Radioactivity in soil and coal samples collected from the vicinity of the coal-fired thermal power plant and evaluation of the associated hazard parameters

ABSTRACT

This research assesses radioactivity in soil and coal samples around the Barapukuria coal-fired thermal power plant using a high-purity germanium detector. The range of activity of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K in the studied soil samples were 14–75, 16–112, and 132–460 Bqkg⁻¹, respectively and the respective activity in coal samples ranged from 14–30, 16–39 and 72–182 Bqkg⁻¹. The majority of the hazard indices (absorbed dose rate, gamma index, effective dose and excess lifetime cancer risk) were higher than the world average, which shows that long-term exposure to terrestrial ionising radiation is not safe for coal miners and the local community. The presence of minerals like monazite and zircon, granitic type parent rock, bottom ash discharged adjacent on lowlands, fly ash deposition, different geochemical and physicochemical properties, dominant wind directions, the artificial contamination, meteorological conditions, leaching caused by rainwater- may have a crucial influence on NORM distributions. The quantitative results of this study have important implications for planning a larger and more modern coal-fired power plant, and this study’s findings inspire municipal officials to restrict and monitor the release of fly ash nearby coal-fired power plants. In addition, it is essential to monitor the health of individuals (workers and locals) near the power plant.

KEYWORDS:

• Coal-fired power plant
• natural radioactivity
• soil
• HPGe
• hazard parameters

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Author contributions

All authors contributed to the study’s conception and design. [Md. I.A. Chowdhury] collected the samples that were studied in the research. [Nazneen Sultana and M. F. Kabir] performed sample measurement. [M.M. Mahfuz Siraz] performed data analysis. [Dr. Bazlar Rashid] was responsible for the geological analysis of the study area. [M.M. Mahfuz Siraz], [Jubair Al Mahmud] and [M.S. Alam] prepared the first draft of the manuscript. The research was carried out under the keen supervision of [Md. Jafor Dewan] and [S. Yeasmin]. [Dr. Mayeen Uddin Khandaker] scrutinised the first draft and provided necessary corrections. The final manuscript was prepared by [Jubair Al Mahmud] and [M.M. Mahfuz Siraz]. The final manuscript has been read and approved by all authors.

Consent to participate

No humans or experimental animals were subjects in this research.

Consent to publish

All authors have consented to publish the results of the research.

Data availability statement

All data and materials from which the study results have been derived are available and can be provided upon request.

Ethical approval

We declare that the manuscript complies with all the ethical standards that need to be met and follows all the rules of good scientific practice.

Additional information

Funding

The authors declare that no funds, grants, or other support were received during the preparation of this manuscript.