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Distribution of natural radionuclides in surface soils in the vicinity of abandoned uranium mines in Serbia

Environmental Monitoring and Assessment volume 185, pages 1319–1329 (2013)Cite this article

Abstract

The activity concentrations of natural radionuclides in soils from the area affected by uranium mining at Stara Planina Mountain in Serbia were studied and compared with the results obtained from an area with no mining activities (background area). In the affected area, the activity concentrations ranged from 1.75 to 19.2 mg kg−1 for uranium and from 1.57 to 26.9 mg kg−1 for thorium which is several-fold higher than those in the background area. The Th/U, K/U, and K/Th activity ratios were also determined and compared with data from similar studies worldwide. External gamma dose rate in the air due to uranium, thorium, and potassium at 1 m above ground level in the area affected by uranium mining was found to be 91.3 nGy h−1, i.e., about two-fold higher than that in background area. The results of this preliminary study indicate the importance of radiological evaluation of the area and implementation of remedial measures in order to prevent further dispersion of radionuclides in the environment.

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Acknowledgments

This work was funded by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Serbia (projects 43009 and 41005).

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Affiliations

  1. Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy, University of Belgrade, Banatska 31b, 11080, Belgrade, Serbia

    Milan Momčilović & Snežana Dragović

  2. Geological Institute of Serbia, Rovinjska 12, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia

    Jovan Kovačević

  3. CBRN Training Centre, Balkanska 57, 37000, Kruševac, Serbia

    Milan Tanić

  4. Faculty of Science and Mathematics, University of Niš, Višegradska 33, 11000, Niš, Serbia

    Milan Đorđević

  5. Faculty of Physical Chemistry, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 12-16, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia

    Goran Bačić

Authors
  1. Milan Momčilović
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  2. Jovan Kovačević
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  3. Milan Tanić
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  4. Milan Đorđević
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  5. Goran Bačić
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  6. Snežana Dragović
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Correspondence to Snežana Dragović.

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Momčilović, M., Kovačević, J., Tanić, M. et al. Distribution of natural radionuclides in surface soils in the vicinity of abandoned uranium mines in Serbia. Environ Monit Assess 185, 1319–1329 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-012-2634-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-012-2634-9

Keywords

  • Uranium
  • Thorium
  • Potassium
  • Uranium mining
  • Soil