Title of article :
Assessment of Natural Radioactivity Levels and Radiation Hazards in Agricultural and Virgin Soil in the State of Kedah, North of Malaysia
Author/Authors :
Alzubaidi, Ghazwa Physics Department - Faculty of Science - University of Malaya - Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia , Hamid, Fauziah B. S Institute of Biological Science - Faculty of Science - University of Malaya - Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia - Centre for Research in Waste Management - Faculty of Science - University of Malaya - 50603 Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia , Abdul Rahman, I School of Applied Physics - Faculty of Science & Technology - Universiti Kebangsaan - Selangor - Malaysia
Pages :
9
From page :
1
To page :
9
Abstract :
The activity concentrations of naturally occurring radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K were determined in 30 agricultural and virgin soil samples randomly collected from Kedah, north of Malaysia, at a fertile soil depth of 0–30 cm. Gamma-ray spectrometry was applied using high-purity germanium (HPGe) gamma-ray detector and a PC-based MCA. The mean radioactivity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K were found to be 102.08 ± 3.96, 133.96 ± 2.92, and 325.87 ± 9.83 Bq kg−1, respectively, in agricultural soils and 65.24 ± 2.00, 83.39 ± 2.27, and 136.98 ± 9.76 Bq kg−1, respectively, in virgin soils. The radioactivity concentrations in agricultural soils are higher than those in virgin soils and compared with those reported in other countries. The mean values of radium equivalent activity (Raeq), absorbed dose rates 𝐷 (nGy h−1), annual effective dose equivalent, and external hazard index (𝐻ex) are 458.785 Bq kg−1, 141.62 nGy h−1, and 0.169 mSv y−1, respectively, in agricultural soils and 214.293 Bq kg−1, 87.47 nGy h−1, and 0.106 mSv y−1, respectively, in virgin soils, with average 𝐻ex of 0.525. Results were discussed and compared with those reported in similar studies and with internationally recommended values.
Keywords :
Natural Radioactivity Levels , Radiation Hazards , Agricultural , Virgin Soil , State of Kedah , North of Malaysia
Journal title :
The Scientific World Journal
Serial Year :
2016
Full Text URL :
Record number :
2613037
Link To Document :
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