Specific activities and radiation hazard parameters calculations of natural radionuclides in al-Mustansiriyah University soils using NaI (Tl)‎ detector

Abstract EN

The specific activities of the natural radionuclides U-238 and Th- 232 and K-40 in 14 soil samples collected from different sites from AL-Mustansiriyah university at two depths (topsoil "surface" and 20cm depth) were be investigated using gamma ray spectrometer 3"x3" NaI(Tl) scintillation detector.

The analysis of the energy spectra of the soil samples show that these samples have specific activities ranging with (16.08-51.11) Bq/kg for U-238, (14.79-52.29) Bq/kg for Th-232 and (191.08- 377.64) Bq/kg for K-40, with an average values of 29.37, 34.14 and 289.62 Bq/kg for U-238, Th-232, k-40 respectively.

The radiation hazard parameters of the natural radionuclides; radium equivalent activity (Raeq), gamma absorbed dose rate (Dγ), annual effective dose rate (Eγ), internal and external hazard index (Hin, Hex) have also been calculated.

The maximum value of specific activities and hazard parameters was found in the sample of the soil gathered from the Literature college center.

All the calculated specific activates values were be in the ranges of worldwide averages, and below than the global permissible limits, this would indicate that the soils of the University is safety for both students and staff.