Application of nuclear analysis technique to identify heavy metals and radioactivity of total suspended particulate around Rembang steam power plant

Abstract

The main objective of this research is to assess the air quality around Rembang Steam Power Plant, through the mass concentration of Total Suspended Particulate (TSP), identification of heavy metals and radionuclides using nuclear analysis technique. Identification of heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Cr, Cd, Sb and As) was determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) method using thermal neutrons from the Kartini nuclear research reactor, while for radionuclide identification (Ra-226, Ra-228, Th- 232 and K-40) was determined using gamma spectrometry. The characteristics of TSP mass concentrations at six locations ranged from 41.9 - 61.6 µg/m³, these values have met the requirement of WHO air quality. For radionuclide activity, the lowest value was 3.35 µBq/m³ of Th-232 and the highest value was 62.17 µBq/m³ of K-40. According to Nuclear Energy Regulatory Agency of Indonesia, the recommendation value for Th-232 radioactivity is below 2300 µBq/m³. Analysis of heavy metal using NAA method showed that heavy metal concentration ranged from 0.14 µBq/m³ for Arsenic (As) until 7.83 µBq/m3 for Zinc (Zn). This result indicates that heavy metal concentration is below average threshold standard of heavy metals in air set by WHO. This research indicates that air quality around Rembang Steam Power Plant with a distance of about 1 until 2.3 km from flue gas stuck are still under control.