Measurement of radionuclides and absorbed dose rates in soil samples of Peshawar, Pakistan, using gamma ray spectrometry

Abstract

The analysis of gamma-emitting radionuclides in nature, i.e. (226)Ra, (232)Th, (40)K and (137)Cs, has been carried out in soil samples collected from Peshawar University Campus and surrounding areas using a high purity germanium detector coupled with a computer-based high-resolution multichannel analyser. The activity concentrations in soil ranged from 30.20±0.65 to 61.90±0.95, 50.10±0.54 to 102.80±1.04, 373.60±4.56 to 1082±11.38 and 9.50±0.11 to 46.60±0.42 Bq kg(-1) for (226)Ra, (232)Th, (40)K and (137)Cs, with a mean value of 45±7.70, 67±12.50, 878±180 and 19±9.20 Bq kg(-1), respectively. The radium equivalent activity, internal and external hazard indices have mean values of 203.40±29.40 Bq kg(-1), 0.56 and 0.68, respectively. The mean values of outdoor and indoor absorbed dose rates in air and the annual effective dose equivalents were found to be 106.50 and 128 nGy h(-1) and 0.19 and 0.54 mSv y(-1), respectively. In the present study, (40)K was the major radionuclide present in soil samples. The presence of (137)Cs indicates that this area also received some fallout from the nuclear accident of the Chernobyl power plant in 1986. The activity concentrations of radionuclides found in soil samples during the current investigation were nominal. Therefore, they are not associated with any potential source of health hazard to the public.

Characterization of quartz sand deposits from Al Qaryatyien area in Syria

“…Terrestrial nuclides such as 238 U, 232 Th, and 235 U, in addition to 40 K., contribute an important percentage of the total radiation dose resulting from natural sources, mainly external radiation by their emission of radiation Gamma, and this dose is variable according to the concentrations of radionuclides in the soil, which are associated with the local geological composition of each region. [30][31][32][33]. Partly, a few studies conducted on the sand of Al Qaryatyien and this makes a motive for conducting a descriptive study of sands that gives a clear picture of the nature of the possible subsequent use of these sands.…”

Measurement of Specific Activity of Natural Radioactive Materials and Cs-137 in Soil Samples for Some Areas in Al-Doura City in Baghdad Governorate

“…The contrast in the background of ground radiation zones is influenced by geological features, locations, elevation, and geochemical influences [4,5]. Therefore, it was found that the activity for radionuclide in granite positions is higher than that found in mud, sandstone and travertine soil [6,7]. So that, measurements of natural radioactivity in soil provides us with knowledge of the levels of radionuclide activity in the environment and important information about environmental radioactivity monitoring [8].…”

Measurement of activity concentration levels of radionuclides in soil samples collected from Bethlehem Province, West Bank, Palestine

“…High terrestrial background radiations zones were generally attributed to local geology, location, altitude, and geochemical effects [2][3][4]. Thus, the activity concentrations of radionuclides in granite locations were found to be higher than those of clay, sand stones, and limestone soils [5,6]. Normally, the presence of NORMs in soil generally originates from the disintegrating rocks that are carried to soil by rain and flows [1][2][3].…”