Determination of Radionuclides Concentrations in Surface Soil Samples in the District of Bandirma, Balikesir

Determination of the environmental radioactivity concentration value is very important as it directly effects human health. Natural and artificial radionuclide concentration levels have been determined by looking Ra-226, Th-232, K-40, and Cs-137 radionuclides. In this study, natural and artificial continental radionuclide concentrations were measured in the Bandirma district of Balikesir. Ra-226, Th-232, K-40, and Cs-137 radioactivity concentrations were detected with the aid of a high-purity germanium (HpGe) detector. Soil samples used in the study were selected from 30 different locations sampling points located in Bandirma. The radiological hazard indices such as absorbed gamma dose rate (D), annual gonadal dose equivalent (AGDE), exposure dose (ER), total annual effective dose (AED), excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR), internal hazard index (H-in), external hazard index (H-ex) and gamma representative level (GRL) were determined. The mean values of Ra-226, Th-232, K-40, and Cs-137 concentrations in this study were 15.81 +/- 1.35 Bq kg(-1), 28.86 +/- 1.07 Bq kg(-1), 276.86 +/- 11.69 Bq kg(-1), and 1.98 +/- 0.31 Bq kg(-1) respectively. The calculated radiological hazard parameters were compared with the world averages. The obtained radioactivity concentration values were measured to be below the world average.

Automated summary

The concentrations of natural and artificial radionuclides were measured in soil samples, and radiological hazard indices were calculated. The results showed that the measured radioactivity concentrations were below the world average.