Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Radioactive Decay and Radiometric Dating02:48

Radioactive Decay and Radiometric Dating

35.7K
Radioactivity is a spontaneous disintegration of an unstable nuclide and is a random process, as all the nuclei in the sample do not decay simultaneously. The number of disintegrations per unit time is called the activity (A), which is directly proportional to the number of nuclei in the sample. The decay constant (λ) is an average probability of decay per nucleus in unit time.
35.7K
Other Unique Bacteria01:18

Other Unique Bacteria

233
Magnetic bacteria exhibit a directed movement called magnetotaxis, driven by structures called magnetosomes. These magnetosomes consist of chains of magnetic particles made of either magnetite (Fe₃O₄) or greigite (Fe₃S₄) and are organized in a linear conformation by a protein scaffold within invaginations of the cell membrane. The bacteria align along the north–south magnetic field lines, much like a compass needle. They are typically microaerophilic or anaerobic...
233
Biological Effects of Radiation02:59

Biological Effects of Radiation

16.7K
All radioactive nuclides emit high-energy particles or electromagnetic waves. When this radiation encounters living cells, it can cause heating, break chemical bonds, or ionize molecules. The most serious biological damage results when these radioactive emissions fragment or ionize molecules. For example, α and β particles emitted from nuclear decay reactions possess much higher energies than ordinary chemical bond energies. When these particles strike and penetrate matter, they...
16.7K
Radioactivity and Nuclear Equations03:18

Radioactivity and Nuclear Equations

25.3K
Nuclear chemistry is the study of reactions that involve changes in nuclear structure. The nucleus of an atom is composed of protons and, except for hydrogen, neutrons. The number of protons in the nucleus is called the atomic number (Z) of the element, and the sum of the number of protons and the number of neutrons is the mass number (A). Atoms with the same atomic number but different mass numbers are isotopes of the same element.
A nuclide of an element has a specific number of protons and...
25.3K
Nuclear Stability03:18

Nuclear Stability

21.3K
Protons and neutrons, collectively called nucleons, are packed together tightly in a nucleus. With a radius of about 10−15 meters, a nucleus is quite small compared to the radius of the entire atom, which is about 10−10 meters. Nuclei are extremely dense compared to bulk matter, averaging 1.8 × 1014 grams per cubic centimeter. If the earth’s density were equal to the average nuclear density, the earth’s radius would be only about 200 meters.
To hold positively charged protons together...
21.3K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Environmental assessment of heavy metal pollutants in soils and water from Ortum, Kenya.

Environmental monitoring and assessment·2020
Same author

HUMAN EXPOSURE TO BACKGROUND RADIATION IN ORTUM, KENYA.

Radiation protection dosimetry·2019
Same author

REVIEW OF RADON AND THORON RESEARCH IN KENYA: 1997-2017.

Radiation protection dosimetry·2019
Same author

ANNUAL EFFECTIVE DOSE ASSESSMENT DUE TO RADON AND THORON PROGENIES IN DWELLINGS OF KILIMAMBOGO, KENYA.

Radiation protection dosimetry·2019
Same author

Analysis of internal exposure associated with consumption of crops and groundwater from the high background radiation area of Mrima Hill, Kenya.

Radiation protection dosimetry·2015
Same author

Estimation of annual effective dose due to radon and thoron concentrations in mud dwellings of Mrima Hill, Kenya.

Radiation protection dosimetry·2015

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 16, 2025

Measuring Fluxes of Mineral Nutrients and Toxicants in Plants with Radioactive Tracers
13:14

Measuring Fluxes of Mineral Nutrients and Toxicants in Plants with Radioactive Tracers

Published on: August 22, 2014

11.6K

NATURALLY OCCURRING RADIONUCLIDES IN SOIL SAMPLES OF BURETI SUB-COUNTY OF KERICHO COUNTY KENYA.

C K Rotich1, N O Hashim1, M W Chege1

  • 1Department of Physics, Kenyatta University, P.O Box 43844-00100, Nairobi, Kenya.

Radiation Protection Dosimetry
|February 22, 2021
PubMed
Summary

Soil radiation levels in Bureti sub-county were assessed using a sodium iodide detector. Despite higher-than-average gamma radiation dose rates, the outdoor effective dose remains within safe limits, indicating low radiation hazards.

More Related Videos

Measurements of Soil Carbon by Neutron-Gamma Analysis in Static and Scanning Modes
07:51

Measurements of Soil Carbon by Neutron-Gamma Analysis in Static and Scanning Modes

Published on: August 24, 2017

7.5K
Combined Size and Density Fractionation of Soils for Investigations of Organo-Mineral Interactions
08:38

Combined Size and Density Fractionation of Soils for Investigations of Organo-Mineral Interactions

Published on: February 15, 2019

15.3K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Nov 16, 2025

Measuring Fluxes of Mineral Nutrients and Toxicants in Plants with Radioactive Tracers
13:14

Measuring Fluxes of Mineral Nutrients and Toxicants in Plants with Radioactive Tracers

Published on: August 22, 2014

11.6K
Measurements of Soil Carbon by Neutron-Gamma Analysis in Static and Scanning Modes
07:51

Measurements of Soil Carbon by Neutron-Gamma Analysis in Static and Scanning Modes

Published on: August 24, 2017

7.5K
Combined Size and Density Fractionation of Soils for Investigations of Organo-Mineral Interactions
08:38

Combined Size and Density Fractionation of Soils for Investigations of Organo-Mineral Interactions

Published on: February 15, 2019

15.3K

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Science
  • Nuclear Physics
  • Radiation Protection

Background:

  • Naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) in soil can pose radiation hazards.
  • Assessing terrestrial radionuclide concentrations is crucial for public health.
  • Bureti sub-county's specific radiation levels were previously unquantified.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To measure the activity concentration of key radionuclides (40K, 226Ra, 232Th) in Bureti soil.
  • To estimate gamma radiation dose rates and outdoor effective dose.
  • To evaluate the radiation hazard to the public in Bureti.

Main Methods:

  • Soil samples were analyzed using a thallium-activated sodium iodide detector.
  • Gamma radiation dose rates were measured in situ.
  • Outdoor effective dose was calculated based on measured dose rates.

Main Results:

  • Average activity concentrations: 40K (1164 ± 70 Bqkg-1), 226Ra (106 ± 8 Bqkg-1), 232Th (79 ± 5 Bqkg-1).
  • Average gamma dose rate: 145 ± 10 nGyh-1 (2.5 times the world average).
  • Average outdoor effective dose: 0.35 ± 0.02 mSvy-1 (below ICRP limit).

Conclusions:

  • While gamma dose rates are elevated, the calculated effective dose is within international safety standards.
  • Radiation hazards from naturally occurring terrestrial radionuclides in Bureti are considered low.
  • Human radiation exposure in Bureti is within accepted limits.