Radiometric Characterization of Pandeiros River Basin (Minas Gerais - Brazil)
This study aimed to establish reference values (RVs) for the total gamma radiation count rate in the Pandeiros River Basin (PRB), Minas Gerais, Brazil, to evaluate the potential of natural radionuclides as tracers for sediment transport. Five stations (S-1–S-5) were designated along the basin, from...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Brazilian Radiation Protection Society (Sociedade Brasileira de Proteção Radiológica, SBPR)
2025-04-01
|
| Series: | Brazilian Journal of Radiation Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://bjrs.org.br/revista/index.php/REVISTA/article/view/2749 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| Summary: | This study aimed to establish reference values (RVs) for the total gamma radiation count rate in the Pandeiros River Basin (PRB), Minas Gerais, Brazil, to evaluate the potential of natural radionuclides as tracers for sediment transport. Five stations (S-1–S-5) were designated along the basin, from upstream to downstream, for in situ radiometric measurements. The complexity of PRB sediment dynamics is attributed to land use practices, erosion, and the inactive Pandeiros Small Hydroelectric Power Plant (SHP). Fieldwork campaigns were performed to capture seasonal variability and collect georeferenced data via on-foot surveys and navigation (using a portable spectrometer). Data processing included Geographic Information Systems (GIS), R programming language, and MS Excel. A comparative analysis with previous studies showed low radiation levels in the PRB, with lower and upper thresholds of 31 and 122 counts per second (cps), respectively, and an average of 61 cps. Natural radiation within the basin poses no risks to local communities, with lower and upper thresholds of 0.13 mSv/year and 0.37 mSv/year, respectively, significantly below regulatory limits (1 mSv/year) defined by the National Nuclear Energy Commission (Comissão Nacional de Energia Nuclear - CNEN) and the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). No substantial evidence of sediment transport was identified through radiometric measurements during the analyzed time intervals. The definition of the RVs for these variables can play an essential role as baselines in future investigations.
|
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 2319-0612 |