Radiological hazards and environmental impact of natural radioactivity and heavy metals in by-product and topsoil around a Malaysian coal-fired thermal power plant

IF 2.6 3区工程技术 Q1 NUCLEAR SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Nuclear Engineering and Technology Pub Date : 2025-06-30 DOI:10.1016/j.net.2025.103770

Eli Syafiqah Aziman , Mohd-Syukri Yahya , Shamsul Amri Sulaiman , Muhammad Asyraf Redzuan , Kamalia Rasyidah Sufyan , Rogemah Ramli , Mohd Idzat Idris , Aznan Fazli Ismail , Alif Imran Mohd Shuhaimi , Rully Hidayatullah

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Abstract

This study assessed radiological and heavy metal (HM) contamination in coal, bottom ash (BA), fly ash (FA), and topsoil within a 5 km radius of a coal-fired power plant (CFPP) in Malaysia. The ²²⁶Ra(²³⁸U), ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K levels in coal, BA, and FA were within regulatory limits, though the FA sample's average ⁴⁰K concentration (632.4 Bq/kg) exceeded typical Malaysian soil levels. Some topsoil samples outside the plant showed ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K levels higher than usual but remained compliant. Most HM levels in coal were below Dutch/Malaysian standards, except for Cd. BA samples had Cr and Cd above target levels by factors of 1 and 4. FA showed As, Cu, Zn, and Cd concentrations 2–10 times higher than targets. Topsoil exhibited As levels 1–4 times over target values, with Cr, Cu, and Zn also exceeding standards. ANOVA results showed no ²²⁶Ra(²³⁸U), ²³²Th, ⁴⁰K, or HM accumulation in topsoil due to FA or BA from the CFPP. Elevated radionuclide and HM levels in topsoil beyond the plant were likely linked to other industries. Annual effective dose (AEDE) was slightly over 1 mSv/y. Pollution indices indicated significant contamination in FA and some topsoil, with As as a major contributor.

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马来西亚燃煤火力发电厂周围副产品和表土中天然放射性和重金属的辐射危害和环境影响

本研究评估了马来西亚一家燃煤电厂（CFPP）半径5公里范围内的煤、底灰（BA）、飞灰（FA）和表土中的放射性和重金属（HM）污染。煤、BA和FA中的226Ra（238U）、232Th和40K含量在规定范围内，尽管FA样品的平均40K浓度（632.4 Bq/kg）超过了典型的马来西亚土壤水平。核电站外的一些表层土壤样本显示，232Th和40K水平高于正常水平，但仍符合要求。除Cd外，大部分煤中的HM含量低于荷兰/马来西亚的标准。BA样品中的Cr和Cd含量分别高于目标水平1和4倍。FA显示As、Cu、Zn、Cd浓度比靶值高2 ~ 10倍。表层土壤As超标1 ~ 4倍，Cr、Cu、Zn超标。方差分析结果显示，由于CFPP的FA或BA，表层土壤中没有226Ra（238U）、232Th、40K或HM的积累。核电站外表层土壤中放射性核素和HM水平升高可能与其他工业有关。年有效剂量（AEDE）略高于1毫西弗/年。污染指数表明，FA和部分表土受到了严重污染，其中As是主要污染源。

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来源期刊

Nuclear Engineering and Technology 工程技术-核科学技术

CiteScore

4.80

自引率

7.40%

发文量

431

审稿时长

3.5 months

期刊介绍： Nuclear Engineering and Technology (NET), an international journal of the Korean Nuclear Society (KNS), publishes peer-reviewed papers on original research, ideas and developments in all areas of the field of nuclear science and technology. NET bimonthly publishes original articles, reviews, and technical notes. The journal is listed in the Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE) of Thomson Reuters. NET covers all fields for peaceful utilization of nuclear energy and radiation as follows: 1) Reactor Physics 2) Thermal Hydraulics 3) Nuclear Safety 4) Nuclear I&C 5) Nuclear Physics, Fusion, and Laser Technology 6) Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Radioactive Waste Management 7) Nuclear Fuel and Reactor Materials 8) Radiation Application 9) Radiation Protection 10) Nuclear Structural Analysis and Plant Management & Maintenance 11) Nuclear Policy, Economics, and Human Resource Development