Determination of natural radionuclides in soils from various geological environments and dose calculation

Abstract The study of natural radionuclides, which have been present in our lives since the formation of the world, is very important in our daily lives because of their effects on public health. There are currently more than 60 known radionuclides, but among these, the most important are uranium, thorium and potassium, which are considered the primary sources for the production of gamma radiation. In this study, the natural radionuclide activity concentrations of soil samples collected from 15 different locations in the Aegean region of Turkey to assess radiological hazards were determined using an HPGe detector based on a high-resolution gamma spectrometry system. The measured soils were also analysed for radiological parameters, which were evaluated by comparison with the literature.