Radioactivity of soil at proposed Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant site in Bangladesh

Background: The concentrations and distributions of natural and anthropogenic radioactive materials in soils of the site of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP) were investigated with the aim of evaluating the environmental radioactivity and radiation hazard. Materials and Methods: Soil samples were collected from 40 locations in and around the proposed site of Rooppur Power Plant and determined the activity level by using a gamma-ray spectrometry. Results: The concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in soil samples, radium equivalent activity (Raeq) for soil, absorbed dose rates, external hazard (Hex) values were determined. No artificial radioactivity (137Cs) was found in these samples. Conclusion: This present study provides a baseline of radioactivity and radiation levels in the proposed nuclear power plant site area at Rooppur. It will be utilized to correlate the radioactivity measured after operation of the reactor.