ASSESSMENT OF NATURAL RADIOACTIVITY LEVELS IN AGRICULTURAL SOIL AND TRANSFER IN RICE IN THE KOCHANI REGION, NORTH MACEDONIA
Date Issued
2025-10-02
Author(s)
Angeleska, Aleksandra
Abstract
Soil can transfer radionuclides to plants which are subsequently consumed by humans.
Sometimes their levels are so high that they are a concern for human health. Rice has an
important share in the Macedonian diet, especially in the Kochani region, which is famous for
its rice fields. Therefore, the main goal of this study was to measure the natural radioactivity in
agricultural soil and rice crops in the Kochani region and to study the interaction between soil
and rice by calculating the transfer factor (TF). The activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and
40K were determined by using gamma spectrometry, i.e. a high purity germanium (HPGe)
gamma-ray spectrometer. In agricultural soils, the mean activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th
and 40K were 33.72 Bq kg-1, 37.62 Bq kg-1 and 152.90 Bq kg-1, while the mean activity
concentrations of rice were 1.99 Bq kg-1, 2.51 Bq kg-1and 49.44 Bq kg-1, respectively. The
world’s mean soil values of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K are 35, 30 and 400 Bq kg-1, respectively, hence
these obtained values are lower compared to those obtained from research. This may be due to
improved agricultural practices in the country and the geology of the area itself. However, we
found that the radioisotopes have a heterogeneous distribution which must be caused by the
nature and soil types in the area for which this study was conducted. However, the radioisotopes
showed a heterogeneous distribution, likely influenced by the nature and soil types in the region.
The mean transfer factors (TF) were very low for all samples, indicating a slow transport of
these radionuclides to the rice grains. The results confirm that rice grown in these areas is safe
for consumption. Further research on the TF across different rice varieties and geographical
areas would allow for the development of predictive models for potential radiation exposure
from rice consumption and help identify locations requiring additional monitoring.
All mean transfer factors (TF) for the samples were very low, implying a very slow transport
of these radionuclides to the rice grains. The obtained results make rice grown in these areas
safe for consumption. By studying the TF among different rice varieties and geographical areas,
researchers will be able to develop models to predict possible radiation exposure from rice
consumption and locate activities or areas that require additional attention.
Sometimes their levels are so high that they are a concern for human health. Rice has an
important share in the Macedonian diet, especially in the Kochani region, which is famous for
its rice fields. Therefore, the main goal of this study was to measure the natural radioactivity in
agricultural soil and rice crops in the Kochani region and to study the interaction between soil
and rice by calculating the transfer factor (TF). The activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and
40K were determined by using gamma spectrometry, i.e. a high purity germanium (HPGe)
gamma-ray spectrometer. In agricultural soils, the mean activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th
and 40K were 33.72 Bq kg-1, 37.62 Bq kg-1 and 152.90 Bq kg-1, while the mean activity
concentrations of rice were 1.99 Bq kg-1, 2.51 Bq kg-1and 49.44 Bq kg-1, respectively. The
world’s mean soil values of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K are 35, 30 and 400 Bq kg-1, respectively, hence
these obtained values are lower compared to those obtained from research. This may be due to
improved agricultural practices in the country and the geology of the area itself. However, we
found that the radioisotopes have a heterogeneous distribution which must be caused by the
nature and soil types in the area for which this study was conducted. However, the radioisotopes
showed a heterogeneous distribution, likely influenced by the nature and soil types in the region.
The mean transfer factors (TF) were very low for all samples, indicating a slow transport of
these radionuclides to the rice grains. The results confirm that rice grown in these areas is safe
for consumption. Further research on the TF across different rice varieties and geographical
areas would allow for the development of predictive models for potential radiation exposure
from rice consumption and help identify locations requiring additional monitoring.
All mean transfer factors (TF) for the samples were very low, implying a very slow transport
of these radionuclides to the rice grains. The obtained results make rice grown in these areas
safe for consumption. By studying the TF among different rice varieties and geographical areas,
researchers will be able to develop models to predict possible radiation exposure from rice
consumption and locate activities or areas that require additional attention.
Subjects
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