Natural radioactivity of some red Mediterranean soils

Auteur(s) et Affiliation(s)



Description :
Seventeen samples of B-horizon of Pleistocene Terra Rossa soils from carbonate rock were collected in different countries of the Mediterranean regions (Spain, Italy and Southern Turkey). The concentration of naturally occuring radionuclides (238U, 232Th, Knar) was measured in all samples using gamma-ray spectrometry at the Gran Sasso National Laboratory. The results indicated that soils characterized by absence or scarcity of 2:1 clay minerals are poor in uranium whereas soils with illite-smectite as the dominant minerals in clay fraction are noticeably richer. Then it is suggested that uranium occurring in traces in the calcite lattice of carbonate rocks, after it is released by weathering, migrates in solution and can be adsorbed by the soil exchange complex, mainly by clay minerals of Terra Rossa soils.


Type de document :
Article de périodique

Source :
Catena (Giessen), issn : 0341-8162, 2008, vol. 76, n°. 1, p. 22-26, nombre de pages : 5, Références bibliographiques : 38 ref.

Date :
2008

Editeur :
Pays édition : Allemagne, Cremlingen-Destedt, Catena