Measurement of Gamma Emitting Radionuclides in Environmental Samples of Talagang Tehsil-District Chakwal

Abstract

Due to constant exposure of Human beings to radiation caused by terrestrial, extra-terrestrial and anthropogenic radio nuclides, it is necessary to determine/estimate the activity of various radio nuclides in environmental media such as vegetation, soil, and water. In the present research, the activities of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K are measured in soil, vegetation and water samples, collected from Talagang Tehsil-District Chakwal of Pakistan using a HPGe based gamma spectrometry system. The measured mean activity of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in soil samples was found to be 31.19±1.2, 47.00±2.30 and 589.31±17.52 Bqkg-1, respectively. The measured mean activity of these radionuclides in all water samples was found to be below minimum detectable activity. The measured mean activity of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in vegetation samples was 19.92±3.09, 25.36±8.11 and 4982.94±85.68 Bqkg-1, respectively. No anthropogenic 137Cs was detected in these environmental samples. Mean radium equivalent activity (Raeq), external radiation hazard index (Hex), internal radiation hazard index (Hin) and absorbed dose rate (D) for the area under study were determined as 142.92 Bqkg-1, 0.38, 0.47 and 66.47 nGyh-1, respectively. The annual effective dose equivalent (AEDE) varied in the range from 0.03 to 0.12 mSv y-1. It is concluded that the surveyed area do not pose any significant radiological risk to the population and environment.