ASSESSMENT OF DEPLETED URANIUM IN SOIL: A CONTRIBUTION TO METHODOLOGY
Absorbed dose rate and natural radionuclide activity concentration measurements were performed to determine the elevation in natural radionuclides, primarily uranium, caused by use of the ammunition with depleted uranium during NATO strikes at targets in the municipality Hadzici in 1995. Assessment of the DU presence was based on the quantification of uranium/radium disequilibrium and statistical analysis of the obtained results compared with results from previous studies. Elevated levels of U with highU /Ra disequilibrium which were recorded at several points as well as the irregular distribution of activity concentrations of U and Ra along the two observed soil profiles implied the possible presence of DU. The obtained results pointed out on the possible use of described method for assessment of depleted uranium presence in soil at points at which the ammunition with DU had been used. The described method could be used together with methods for quantitativequalitative determination of DU.