Contribution of uranium to gross alpha radioactivity in some environmental samples in Kuwait
- Kuwait Univ., Safat (Kuwait)
- Ministry of Health, Qadsiya (Kuwait)
This study was done in connection with the use of uranium-tipped antitank shells during the Gulf War and possible contamination of the environment of Kuwait. It was found that uranium concentrations in the soil samples ranged from 0.3 {mu}g/g to 1.85 {mu}g/g. The average value of 0.7 {mu}g/g was lower than the world average value of 2.1 {mu}g/g for surface soils. Its contribution to the total natural alpha radioactivity (excluding Rn and its short-lived daughters) varied from 1.1% to 14%. The solid fall-out samples showed higher uranium concentration which varied from 0.35 {mu}g/g to 1.73 {mu}/g (average 1.47 {mu}g/g) but its contribution to the gross alpha radioactivity was in the same range, from 1.1 to 13.2%. The difference in the concentration of uranium in suspended air matter samples during the summer of 1993 and the winter of 1994 was found to be 2.0 {mu}g/g and 1.0 {mu}g/g, respectively. The uranium contribution to the natural alpha radioactivity in these samples was in the same range but lower for the winter period. The isotopic ratio of {sup 235}U to {sup 238}U for the measured samples was basically within an experimental error of {+-}0.001, close to the theoretical value of 0.007. The calculated total annual intake of uranium via inhalation for the Kuwait population was 0.07 Bq, e.g., 0.2% of the annual limit on intake. 13 refs., 1 fig., 3 tabs.
- OSTI ID:
- 79277
- Journal Information:
- Environment International, Vol. 21, Issue 3; Other Information: PBD: 1995
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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