Mapping of Natural Radioactivity in Soil Samples of Kufa Districts, Iraq Using GIS Technique

The aim from this work is to detect and draw the natural radioactivity of (uranium-238, thorium-232 and potassium-40) levels in soil samples that taken from Kufa districts, Najaf governorate, Iraq. The detection system used in study is NaI (Tl) with "3x3" dimension, while maps were drawn by geographic information system (GIS). Some radiological parameters were calculated depending on measuring of specific activity for 238U, 232Th, and 40K. The results of the average value with standard error in all samples of the present study for 238U, 232Th, 40K, and 235U were 6.2±0.74, 6.41±0.82, 278.10±19.43, and 0.28±0.03 Bq/kg, respectively. The specific activity of Uranium-238, Thourium-232, poasium-40 and Uranium-235 found in all soil samples were within the safety limit reported by UNSCEAR, except three samples have poasium-40 higher than safety limit. Also, the results of radiological parameters were all found to be below OECD, UNSCEAR safety limit. Generally, the average of specific activity in soil collected arranged of potassium-40 > thorium-232 > uranium-238. Mapping GIS for natural radioactivity and some radiological parameters were successfully draw for the study area. Finally, natural radioactivity and radiological parameters for soil samples at Kufa districts were safety.

In-situ assessment of natural terrestrial-radioactivity from Uranium-238 (238U), Thorium-232 (232Th) and Potassium-40 (40K) in coastal urban-environment and its possible health implications

The risk of natural terrestrial radioactivity on human health is often underestimated, and environmental safety awareness is necessary. Hence, this study aims to assess natural sources of gamma radiation emitter in coastal urban-environment using the radiometric technique. The dosage of gamma radiation from a parent radionuclide such as Uranium-238 (238U), Thorium-232 (232Th) and Potassium-40 (40K) and were measured using portable gamma spectroscopy. The result showed that the measured value of 238U activity was between 10.81 $$\pm$$ ± 0.69 and 46.31 $$\pm$$ ± 1.43 Bqkg−1. The mean value was estimated to be 35.44 $$\pm$$ ± 0.97 Bqkg−1 which is slightly higher than the world average. Meanwhile, 232Th activity ranges from 28.42 $$\pm$$ ± 1.12 to 69.43 $$\pm$$ ± 1.76 Bqkg−1 with the calculated mean value of 92.57 $$\pm$$ ± 1.17 Bqkg−1 while 40K activity ranged between 31.30 ± 1.32 and 328.65 ± 2.32 Bqkg−1 with the estimated mean 137.59 $$\pm$$ ± 2.42 Bqkg−1. Radiological parameters such as radium equivalent (Req), internal hazard (Hint) and external hazard (Hext) assessment were in the range of 66.00 Bqkg−1 to 141.76 Bqkg−1, 0.232 to 0.452 and 0.178 to 0.383, respectively. The measured values of gamma dose-rates ranged between 54.283 ± 0.78 and 117.531 ± 1.14 nGyh−1 with the calculated mean value of 84.770 ± 0.97 nGyh−1.

Radionuclide Content of Aerosols within the Lower Atmosphere of Major Towns in Plateau State, North Central Nigeria

Radioactivity analysis of aerosols within the lower atmosphere of some selected towns in Plateau state, North central Nigeria was carried out using Respirable Dust sampler (APM 460NL) and Gamma Ray Spectroscopy technique to ascertain their radiological safety and radiation dose to the general public. The mean mass concentration of fine (PM2.5) and coarse (PM10) aerosols were found to be 234.4 and 390.6 (ug/m3) respectively for Pankshin; 381.3 and 312.5 (ug/m3) respectively for Shendam, and 208.3 and 250.0 (ug/m3) for Jos. The mean activity concentration of Potassium- 40, Radium-226 and Thorium-232 in the selected towns were found to be 510.82,52.16 and 29.76 Bq/kg respectively. Average values of the following radiological parameter Da, AEDE, HEX and AGED were 4.3439 nGy/yr, 0.0053MSv/yr,0.025Bq/kg, and 30.3470 mSv/yr respectively.The activity concentration of Potassium-40 was beyond the permissible limit at Shandan while that of Radium-226 was beyond the set limit in Jos and Pankshin. The concentration of Thorium-232 in the study areas was below permissible limit. Continuous exposure to these radionuclides and their progenies including their synergetic effects with trace metals in the aerosols may pose several risk to public health. This work is useful in regional environmental radiation monitoring and is part of efforts geared towards generating baseline data for environmental radioactivity levels within North Central Nigeria .

Mathematical Expressions of Radon Measurements

The measurement of radon, thoron and their progeny concentrations also leads to the knowledge of the presence of radioactive elements, which are the sources of these elements such as Uranium-238 and Thorium-232. Using of Solid State Nuclear Tracks Detectors (SSNTDs) it is probably the most widely applied for long term radon measurements. In this chapter, we derived the most important mathematical relationships that researchers need in radon measurements to calculate such as average radon concentration, exhalation rate, equilibrium factor, radon diffusion coefficient and transmission factor to get actual radon concentration in air atmosphere. The relationship between theoretical and experiment calibration drive and other mathematical relationships are given in this chapter.

Evaluating the hazards of background radiation and cesium in the soil of greenhouses within the region of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: تقييم مخاطر الإشعاعات الطبيعية وعنصر السيزيوم في التربة داخل البيوت المحمية في منطقة الرياض، المملكة العربية السعودية

The study evaluates the hazards of background radiation and Cesium- 137 in the soil of greenhouses within the region of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Mole detector was utilized. It renders readings for the concentration of Uranium- 238, Thorium- 232, Potassium- 40 and Cesium- 137. Field measures were conducted at Alkharj at Nowara Farm Nurseries, Saudi Arabia. Measures were taken at three different greenhouses (plastic covered, glass covered and fiber glass covered). The plants at the plastic- covered greenhouse were cucumber, pepper and eggplant while in the glass and fiber glass- covered greenhouse, the vegetation were ornamental plants and flowers. The average concentration of Uranium- 238 recorded (19.33 Bq/ kg), Thorium- 232 (14.09 Bq/ kg), Potassium- 40 (130.77 Bq/ kg) and Cesium- 137 (1.81 Bq/ kg). These values are less than the world rates. Some radiation hazard indices were also calculated like Radium Equivalent (Raeq), the absorbed dose of Gamma rays in the air, external and internal hazard indices with the purpose of evaluating the dangers of the radiations existing in the greenhouse soil on health. The average radium equivalent activity (Raeq) recorded (49.56 Bq/ kg) which is less than the permissible world rates (370 Bq/ kg). The absorbed dose of Gamma rays in the air recorded (22.94 nGy/ hr) which is again less than the permissible world rates (59 nGy/ h). The average internal and external hazard indices recorded less than one and came within the world permissible limits.