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- Title
Natural radioactivity measurements of beach sands in Gran Canaria, Canary Islands (Spain).
- Authors
Arnedo, M. A.; Tejera, A.; Rubiano, J. G.; Alonso, H.; Gil, J. M.; Rodríguez, R.; Martel, P.
- Abstract
Concentrations of natural radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th, 40K and man-made 137Cs in most important tourist Gran Canaria beaches have been determined using a high-purity Germanium detector to analyse their radiological hazard. Average values of the activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K were 17.6±1.4, 21.3±1.8 and 480±22 Bq kg−1, respectively. Observed activity concentration values of 137Cs were practically negligible from a radiological protection point of view. The results of this paper were compared with others published in the bibliography for beaches and coastal sediments of different countries. The mean external air absorbed dose rate was 43.9±2.8 nGyh−1, which resulted in an outdoor annual effective dose below the world average. Also, the radium equivalent and the external hazard index were calculated. Results from Gran Canaria beaches showed the low levels of radioactivity, indicating no significant radiological risk related to human activities in the area.
- Subjects
RADIOISOTOPES; RADIOACTIVITY measurements; BEACHES; GERMANIUM radiation detectors; COASTAL sediments; RADIATION doses; GRAN Canaria (Canary Islands)
- Publication
Radiation Protection Dosimetry, 2013, Vol 156, Issue 1, p75
- ISSN
0144-8420
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1093/rpd/nct044