Activity concentration of uranium, thorium and potassium in the urine of roe deer (C. Capreolus) in Vojvodina (Northern Province of Serbia)

Abstract

The naturally occurring radionuclides are the major source of radiation to which humans are exposed to. A total of 21 samples of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) from different locations in Vojvodina were tested. The samples were prepared for measuring by microwave digestion. The content of potassium in the samples was determined using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) The total content of uranium and thorium were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The concentration of the activity of the tested radionuclides was calculated based on their specific activities. It can also be concluded that potassium-40 is the predominant natural radionuclide in urine as compared to other radionuclides and it moved in the range of 128-381 Bq/L. The results of urine analysis showed wide ranges in radionuclide activity concentrations: 18.4-231.9 mBq/L for 238U, 0.94-11.90 mBq/L for 235U and 1.03-89.02 mBq/L for 232Th.