Evaluation of Environmental Hazards Resulted from Human Activities and Natural Radioactivity in Tuban Delta in Yemen

Abstract

The knowledge of environmental hazards resulted from natural radioactivity and human activities is very important for monitoring of environmental contamination. In this study, the environmental hazards due to the natural radioactivity and human activities in Tuban delta in Yemen were discussed and evaluated using gamma ray spectroscopy. Thirty soil samples were collected from the study area. The results showed that the mean activity concentrations of 238U series (226Ra), 232Th, and 40K were 16.83 ± 2.3, 24.76 ± 2.3, 646.48 ± 13 Bq kg-1 and 15.22 ± 1.5, 21.99 ± 2.1, 472.58 ± 10 Bq kg-1 for farm soil samples treated with organic and urea fertilizer and farm soil samples treated with urea fertilizer, respectively. The corresponding values were 19.53 ± 1.5, 24.46 ± 3, and 500.76 ± 17 Bq kg-1 for uncultivated soil samples. The activity concentrations of 137Cs showed a significant value in some uncultivated soil samples. Also, physical and chemical properties of some soil samples were discussed and evaluated. A Radiological parameter, an absorbed dose rate in air, and an annual effective dose were calculated and evaluated. The results were compared with those of literature.