Measure the rate of Radiation Activity in Soil sample from the depth of Sindbad land in Basrah Governorate

Abstract

Uranium, radionuclide’s, thorium and potassium are relatively abundant in soils. Because of their radiation, these radionuclide’s pose exposure risks that can lead to health problems such as cancer for exposed people. There is therefore growing concern about the health risks associated with exposure to the natural sources of radiation in our environment. The specific activity 238U, 232Th, 40K,226Ra in forty soil samples collected from different locations of Al-sindbad land in the province of Basra – Iraq using Sodium Iodide NaI(TL) detector. The specific activities for the whole study areas were compared the Local, world average and permissible recommended limits. The results showed thatthe specific activity of226Ra,232Th,238U, and 40K, in the samples rang from( 17.14-39.07)Bq/kg, ( 1.8-22.88) Bq/kg, (0.68-2.24) Bq/kg and (278.11-402.29)respectively, Also evaluation of radiological hazard effects for Gamma ray (the radium equivalent rate (Raeq) which calculated from concentration of 232Th,238Uand 40K ranges between (30.72-65.48) Bq/kg with mean value of (43.362)Bq/kg, the absorbed dose Rate (D γ ) for the soil samples in the study area range from (26.54-43.92) nGy/h with an average value of(33.216)nGy/h, the annual effective dose rate (AEDEoo) range (0.13-0.22)mSv/y with an average value of(0.163) mSv/y, The annual effective dose rate (AEDEin) range (0.03-0.05) mSv/y with an average value of(0.04) mSv/y, The internal hazard index (Hin) range (0.2-0.35) with an average value of(0.255)and the external hazard index (Hex) range (0.15-0.25) with an average value of (0.186).The results of the present study have shown that the rates of Specific activity of226Ra,238U, 232Th and 40K, and radiological hazard effects Rate for Gamma-ray in environmental samples were all lower than the value of the global limit(33, 35, 30, 400)Bq/kg respectively according to UNSCEAR. We conclude from this study that the environment of Al-Sindbad land in the province of Basra – Iraq is within a normal background radiation.