The natural radioactivity levels for radium(226Ra), thorium (232Th) and potassium (40K) have been determined in soil samples selected from different regions in Najaf governorate in Iraq. The samples were collected from the ground surface. Eight samples were measured by gamma ray spectroscopy using high purity germanium detector. The levelsof radionuclides concentrations in selected samples 232Th, 226Ra and 40K were in the range of (2.5±0.29 to 7.7±0.52) Bq/kg (6.3±0.43 to 16.4±1.9) Bq/kg and (31.5±3.4 to 204.1±11.9) Bq/kg for, respectively. The mean Radium Equivalent Activity, External and Internal Hazard Indices, the Absorbed Dose Rate in Air and the Annual Effective Doses Equivalent were studied and found these parameter are less than the reported values. Therefore, the radioactivity in the studied area in Najaf does not pose any radiological hazard to the general public.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.