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Characteristics of Natural Background Radiation in the Lubin Mine, Poland

Author

Listed:
  • Agata Walencik-Łata

    (August Chełkowski Institute of Physics, University of Silesia in Katowice, 75 Pułku Piechoty 1, 41-500 Chorzów, Poland)

  • Katarzyna Szkliniarz

    (August Chełkowski Institute of Physics, University of Silesia in Katowice, 75 Pułku Piechoty 1, 41-500 Chorzów, Poland)

  • Jan Kisiel

    (August Chełkowski Institute of Physics, University of Silesia in Katowice, 75 Pułku Piechoty 1, 41-500 Chorzów, Poland)

  • Kinga Polaczek-Grelik

    (NU-Med Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Centre Katowice, Ceglana 35, 40-514 Katowice, Poland)

  • Karol Jędrzejczak

    (National Centre for Nuclear Research, 28 Pułku Strzelców Kaniowskich 69, 90-558 Łódź, Poland)

  • Marcin Kasztelan

    (National Centre for Nuclear Research, 28 Pułku Strzelców Kaniowskich 69, 90-558 Łódź, Poland)

  • Jacek Szabelski

    (National Centre for Nuclear Research, 28 Pułku Strzelców Kaniowskich 69, 90-558 Łódź, Poland)

  • Jerzy Orzechowski

    (National Centre for Nuclear Research, 28 Pułku Strzelców Kaniowskich 69, 90-558 Łódź, Poland)

  • Przemysław Tokarski

    (National Centre for Nuclear Research, 28 Pułku Strzelców Kaniowskich 69, 90-558 Łódź, Poland)

  • Włodzimierz Marszał

    (National Centre for Nuclear Research, 28 Pułku Strzelców Kaniowskich 69, 90-558 Łódź, Poland)

  • Marika Przybylak

    (National Centre for Nuclear Research, 28 Pułku Strzelców Kaniowskich 69, 90-558 Łódź, Poland)

  • Lech Stolecki

    (KGHM CUPRUM Research & Development Centre, Sikorskiego 2-8, 53-659 Wrocław, Poland)

  • Tomasz Selerowicz

    (KGHM CUPRUM Research & Development Centre, Sikorskiego 2-8, 53-659 Wrocław, Poland)

  • Krzysztof Fuławka

    (KGHM CUPRUM Research & Development Centre, Sikorskiego 2-8, 53-659 Wrocław, Poland)

Abstract

There has been growing interest in using underground locations for applications in various fields, including research. In Poland, for several years, attempts have been made to build an underground laboratory. For this purpose, selecting an appropriate location requires a detailed analysis of the level of natural radioactivity. The present study presents detailed characteristics of the natural background radiation in close vicinity to shaft L-VI of the Lubin mine, at the depth of 910 m (2275 m w.e.). The in situ measurement of the photon flux in the 7–3150 keV energy range was equal to 8.08 ± 0.90 cm −2 s −1 , and the gamma-ray dose rate of 0.070 ± 0.010 µSv/h with the highest contribution from 40 K and 214 B isotopes. The thermal neutron flux measured using helium counters was equal to 4.2 ± 0.9 × 10 −6 cm −2 s −1 . The radon concentration in the air measured with the RAD7 monitor showed low values ranging from 0 to 15.3 Bq/m 3 . Laboratory measurements of rocks using alpha and gamma spectrometry techniques showed a significant variation in the concentration of 226 Ra and 234,238 U isotopes, and the highest concentration values were recorded for shales. The 40 K, 234,238 U and 226 Ra isotopes make the greatest contribution to the natural radioactivity of analyzed rocks.

Suggested Citation

  • Agata Walencik-Łata & Katarzyna Szkliniarz & Jan Kisiel & Kinga Polaczek-Grelik & Karol Jędrzejczak & Marcin Kasztelan & Jacek Szabelski & Jerzy Orzechowski & Przemysław Tokarski & Włodzimierz Marszał, 2022. "Characteristics of Natural Background Radiation in the Lubin Mine, Poland," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-19, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:22:p:8478-:d:971476
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Katarzyna Szkliniarz & Agata Walencik-Łata & Jan Kisiel & Kinga Polaczek-Grelik & Karol Jędrzejczak & Marcin Kasztelan & Jacek Szabelski & Jerzy Orzechowski & Przemysław Tokarski & Włodzimierz Marszał, 2021. "Characteristics of Natural Background Radiation in the Polkowice-Sieroszowice Mine, Poland," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-13, July.
    2. Agata Walencik-Łata & Katarzyna Szkliniarz & Jan Kisiel & Kinga Polaczek-Grelik & Karol Jędrzejczak & Marcin Kasztelan & Jacek Szabelski & Jerzy Orzechowski & Przemysław Tokarski & Włodzimierz Marszał, 2022. "Characteristics of Natural Background Radiation in the GIG Experimental Mine ‘Barbara’, Poland," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-12, January.
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