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Natural radionuclides and assessment of radiological hazards in different geological formations in Khammouan province, Laos

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Abstract

The 226Ra, 232Th (228Ra), 40K activity concentrations in soil distributed in 67 points belonging to different geological formations in Khammouan, Laos were measured using HPGe detector. The results showed that the activity concentration varies from (6.0 ± 0.61) Bq/kg to (68.5 ± 8.0) Bq/kg, (8.7 ± 1.0) Bq/kg to (78.9 ± 8.3) Bq/kg, (32.1 ± 3.1) Bq/kg to (812 ± 63) Bq/kg with the mean values of (32.2 ± 1.7) Bq/kg, (41.6 ± 2.2) Bq/kg, (279 ± 24) Bq/kg for 226Ra, 232Th (228Ra), 40K respectively. The highest and lowest average activities were found at cPz2 (Middle Paleozoic) and Mz1 (Lower Mesozoic) formations respectively. With regard to radiation hazards, the 232Th (228Ra) concentration has a major contribution to the Raeq. In general, in the study area, the activity concentration of natural radionuclides has an insignificant effect on human health.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Physics, VNU University of Science, 334 Nguyen Trai, Hanoi, Vietnam

    Loat Bui Van, Somsavath Leuangtakoun, Hung Vu Anh & Duc Vu Anh

  2. Hanoi University of Mining and Geology, 18 Vien Street, Bac Tu Liem District, Hanoi, 100000, Vietnam

    Van-Hao Duong, Nguyen Thanh Duong & Van-Dung Nguyen

  3. Institute for Nuclear Science and Technology, Vinatom, 179 Hoang Quoc Viet, Hanoi, Vietnam

    Thang Duong Duc

  4. Le Quy Don Technical University, 236 Hoang Quoc Viet, Hanoi, 10000, Vietnam

    Hung Vu Anh

  5. Institute of Fundamental and Applied Sciences, Duy Tan University, Ho Chi Minh City, 700000, Vietnam

    Hoai-Nam Tran

  6. Faculty of Natural Sciences, Duy Tan University, Da Nang, 550000, Vietnam

    Hoai-Nam Tran

  7. Northern Center for Planning and Investigation of Marine Resources – Environment, Hanoi, Vietnam

    Huyen-Trang Vuong Thi

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  1. Loat Bui Van
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  2. Van-Hao Duong
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  3. Nguyen Thanh Duong
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  9. Van-Dung Nguyen
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  10. Huyen-Trang Vuong Thi
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Correspondence to Nguyen Thanh Duong.

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Van, L.B., Duong, VH., Duong, N.T. et al. Natural radionuclides and assessment of radiological hazards in different geological formations in Khammouan province, Laos. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 329, 991–1000 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-021-07854-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-021-07854-1

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