Browsing by Author "Alam, M.S."

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A pioneering study of the radiological mapping in the world's largest mangrove forest (the Sundarbans) and implications for the public and environment
(Scopus, 2024-04-30) Mahmud, Jubair Al; Siraz, M.M. Mahfuz; Alam, M.S.; Dewan, Md. Jafor; Rashid, Md. Bazlar; Khandaker, Mayeen Uddin; Osman, Hamid; Tamam, Nissren
Coastal Mangroves are facing growing threats due to the harmful consequences of human activities. This first-ever detailed study of natural radioactivity in soil samples collected from seven tourist destinations within the Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest, was conducted using HPGe gamma-ray spectrometry. Although the activity levels of 226Ra (11 ± 1–44 ± 4 Bq/kg) and 232Th (13 ± 1 68 ± 6 Bq/kg) generally align with global averages, the concentration of 40K (250 ± 20–630 ± 55 Bq/kg) was observed to surpass the worldwide average primarily due to factors like salinity intrusion, fertilizer application, agricultural runoff, which suggests the potential existence of potassium-rich mineral resources near the study sites. The assessment of the hazard parameters indicates that the majority of these parameters are within the recommended limits. The soil samples do not pose a significant radiological risk to the nearby population. The results of this study can establish important radiological baseline data before the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant begins operating in Bangladesh.
A Study on the Parasitism of Striga SPP. on Different Host Plants in Bangladesh
(University of Rajshahi, 2002) Biswas, Md. Abdur Rahaman; Alam, M.S.
A brief survey of Striga, an angiospermic root parasite of sugarcane in the northern part of Bangladesh was carried out during three successive cropping seasons. Due to heavy Striga infestation in the field, most of the host plants (sugarcane) died and the whole field showed a burned appearance. Incidence of Striga infestation of sugarcane fields was highest in sandy loam soil in high lands. Growers generally abandon sugarcane cultivation in newly infested fields for a certain period due to its long period of seed viability. Striga spp. started to appear above the ground from the end of April after early rain, during summer the parasite continued to grow up to October. Even in the early June population of Striga consists of plants with mature fruits, dispersing seeds, plants beginning to flower and plants still in juvenile stage of growth. During the months of June and July heavy occurrences were noticed. In the cane areas where Striga appeared comparatively earlier in the season were more affected. The population density of Striga per sq. metre was more or less equal in number in all the visited areas due to more or less similar land topography, soil texture and environmental conditions. Striga spp. covered an area of 1300 sq. km and is more prevalent between the region of Varamara to Joypurhat. Comparatively higher degree of variation was observed for maximum quantitative characters of vegetative, floral and reproductive parts of Striga spp. Such variations reveal genetic differences. Three species of Striga are present in Bangladesh such as S. densiflora, S. lutea and S. euphrasioides. Among them S. densiflora is more common and destructive. It is suspected that the place of first appearance of Striga was nearest to the oldest sugar mill of the country where the improved cane varieties were introduced as a seed cane from India and distributed among the growers. The seeds of Striga spp. are very minute and tiny. Striga seeds were introduced here along with the seed cane from India, multiplied day by day and disseminated the adjoining region of the oldest sugar mill .of the country. It was observed that three species of Striga parasitized sugarcane, rice, cynodon and two unidentified grasses. S. densiflora attains one-third of its final height within juvenile stage and more than two-thirds of the final height within fruit setting stage. Final height was attained at seed release stage. The growth pattern, recorded as plant height (cm/day) was faster at juvenile stage, which increase slowly afterwards and coinciding with fruit setting stage. Striga spp. completed its life cycle quickly. The root exudates of suitable host plant stimulated Striga seeds to germinate when come in contact with it and a parasitic relationship becomes established. The ill-developed root system of this parasitic weed is less efficient to absorb water and mineral nutrient from the soil. Multicellular haustorium maintains connection between host and parasitic weed and possibly absorbs minerals and water from the host root. As a result, host plants are suffering from physiological disorder. Striga parasitized canes were stunted and attacked by different types of diseases. Finally the cane plants died when Striga released its seeds, resulting huge crop yield losses. The high significant value between control and Striga parasitized sugarcane in yield components of all the selected 5 improved cane varieties revealed that all the selected varieties were susceptible to Striga spp. The best way to manage Striga problem is to eradicate it before fruit set and more than 9 weeding is needed. It is very costly, which makes this method discouraging to the growers. It is a localized problem in Bangladesh. Long distance dissemination is controlled by plant quarantine. Urea solution (2.5%) killed Striga, and high doze of urea fertilizer inhibited seed germination of Striga. It is fairly available, less costly and also less toxic. Cultivation of legume crops especially Cicer arietinum as crop rotation and burning of stubble are the easiest solution for Striga problem.
Arsenic poisoning in Bangladesh: review of current situation[book chapter]
(199) Rabbani, G.H; Anwer, Kazi Selim; Hossain, Afzal; Das, H.K.; Gupta, P.K. Sen; Alam, M.S.; Siddique, A.K.M.; Islam, Sufia
Assessment of Radionuclides From Coal-Fired Brick Kilns on the Outskirts of Dhaka City and the Consequent Hazards on Human Health and the Environment
(Elsevier, 2023-05-05) Siraz, M.M. Mahfuz; Rakib, M.D.A.; Alam, M.S.; Mahmud, Jubair Al; Rashid, Md Bazlar; Khandaker, Mayeen Uddin; Islam, Md. Shafiqul; Yeasmin, S.
In a first-of-its-kind study, terrestrial radionuclide concentrations were measured in 35 topsoil samples from the outskirts of Dhaka using HPGe gamma-ray spectrometry to assess the radiological consequences of such a vast number of brick kilns on the plant workers, general as well as dwelling environment. The range of activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K is found at 19 ± 3.04 to 38 ± 4.94, 39 ± 5.85 to 57 ± 7.41, and (430 ± 51.60 to 570 ± 68.40) Bq/kg, respectively. 232Th and 40K concentrations were higher than the global averages. Bottom ash deposition in lowlands, fly ash buildup in soils, and the fallout of micro-particles are all probable causes of the elevated radioactivity levels. 137Cs was found in the sample, which indicates the migration of 137Cs from nuclear accidents or nuclear fallout, or the contamination of feed coal. Although the effective dose received by the general public was below the recommended dose limit but, most estimates of hazard parameters surpass their respective population weighted global averages, indicating that brick kiln workers and nearby residents are not safe due to prolonged exposures to terrestrial radiation. In addition, the soil around sampling sites is found to be unsuitable for agricultural purposes.
Baseline radioactivity in the five candidate sites for the second nuclear power plant in Bangladesh and concomitant hazards assessment
(Scopus, 2024-05-01) Siraz, M.M. Mahfuz; Mahmud, Jubair Al; Alam, M.S.; Rashidc, Md. Bazlar; Hossaina, Z.; Dhara, A. Joy
To meet the increasing energy demands and foresee the shortage of fossil fuels as a source of energy, the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh has decided to install a second Nuclear Power Plant in the southern region of Bangladesh. This study was conducted to assess the baseline radioactivity using the High Purity Germanium (HPGe) detector of the five candidate sites to construct a nuclear power plant in the southern regions of Bangladesh and to evaluate the associated radiological hazard parameters. This pioneering study demonstrates that the mean activity concentrations (range) of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in forty-five soil samples collected from the five candidate sites were 28.95 ± 2.72 (2.65–48.75), 30.10 ± 2.95 (10.35–46.65), and 278.82 ± 25.78 (126.05–418.61) Bqkg−1. The evaluated area poses insignificant radiological concerns regarding mean absorbed dose rate, radium equivalent activity, annual effective dose, external and internal hazard indices, and excess lifetime cancer risk values. This study revealed a thorough picture of radioactive dispersion in soil samples from Bangladesh’s southern areas, allowing policymakers to take appropriate measures in identifying viable candidate sites for constructing a Nuclear Power Plant. Moreover, the data of this study can be used as a reliable source of baseline radioactivity in the particular area.
Baseline Radioactivity in the Five Candidate Sites for the Second Nuclear Power Plant in Bangladesh and Concomitant Hazards Assessment
(Springer, 2023-05-01) Siraz, M.M. Mahfuz; Mahmud, Jubair Al; Alam, M.S.; Rashid, Md. Bazlar; Hossain, Z.; Joydhar, A.; Khandaker, Mayeen Uddin; Razzaque, M. Abdur; Rahman, A.F.M. Mizanur; Yeasmin, S.
To meet the increasing energy demands and foresee the shortage of fossil fuels as a source of energy, the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh has decided to install a second Nuclear Power Plant in the southern region of Bangladesh. This study was conducted to assess the baseline radioactivity using the High Purity Germanium (HPGe) detector of the five candidate sites to construct a nuclear power plant in the southern regions of Bangladesh and to evaluate the associated radiological hazard parameters. This pioneering study demonstrates that the mean activity concentrations (range) of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in forty-five soil samples collected from the five candidate sites were 28.95 ± 2.72 (2.65–48.75), 30.10 ± 2.95 (10.35–46.65), and 278.82 ± 25.78 (126.05–418.61) Bqkg−1. The evaluated area poses insignificant radiological concerns regarding mean absorbed dose rate, radium equivalent activity, annual effective dose, external and internal hazard indices, and excess lifetime cancer risk values. This study revealed a thorough picture of radioactive dispersion in soil samples from Bangladesh’s southern areas, allowing policymakers to take appropriate measures in identifying viable candidate sites for constructing a Nuclear Power Plant. Moreover, the data of this study can be used as a reliable source of baseline radioactivity in the particular area.
Randomized, double-blind controled trial of wheat flour(Chapatti) fortified with vitamin A and iron in improving vitamin A and Iron status in healthy, school aged children in rural Bangladesh
(2001-10-30) Rahman, Ahmed Shafiqur; Sack, David; Quayium, M.A.; Khanam, Parveen A; Wahed, M.A.; Roy, S.K.; Alam, M.S.
Risk Assessment of Naturally Occurring Radioactivity in Soil Adjacent to a Coal-Fired Brick Kiln
(Elsevier, 2023-08-15) Siraz, M.M. Mahfuz; Al Mahmud, Jubair; Alam, M.S.; Rashid, Md. Bazlar; Hossain, Zakir; Khandaker, Mayeen Uddin; Bradley, D.A.; Miah, M.M.H.; Alshahrani, B.; Yeasmin, S.
Being aware of the potential health effects brought on by exposure to radionuclides, besides chemical and air pollution, produced by coal-fired brick kilns, first-ever measurements of terrestrial radionuclides were performed in the topsoil sampled from the surrounding of a randomly chosen coal-fired brick kiln operating at the outskirts of megacity Dhaka, Bangladesh. By employing the HPGe gamma-ray spectroscopy, the activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 4 K was found to be in the range of (19.2 ± 2.7–54 ± 7.0) Bq/kg, (33 ± 5.3–68 ± 9.5) Bq/kg, and (360 ± 43–540 ± 65) Bq/kg respectively, where almost all the values of 40 K, 232Th; and some of the values of 226Ra exceeded the corresponding world average values. Possible causes of the elevated level of radionuclides include the deposition of bottom ash in lowlands, the accumulation of fly ash in soils, and the fallout of fine particles that absorb the minerals released from the coal burning process. 137Cs was also found in two samples that might indicate contamination of the feed coal. Most of the outdoor absorbed dose rates, some internal absorbed dose rates, annual effective dose, gamma level index and excess lifetime cancer risk surpass the worldwide average. According to these hazard parameters, there are health risks to the brick kiln workers and the populace who consumes food crops produced in the studied agricultural soils. The present quantitative measurements urge the municipal authorities to manage and monitor the discharge of fly ash from the brick kilns and take precautionary actions to reduce unwanted health hazards. It also demands to monitor of the human health of workers and residents near the brick kilns.
The presence of carcinogenic radon in the Padma River water, adjacent to the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant
(Daffodil International University, 2023) Siraz, M.M. Mahfuz; Alam, M.S.; A.M., Jubair; Das, , S.C.; Ferdous, J.; Hossain, Z.; Das, S.; Khandaker, Mayeen Uddin; Bradley, D.A.; Tokonami, Shinji; Yeasmin, S.
Radon is a naturally occurring carcinogenic agent, poses a serious health hazard when inhaled or ingested in significant amounts. The water of the Padma river will be used as a tertiary coolant for the soon-to-be-commissioned ‘Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant’. Hence, it is important to assess the radiological status of the river prior to the commission of this power plant. Therefore, for the first time, 25 samples of water were collected from various locations of the Padma River and analyzed for radon concentration using the RAD H2O (DURRIDGE) radon monitoring device. The radon concentrations were found in the range from 0.077 ± 0.036 to 0.494 ± 0.211 Bq/L with a mean of 0.250 ± 0.093 Bq/L. All the concentrations were found to be below the recommended limits of WHO (100 Bq/L) and USEPA (11.1 Bq/L). The mean annual effective dose due to the radon exposure via inhalation and ingestion pathways were 0.638 μSv/y and 0.629 μSv/y, respectively, which were all well below the annual effective dose recommended by WHO (0.1 mSv/y). Since Bangladesh lacks a national safety limit of radon in water, this pioneering study provides baseline data on radon levels for the environment around Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant.