Comparative assessment of natural radioactivity in fallout samples from Patras, and Megalopolis, Greece

Bulk deposition samples were collected simultaneously from two Greek cities. Patras and Megalopolis, with. different emission sources of natural radioactivity, on a monthly basis. during a whole year. Gross beta-activity and U-238- and Th-232-activities were determined in a total. of 95 samples of deposited dust. The results were statistically analyzed in order to determine the natural radioactivity levels and their variations in the above cities. No significant difference was found in deposited dust amount between the two cities, while the values of gross beta- U-238- 212 and Th-232-activities were about 3, 71 and 4 times higher in Megalopolis than in Patras. respectively. This was attributed to the operation of lignite power plants A and B in the vicinity of the city of Megalopolis, while natural radioactivity concentrations in Patras' fallout samples were of natural sources. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.