Journal of Radiation Research and Radiation Processing, Volume. 42, Issue 5, 050602(2024)

Investigation on gross radioactivity levels in paddy, vegetables and cultivated soil in Guangdong Province

Xunjie SUN... Guiyuan LIANG, Wanliang CHEN, Lan JIANG and Wentao CHEN* |Show fewer author(s)
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  • Environmental Radiation Monitoring and Nuclear Emergency Response Technical Support Center of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou 510300, China
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    This study investigated the gross radioactive background levels in paddy, vegetables, and cultivated soils around major agricultural production bases and key nuclear and radiation facilities in Guangdong Province. From 2018 to 2022, continuous sampling and follow-up monitoring were conducted on paddy, vegetables, and their respective soils. The collected data were statistically analyzed by area and city to explore the α/β ratio in soils across different locations. The gross α, gross β and 40K specific activities in paddy are (13.8±11.5) Bq/kg, (105±13) Bq/kg, (114±16) Bq/kg, respectively. The gross α, gross β and 40K specific activities in vegetables are (4.7±4.9) Bq/kg, (93±33) Bq/kg, (109±47) Bq/kg, respectively. The gross α specific activities of paddy soil and vegetable soil are (2.18±0.94)×103Bq/kg and (1.81±0.83)×103 Bq/kg, respectively. The gross β specific activities of paddy soil and vegetable soil are (1.09±0.49)×103Bq/kg and (0.91±0.39)×103 Bq/kg, respectively. These findings contribute to the enrichment of the background database for natural radioactivity surveys in China, providing essential data for environmental impact assessments post-operation of nuclear facilities, emergency responses to nuclear and radiation accidents, and food safety evaluations in Guangdong Province. The α/β ratio in soil obtained in this study can serve as an early warning indicator, where deviations from the established range may signal the presence of artificial radioactive contamination.

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    Xunjie SUN, Guiyuan LIANG, Wanliang CHEN, Lan JIANG, Wentao CHEN. Investigation on gross radioactivity levels in paddy, vegetables and cultivated soil in Guangdong Province[J]. Journal of Radiation Research and Radiation Processing, 2024, 42(5): 050602

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    Paper Information

    Category: RADIATION PROTECTION

    Received: May. 28, 2024

    Accepted: Jul. 22, 2024

    Published Online: Jan. 2, 2025

    The Author Email: CHEN Wentao (陈文涛)

    DOI:10.11889/j.1000-3436.2024-0046

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