Concentrations of 232Th, 226Ra, 137Cs and 40K in soils, and radioactivity in areas of coal-fired power plants

The effect of airborne emissions of radionuclides from coal-fired power plants on the environment was studied by measuring the concentrations of the radionuclides 232Th, 226Ra, 137Cs and 40K in soil samples from the local environment (0-15 km). No significant increase in concentrations was found in the area downwind of the plant as compared to the other sectors. Although these radionuclides were detected in the fly ash of the power plant, their amounts were apparently low compared with those naturally present in the soil. Cesium-137 in the soil from nuclear weapon testing does not exhibit a uniform spatial distribution, even though its deposition is fairly homogeneous with regard to the relatively small area of the site examined. The exposure rates found in the study areas in the two series of measurements were remarkably similar and were within the limits determined for Czechoslovakia as a whole. No increased radioactivity was detected in the areas of brown coal-burning power stations. 23 refs.; 7 tabs