Natural radionuclides content in the river sediment and related health risk assessment for the West Morava river basin, Serbia

Abstract

Purpose of this study was to measure activity concentration for radionuclides 232Th, 40K, and total uranium (ΣU) using HPGe detector in samples collected from the three levels of bank profiles (A-alluvial soil level, OB-overbank level, S-active stream level) in the West Morava River basin, Serbia. External dose equivalent was estimated as well as inhalation and ingestion lifetime cancer morbidity risks. External dose equivalent was obtained using Monte Carlo package FOTELP. Mean activity concentrations are (393 Bq/kg-A, 378 Bq/kg-OB, 346 Bq/kg-S) for 40K, (29 Bq/kg-A, 24 Bq/kg-OB, 23 Bq/kg-S) for ΣU and (31 Bq/kg-A, 30 Bq/kg-OB, 22.5 Bq/kg-S) for 232Th. Mean value of calculated cancer morbidity risk from 232Th inhalation is 0.94×10-6, range (0.35-1.4) ×10-6 and for ingestion 1.7×10-6, range (0.6-2.5) ×10-6. Mean value of calculated cancer morbidity risk from 238U inhalation is 0.2×10-6, range (0.07-0.3) ×10-6 and from ingestion 0.43×10-6, range (0.17-0.58) ×10-6.