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Determination of natural and artificial radioactivity in soil at North Lebanon province.

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Title: Determination of natural and artificial radioactivity in soil at North Lebanon province.
Authors: El Samad, O.1 osamad@cnrs.edu.lb, Baydoun, R.1, Nsouli, B.1, Darwish, T.2
Source: Journal of Environmental Radioactivity. Nov2013, Vol. 125, p36-39. 4p.
Subjects: Radioactive substances in soils, Induced radioactivity, Germanium detectors, Radioisotopes, Terrestrial radiation
Geographic Terms: Lebanon
Abstract: Abstract: The concentrations of natural and artificial radionuclides at 57 sampling locations along the North Province of Lebanon are reported. The samples were collected from uncultivated areas in a region not previously reported. The samples were analyzed by gamma spectrometers with High Purity Germanium detectors of 30% and 40% relative efficiency. The activity concentrations of primordial naturally occurring radionuclides of 238U, 232Th, and 40K varied between 4–73 Bq kg−1, 5–50 Bq kg−1, and 57–554 Bq kg−1 respectively. The surface activity concentrations due to the presence of these radionuclides were calculated and Kriging-geostatistical method was used to plot the obtained data on the Lebanese radioactive map. The results for 238U, 232Th, and 40K ranged from 0.2 kBq m−2 to 9 kBq m−2, from 0.2 kBq m−2 to 3 kBq m−2, and from 3 kBq m−2 to 29 kBq m−2 respectively. For the anthropogenic radionuclides, the activity concentrations of 137Cs founded in soil ranged from 2 Bq kg−1 to 113 Bq kg−1, and the surface activity concentration from 0.1 kBq m−2 to 5 kBq m−2. The total absorbed gamma dose rates in air from natural and artificial radionuclides in these locations were calculated. The minimum value was 6 nGy h−1 and the highest one was 135 nGy h−1 with an average of 55 nGy h−1 in which the natural terrestrial radiation contributes in 99% and the artificial radionuclides mainly 137Cs contributes only in 1%. The total effective dose calculated varied in the range of 7 μSv y−1 and 166 μSv y−1 while the average value was 69 μSv y−1 which is below the permissible limit 1000 μSv y−1. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
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Database: Engineering Source
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Abstract:Abstract: The concentrations of natural and artificial radionuclides at 57 sampling locations along the North Province of Lebanon are reported. The samples were collected from uncultivated areas in a region not previously reported. The samples were analyzed by gamma spectrometers with High Purity Germanium detectors of 30% and 40% relative efficiency. The activity concentrations of primordial naturally occurring radionuclides of 238U, 232Th, and 40K varied between 4–73 Bq kg−1, 5–50 Bq kg−1, and 57–554 Bq kg−1 respectively. The surface activity concentrations due to the presence of these radionuclides were calculated and Kriging-geostatistical method was used to plot the obtained data on the Lebanese radioactive map. The results for 238U, 232Th, and 40K ranged from 0.2 kBq m−2 to 9 kBq m−2, from 0.2 kBq m−2 to 3 kBq m−2, and from 3 kBq m−2 to 29 kBq m−2 respectively. For the anthropogenic radionuclides, the activity concentrations of 137Cs founded in soil ranged from 2 Bq kg−1 to 113 Bq kg−1, and the surface activity concentration from 0.1 kBq m−2 to 5 kBq m−2. The total absorbed gamma dose rates in air from natural and artificial radionuclides in these locations were calculated. The minimum value was 6 nGy h−1 and the highest one was 135 nGy h−1 with an average of 55 nGy h−1 in which the natural terrestrial radiation contributes in 99% and the artificial radionuclides mainly 137Cs contributes only in 1%. The total effective dose calculated varied in the range of 7 μSv y−1 and 166 μSv y−1 while the average value was 69 μSv y−1 which is below the permissible limit 1000 μSv y−1. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
ISSN:0265931X
DOI:10.1016/j.jenvrad.2013.02.010