Determination of Radioactivity Levels, Hazard, Cancer Risk and Radon Concentrations of Water and Sediment Samples in Al-Husseiniya River (Karbala, Iraq)

Natural radioactivity U-235, Th-232, and K-40 of eight samples of water and sediments from Al-Husseiniya River have been investigated by using gamma spectrometer with High-Purity Germanium HPGe detector. Radon concentrations have been measured for these samples by using CR-39 detector. The average activity concentrations were 15.8 +/- 2.421 for U-238, 11.2 +/- 2.385 for Th-232, and 311 +/- 21.826 Bq/kg for K-40 in sediment samples; and 1.9 +/- 0.557 for U-238, 1.23 +/- 0.396 for Th-232, and 10.1 +/- 1.437 Bq/L for K-40 in water samples respectively. These activities are compared with the worldwide limit. The average radium equivalent activity Ra-eq was 55.959 +/- 8.559 Bq/kg in sediment. The average value of hazard index.. was 0.344 in sediment samples. The average absorbed dose rate D-out was 27.511 +/- 4.095Gy/h and D-in was 51.997 +/- 7.639 nGy/h in sediment samples respectively. The average of total annual effective dose equivalent AEDE for sediment was 288.815 mu Sv/y. While the total of ELCR was 1.011x 10(-3). They are less than worldwide limits. Radon concentrations have been measured for the same samples. CR-39 detector was used for radon measurements. The average value in sediment was 6.00 +/- 0.759 Bq/kg and 2.40 +/- 0.270 Bq/L in water samples. While the radium concentrations in sediment was 0.247 +/- 0.031Bq/kg. Both are less than the worldwide limit. The average value of E-A and C-d in water was found to be 1.783 +/- 0.202mBq/m(2).h and 46.890 +/- 255.245Bq/L respectively. While the surface and mass exhalation rates of sediment sample was 35.283 +/- 4.458bq/m(2).h and 7.091 +/- 0.896mBq/kg.h. The total annual effective dose AED in water samples was 14.762 mu Sv/ywhich are less than the worldwide value 1mSv/y. Therefore, water of Al-Husseiniya River is safe with regards to the concentration of radon and natural radioactivity.