Synopses & Reviews
The basic goal of this book is to examine the complex state of radioactivity in the environment, including its sources and applications. In principle, there are two sources of environmental radioactivity, namely man-made and natural. The authors of this book set out to analyze mainly empirical aspects of the activities of both groups. On one hand, a detailed analysis of the sources releasing radionuclides into the environment by human activities should, while describing environmental pollution and its dangers, contribute to its decrease in the future. On the other hand, the analyses of natural radionuclides, as well as their influences and use in different fields, serve to complete an evaluation of the present state of environmental radioactivity. All auxiliary parts (e.g., principles of radionuclide analyses) are included to the extent necessary for understanding the basic themes. The many recent examples contained in the book will be useful in studying various problems of radioactivity in the present environment, and can help, not only in preparing, carrying out and evaluating outdoor and laboratory experiments, but also in protection of the environment and human health through analyses of possible sources of radioactive pollution. Audience: This book can be used by research workers, university professors and students in scientific and technological disciplines (e.g., nuclear physics and engineering, radioanalytical and nuclear chemistry, geology, hydrology, and archaeology), and by those involved in environmental protection and control in the nuclear industry (including nuclear weapons and nuclear safety).
Synopsis
Radioactivity can be detected at different levels in almost all objects all over the world, including the human body. This omnipresence of naturally occurring radioactivity is of immediate and crucial concern to people who work in the nuclear industry, to state and local authorities responsible for environmental protection and control of nuclear weapons, and to researchers as physics (e. g., interaction in scientific and technological disciplines, such of radiation with matter), chemistry (e. g., management of radioactive wastes), biology Ce. g., radiation bioeffects and risks), ecology (e. g., remediation of environmental pollution), electronics (e. g., measurement instruments), etc. Unlike other environmental pollutants, such as heavy metals and pesticides, some other scientific disciplines, for example, archaeology, hydrology and geology, profit by the environmental radionuclides, using methods based on their application in radiochronology. The basic goal of this book is to exarnine the complex state of radioactivity in the environment, including its sources and applications. In principle, there are two sources of environmental radioactivity, namely man made and natural. The authors of this book set out to analyze mainly empirie al aspects of the activities of both groups. On one hand, a detailed analysis of the sources releasing radionuclides into the environment by human activities should, while describing environmental pollution and its dangers, contribute to its decrease in the future."
Synopsis
The goal of this book is to examine the complex state of radioactivity in the environment, and to understand the interplay of its two principal sources: man-made and natural. The text examines human contributions to release of radionuclides, with an eye to future reductions, and assesses natural occurrences in an evaluation of baseline radioactivity.
Table of Contents
1: Basic terms of radioactivity;
R. Tykva. 1. Development of our knowledge.
2. Nuclides.
3. Characterization of radionuclides.
4. Activity expressions.
5. Doses.
2: Radionuclides in the environment; D. Berg. 1. Naturally occurring radionuclides in the environment. 2. Artificially produced radionuclides. 3. Behaviour of radioactive substances in the environment.
3: Radionuclides released into the environment; D. Berg. 1. Contamination of the environment by naturally occurring radionuclides. 2. Contamination by artificially produced radionuclides.
4: Application of environmental radionuclides in radiochronology; J. Kosler, J. Silar, E. Jelínek. 1. General concept of the radiochronology; J. Silar. 2. Radiocarbon; J. Silar. 3. Tritium; J. Silar. 4. Radiocarbon and tritium dating in science and technology; J. Silar. 5. Other radionuclides dating methods; J. Silar. 6. K - Ar and Ar - Ar dating methods; E. Jelínek. 7. Rb - Sr dating method; E. Jelínek. 8. Sm - Nd method; J. Kosler. 9. U - Th - Pb dating; J. Kosler. 10. Re - Os dating method; E. Jelínek, J. Kosler. 11. Lu - Hf dating method; E. Jelínek.
5: Radionuclide analyses; R. Tykva, J. Kosler. 1. Activity measurements; R. Tykva. 2. Analytical techniques in radiogenic dating; J. Košler.
References. Abbreviations. Index.