Measurement and Analysis of Natural Radioactive Elements in Salty Sediments from Central and Southern Iraq

Abstract

Purification of fifteen NaCl samples from natural and different area in the middle and south of Iraq are prepared and studied the structural characteristics of samples by powder X-ray diffraction analysis at 𝛌=1.542Å. The present work considered the specific activities of naturally occurring radioactive materials in salt samples, which are measured and analyzed using high resolution HPGe system. Also, the radiological parameters have been considered in this work. The average specific concentration (in Bq.kg-1) of the salt samples is found 16.864.92 for 226Ra, 5.972.05 for 232Th and 9.852.8 for 40K, respectively, which are below the national levels, 40Bq.kg-1, 30Bq.kg-1 and 400Bq.kg-1, respectively (UNSCEAR, 2000). Similarly the absorb dose rates are in the range3.71 nGy.h-1 to 12.591nGy.h-1.The measured radiation hazard indices show that the concentrations of these radionuclides in all samples are within the allowable limits.

Natural radioactivity Measurements of Dur-Kurigalzu's Ziggurat, Baghdad Governorate-Iraq using HPGe detector

“…The activity concentration of 238 U, 232 Th, and 40 K radionuclides can be converted into dose. The indoor and outdoor absorbed dose rates are calculated as follows [25]:…”

“…Often the new element produced in the radioactive process is also radioactive [3]. The main radionuclides 238 U, 233 Th, and 40 K are always present in the soil, rocks, water, plants, food, and in many building materials. Studies on the soil radioactivity concentration are very important for the assessment of radioactive risks to human health, and for the possible alteration of environmental radioactivity due to human activities.…”

“…Several studies on soil radioactivity have been reported in different reviewed articles. Al-Alawy et al measured the natural radioactivity of 238 U, 232Th, and 40 K in sediments from Al-Husseiniya River with High-Purity Germanium HPGe detector. The average of total annual effective dose equivalent for sediment was 288.815 μSυ/y [4].…”

“…The annual effective dose and external and internal hazard indices were acceptable values according to the worldwide average [5]. Mouandza et al determined the natural activity concentrations of 226 Ra, 232 Th, and 40 K in soil samples collected in Mounana in the Southeastern region of Gabon using HPGe detector. The mean value of the absorbed dose was 1352.76 nGy h -1 .…”