AbstractThe concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, 40K and 137Cs radionuclides in soil samples collected from 323 different regions of Nevşehir province were determined by using a gamma spectrometer with an HPGe detector. The mean gamma activity concentrations (ranges) of 226Ra, 232Th, 40K and 137Cs for districts were determined as 49.45 (7.40–193.90), 54.08 (<2.8–122.50), 698.43 (37.67–1370.20) and 8.26 (0.10–52.60) Bq kg−1, respectively. The mean activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K were higher than the world mean value. According to Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, distributions of 226Ra, 232Th and 137Cs show log-normal distributions. Whereas, 40K shows normal distribution. The mean radium equivalent activity was 181.68 Bq kg−1 which is lower than the recommended maximum value of 370 Bq kg−1. The mean external terrestrial gamma dose rate was found to be 85.12 nGy h−1. The calculated external hazard value was 0.49 and within the acceptable limit which is less than unity (Hex ≤ 1). Thermo Scientific RadEye NBR detector was used to determine environmental gamma dose rates. The gamma dose rates were measured at 445 points at a height of 1 m from land surface. The mean outdoor gamma dose rate (range) was found as 150.13 (50–480) nGy h−1. This mean value was found higher than world mean value. The fact that most of the Nevşehir province is based on volcanic rocks explains why the gamma dose rates are high.
Assessment of Gamma Dose Rate for Hypothetical Radioactive Waste Container
