Distribution of ambiant equivalent dose of gamma radiation in the cities of the Caucasian Mineral Waters Stavropol Region Russian Federation

Nuclear weapons testing and accidents at nuclear power plants have contributed to significant contamination of territories with artificial radionuclides. Furthermore, the development of uranium-thorium deposits and the presence of natural radioactive anomalies make the largest contribution to the collective effective dose received by the Earth's population from natural sources of ionizing radiation. This paper presents the results of assessing the radiation situation in the cities of the Caucasian Mineral Waters (CMV) in the Stavropol Region. As part of the study, gamma background measurements were conducted in the following cities: Pyatigorsk, Kislovodsk, Zheleznovodsk, Yessentuki, and Lermontov. Gamma dosimetry (measurement of the ambient equivalent dose of gamma radiation) was carried out on central streets, in tourist/park areas of cities, and in areas with the most dense development using a pedestrian gamma camera at a height of 1 meter above the ground, using the DRBP-03 dosimeter-radiometer with the SBM-20 built-in detection unit and the DKS 96 dosimeter-radiometer with the BDKS 96s detection unit The average values of the ambient equivalent dose of gamma radiation (AED, μSv/h) in all cities are approximately 0.15 μSv/h, which is typical for settlements in the southern part of European Russia, including the Rostov NPP. In general, such studies of the radiation situation in resort settlements, especially in mountainous areas with uranium ore deposits and volcanism, should be continued to compile maps of the distribution of gamma radiation and identify possible natural and/or man-made radiation anomalies, as well as to reduce social tensions among the population related to radiophobia.

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