Reference levels of natural radioactivity and ¹³⁷Cs in and around the surface soils of Kestanbol pluton in Ezine region of Çanakkale province, Turkey

Abstract

The aim of the study was to conduct a systematic investigation on the natural gamma emitting radionuclides (²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K) as well as ¹³⁷Cs in the surface soils from Kestanbol/Ezine plutonic area in Çanakkale province as part of the environmental monitoring program on radiologic impact of the granitoid areas in Western Anatolia. The activity measurements of the gamma emitters in the surface soil samples collected from 52 sites distributed all over the region has been carried out, by means of HPGe gamma-ray spectrometry system. The activity concentrations of the relevant radionuclides in the soil samples appeared in the ranges as follows: ²²⁶Ra was 20–521 Bq kg⁻¹; ²³²Th, 11–499 Bq kg⁻¹and; ⁴⁰K, 126–3181 Bq kg⁻¹, yet the ¹³⁷Cs was much lower than 20 Bq kg⁻¹at most. Furthermore, based on the available data, the radiation hazard parameters associated with the surveyed soils were calculated. The present data also allowed evaluation of some correlations that may exist in the investigated natural radionuclides of the soil samples from the plutonic area in Çanakkale province. It is concluded from the above that the concerned region did not lead to any significant radiological exposure to the environment.

Keywords:

• Kestanbol plutonic area
• soils
• natural radionuclides
• ¹³⁷Cs
• radiation hazard parameters
• Çanakkale
• Turkey

Acknowledgments

Financial support for the present work from the Ege University under the following Project 2006 FEN 044 is gratefully acknowledged. We sincerely thank Prof. Dr. Osman Candan and Dr. Cüneyt Akal for their guidance in the field studies.