Radiation exposure and health concerns associated with the environmental geochemistry of relatively higher radioactivity in a fresh water basin

Rahat Khan; Md Samium Basir; Sayma Zahan Akhi; Amit Hasan Anik; Shabiha Hossain; H M Touhidul Islam; A R M Towfiqul Islam; Abubakr M Idris; Md Harunor Rashid Khan; Saad Aldawood; Shafi M Tareq

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115588

Radiation exposure and health concerns associated with the environmental geochemistry of relatively higher radioactivity in a fresh water basin

Mar Pollut Bull. 2023 Nov:196:115588. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115588. Epub 2023 Oct 6.

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Nuclear Science & Technology, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC), Savar, Dhaka 1349, Bangladesh. Electronic address: rahatkhan.baec@gmail.com.
² Department of Environmental Science, Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP), Mirpur-12, Cantonment, Dhaka 1216, Bangladesh.
³ Department of Disaster Management, Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur 5400, Bangladesh.
⁴ Department of Disaster Management, Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur 5400, Bangladesh; Department of Development Studies, Daffodil Internaitonal University, Dhaka 1216, Bangladesh.
⁵ Department of Chemistry, College of Science, King Khalid University, Abha 62529, Saudi Arabia.
⁶ Physics Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna 9208, Bangladesh.
⁷ Department of Physics and Astronomy, College of Science, P.O. BOX 2455, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia.
⁸ Hydrobiogeochemistry and Pollution Control Laboratory, Department of Environmental Sciences, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka 1342, Bangladesh.

PMID: 37806014
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115588

Abstract

This study was carried out on a negligible anthropogenically impacted Indo-Bangla transboundary river basin (Atrai, Bangladesh) to elicit radionuclides' and elemental distributions. Thirty sediment samples were collected from the Bangladesh portion of the river, and instrumental neutron activation analysis and HPGe γ-Spectrometry techniques were used to determine environmental radionuclides (e.g., ²³²Th, ²²⁶Ra, ⁴⁰K) and associated elemental concentrations, respectively. Metal concentrations (Sc, V, Fe, Eu, Sm, La, Yb, Ce, Lu, Ta, Hf) were determined to comprehend the genesis of greater radioactivity. Recognizing the mean concentration of absorbed gamma dose rate (158.7 hGyh^-1) is 2.88-times more than the recommended value (55 hGyh^-1) that describes ionizing radiation concerns regarding potential health risks to the surrounding communities and the houses of native residents, which are constructed by Atrai river sediment. This work will assist relevant policymakers in exploring valuable heavy minerals and provide information regarding radiological health risks from a fluvial system.

Keywords: (232)Th, (226)Ra, & (40)K; Atrai river sediment; Bangladesh; Enrichment patterns; Environmental geochemistry; Radiological threats; Rare earth elements.

MeSH terms

Environmental Monitoring
Metals / analysis
Radiation Exposure* / analysis
Radioactivity*
Radioisotopes / analysis
Rivers / chemistry

Substances

Metals
Radioisotopes