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...

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Main Authors: Lucas Daniel Cunha de Paula, Rubens Martins Moreira, Cláudio José Chagas, Carlos Alberto de Carvalho Filho, Eduardo Duarte Marques, Fernando Machado de Mello
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Brazilian Radiation Protection Society (Sociedade Brasileira de Proteção Radiológica, SBPR) 2025-04-01
Series:Brazilian Journal of Radiation Sciences
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Online Access:https://bjrs.org.br/revista/index.php/REVISTA/article/view/2749
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author Lucas Daniel Cunha de Paula
Rubens Martins Moreira
Cláudio José Chagas
Carlos Alberto de Carvalho Filho
Eduardo Duarte Marques
Fernando Machado de Mello
author_facet Lucas Daniel Cunha de Paula
Rubens Martins Moreira
Cláudio José Chagas
Carlos Alberto de Carvalho Filho
Eduardo Duarte Marques
Fernando Machado de Mello
author_sort Lucas Daniel Cunha de Paula
collection DOAJ
description 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.
format Article
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institution DOAJ
issn 2319-0612
language English
publishDate 2025-04-01
publisher Brazilian Radiation Protection Society (Sociedade Brasileira de Proteção Radiológica, SBPR)
record_format Article
series Brazilian Journal of Radiation Sciences
spelling doaj-art-e55b38bc937b4010afe1c424684f99fe2025-08-20T03:12:31ZengBrazilian Radiation Protection Society (Sociedade Brasileira de Proteção Radiológica, SBPR)Brazilian Journal of Radiation Sciences2319-06122025-04-01124A (Suppl.)10.15392/2319-0612.2024.27492374Radiometric Characterization of Pandeiros River Basin (Minas Gerais - Brazil)Lucas Daniel Cunha de Paula0Rubens Martins Moreira1Cláudio José Chagas2Carlos Alberto de Carvalho Filho3Eduardo Duarte Marques4Fernando Machado de Mello5Centro de Desenvolvimento da Tecnologia NuclearCentro de Desenvolvimento da Tecnologia NuclearCentro de Desenvolvimento da Tecnologia NuclearCentro de Desenvolvimento da Tecnologia NuclearServiço Geológico do BrasilUniversidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro 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. https://bjrs.org.br/revista/index.php/REVISTA/article/view/2749Natural radionuclidesRadiometric Mappingsediment transportbaseline
spellingShingle Lucas Daniel Cunha de Paula
Rubens Martins Moreira
Cláudio José Chagas
Carlos Alberto de Carvalho Filho
Eduardo Duarte Marques
Fernando Machado de Mello
Radiometric Characterization of Pandeiros River Basin (Minas Gerais - Brazil)
Brazilian Journal of Radiation Sciences
Natural radionuclides
Radiometric Mapping
sediment transport
baseline
title Radiometric Characterization of Pandeiros River Basin (Minas Gerais - Brazil)
title_full Radiometric Characterization of Pandeiros River Basin (Minas Gerais - Brazil)
title_fullStr Radiometric Characterization of Pandeiros River Basin (Minas Gerais - Brazil)
title_full_unstemmed Radiometric Characterization of Pandeiros River Basin (Minas Gerais - Brazil)
title_short Radiometric Characterization of Pandeiros River Basin (Minas Gerais - Brazil)
title_sort radiometric characterization of pandeiros river basin minas gerais brazil
topic Natural radionuclides
Radiometric Mapping
sediment transport
baseline
url https://bjrs.org.br/revista/index.php/REVISTA/article/view/2749
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