Use GIS technical to map natural radioactivity in soil samples for the University of Kufa, Iraq

GIS "Geographic Information System" technology was used to map the specific activity (S.A.) of primordial radionuclides 238 U, 232 Th, and 40 K in selected soil samples for twelve locations at the University of Kufa, Iraq. S.A. values were determined using gamma spectrometry type NaI(Tl) with volume “3 × 3”. Also, the values of radiological parameters such as Ra eq "radium equivalent", H ex "external hazard index", I γr "representative gamma risk index", D r "Absorbed Dose rate", AEDE outdoor "Annual Effective Dose Equivalent in outdoor", and ELCR "Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk" were determined. The average value of S.A. for 238 U, 232 Th, and 40 K was 10.35 ± 0.9 Bq/kg, 7.31 ± 1.8 Bq/kg, and 256.19 ± 55.7 Bq/kg, respectively. While, the average values of Ra eq (Bq/kg), H ex, I γr , D r (nGy/h), AEDE outdoor (mSv/y), and ELCR were 48.00, 0.130, 0.373, 23.70, 0.029, and 0.102 × 10 −3 , respectively. The results of S.A. and each radiological parameter of the study area locations were low according to acceptable level reports by UNSCEAR, ICRP, and OCDE. Therefore, it can be concluded that the soil samples of the University of Kufa were safe. • Assessment of Naturally Occurring Radioactivity in soil of University of Kufa • Using gamma ray spectroscopy to determine of natural radioactivity in all University of Kufa at Najaf city • Comparison of results with the reference levels prescribed by UNSECR. • Use GIS technical to draw a map of natural radioactivity of the University of Kufa • Putting the basis for a baseline of investigation of Natural Radioactivity in soil of University of Kufa .