Environmental radioactivity g) to that of the soil water (Bq ml). If the radioactivity is tightly bonded to by the minerals in the soil then less radioactivity can be absorbed by crops and grass growing in the soil. One dramatic source of man-made radioactivity is a nuclear weapons test. The glassy trinitite formed by the first atom bomb contains radioisotopes formed by neutron activation and nuclear fission. In addition some natural radioisotopes are present. A recent paper reports the levels of long-lived radioisotopes in the trinitite. The trinitite was formed from feldspar and quartz which were melted by the heat. Two samples
Environmental radioactivity Environmental radioactivity Environmental radioactivity is produced by radioactive materials in the human environment. While some radioisotopes, such as strontium-90 (Sr) and technetium-99 (Tc), are only found on Earth as a result of human activity, and some, like potassium-40 (K), are only present due to natural processes, a few isotopes, "e.g." tritium (H), result from both natural processes and human activities. The concentration and location of some natural isotopes, particularly uranium-238 (U), can be affected by human activity. Radioactivity is present everywhere, and has been since the formation of the earth. According to the IAEA, soil typically contains the following four