Chemometric interpretation of vertical profiles of radionuclides in soils near a Spanish coal-fired power plant

► Natural radionuclides in soils around a coal fired power plant in Spain was studied. ►238U, 226Ra, 210Pb, 232Th, 224Ra, 40K and 137Cs measured by gamma-ray spectrometry. ► N-way PCA analysis explains 81% of the vertical radionuclide distribution in soil. ► Evaluation of K-parameter, Pbuns and Pbneq shows Pb depositional flux to the soil. ► Correlation between 210Pb and 137Cs in surface soil confirms depositional fluxes.