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Distribution and characteristics of 137Cs in surface soil in the middle of Laos

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This paper presents the assessment of the distribution and characteristics of 137Cs activity in surface soil in the middle of Laos. Measurement has been conducted for 212 soil samples distributed evenly in the middle of Laos using low background gamma spectrometers. It is found that the activity concentrations of 137Cs vary in the range of 0.50–7.97 Bq kg−1 with the average value of 1.46 ± 0.21 Bq kg−1. The values agree well with those reported for neighboring regions and are significantly lower than the world average value. Higher activity concentrations of 137Cs were observed in geological formations with claystone, siltstone, and mud. Foothills were found with higher concentrations of 137Cs, while lower 137Cs concentrations were observed in low-altitude plains. No significant variation of the 137Cs activity concentration with terrain elevation was found.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. VNU University of Science, 334 Nguyen Trai, Hanoi, 100000, Vietnam

    The-Nghia Nguyen, Van-Loat Bui & Somsavath Leuangtakoun

  2. VNU School of Interdisciplinary Studies, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Vietnam

    Van-Hao Duong

  3. Laos, National University of Laos, P.O. Box 7322, Dongdok, Vientiane, Laos

    Somsavath Leuangtakoun

  4. Centre for Environment Treatment Technology, High Command of Chemistry, 282 Lac Long Quan, Tay Ho, Hanoi, Vietnam

    Huu-Duc Hoang

  5. Institute for Nuclear Science and Technology, Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute, 179 Hoang Quoc Viet, Hanoi, Vietnam

    Duc-Thang Duong & Ngoc-Thiem Le

  6. Military Institute of Radiation and Oncology Medicine, 18 Dinh Cong Thuong, Hanoi, 100000, Vietnam

    Dinh Khai Nguyen

  7. Dalat Nuclear Research Institute, Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute, 1 Nguyen Tu Luc, Dalat, Lamdong, Vietnam

    Dinh-Khoa Tran

  8. Faculty of Fundamental Sciences, Phenikaa University, Hanoi, 12116, Vietnam

    Hoai-Nam Tran

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Nguyen, TN., Bui, VL., Duong, VH. et al. Distribution and characteristics of 137Cs in surface soil in the middle of Laos. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 332, 3661–3673 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-023-09051-8

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