Alpha Particles Concentrations from Soil Samples of Al-Najaf/ Iraq

Abstract

Soil samples were collected at Al-Najaf governorate, Iraq and assessed for radon concentrations using CN-85 detector and uranium concentrations using CN-85 and CR-39 detectors. Also, Some radiation parameters due to radon concentrations were calculated. Radon concentrations were varied from (506.84) Bq/m 3 to (1194.69) Bq/m 3 with an average of (894.21±77.80) Bq/m 3 , while the radium content  were varied from (77.19) Bq/kg to (181.95) Bq/kg with an average (136.18±11.84) Bq/kg. The average values of the rate of radon exhalation in term of mass, in term of area and the soil radon concentration contributing to indoor radon activity were (1.01±0.08) Bq/kg.h, (4.56±0.39) Bq/m 2 .h and (18.24±1.58) Bq/m 3 respectively.  Also it is found that the average value of  effective dose equivalent, annual effective dose and absorbed dose in soft tissues and in lungs were (0.084±0.007) WLM/y, (0.574±0.050)mSv/y, (0.090±0.007) nGy/h and (0.729±0.063) nGy/h respectively. Among other things, uranium concentration using CN-85 and CR-39 detectors were varied from (0.85) ppm to (2.0) with an average (1.5±0.13) ppm and from (1.16) ppm to (2.17) with an average (1.5±0.13) ppm respectively. The correlation between the contributing of radon to indoor  with radium content and  uranium concentrations with two detectors (CN-85 and CR-39) in clear. Finally, the values of radon concentrations, radium content, radon exhalation rate in term of area, annual effective dose and uranium concentrations in soil samples in the present study were below limits the world average, so can be consider according results the area under study does not pose risk to human health.