Natural radioactivity and its radiological implications from soils and rocks in Jaintiapur area, North-east Bangladesh

Abstract

Natural radioactivity concentrations in recent alluvial soils from swampy areas and Tertiary rocks from Jaintiapur were measured using gamma-ray spectrometer equipped with HPGe detector. The average radioactivity concentration of 226 Ra, 232 Th and 40 K were 47 ± 6, 64 ± 5 and 762 ± 40 Bqkg −1 in soils, whereas, 25 ± 2, 37 ± 4 and 884 ± 41 Bqkg −1 in rock samples, respectively. Average radioactivity concentrations of studied soil and rock samples exceeded the world average except 226 Ra for rocks. Radio-elemental ratios suggest that an oxic depositional environment with low uranium and high thorium content. Regarding radiological hazard indices, radium equivalent activities (Ra eq ), external hazard index ( H ex ) and internal hazard index ( H in ) was found to be below the world permissible limits. Whereas, absorbed dose rate (D), and annual effective dose equivalent (AEDE) averages exceeded the world admissible values. Statistical studies show that radioactivity for 226 Ra and 232 Th linked to a source enriched in radioactive minerals and 40 K related to a different sources high in K enriched minerals.

Radiological and Geochemical Assessment of Different Rock Types from Ogun State in Southwestern Nigeria

“…Comparison of activity concentrations of 40 K,226 Ra and 232 Th (Bqkg -1 ) in some rocks from other places within Nigeria Ra and 232 Th have the most detrimental radiation effect on humans. Numerous studies undertaken by authors within and outside the world is shown in Table2, 31,15,[19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29] and are comparable with the present study.…”

Determination of the Natural Radioactivity and Heavy Elements from Some Soil Samples

“…AUI = (AU/50) fU + (ATh/50) fTh + (AK/500)fK (8) Where fu, fTh and fk are the fractional contributions for 238 U , 232 232 Th, and 40 K, respectively [18]. As shown in Fiq.…”

“…International organizations have recommended monitoring the radioactive environment through continuous surveying, documentation, and reporting of soil to ensure control over potential changes [5]. As a result, researchers from all over the world are very interested in measuring natural radioactivity and assessing the health impact of radionuclides on humans [6][7][8][9][10].…”

Evaluation of natural radioactivity and radiological hazards in water sample of Tounsa Sharif, South Punjab, Pakistan

“…Gamma radiations, also known as naturally occurring background radiations, are present in the environment due to the presence of 40 K or the decay sequence of 232 Th and 238 U [3]. The most prevalent source of these radioisotopes are rocks, soil, cosmic sources, and water from hilly regions [4]. The absorption of radionuclides from soil by plant leaves is the main cause of radionuclides in food and food items [5].…”