The Background Radiation for the Soil Samples Selected from Al-Kafel Area-Babylon Governorate, Iraq

Abstract

The specific radioactivity for the Soil samples selected from Al-Kafel area in Babylon governorate was measured by using NaI(Tl) detector. A mathematical models were also used to calculate the radioactivity of 226Ra nucleus in plant and animal products and radiation doses resulting from its consumption. It was found that: The concentration of thorium nucleus (234Th) resulting from the decomposition of the uranium-238 chain has reached its highest value is (30.40) Bq/Kg for in soil sample SS7, which is within the universally permitted limits for the degenerated uranium chain and its products (35) Bq/Kg. An increase in its radioactivity was observed in radium nucleus (226Ra), the highest value of which was in the sample SS6 at the rate of (85.64) Bq/Kg with another noticeable increase of the samples SS1, SS2, SS3, SS7, SS8 which exceeded the permitted limits (35) Bq/Kg. Also, it was found that the highest radioactivity of thorium nucleus 232Th reached (45.39) Bq/Kg in the sample SS13, In addition, there is high radioactivity of the same nuclei in the samples SS16, SS17 SS18, SS19, SS10, SS12 Which exceeded the allowed limits of (30) Bq/Kg. Also the radioactivity of the potassium nucleus (40K) it was found that between (395.20 - 110.60) Bq/Kg to the samples (SS5, SS14), respectively, All of which are within the permissible limits (400)Bq/Kg. likewise found to high values from the radiation doses from human consumption of vegetable and animal products (milk and meat) in SS6, SS7 and SS8 samples due to the high concentration of radium isotope in soil samples(23), generally all of them within the allowed limits 0.1 Sv/y.