Evaluation of Natural Radioactivity and Associated Radiological Hazards in Soil Samples from Sand Quarries in Basra Governorate, Iraq

Ali Farhan Nadir; Noori H. N. Al-Hashimi; Abdul Ridha H. Subber

doi:7260152

Gamma ray spectra of natural radioactivity from ²³⁸U and ²³²Th series and from ⁴⁰K are important to assess the potential hazard of radiation exposure. Activity concentrations of natural radionuclides in soil collected from sand quarries, were measured using a gamma ray spectrometer NaI(Tl). Specific activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K in the studied soil samples raged from 0.86 Bq/kg to 17.8 Bq/kg, 0.4 Bq/kg to 18.5 Bq/kg and 102.3 Bq/kg to 855.6 Bq/kg respectively. The radium equivalent activity, hazard indices and the annual effective dose rate were calculated and compared with the internationally accepted limits. The annual effective dose rate in the quarries was found to be less than the upper recommended limit by international committees.

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