Abstract
Clay soil samples (0, 30, and 60 cm depths) were collected from two districts (Abu Al Khasib and Ad Dayr) in Basrah governorate in southern Iraq for gamma-ray spectroscopy. The activity concentrations for natural existing radionuclides in 18 soil samples were measured using high-purity germanium detector HPGe. From the obtained results of γ-ray spectroscopy, the 238U activity concentrations were found to be ranging from 2.4 to 5.6 ppm with an average of 3.5 ppm in Abu Al Khasib and ranging from 2.1 to 4.5 ppm with an average of 2.9 ppm in Ad Dayr. 232Th concentrations were ranging from 3.6 to 7.5 ppm with an average of 4.7 ppm in Abu Al Khasib and ranging from 3.7 to 7.9 ppm with an average of 5.0 ppm in Ad Dayr. 40K concentration was ranging from 0.1% to 2.0% with an average of 1.2% in Abu Al Khasib and ranging from 0.9% to 1.8% with an average of 1.3% in Ad Dayr. High 238U and 226Ra concentration levels were recorded in both study regions. The concentrations of 232Th are within the normal limits in both regions. High levels of 40K were recorded in some locations. Generally, in most locations, 40K activity was within normal ranges. The radium equivalent activity, the external hazard index, the internal hazard index, and the radioactivity level index were calculated to estimate the radiation hazard in Basrah. The estimated radiation hazard indices were within normal limits, except the radioactivity level index, which shows elevated values. The obtained results were compared with other countries and with the worldwide median certified values.
Highlights
Human beings are exposed to natural radiation sources
The Activity in Clay Soil from Abu Al Khasib and Ad Dayr. 18 clay soil samples were collected from the indicated locations in Figure 1 using Global Positioning System (GPS)
Estimations on clay soil samples were carried elementally for 238U, 232Th, 226Ra, and 40K. 18 samples were collected in a previous work from Abu Al Khasib and Ad Dayr districts in Basrah, Iraq, from different depths (0, 30, and 60 cm)
Summary
Human beings are exposed to natural radiation sources. The natural sources include the cosmic radiations that come from the sun that start as charged particles, which interact with the earth’s atmosphere to produce gamma and beta radiations. Natural radioactive materials are included in soil, water, and vegetation known as terrestrial radiation. In addition to the cosmic and terrestrial sources, humans have radioactive isotopes inside their bodies since childbirth. Humans are exposed to the man-made radiation used in medical processes such as radiation treatment, nuclear medicine, and diagnostic X-rays. Manmade radiations are received from nuclear-power reactors and facilities involved in nuclear weapons. DU has a half-life of 4.4 billion years and is used in nuclear reactors and in the manufacture of nuclear weapons
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