Comparing of the Natural Radioactivity in Soil Samples of University at Al-Husseineya and Al-Mothafeen Sites of Kerbala, Iraq

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-191

Abstract: Radioactivity must be studied in soil to see the changes in the doses of human exposure. In this study, natural radioactivity and radiological hazard indices in soil samples of the Faculty of Agriculture (Al-Husseineya site) and the Faculty of Medicine (Al-Mothafeen site) in Kerbala Governorate were determined using gamma-ray spectroscopy. The results showed that the mean values of specific activity (in units of Bq/kg) and standard errors of: 238U, 232Th and 40K at Al-Husseineya site was 21.7±7.2, 9.43±3.2 and 335.8±82.2, respectively, while at Al-Mothafeen site, the mean values and standard errors were 22.4±8.8, 11.2±3.3 and 333.1±70.7, respectively. Radiation maps of natural radioactivity (238U, 232Th and 40K) at Al-Husseineya and Al-Mothafeen sites were mapped using geographic information system (GIS) technology. Moreover, most results in the present study fall within the acceptable levels, as defined by OCDE, UNSCEAR and ICRP. Therefore, there is no significant radiological hazard at the sites which were studied. Keywords: Radiological hazard, Natural radioactivity, Soil, NaI (Tl), Gamma-ray, Karbela University.

2021 ◽  
Vol 877 (1) ◽  
pp. 012034
Author(s):  
Ali Saeed Al Rmahi ◽  
Ali Abid Abojassim

Abstract This research focuses on measuring of specific activity of natural radioactive sources (238U, 232Th and 40K) in some types of secondary ceilings that used as a decorate material and available in Iraqi markets. The measurements were done using gamma ray spectroscopy system that based on NaI(Tl) Detector. Also, the radiological hazard indices have been assessed for all samples in present study. The results show that the specific activity vary from 8.7±0.6 to 32.9±2.3 Bq/kg for 238U, 2.9±0.2 to 40.3±1.5 Bq/kg for 232Th, and 117.4±2.6 to 649.1±7.9Bq/kg for 40K. The latter levels were compared with the world mean values that reported by the UNSCEAR 2008. It was found that all values of 238U and 232Th were below the world wide published values, while the values of only two samples of 40K were above the upper range of the world wide published values. Regarding the average values of radiological hazard risk were found to be within the permissible limit according to the OECD, UNSCEAR 2000, and ICRP. It can be concluded that natural radioactivity levels together with radiological hazard risk studied from the most of the secondary ceilings samples available in local markets of Iraq within natural rates of permissible limits and may not cause any danger to the human when being used.


2013 ◽  
Vol 770 ◽  
pp. 108-111
Author(s):  
Sutthinee Chauymanee ◽  
Prasong Kessaratikoon ◽  
Ruthairat Boonkrongcheep ◽  
Supphawut Benjakul ◽  
Udorn Youngchauy

Specific activities of anthropogenic radionuclide (137Cs) were studied and determined in 132 surface soil samples collected from 8 districts in Chumphon province in the south of Thailand. A high resolution high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector with a massive lead shield and gamma spectrometry analysis system were employed to measure the gamma ray energy spectra from the samples. The specific activity of 137Cs in all of surface soil samples were analyzed by using the IAEA/SL-2 radioactive standard source. It was found that the specific activities of 137Cs ranged from < 0.33 4.43 Bq/kg with mean values of 2.30 ± 1.38 Bq/kg. The experimental results were also compared with research data in the south of Thailand (2009 2012), Office of Atoms for Peace (OAP) annual report data and global radioactivity measurement and evaluations. The data can be also used to create the radioactive contour maps of the investigated area.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mekuanint Lemlem Legasu ◽  
Ashok K Chaubey

Abstract Background & Methodology : The specific activity concentration of naturally occurring radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th, 40K and their health related effects were determined in different environmental samples(gemstones) collected from Delanta-Dawunt. Which is one of the mining place in Ethiopia to extract mainly opals (gemstones). Sample collection and the gamma spectroscopic analysis followed the recommended international procedures for such type of research. Gamma-ray spectrometry was applied using HPGe gamma-ray detector and PC-based MCA. The Purpose of this research: to determine the activity concentrations of the radionuclides U/Th series and K of gemstones(opals), to determine life time cancer risk of radionuclide in the environment , to assess the hazard and risk to the public associated with these dose values , to conduct the geochemical studies by quantifying the levels of trace gemstones as well as the physical parameters in soil samples within and around it, and To determine the radiation doses from these activity concentrations and compare with international recommended dose limits. Results: The results of the activity concentration on our research work showed significant variations from 11.97 ± 2.46 to 62.44 ± 14.99 Bq kg-1 for 226Ra, 25.69 ± 3.69 to 137.84 ± 13.23 Bq kg-1 for 232Th and 184.84 ± 3.59 to 969.56 ±18.16 Bq kg-1 for 40K. The mean radioactivity concentration of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K was found to be around 29.84 ± 6.53, 68.44 ± 18.94, 390.87 ± 6.09 Bk kg-1 respectively. Conculsion: The mean values of Radium equivalent activity (Raeq), absorbed dose, annual effective dose equivalent, external and internal radiation hazard (Hex and Hin) index ,and activity utilization index is 151.68±19.46 Bq kg-1, 72.19 ± 8.48 nGy h-1, 0.07 ± 0.01mSv y-1,0.43, 0.51, 0.57 ± 0.08 and 0.29 ± 0.03 respectively. The specific activity of 232Th is higher than the world mean value and 40K is the same as the world mean value. The radiation hazard indices, ELCR values found in this study are lower than the world mean values. However, the absorbed dose is higher than the world means value. This is due to the reason of high thorium concentration existence and opal mining is highly explored on such study areas.


2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (31) ◽  
pp. 99-107
Author(s):  
Yousif M. Zayir Al-Bakhat

The specific activity of 29 soil samples collected from FuelFabrication Facility FFF at AL-Tuwaitha site, 20 km south ofBaghdad were determined using HPGe detector in a low backgroundconfiguration, it's relative efficiency of 40%, and resolution of 2keVfor the 1332 keV gamma ray emission of 60Co. The range of activityconcentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K were between (12.56-31.96),(10.2-18.4) and (47.47-402.1) Bq/kg respectively. In order to assessany radiological hazard to human health, the absorbed gamma doserate D in air at 1m above the ground surface was calculated in therange (18.87 to 36.46) nGy/h; the outdoor annual effective doseequivalent AEDE was evaluated to vary from 0.0039 to 0.0076mSv/y with the mean value 0.0059 mSv/y, this value comparable tothe worldwide effective dose 0.48mSv/y. The Radium EquivalentRaeq for all samples were evaluated and were lower than the acceptedsafety limit value of 370 Bq/kg. The results indicated that theradiation of hazards from primordial radionudlides in all samples inthis study is not significant.


Author(s):  
Basim Khalaf Rejah, Afrah Hassoon Oraibi, Abdalrahman Al-Sal

The specific activity of natural and artificial radioactive elements in nine soil samples at different locations of southern Al-Dora region, Baghdad governorate, Iraq were measured and analysed by using a gamma ray detector NaI (Tl). The average activity concentrations of 238U, 232Th, 40K and 137Cs are found to be 38.22 Bq/Kg, 42.99 Bq/Kg, 16.64 Bq/Kg and 2.92 Bq/Kg, respectively. Several radiological hazard indices including radium equivalent activity (Raeq), absorbed dose rate (D), internal (Hin) and external (Hex) hazard indices, internal (AEDEin) and external (AEDEex) annual effective dose equivalent and gamma ray index (Iγr) are calculated. The findings of all radiological hazard indices are lower than their international values. This study discloses that most locations in study area are safe from any radiological risks.


Author(s):  
Iman Tarik Al-Alawy ◽  
Monar Deya Salim

The specific activity of natural radionuclides in 24 soil samples collected from antiquities area of Ur city in Dhi-Qar province (31.0459863N, 46.2534257E) in southern Iraq have been studied and evaluated. Experimental results were obtained by using a Gamma ray spectrometer analysis system consists of a scintillation detector Sodium Iodide activated by Thallium NaI(Tl) of (3"×3") crystal dimension at the laboratory of radiation detection and measurement in Science Collage, University of Kufa. The spectrometer has been calibrated for energy by acquiring a spectrum from four standard sources of gamma radiations supplied by spectrum techniques (LLC). The measuring time of all soil samples is 18000 seconds; it was found that, the soil specific activity ranges from 29.93±2.97 to 9.99±2.56Bq/kg for 238U, from 25.66±2.55 to 7.77±2.24Bq/kg for 232Th and from 397.38±12.06 to 215.75±8.91Bq/kg for 40K, with mean values of 17.9±3.02Bq/kg, 13.66±2.41Bq/kg and 314.62±11.3Bq/kg, respectively. The results have been compared with the acceptable data of the worldwide literatures. In order to evaluate the radiological hazard of the natural radioactivity, the radium equivalent activity (Raeq), the gamma absorbed dose rate (AD), the annual effective dose rate and the both (external and internal) hazard index have been calculated and compared with the acceptable values of the worldwide average (UNSCEAR 2000).


2017 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 117862211774694 ◽  
Author(s):  
CS Kaliprasad ◽  
PR Vinutha ◽  
Y Narayana

In this study, systematic measurement of activity concentrations of 40K, 226Ra, and 232Th and radon exhalation rate has been done in soil samples of Cauvery River environment. The activity was measured using HPGe gamma-ray spectrometer, and the mean values of 40K, 226Ra, and 232Th in the soil samples were found to be 182 ± 4, 34 ± 2, and 19 ± 1 Bq kg−1, respectively. The radon exhalation rate was measured by “Can technique” using SSNTD (LR-115) films. The mean values of radium concentration, surface exhalation, and mass exhalation rate were found to be 118.95, 293.61, and 108.53 mBq kg−1 h−1, respectively. The radiological hazard indices due to natural radioactivity were calculated and compared with international recommended values, which are lower than the recommended level. The radon exhalation rate is lower than the recommended level.


Symmetry ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 746 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saifeldin Siddeeg ◽  
Mohamed Suliman ◽  
Faouzi Ben Rebah ◽  
Wissem Mnif ◽  
Amel Ahmed ◽  
...  

Various commercially imported ceramic materials used in the building of Sudanese dwellings were examined in order to determine their natural radioactivity and radiological hazard parameters. In this context, twenty-five different consignments were sampled and analyzed using (3″ × 3″) sodium iodide gamma spectrometry system NaI(Tl). The identified average activity concentrations of 238U, 232Th, and 40K were 183 ± 70, 51 ± 44, and 238 ± 77 Bq/kg dry-weights, respectively. A positive correlation between 238U and 232Th in the investigated samples was identified from the observed significant correlation (R2 = 0.8). Interestingly, a low Th/U ratio (~0.3) was recorded, which could be related to the systematic loss of thorium during the fabrication process. The measured activity concentrations for these radionuclides were comparable with the reported data obtained from similar materials used in other countries showing similarity in ceramic materials used in buildings. Five different radiation indices, such as the average radium equivalent (Raeq), the absorbed dose rate (D), the annual effective dose equivalent (AEDE), the external hazard index (Hex), and the radioactivity level index (lγ), which indicate hazardous radiation, were estimated from these measurements. The obtained results revealed average values of 274 ± 106 Bq/kg, 125 ± 48 nGy/h, 1.23 ± 0.48 mSv/y, 0.74 ± 0.29, and 0.94 ± 0.37, for Raeq, D, AEDE, Hex, and lγ, respectively. The mean values of Raeq and Hex were in good agreement with the international limits, while the means of D and lγ were higher than the universal values. Calculated AEDE in about 60% of the samples exceeded the universal limit of 1 mSv/y for the public exposure (maximum value of 2.16 mSv/y). The investigated parameters were in the same range for the majority of imported samples; however, they were slightly higher than the locally produced ceramic, highlighting the importance of monitoring imported materials for their radioactivity contents.


2012 ◽  
Vol 77 (6) ◽  
pp. 833-843 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivica Djalovic ◽  
Djordje Jockovic ◽  
Goran Dugalic ◽  
Goran Bekavac ◽  
Bozana Purar ◽  
...  

Soil acidity and aluminum toxicity are considered most damaging soil conditions affecting the growth of most crops. This paper reviews the results of tests of pH, exchangeable acidity and mobile aluminum (Al) concentration in profiles of pseudogley soils from Cacak-Kraljevo basin. For that purpose, 102 soil pits were dug in 2009 in several sites around Cacak- Kraljevo basin. The tests encompassed 54 field, 28 meadow, and 20 forest soil samples. Samples of soil in the disturbed state were taken from the Ah and Eg horizons (102 samples), from the B1tg horizon in 39 field, 24 meadow and 15 forest pits (a total of 78 samples) and from the B2tg horizon in 14 field, 11 meadow, and 4 forest pits (a total of 29 samples). Mean pH values (1M KCl) of the tested soil profiles were 4.28, 3.90 and 3.80 for the Ah, Eg and B1tg horizons, respectively. Soil pH of forest samples was lower than those in meadow and arable land samples (mean values of 4.06, 3.97 and 3.85 for arable land, meadow and forest samples, respectively). Soil acidification was especially intensive in deep horizons, as 27% (Ah), 77% (Eg) and 87% (B1tg) soil samples had the pH value below 4.0. Mean values of total exchangeable acidity (TEA) were 1.55, 2.33 and 3.40 meq 100 g-1 for the Ah, Eg and B1tg horizons, respectively. The TEA values in forest soils were considerably higher (3.39 meq 100 g-1) than those in arable soils and meadow soils (1.96 and 1.93, respectively). Mean mobile Al contents of tested soil samples were 11.02, 19.58 and 28.33 mg Al 100 g-1 for the Ah, Eg and B1tg horizons, respectively. According to the pH and TEA values, mobile Al was considerably higher in the forest soils (the mean value of 26.08 mg Al 100 g-1) than in the arable soils and meadow soils (the mean values of 16.85 and 16.00 mg Al 100 g-1, respectively). The Eg and B1tg horizons of the forest soil had especially high mobile Al contents (the mean values of 28.50 and 32.95 mg Al 100 g-1, respectively). High levels of mobile Al were especially frequent in the forest soils, with 35% (Ah), 85.0% (Eg) and 93.3% (B1tg) of the tested samples ranging above 10 mg Al 100 g-1.


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