Measurement of natural radiation levels in some soil samples from the ancient city of Borsippa in Babylon Governorate, Iraq

Abstract In the present study, the activity concentration of natural radionuclides was determined for 40 K, 232 Th, and 238 U. Some samples of soil from the ancient city of Borsippa in Babylon Governorate. The detector sodium iodide activated by Thallium NaI (Tl) has been used to perform the radioactivity measurements. 15 samples had their natural radioactivity levels assessed. 40 K, 232 Th, and 238 U had average specific activities of (167.86±1.19, 25.15±1.09, and 11.75±0.457) Bq/kg. The average radium equivalent (61.17±2.10) Bq/kg. Average internal and external risk factors were (0.15±0.00007, and 0.19±0.00027), As for the average value of the index of representative levels (Iᵧ) was (0.44±0.018) The average absorbed dose level in (nGy/h) (28.19±1.18). The results of this study were within the internationally permissible limits, according to the report of the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation.