JOURNAL ARTICLE

Natural radionuclides baseline in soil at unconventional oil fields in Mexico.

  • Published In: Radiation Protection Dosimetry, 2025, v. 201, n. 4. P. 247 1 of 3

  • Database: Applied Science & Technology Source Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Hernandez-Mendez, Beatriz; Carranza, Arturo Angeles; Suarez-Contreras, Sergio; Ponce, Esperanza Quintero; Robles, Mario Barcenas; Meza, Juan Carlos Sanchez; Segura, Edith Erielia Gutierrez; Balcazar, Miguel 3 of 3

Abstract

The article focuses on establishing baseline activity concentrations of naturally occurring radionuclides from the uranium-238 (^238U) and thorium-232 (^232Th) decay series in soils at three unconventional hydrocarbon well (UHCW) test sites in the Misantla province of Mexico. Measurements of radionuclides such as ^238U, ^226Ra, and ^228Ra showed activity concentrations comparable to global averages reported by UNSCEAR, indicating undisturbed soil conditions with no prior industrial contamination. This baseline is intended to support future environmental assessments of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) enrichment potentially caused by hydraulic fracturing (fracking) or other extractive industries. The study employed gamma spectroscopy on systematically collected soil samples and spatial analysis to map radionuclide distributions, providing a reference for detecting abnormal radioactivity levels if unconventional hydrocarbon extraction expands in the region.

Additional Information

  • Source:Radiation Protection Dosimetry. 2025/03, Vol. 201, Issue 4, p247
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Geology
  • Publication Date:2025
  • ISSN:01448420
  • DOI:10.1093/rpd/ncaf004
  • Accession Number:184350771
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