Abstract:

The distribution of natural radioactivity in soils collected from uncultivated areas in Digor districts of Kars was investigated by using NaI(Tl) gamma-ray spectrometry. The concentration of the natural radio nuclides 226Ra 232Th,40K and 137Cs in the 55 soil samples from the studied areas range from 21.6±7.0 to 55.7±8.2 Bqkg-1, 45.0±14.7 to 94.7±15.3  Bqkg-1, 474.5±0.0 to 666.5±9.2 Bqkg-1 and BDL to 13.3±1.5 Bqkg-1, respectively. The determined mean values of activity concentrations of 226Ra 232Th and 40K were used to calculate the radiation hazard indices in soil samples. In the studied area, the radium equivalent activity (Raeq) varied from 131.3 to 195.1 Bqkg-1 with the mean value of 171.5 Bqkg-1 and  the open air absorbed gamma dose rate (ADR) varied from 61.7 to 88.0 nGyh-1 with the mean value of 79.0 nGyh-1. The annual effective air dose rate (AED) due to the presence of radionuclides ranged between 75.7 and 107.9 µSv with the average value of 96.8 µSv. The mean value of risk for cancer formation (LCR) during an average human lifetime was determined to be 0.34x10-3. The results presented in this study, Turkey has been compared with the average values of similar studies conducted in different regions of the world. The results of the study may constitute a reference for future assessments.

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