Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 29, 2026
08:23
An Automated Microscopic Scoring Method for the γ-H2AX Foci Assay in Human Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes
Published on: December 25, 2021
5.5K
A Comprehensive Study on Radiological Hazard Assessment and Geological Features of Gypsum Deposits
Mohamed Y Hanfi1,2, Mohammad W Marashdeh3, Masoud S Masoud4
1Department of Life Safety, Institute of Fundamental Education, Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg 620002, Russia.
Toxics
|March 27, 2026
Summary
Natural radioactivity and radiological hazards in gypsum were assessed. While generally below safety limits, some samples exceeded indices, with uranium-238 being the main contributor to risks.
Area of Science:
- Geochemistry
- Environmental Science
- Radiological Science
Background:
- Gypsum deposits are common in tertiary and quaternary sedimentary formations.
- Early Messinian gypsum horizons are interbedded with limestone and marl.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess natural radioactivity levels in gypsum samples.
- To evaluate associated radiological hazards and their contributing factors.
- To statistically analyze relationships between radioactivity and hazard indices.
Main Methods:
- Collected 35 gypsum samples from the investigated area.
- Measured activity concentrations of uranium-238 (238U), thorium-232 (232Th), and potassium-40 (40K) using High-Purity Germanium (HPGe) gamma-ray spectrometry.
- Calculated radiological hazard indices, including radium equivalent activity (Raeq) and annual effective dose (AED).
- Performed statistical analyses: Pearson correlation, hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), and principal component analysis (PCA).
Main Results:
- Mean activity concentrations: 238U (73 ± 87 Bq kg-1), 232Th (14 ± 17 Bq kg-1), 40K (35 ± 201 Bq kg-1).
- Radiological hazard indices, including Raeq (max 456 Bq kg-1) and AED (0.09–1.26 mSv y-1), were generally below international safety limits.
- Individual samples exceeded hazard indices, with 238U identified as the primary contributor to radiological risks.
- Statistical analyses provided insights into sample characteristics and relationships between radioactivity and hazards.
Conclusions:
- Gypsum samples generally pose low radiological risks, staying within global safety standards.
- Specific samples exhibit elevated hazards, necessitating further investigation.
- 238U significantly influences radiological hazard indices in the studied gypsum.
Keywords:
environmental monitoringgypsum depositshazard assessmentradionuclides activity concentrationMore Related Videos
06:28Visualization of Low-Level Gamma Radiation Sources Using a Low-Cost, High-Sensitivity, Omnidirectional Compton Camera
Published on: January 30, 2020
13.4K
07:32Monitoring Pedogenic Inorganic Carbon Accumulation Due to Weathering of Amended Silicate Minerals in Agricultural Soils.
Published on: June 4, 2021
5.9K
Related Concept Videos
02:59Biological Effects of Radiation
19.6K
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...
19.6K
01:19Acid Mine Drainage
49
Mining activities that disturb sulfide-rich rocks, particularly those containing pyrite (FeS₂), initiate a cascade of geochemical and microbiological processes with serious environmental implications. When exposed to air and water, pyrite undergoes oxidation, releasing sulfate, ultimately forming sulfuric acid and mobilizing heavy metals into surrounding water systems. This phenomenon, known as acid mine drainage (AMD), results in low pH waters laden with toxic elements that threaten...
49
01:20Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System III: X-Ray
633
The most common cardiovascular diagnostic test is an X-ray. It produces images of the heart, blood vessels, and adjacent structures.
Definition and Purpose
An X-ray, or radiograph, is a non-invasive method that uses ionizing radiation to take images of internal structures. It is mainly used in cardiac imaging to examine the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels, aiming to identify abnormalities in the heart's size, shape, and position, such as heart failure, congenital defects, and vascular...
Definition and Purpose
An X-ray, or radiograph, is a non-invasive method that uses ionizing radiation to take images of internal structures. It is mainly used in cardiac imaging to examine the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels, aiming to identify abnormalities in the heart's size, shape, and position, such as heart failure, congenital defects, and vascular...
633
01:25Microbial Bioremediation of Uranium
52
Microorganisms play a critical role in the transformation and immobilization of uranium in contaminated environments through four main pathways: bioreduction, biosorption, bioaccumulation, and biomineralization. These mechanisms reduce uranium’s toxicity and prevent its migration through groundwater systems, offering sustainable approaches for in situ bioremediation.Bioreduction of UraniumBioreduction is driven by anaerobic bacteria such as certain strains of Geobacter and Shewanella,...
52
01:14Imaging Studies I: CT and MRI
1.2K
Introduction: MRI and CT scans are crucial advancements in medical imaging techniques, playing a vital role in diagnosing conditions related to the gastrointestinal (GI) system. Each scan serves distinct purposes, targets specific areas, and requires unique nursing duties.
Description of the Procedures
Computed Tomography (CT) scan:
Computed Tomography (CT) scans use X-ray technology to generate detailed images of bones, organs, and tissues. During the scan, the patient lies on a moving table...
Description of the Procedures
Computed Tomography (CT) scan:
Computed Tomography (CT) scans use X-ray technology to generate detailed images of bones, organs, and tissues. During the scan, the patient lies on a moving table...
1.2K
01:24X-ray Imaging
11.0K
German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen (1845–1923) was experimenting with electrical current when he discovered that a mysterious and invisible "ray" would pass through his flesh but leave an outline of his bones on a screen coated with a metal compound. In 1895, Röntgen made the first durable record of the internal parts of a living human: an "X-ray" image (as it came to be called) of his wife’s hand. Scientists worldwide quickly began their own experiments with...
11.0K