Published online by Cambridge University Press: 06 June 2009
CBPP Kakanj is one of the most important Coal Burning Power Plants in Bosnia and Herzegovina (producing power of 450 MW, waste storage site of 5 000 000 tons). Mapping of the measured gamma-dose rate has been performed with the goal of identifying the hot spots in the area of 3×3 km surrounding CBPP Kakanj, with special emphasis on the waste storage site (1×1 km). Maximum measured of the gamma-dose rate surrounding CBPP Kakanj was 140 nGy h-1 and in the area of waste storage site 210 nGy h-1. Average levels of natural radionuclide in agricultural soil samples in vicinity of CBPP Kakanj are: for 238U is 41 ± 4 Bq kg-1, 232Th is 32 ± 1 Bq kg-1, 226Ra is 27 ± 2 Bq kg-1 and 40K is 486 ± 9 Bq kg-1. Obtained results in soil-plant-animal products chain does not show significantly increased levels of natural radionuclides due to the fact that mentioned radionuclides, in general, have a low transfer factors in soil-plant-animal products chain.