Abstract
The study aimed to determine the natural radioactivity levels of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K by the Gamma-Ray spectrometry method, and radiological hazard parameters of the plutonic rocks in the Western and Central Sakarya Zone and to analyze the data using multivariate statistical methods. The average radiological values of samples were determined as 40K (1295.3 Bq kg−1) > 232Th (132.1 Bq kg−1) > 226Ra (119.7 Bq kg−1). According to the skewness values of the distributions of the examined radionuclides, 226Ra (2.1) and 232Th (0.7) seemed to be positively right-skewed while 40K (−0.2) had a negatively right-skewed histogram. On the other hand, the following kurtosis values were calculated for the distributions: 226Ra (5.8 > 3), 232Th (−0.7), and 40K (−0.8). Kolmogorov–Smirnov and Shapiro–Wilk tests were applied to the data to test their normality. Therefore, Spearman’s correlation coefficient method was performed. The radionuclides of 226Ra and 232Th were found to have a positive correlation with radiological hazard parameters of the samples. 2 (two)-related factors identified, and the cumulative value was calculated to be 98.7% on the basis of the Scree Plot. According to the hierarchical cluster analysis, the samples that are grouped with those from Camlik region are prominent. The average radioactivity values of Camlik, Sogukpinar, Karacabey, and Sogut (except for 232Th) regions were detected to be higher than the world averages while the value of 40K was also found to be higher than the average values of various countries in the world.
Highlights
The study aimed to determine the natural radioactivity levels of 226 Ra, 232 Th, and 40 K by the Gamma-Ray spectrometry method, and radiological hazard parameters of the plutonic rocks in the Western and Central Sakarya Zone and to analyze the data using multivariate statistical methods
“Natural radioactivity” is observed all around the world, in the geological environment consisting of rocks, soils, plants, fluids, and gas as well as the artificial environment consisting of man-made structures [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9]
The study aimed to measure the radioactivity levels of the plutonic rocks widely observed in the Sakarya Zone to determine the radiation hazard indices, and to interpret all the data obtained by using multivariate statistical analysis
Summary
“Natural radioactivity” is observed all around the world, in the geological environment consisting of rocks, soils, plants, fluids, and gas as well as the artificial environment consisting of man-made structures [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9]. People living in environments containing natural radioactivity are exposed to different doses of radiation. Exposure to gamma rays may pose health risks for people [11,12,13] These rocks that we contact in various ways are very crucial in terms of the health of living things. The use of these rocks and the presence of habitats and residential areas in the study area increase the significance of this study In this context, the study aimed to measure the radioactivity levels of the plutonic rocks widely observed in the Sakarya Zone to determine the radiation hazard indices, and to interpret all the data obtained by using multivariate statistical analysis. Interpretations were made by comparing the obtained data and the radiogenic levels exposed to living things in the regions with the values of different areas
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