Gamma – Emitters Survey in Soils of the Province of Buenos Aires

M. L. MONTES; R. C. MERCADER; M. A. TAYLOR; J. RUNCO; P. A. IMBELLONE; P. C. RIVAS; J. DESIMONI

Mérida

Congreso; 4Th International Congress On Energy and Environment Engineerinf and Management; 2011

Extremadura University / Instituto Poliécnico de Portalegre

Because of the lack of systematic information about the natural and anthropogenic activity baselines, of controversies concerning the radionuclide transport in soil, and the reactivation of the nuclear program in Argentina, we have started a long term project to contribute to the gamma-emitter activity nuclide determination in soils of the Province of Buenos Aires. We present here activity depth profiles down to 50 cm from the surface of the natural (226Ra, 40K and 232Th chain), and 137Cs present in unperturbed soils of the neighborhood of La Plata city. To assess the relevant parameters of the nuclide distribution, Mössbauer Effect studies, pH, texture and organic carbon content measurements have been added.