Abstract
The aim of the present research is to illustrate γ-ray levels emitting from soil and bitumen producing from 238U, 232Th, and 40K along Abu-Jir Fault Zone. in the area extended from Al-Marj valley to Abu-Jir village using scintillometer device. Such study is important in environmental assessment to buildup data base about radioactivity. The concentration of natural radionuclides in the study area was determined to be occurring mostly in the clay minerals and organic matter. A high purity germanium spectrometer was used to detect the activity of these elements which ranged between 00.6±18.1- 1526±102, 0- 8.4±1.4, and 70.1±10.9- 328.2±73 in soil, and 28.2±5.6- 94±22.1, 0- 2.2±0.5, and 38.4±7.9- 70.1±10.9 in bitumen for 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K respectively. The anomaly of the Naturally occurring radioactive material was associated with hydrocarbon accumulation and springs. The source of 232Th and 40K came from the same source rock (illite), while 226Ra was associated with ascending fluids. The obtained results showed that the activity of 226Ra in soil has value above the world averages and other countries.
Highlights
The study area is characterized by the presence of many hydrocarbon seepages distributed along Abu-Jir Fault Zone (AJFZ), in the area extending between Hit and Abu-Jir village (Awadh et al, 2013)
This study aims to assess the concentration of radioactive elements (238U, 232Th, and 40K) in the study area to build up a database of the nature of radiation and to determine the geological materials emitted radiation
This study is proved the presence of radiation along this fault which cannot separate the origin of this radiation from the phenomena related
Summary
The study area is characterized by the presence of many hydrocarbon seepages distributed along Abu-Jir Fault Zone (AJFZ), in the area extending between Hit and Abu-Jir village (Awadh et al, 2013). A lot of heavy metals were found in both water and sediments of the Euphrates River in the study area (Awadh and Ahmed, 2013). The major source of natural radioactivity is terrestrial radiation which majority of it belong to radionuclides in 238U series, 232Th series, and 40K, as a result of radioactive decay these elements in rocks and soil, where they can migrate in environment through soil, rocks, air, and water.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
