On 24 July, the Evaluation Council for a VNUHCM-level research project held an evaluation session for the project titled “Research on Natural Radioactivity Distribution Coefficients in Soil and Water Environments and Application to Predict Changes in Natural Radioactive Background in Soils and Several Freshwater Lakes in Viet Nam”, led by Assoc. Prof. Lê Công Hảo.

The project aims to determine distribution coefficients of naturally occurring radionuclides in soil and water environments in Viet Nam, while applying these coefficients to models for predicting changes in natural radioactive background in soils and several freshwater lakes. According to the acceptance report, the research team established a database on the distribution of naturally occurring radionuclides in soil and water environments through surveys of 12 soil–plant systems, 79 water sampling locations and 20 sediment sampling locations. Based on these findings, the team determined solid–liquid distribution coefficients (Kd), soil–plant transfer factors (TF), suspended solids–water distribution coefficients (Kₛw), and radon emanation coefficients (Fₛₑd, Fₐₜₘ) under environmental conditions in Viet Nam.

The collected data were integrated into semi-empirical models, the Rn-222 equilibrium model and the QWASI model to predict groundwater convection rates, variations in radioactive background levels in soils, and Ra-226 concentrations in water from quarry lakes. The project also conducted quantitative assessments of radiation exposure doses related to crops, water resources and public health, contributing scientific foundations for environmental monitoring, radiation safety assessment and resource management in Viet Nam.

According to the research team, one of the project’s notable outcomes is the establishment of a soil–plant transfer factor (TF) dataset based on experimental data collected under Viet Nam’s environmental conditions. The dataset contributes additional information on radionuclide transfer processes in tropical environments and can support further studies on radiation dose assessment, radioactive transport modelling and environmental management.

Regarding scientific outputs, the project published one Q1 international journal article, three Q2 journal articles and one Q3 journal article; successfully trained one doctoral researcher and one master’s student; and delivered numerous presentations at domestic and international scientific conferences and workshops. According to the acceptance report, the project fulfilled its registered objectives and exceeded targets in several areas, including training, scientific publications and research outputs. The Evaluation Council unanimously agreed to accept the project, confirming that all registered objectives had been achieved and the project met the required standards.