Radiological Investigation at Yatagan Coal Fired Power Plant, Turkey

Coal has a significant role in energy production worldwide. It contains radionuclides of natural origin such as ²³⁸U, ²²⁶Ra, ²¹⁰Pb, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K and trace elements such as Cd, Cr, Pb, Ni and Zn. These radionuclides and trace elements become enriched in ash fractions during the combustion process in coal fired thermal power plants. Therefore, these plants can be major sources of increased natural radioactivity in the environment. In this study, coal and its combustion residues (flyash and bottom ash) generated in the Yatagan coal fired thermal power plant in Mugla, Turkey were analysed by gamma-ray spectrometry to determine the activity concentrations of radionuclides of natural origin. Samples of flyash, a material widely used as a cement additive for construction purposes, were collected at different stages along the emission control system of the thermal power plant. Calculation of the 'activity index' for each sample gave an indication of the risk due to external gamma exposure that would result from the use of the material as a component of construction materials. (author)