Technological exchanged natural radioactivity in vicinity of the Coal Burning Power Plant Kakanj, BiH

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University Sarajevo, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract

CBPP Kakanj is one of the most important Coal Burning Power Plants in Bosnia and Herzegovina (producing power of 450 MW, waste storage site of 5 000 000 tons). Mapping of the measured gamma-dose rate has been performed with the goal of identifying the hot spots in the area of 3×3 km surrounding CBPP Kakanj, with special emphasis on the waste storage site (1×1 km). Maximum measured of the gamma-dose rate surrounding CBPP Kakanj was 140 nGy h^-1 and in the area of waste storage site 210 nGy h^-1. Average levels of natural radionuclide in agricultural soil samples in vicinity of CBPP Kakanj are: for ²³⁸U is 41 ± 4 Bq kg^-1, ²³²Th is 32 ± 1 Bq kg^-1, ²²⁶Ra is 27 ± 2 Bq kg^-1 and ⁴⁰K is 486 ± 9 Bq kg^-1. Obtained results in soil-plant-animal products chain does not show significantly increased levels of natural radionuclides due to the fact that mentioned radionuclides, in general, have a low transfer factors in soil-plant-animal products chain.