Determination of Radium and Radon Exhalation Rates in Soil Samples Collected from Kerbala Governorate

Abstract

In the present work, radium concentration and radon exhalation rates in soil samples collected from Kerbala Governorate area (Iraq) have been measured through “Sealed cup technique” containing CN-85 solid state nuclear detector. This area is honorable position in the entire world, millions of peoples and religious sciences students visit it, in addition the soil of this area was used in brick manufacturing for building construction. Radium concentration varies from (1.1001- 2.6003) Bqkg-1 with an average of 1.7921Bq kg-1. The radon exhalation rate in terms of area varies from (0.9463 – 2.2369) Bqm-2h-1 with an average of 1.4785Bqm-2h-1, while radon exhalation rate in terms of mass varies from (29.715– 70.237) ×10-3 Bqkg-1h-1 with an average of 48.409×10-3 Bqkg-1h-1. Positive correlation has been observed between radium concentration and radon exhalation rate in soil. The values of radium concentration in all the soil samples were less than the recommended by Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) 1979. Also the radium concentration and radon exhalation rate in these samples has been found to be well below of 40 Bq/kg and 57.6 Bq. m-2.s, respectively. The results have revealed that the radium concentration in studied area and the associated exhalation radon does not pose risk to human health.