Document Type

Poster

Publication Date

2011

Publisher

University of Nevada, Las Vegas; Center for Academic Enrichment and Outreach

Publisher Location

Las Vegas (Nev.)

Abstract

Dust and soil surfaces contain terrestrial radionuclides that occur naturally in the earth's crust. However, the level of activity differs by soil type, particle size and geographic location. Some radionuclides are more abundant in one soil type but less concentrated in others. This research paper looked at the radioactivity levels of dust and soil samples based on particle size. The samples were measured in vial sample holders using HPGe Germanium detector for a period of five days each. Background radiation was counted for same amount of period and subtracted to eliminate any counting statistical errors. The results showed that there is no significant correlation between particle size and radioactivity concentration levels. However, the amount of activity found in the samples depends on the type of radionuclide abundant in that sample. Potassium-40 has the highest activity level in all samples whereas Cs-137 has the lowest amount. This may be due to the fact that Cesium-137 is not a naturally occurring radionuclide. The small amounts of activity present due to fallout from atmospheric weapons tests conducted at nearby test site. However, these activity levels are so low there are no health risks to be concerned with.

Keywords

Dust; Nevada — Nellis Dunes Recreational Area; Particles; Potassium —Isotopes— Decay; Radiation; Background; Soils — Classification

Disciplines

Environmental Indicators and Impact Assessment | Environmental Monitoring | Soil Science

File Format

pdf

File Size

2.602 KB

Language

English

Comments

Mentor: Ralf Sudowe

Rights

IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/


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