Atmospheric 210Pb activity concentrations in Stepnogorsk city, North Kazakhstan uranium province area
Bagramova A. Sakaguchi A. Sakata K. Takahashi J. Kajimoto T. Endo S. Toekin M. Zhumalina A. Ibraeva D. Stepanenko V. Hoshi M. Zhumadilov K.
1 May 2026Elsevier Ltd
Atmospheric Environment
2026#372
Lead-210 (210Pb), a decay product of 222Rn in the 238U decay series, is associated with aerosol particles in the atmosphere and is therefore widely used as a tracer of atmospheric processes and aerosol dynamics. This study focused on airborne 210Pb levels to evaluate the radiological influence of nearby uranium processing and waste storage facilities in North Kazakhstan uranium province. Collection of aerosol particles was conducted in Stepnogorsk city during 2020–2022 with the exception of the winter months. Activity of 210Pb and major ion concentrations in seven size-fractionated aerosol particles were determined by high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector and ion chromatography, respectively. The observed 210Pb activity concentrations in aerosol samples varied between 0.46 ± 0.01 mBq/m3 and 2.60 ± 0.03 mBq/m3, with an arithmetic mean of 0.86 mBq/m3. The radiation dosimetry of daily inhalation of 210Pb through exposure to outdoor air was estimated to be from 0.9 to 2.5 μSv/y. Although this level is low compared to global mean exposures, the long term presence of inhaled 210Pb in the body constitutes a persistent radiation risk. The negative correlation (r = −0.60) was observed between total activity and average temperature indicating an increase in concentration with decreasing temperature. The dominant fraction of atmospheric 210Pb predominantly was found in fine aerosol particles smaller than 2.1 μm, and accounted for 95.3 ± 12.0% of the total. The linear correlation of 210Pb with sulfate, nitrate, and chloride suggests that human activities, including coal combustion, are possible contributors to atmospheric 210Pb in this study area. This highlights the importance of considering local anthropogenic emissions when interpreting the atmospheric 210Pb levels.
210Pb , Anthropogenic emissions , Size-fractionated aerosol sample , Uranium mining area
Text of the article Перейти на текст статьи
Department of Nuclear physics, New materials and Technologies, Eurasian National University, 13 Munaitpasov Str., Astana, 010008, Kazakhstan
Institute of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8577, Japan
Center for Research in Radiation, Isotopes, and Earth System Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8572, Japan
of Engineering, Tokyo Denki University, 5 Senjyu-Asahi-Cho, Adachi-ku, Tokyo, 120-8551, Japan
of Advanced Science and Engineering, Hiroshima University, 1-4-1 Kagamiyama, Hiroshima, Higashi-Hiroshima City, 739-8527, Japan
Scientific Research Institute of Radiobiology and Radiation Protection, Astana Medical University, 49A Beibytshilik Str., Astana, 010000, Kazakhstan
A.F. Tsyb Medical Radiological Research Center - branch of the National Medical Research Radiological Centre of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Koroleva Str., 4., Kaluga Region, Obninsk, 2490036, Russian Federation
The Center for Peace, Hiroshima University, 1-1-89 Higashisenda-Machi, Naka-Ku, Hiroshima, 730-0053, Japan
Department of Nuclear physics
Institute of Pure and Applied Sciences
Center for Research in Radiation
of Engineering
of Advanced Science and Engineering
Scientific Research Institute of Radiobiology and Radiation Protection
A.F. Tsyb Medical Radiological Research Center - branch of the National Medical Research Radiological Centre of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation
The Center for Peace
10 лет помогаем публиковать статьи Международный издатель
Книга Публикация научной статьи Волощук 2026 Book Publication of a scientific article 2026