Measurements of surface air 7Be concentrations in Saudi Arabia. (November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Alkhomashi, N.; Al-Hamarneh, Ibrahim F.; Alkhorayef, Mohammed; Sulieman, Abdelmoneim; Almsulm, Rashed; Alyousif, Ahmed; Alsalamah, Abdullah S.; Alssalim, Yousif A.; Alotibi, Walied
• Is Part Of: Applied radiation and isotopes. Volume 165(2020:Nov.)
• Publication Date: 2020-11
• Subjects: 7Be -- Surface air -- Specific activity concentrations -- Saudi Arabia; Radiology -- Periodicals; Radiation -- Industrial applications -- Periodicals; Nuclear chemistry -- Periodicals; Internet resource; Periodical; 660.298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2020.109305
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0969-8043

Abstract

Abstract: The main objective of this study is to identify the atmospheric 7 Be concentrations in 130 surface air samples collected from three stations located in Riyadh, Haql and Khafji cities in Saudi Arabia between November 2012 and April 2014. Monthly variations as well as seasonal patterns of 7 Be were studied using a medium-volume air sampler and a gamma spectroscopy system equipped with a high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector. 7 Be exhibited one maximum specific activity in summer and one minimum in winter with average monthly concentrations of 12.4 ± 0.9, 15.4 ± 1.2, and 18.0 ± 1.3 mBq m −3 in Riyadh, Haql and Khafji, respectively. Overall, the average 7 Be concentration in the three stations was 12.9 ± 1.0 mBq m −3, whereas the maximum value of 29.5 mBq m −3 was registered in Khafji city in August 2013. Besides 7 Be, measurements indicate observations of 4 0 K, 137 Cs, 226 Ra radionuclides in surface air samples collected from the three stations. 4 0 K showed measurable concentrations, whereas the concentrations of 137 Cs and 226 Ra were only detected in a limited number of samples. Highlights: 7 Be were studied using a medium-volume air sampler and a gamma spectroscopy system. The measurements were performed in three locations in Saudi Arabia. 4 K showed measurable concentrations, whereas the concentrations of 137 Cs and 226 Ra were below the detection limit. 7 Be and 4 K radionuclides were affected by local atmospheric conditions.