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Title: Contents of natural radioactive nuclides in soil in relation to their surface area

Journal Article · · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

Concentrations of uranium series nuclides (/sup 238/U, /sup 226/Ra, /sup 210/Pb), thorium series nuclides (/sup 228/Ra, /sup 212/Bi), and potassium in soil of a granitic belt were examined in relation to their surface area of soil, clay mineral composition, and the SiO/sub 2/ and Fe contents. In soil which is less weathered and has a surface area of around 10 m/sup 2//g, the /sup 238/U, /sup 226/Ra, /sup 210/Pb, /sup 228/Ra, and /sup 40/K contents increase with an increase the SiO/sub 2/ content related to the elemental compositions of their parents rocks. In homologous soils resulting from progressive weathering, the /sup 238/U, /sup 226/Ra, /sup 210/Pb, and /sup 228/Ra contents are found to increase with increasing surface area. For an homologous soil which is free from the clay consisting of three-layer units, the /sup 40/K content decrease with increasing surface area. However, in an homologous soil which contains a clay consisting of three-layer units, the /sup 40/K content is not surface area dependent.

Research Organization:
Radiation Center of Osaka Prefecture, Shinke-cho, Sakai-shi, Osaka, Japan
OSTI ID:
6151999
Journal Information:
J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Vol. 87:B13
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English