Natural Radionuclides In Mineral Sand ProductsFrom A Processing Plant In Northeastern Brazil

摘要

This paper presents the results of a preliminary investigation carried out in a mineral sandprocessing plant located in the coastal region of Northeastern Brazil. The study aimed to determinethe natural radionuclide content of the mineral products extracted from beach sands, with specialemphasis on zircon. Measurements were performed through gamma spectrometry, by using a high-purity germanium detector (HPGe) coupled to a multichannel analyzer. Activity concentrations of~(26)Raand ~(228)Rawere determined by measuring some of the radon progeny activity concentrations(~(214)Pband ~(214)Bifor ~(226)Ra, and ~(228)Acand ~(208)Tlfor ~(228)Ra)and assuming an equilibrium conditionupstream of the radon progeny. The results of the measurements carried out for the zircon samplesshowed activity concentrations ranging from 18.09 to 48.51 kBq kg~(-1)for ~(226)Ra.The results for ~(228)Ra,on the other hand, were consistently lower than those obtained for ~(226)Ra,ranging from 2.72 to 18.31kBq kg~(-1).