Radiological Parameters Due to Radon-222 in Soil Samples at Baghdad Governorate (Karakh), Iraq

Radom-222 Concentation in Soil Samples

  • Ali Abid Abojassim Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Kufa , Al-Najaf, Iraq
  • Ahmed Rahim Shltake
  • Laith Ahmed Najam
Keywords: radon levels, soil samples, Baghdad governorate, CR-39 detector

Abstract

Measurements of radon concentration, effective radium content, potential alpha energy
concentration (PAEC) and annual effective dose (AED) were estimated for soil samples in fifteen locations
of the Baghdad governorate (Karakh) in the central part of Iraq. In this survey we used the can technique,
containing nuclear track detector (CR-39). The obtained values of radon concentration measurements were
generally low, ranging from 38.12±13.46 to 94.51±16.5 Bq/m3, with an average 66.07 Bq/m3, while the
effective radium content varied from 5.80±0.21 Bq/kg to 14.39±0.33 Bq/kg with an average 10.09 Bq/kg.
The average of the PAEC and AED were assessed to be 7.14 mWL 1.66 mSv/y, respectively. The results
of the present study shows that the radium content are lower than the allowed limit reported by Organization
for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) that is equal to 370 Bq/kg. In general, it is seen that
the AED limit was within the recommended reference level (3 mSv/y to 10 mSv/y) of the World Health
Organization. Also, it is found that there is a strong correlation (R2= 1) between radon concentrations and
effective radium content. The results obtained from this study indicate that the locations of Karakh has
background radioactivity(radon concentrations) levels within the natural limits.

Published
2017-06-29