Natural Radioactivity in Bananas

Journal Article · Thu Aug 07 00:00:00 EDT 2008 · AIP Conference Proceedings

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2991223· OSTI ID:21152455

Zagatto, V A. B.; Medina, N H; Okuno, E; Umisedo, N K ^[1]

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1. Instituto de Fisica da Universidade de Sao Paulo (Brazil)

The content of {sup 40}K natural radionuclide in bananas (Musa sapientum) from the Vale do Ribeira region, Sao Paulo, Brazil, has been measured. We have collected several samples of bananas prata and nanica, its peels, leaves, and also different soils where the banana tree was planted, such as soil with a standard amount of fertilizer, the fertilizer itself and also soil without fertilizer for comparison. We have used the gamma-ray spectroscopy technique with a NaI(T1) crystal inside a 12 cm thick lead shield to detect the gamma-radiation. The results indicate that only part of the available potassium is absorbed by the plant, which is mainly concentrated in the banana peel.

• OSTI ID: 21152455
• Journal Information: AIP Conference Proceedings, Vol. 1034, Issue 1; Conference: NRE-VIII: 8. International symposium on the natural radiation environment, Buzios, RJ (Brazil), 7-12 Oct 2007; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.2991223; (c) 2008 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0094-243X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
BANANAS
BRAZIL
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
FERTILIZERS
GAMMA DETECTION
GAMMA SPECTROSCOPY
LEAVES
NAI DETECTORS
NATURAL RADIOACTIVITY
POTASSIUM 40
RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION
SOILS
TREES