Natural radionuclides in an eucalyptus forest located in the south of Spain

Eucalyptus forests can be considered as the main source of raw material for the pulp industry of Spain. This environment was selected for a radioactiv ity study because natural and artificial radionuclides can be transferred i nto the pulp mills, associated with raw material, wood and barks, where the y are concentrated by industrial processes, becoming a cause of doses. Radi onuclide concentration of natural radionuclides (U-238, U-234, Th-228, Th-2 30, Th-232) were determined by alpha- and gamma-spectrometry. Well-establis hed radiochemical procedures were applied to environmental samples in order to isolate these radionuclides. A comparison between Th-228 activity, dete rmined by gamma-spectrometry, and Th-232 activity, determined by alpha-spec trometry, was used as quality control parameter for analyses. The concentra tion factors were finally evaluated from experimental data. (C) 2001 Elsevi er Science Ltd. All rights reserved.