Comparative Study Between Virgin and Agriculture Soil Radon Activity Concentration and Their Radiological Risks

Authors

Hiwa Hamad Azeez Dr., Department of Physics, College of Education, Salahaddin University – Erbil, IraqFollow
Jahfer Majeed Smail Dr., Department of Physics, Faculty of Science and Health, Koya University, Koya KOY45, Kurdistan Region–F.R, IraqFollow
Hemn Muhammad Salh Dr., Department of Physics, Faculty of Science and Health, Koya University, Koya KOY45, Kurdistan Region–F.R, Iraq.Follow
Habeeb Hanna Mansour Dr., Department of Physics, College of Education, Salahaddin University – Erbil, Iraq,Follow
Saddon Taha Ahmad Prof. Dr., Faculty of Medicine, Koya University, Koya KOY45, Kurdistan Region– F.R, IraqFollow
Hawbash H. Hamadamin Karim Dr., Department of Physics, Faculty of Science and Health, Koya University, Koya KOY45, Kurdistan Region–F.R, IraqFollow

Corresponding Author

Hiwa Hamad Azeez

Authors ORCID

(Hiw H. Azeez): (0000-0002-8209-1019)

Document Type

Original Article

Abstract

The present study is to compare the radon activity concentration in agricultural and virgin soils from various locations along the Little Zab River (LZR) in the Iraqi Kurdistan region. We conducted 24 measurements of soil samples using long tube techniques equipped with an electric radon detector called RAD7 in our research. The findings revealed that the radon activity concentrations ranged from 37.3 ± 7.52 Bq m-3 to 298.25 ± 50.09 Bq m-3 in virgin soil, and from 33.03 ± 10.85 Bq m-3 to 320.25 ± 34.62 Bq.m-3 in agriculture soil. The annual effective dose was also calculated to be from 0.94 ± 0.19 mSv.y-1 to 8.08 ± 0.87 mSv.y-1 for virgin soil, and from 0.83 ± 0.27 mSv.y-1 to 8.08 ± 0.87 mSv.y-1 for agriculture soil in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region. The field dose rates were measured using the RIIDEye Handheld Radiation Isotope Identifier and found to be within the range 56.8 nSv h-1 to 80.6 nSv h-1. It was observed that Agricultural soil has the highest radiation dose for humans compared to virgin soil.

Keywords

Radon.; RAD7; Agriculture soil; Virgin soil; Radiological risks

How to Cite This Article

Azeez, Hiwa Hamad Dr.; Smail, Jahfer Majeed Dr.; Salh, Hemn Muhammad Dr.; Mansour, Habeeb Hanna Dr.; Ahmad, Saddon Taha Prof. Dr.; and Karim, Hawbash H. Hamadamin Dr. (2024) "Comparative Study Between Virgin and Agriculture Soil Radon Activity Concentration and Their Radiological Risks," Polytechnic Journal: Vol. 14: Iss. 1, Article 4.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.59341/2707-7799.1802