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Evaluation of Natural Radioactivity Level in Surface Soil from Bambasi District in Benishangul Gumuz Region, Ethiopia.

Authors :
Kidane, Yared Birhane
Deressu, Tilahun Tesfaye
Belete, Guadie Degu
Cagliero, Cecilia
Source :
Journal of Analytical Methods in Chemistry; 9/18/2024, Vol. 2024, p1-14, 14p
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

The study assessed the concentration of natural radionuclides in soil samples from the Bambasi district in Ethiopia's Benishangul Gumuz region using a gamma‐ray spectrometer equipped with a high‐purity germanium (HPGe) detector. The measured activity concentrations of 238U, 232Th, and 40K in soil samples varied from 46.2 ± 2.25 to 88.49 ± 5.73 Bq/kg, 73.4 ± 4.12 to 119.65 ± 8.45 Bq/kg, and 176.78 ± 8.63 to 396.71 ± 25.39 Bq/kg, respectively. The average concentration of 238U and 232Th exceeded the recommended worldwide population weighted average values of 32.0 and 45.0 Bq/kg, respectively, while the average concentration of 40K was below the recommended value of 420.0 Bq/kg. The mean absorbed dose rate was calculated to be 91.6 ± 5.1 nGy/h, which is above the recommended safe value of 59 nGy/h. The average annual effective dose equivalents for indoor and outdoor exposure were determined to be 2.65 ± 0.14 mSv/y and 0.66 ± 0.1 mSv/y, respectively. The calculated mean values of the internal hazard index, external hazard index, and gamma index across all soil samples were 0.72 ± 0.05, 0.55 ± 0.02, and 0.72 ± 0.02, respectively, all below the recommended safe threshold of one. These findings suggest that the activity concentrations observed in the soil samples exceed safe levels, indicating the necessity for further investigation into radioactivity levels and epidemiological studies regarding potential hazards from high background radiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
20908865
Volume :
2024
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
Journal of Analytical Methods in Chemistry
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
179712376
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/6633673