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Environmental radioactivity at Machu Picchu Scientific Station

Abstract

Studies on environmental radioactivity at the Peruvian Scientific Station were carried out in the last two austral summer periods. The main objective of this study is to establish an environmental radiological monitoring program for evaluating environmental components and achieving a baseline study related to artificial and natural radioactivity levels. For this purpose, samples such as seaweeds, mosses, lichens, soil seawater, ice, marine sediment and underground water were collected from the area surrounding the station starting from Punta Crepin to Playa Inca and Playa Naylamp; then they were pre-conditioned in Machu Picchu Station and were sent to the Environmental Radioactivity laboratory of 'Racso' Peruvian Nuclear Center to conduct beta and gamma spectrometry. The Obtained results showed the presence of Cs-137 in geological components (soil and sediment) and in biological components (lichens and mosses). Nevertheless, those levels seem to be in a range of normal fluctuations after atmospheric nuclear testing and they are not considered to be dangerous to the ecosystem of the Antarctic Region. On the other hand, high concentration of Be-7 has been detected in seaweed and lichens. Other natural radionuclide detected were Ra-226, Bi-214 and K-40.
Authors:
Gonzales, S; Osores, J; Jara, R [1] 
  1. Direccion General de Seguridad Radiologica, Instituto Peruano de Energia Nuclear, Lima (Peru)
Publication Date:
Jul 01, 1998
Product Type:
Miscellaneous
Report Number:
INIS-PE-15
Reference Number:
EDB-00:109105
Resource Relation:
Other Information: 12 refs., 3 figs., 2 tabs; PBD: 1998
Subject:
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; ANTARCTIC REGIONS; ANTARCTICA; CESIUM 137; ENVIRONMENT; ISOTOPES; MONITORING; NATURAL RADIOACTIVITY; PERU; PLANTS; RADIATION MONITORING; RADIOACTIVITY; RP-10 REACTOR; SEAWATER; SEAWEEDS
OSTI ID:
20058989
Country of Origin:
Peru
Language:
English
Other Identifying Numbers:
TRN: PE0000006021044
Availability:
Available from INIS in electronic form
Submitting Site:
INIS
Size:
4 pages
Announcement Date:
Dec 18, 2000

Citation Formats

Gonzales, S, Osores, J, and Jara, R. Environmental radioactivity at Machu Picchu Scientific Station. Peru: N. p., 1998. Web.
Gonzales, S, Osores, J, & Jara, R. Environmental radioactivity at Machu Picchu Scientific Station. Peru.
Gonzales, S, Osores, J, and Jara, R. 1998. "Environmental radioactivity at Machu Picchu Scientific Station." Peru.
@misc{etde_20058989,
title = {Environmental radioactivity at Machu Picchu Scientific Station}
author = {Gonzales, S, Osores, J, and Jara, R}
abstractNote = {Studies on environmental radioactivity at the Peruvian Scientific Station were carried out in the last two austral summer periods. The main objective of this study is to establish an environmental radiological monitoring program for evaluating environmental components and achieving a baseline study related to artificial and natural radioactivity levels. For this purpose, samples such as seaweeds, mosses, lichens, soil seawater, ice, marine sediment and underground water were collected from the area surrounding the station starting from Punta Crepin to Playa Inca and Playa Naylamp; then they were pre-conditioned in Machu Picchu Station and were sent to the Environmental Radioactivity laboratory of 'Racso' Peruvian Nuclear Center to conduct beta and gamma spectrometry. The Obtained results showed the presence of Cs-137 in geological components (soil and sediment) and in biological components (lichens and mosses). Nevertheless, those levels seem to be in a range of normal fluctuations after atmospheric nuclear testing and they are not considered to be dangerous to the ecosystem of the Antarctic Region. On the other hand, high concentration of Be-7 has been detected in seaweed and lichens. Other natural radionuclide detected were Ra-226, Bi-214 and K-40.}
place = {Peru}
year = {1998}
month = {Jul}
}