Radon Gas and Effective Dose in Groundwater in Abu- Jir Village in Anbar, Western Iraq

Abstract

In the present study, radon gas concentration in the shallow groundwater samples of the Abu-Jir region in Anbar governorate was measured by using Rad-7 detector. The highest radon gas level in the samples is up to 9.3 Bq/L, while the lowest level is 2.1 Bq/L, with an average of 6.44±1.8 Bq/L. The annual effective dose is varied from 33.945 μSv/y to 7.66 μSv/y, with an average of 0.145±0.06 μSv/y. Consequently, the radon level in the groundwater studied is lower than the standard recommended value (11 Bq/L) reported by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). The potential source of radon is uranium-rich hydrocarbons that are leakage to the surface along the Abu-Jir Fault. This research did not indicate any risk that radon gas concentrations may occur in the groundwater in the study area, and despite this, the research strongly recommends to propose a new Iraqi specification that defines the permissible level of radon gas concentrations in the groundwater and air to avoid harm to human health and will be an Iraqi standard that will be applied for the first time in Iraq.

Natural Radioactivity in Soil and Bitumen in Al-Marj Spring and Abu-Jir Village, Anbar, Western Iraq

“…This is explained that the variation occurring between 226 Ra with 232 Th and 40 K in different samples. Finally, by comparison of the average of specific activity of 226 Ra, 232 Th, and 40 K in soil samples with their activity of other countries in Table 6, that reveals the average concentration of 226 Ra in the study area is higher than other countries and the world average, hydrocarbon leakages are consider the source of uranium (radium) in the area (Farhan et al, 2020). The concentration of 232 Th and 40 K is lower than the world average value and other countries except for Jordan and Saudi Arabia (Asir) have a lower concentration of 40 K than the present study.…”

“…Some researchers studied only uranium concentration in the Euphrates Formation such Al-Bassam et al (2006) and Al-Obaidy (2015), which attributed the enrichment of U in the Euphrates Formation to ascending groundwater as a result of tectonic movement. Ali (2015) measured the activity of radioactive elements (226Ra, 232Th, 40K, and 137Cs) in sediments of the Euphrates River and springs and conclude they had high concentration in spring sediment especially 226Ra, while Farhan et al (2020) measured radon gas (222Rn) concentration in the shallow groundwater of Abu-Jir village which stated the source of radon is U-rich hydrocarbons. Awadh et al (2018) has recorded only gamma ray using the scintillometer (SSP-2-NF) device on both blocks (western and eastern) of the Abu-Jir Fault.…”

Geochemical And Mineralogical Assessment Of Secondary Gypsum In Al-Najaf, Iraq And Employment As Raw Material For Cement Industry

“…The secondary gypsum precipitates because of the evaporation of deep sulfurous water that is saturated in other ions resulting from its penetration into the gypsum or gypsum formations throughout the cracks by capillary action (Al-Bassam & Dawood, 2009;Jassim, 2019;Othman et al, 2020). Generally, the Bahr Al-Najaf region supplies water from sulfurous springs, which characterize the area (Farhan et al, 2020). The geological succession of the study area is detailed in Figure 1.…”

Natural Radioactivity Evaluation and Radiological Peril in some soil specimens of Al-Taimeem Area in Al-Anbar Province, Iraq

“…The source and behavior of the radioactive pollutants newly deposited in the soil is different from those of the radionuclides originally present in the formed soil, as these pollutants are absorbed by plants. Therefore, researchers are interested in assessing the concentration of environmental elements from soil, water, air and food [3,4].…”

“…Thus, soil fertility and formative depend on the natural, chemical and, biological composition of these components, which directly or indirectly effect those who live above their surface from various creatures [5,6], In addition to the deliberation of radioactive materials and their application in many fields of the most important threats to the elements of the environment, including the soil, Thus, it causes humans to exhibit radiation, so it is essential to know the nature of these materials and their dangers and how to protect against them and utilized them safely [7]. The study of the interaction of radiation with these material is necessary to know the high levels of radioactive elements such as uranium, thorium, potassium and measurement of the radiation doses represented by gamma rays, which are one of the most common and widespread radiations that lead to disturbance of the vital balance of human and his environment if exposed to them [2,3]. The human body contains some radionuclides, the most important of which are uranium, thorium and potassium in varying proportions, many recent studies and research have shown that nuclear radiation has serious biological effects on the life of living organisms, especially when soil and thus these organisms are exposed to greater doses than acceptable values annually [8].…”