Characterization of Natural Radioactivity in Soil of Balad City and its Surroundings, Iraq

International Journal of Applied Physics

© 2020 by SSRG - IJAP Journal

Volume 7 Issue 2

Year of Publication : 2020

Authors : Fareed M. Mohammed,Saad A. Essa, Nadah F.Tawfiq

10.14445/23500301/IJAP-V7I2P107

How to Cite?

Fareed M. Mohammed,Saad A. Essa, Nadah F.Tawfiq, "Characterization of Natural Radioactivity in Soil of Balad City and its Surroundings, Iraq," SSRG International Journal of Applied Physics, vol. 7,  no. 2, pp. 43-48, 2020. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23500301/IJAP-V7I2P107

Abstract:

The main objective of this research is to study the natural radioactivity in soil samples collected fromBalad city and its surrounding area by measuring the concentrations of natural radionuclides for (238U, 232Th,40K) and artificial nuclide137Cs by using gamma ray spectroscopy withNaI(Tl) scintillation detector.The results show that the activity concentration for 238U in soil ranged from 4.44 to 20.83 Bq/kg with an averages of 8.85 Bq/kg,the activity concentration for 232Th in soil ranged from 1.26 to 68.54 Bq/kg with an averages of 27.43 Bq/kg, the activity concentration for 40K ranged from 134.45Bq/kg to 680.67 Bq/kg with average 299.57 Bq/kg. The average level of specific activities of 238U,232Th and 40K neutral nuclides in soil samples are below the recommended global limits 35, 30 and 400 Bq/kg respectively (UNSCEAR, 2000).The specific activity for artificial nuclide 137Cs in soil sample recorded lowest value 0.23 Bq/kg and the highest value 4.03 Bq/kg with average 1.37 Bq/kg. The average level of specific activity of 137Cs nuclide in soil samples are below the recommended global limits 14.8 Bq/kg (UNSCEAR, 2000). The radiological hazard indices were found to be within the recommended global International Commission on Radiological Protection recommended limits.

Keywords:

BaladCity, Gamma Ray Spectroscopy, Soil, Specific Activity, Radium Equivalent Activity, Hazard Index, Absorbed dose rates.

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