Evaluation of natural radioactivity levels in soil samples of Al-Hindiya District, Karbala, Iraq

Abstract Using a NaI(Tl) detector and the gamma spectrometry technique, 18 soil samples were taken from the Al-Hindiya District in Karbala, Iraq, in order to measure the activity concentrations of 40 K, 226 Ra, and 232 Th. The results demonstrated that these radionuclides’ activity concentrations in the soil samples varied from 329 to 498 Bq/kg, 18.9 to 28.2 Bq/kg, and 8.2 to 13.1 Bq/kg, respectively. These levels, especially for 226 Ra and 232 Th, were lower than the global median values published by UNSCEAR (2000) and comparable to those in nearby locations. In order to carry out a more thorough investigation, a sample of dates, water from the Euphrates River, and sandy soil from dredging were also gathered and their inherent radioactivity examined. The sandy soil contained activity concentrations of 40 K, 226 Ra, and 232 Th of 271 Bq/kg, 13.1 Bq/kg, and 7.3 Bq/kg, respectively. The values in the water samples were, respectively, 2.13, 0.06, and less than the minimum detectable activity (MDA) in Bq/L. The readings for the date sample were, respectively, 380, 1.5, and MDA Bq/kg. With an average of 41 μSv/y, the outdoor annual effective dose caused by these radionuclides in the soil varied between 34.6 μSv/y and 48.6 μSv/y, which is consistent with values found in the literature and international regulations. Thus, it can be said that the natural radioactivity levels in this area do not pose a threat to the inhabitants.