Radiological hazard assessment of the soil in Daquq district, Kirkuk, Iraq

Abstract This investigation assessed the baseline levels of radioactivity in the soil of Daquq district, Iraq, using the GR-460 radiation detection system. 238 U, 232 Th, and 40 K’s specific activities were measured and the hazard indices’ values determined. The average values of the absorbed dose, annual effective dose equivalent, annual gonadal equivalent dose, and lifetime cancer risk radiological risk factors were estimated. It is important to note that some of these results exceeded the global average levels. Various multivariate statistical techniques were employed to explore the relationships between the radioactive variables and identify potential correlations amongst them. Cluster analysis was utilized to identify clusters or groups of variables that shared similar characteristics. The study aimed to gain insights into the relationships between the radioactive variables and identify any correlations between them. These analyses provided valuable information regarding the associations and patterns within the data, thus contributing to an improved understanding of the radioactive variables and their potential implications.