Investigation of radioactivity concentrations and soil-to-plant transfer factors in soil samples taken from different distance zones to the Metsamor nuclear power plant

Dizman S., Sari S., Yesilkanat C. M.

Radiochimica Acta, vol.112, no.10, pp.747-758, 2024 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 112 Issue: 10
  • Publication Date: 2024
  • Doi Number: 10.1515/ract-2024-0291
  • Journal Name: Radiochimica Acta
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Analytical Abstracts, Applied Science & Technology Source, Chemical Abstracts Core, Chimica, INSPEC
  • Page Numbers: pp.747-758
  • Keywords: agricultural product, environmental radioactivity, Metsamor NPP, radiological risk, Türkiye
  • Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Monitoring radioactivity around nuclear power plants is important to avoid the risks of radiation. This study provides an overview of the radioactive emission impact on the near surroundings of the Metsamor nuclear power plant in Armenia. In this context, 29 soil samples were collected from the 40, 80, 120, 160 km radius areas determined in the direction of Iǧdlr province by accepting the Metsamor nuclear power plant as the center. The activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, 40K and 137Cs in soil samples ranged from 7.90 to 23.44, 7.11 to 33.55, 132.54 to 502.69 and 0.33 to 17.61 Bq/kg, respectively. In addition, the radioactivity concentrations in some agricultural products and the transfer factors from soil to plant were determined. As a result, there is no significant radiological risk in terms of studied radioisotopes for people living in this region.