Specific activities and radiation hazard parameters calculations of natural radionuclides in AL-Mustansiriyah university soils using NaI(Tl) detector

Abstract

The specific activities of the natural radionuclides U-238 and Th-
232 and K-40 in 14 soil samples collected from different sites from
AL-Mustansiriyah university at two depths (topsoil "surface" and
20cm depth) were be investigated using gamma ray spectrometer
3"x3" NaI(Tl) scintillation detector.
The analysis of the energy spectra of the soil samples show that
these samples have specific activities ranging with (16.08-51.11)
Bq/kg for U-238, (14.79-52.29) Bq/kg for Th-232 and (191.08-
377.64) Bq/kg for K-40, with an average values of 29.37, 34.14 and
289.62 Bq/kg for U-238, Th-232, k-40 respectively. The radiation
hazard parameters of the natural radionuclides; radium equivalent
activity (Raeq), gamma absorbed dose rate (Dγ), annual effective dose
rate (Eγ), internal and external hazard index (Hin, Hex) have also been
calculated. The maximum value of specific activities and hazard
parameters was found in the sample of the soil gathered from the
Literature college center. All the calculated specific activates values
were be in the ranges of worldwide averages, and below than the
global permissible limits, this would indicate that the soils of the
University is safety for both students and staff.