Estimation of Natural Radioactivity in Water and Soil in some Villages of Irbid City

Abstract

This study presented the results of measurements of radon gas (Rn 222 ) in the air of soil and water in the villages of Al-Rafid and Aqraba (north of Jordan) by using solid state nuclear track detectors (SSNTDs) that commercially known as (CR-39). About 160 detectors were placed in soil of two villages at 40 cm depth. Soil planted detectors were gathered 17 days past plantation. In addition, the study presented the results of measurements of radon concentration in water of springs, wells and drinking water obtained from networks. We conducted a study of radon concentrations in the water through 220 water samples from the study area (Al-Rafid and Aqraba villages). The retrieved detectors were chemically etched using KOH solution of 30% concentration at temperature of 70 0 C for 8 hours. The alpha track density on the surface of (CR -39) detectors was measured using an optical microscope at proper magnification. It was found that the concentrations of radon in Al-Rafid soil were 1.76, 5.0, 4.8 and 2.03 kBq/m 3 in the regions of East, West, North and South, respectively, while the average radon concentrations in soil regions of Aqraba village were 2.0, 7.1, 6.01 and 3.7 kBq/m 3 in East, West, North and South, respectively. In general we note the relatively high concentrations of radon in the air of soil in the study area and the reason that this study conducted in the winter, which is characterized by a lack of drought, high humidity and low temperatures that reduces the opportunity for good ventilation rates. The study also provided the results of measurements of radon in the waters of Al-Rafid and Aqraba villages. The highest concentration of radon in spring's water of Al-Rafid village was in Busta spring and the lowest concentration in Al-Rafid spring while the average radon in Aqraba spring was 2.6 Bq/L. The radon concentration in water wells of Al-Rafid village was ranged from 1.8 Bq/L in East region to 5.3 Bq/L in West region. However, the results showed that the radon concentrations in wells of Aqraba village were highest from radon concentration in wells of Al-Rafid village, where the concentrations were 2.7, 6.3, 5.5 and 4.0 Bq/L in regions of East, West, North and South, respectively. The average radon concentration in drinking water obtained from networks in Al-Rafid village was 1.8 Bq/L which is less than average radon concentration in water obtained from networks in Aqraba village 2.4 Bq/L. Concentration of radon in the water within the limits of international