to fluid–rock interactions, making them important environments for radiological assessment. However, no previous comprehensive radiological study has been conducted in this region. A total of 12 soil samples were collected and analyzed using high-purity germanium (HPGe) gamma-ray spectrometry. The measured activity concentrations ranged from 16 to 58 Bq·kg−1 for 232Th, 5 to 282 Bq·kg−1 for 226Ra, and 246 to 647 Bq·kg−1 for 40K, while 137Cs was detected in several samples with a maximum value of 5.7 Bq·kg−1. The elevated 226Ra concentrations observed in specific locations may be associated with localized hydrothermal alteration and possible uranium enrichment. Radiological hazard parameters, including absorbed dose rate, annual effective dose, radium equivalent activity, and hazard indices, were calculated. Most values were within internationally recommended limits; however, two sampling sites exhibited elevated radiological risk indicators, particularly in terms of excess lifetime cancer risk. Although the number of samples is limited, the selected locations represent areas of intense hydrothermal alteration and provide preliminary insight into radionuclide distribution in the region. The findings highlight the importance of localized geological controls on radioactivity and suggest the need for continuous environmental monitoring in areas with elevated radionuclide concentrations.
- MakaleYalnız künye2026Natural Radioactivity and Radiological Risk Assessment of Rocks Around the Mines: A Case Study From the Mastra and Hazine Mağara Mining Areas, Northeastern Türkiye
Sipahi, Ferkan; Çelik, Necati; Gücer, Mehmet Ali; Dizman, Serdar
This study presents a comprehensive assessment of natural radioactivity levels and associated radiological hazards in rock samples collected from Mastra and Hazine Mağara mining sites in the Gümüşhane province, Türkiye. The concentrations of primordial radionuclides (226Ra, 232Th, and 40K) were measured in samples of andesite, granite, and limestone using a High Purity Germanium (HPGe) detector. Complementary whole-rock geochemical analysis (XRF and ICP-MS) was conducted to understand the geochemical controls on radioactivity concentrations. The results reveal significant heterogeneity in activity concentrations both within and between the two sites. For 226Ra, the Hazine Mağara site exhibited a wider range (2.44–22.57 Bq kg−1) with a higher maximum value compared to Mastra (2.65–13.96 Bq kg−1). Similarly, 232Th and 40K activity concentrations showed considerable variability, often linked to the presence of specific accessory minerals like zircon, monazite, and K-feldspar. Geochemical data indicated that element concentrations (K, U, Th) were generally lowest in limestone and highest in granite, showing a strong correlation with the measured activity concentration values. Radiological risk indices, including radium equivalent activity, absorbed dose rate, annual effective dose equivalent, and excess lifetime cancer risk, were calculated. While values remain below international public health safety limits, localized anomalies were identified. Multivariate statistical methods were used to determine the relationship between the 226Ra, 232Th, 40K, Raeq (Bq/kg), Ig, Hex, D (nGy/h), AEDE (μSv/y), AGDE (μSv/y), and ELCR (×10−5). The study concludes that despite these localized anomalies, both mining areas pose an overall minimum environmental radiation risk, underscoring the necessity for site-specific assessments to ensure safe resource utilization and radiation protection.