Characterization of ¹³⁷Cs in Riyadh Saudi Arabia Soil Samples

Abdulaziz S. Alaamer

Department of Physics, Al-Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Saudi Arabia.

DOI: 10.4236/wjnst.2012.24024                

Abstract

The current study was conducted primarily to investigate and estimate ¹³⁷Cs activity concentrations and the external dose rate due to fallout radionuclide ¹³⁷Cs. Soil samples were collected from different 25 locations at Riyadh Province and analyzed using low level γ-spectrometry equipped with HPGe-detector. ¹³⁷Cs activity concentrations and calculated dose rate were found in the range of 0.8 - 3.1 Bq·kg^–1 and 0.05 to 0.8 nSv·h^–1 with an average value of 1.70 ± 0.7 Bq·kg^–1 and 0.11 ± 0.05 nSv·h^–1 respectively. The measured ¹³⁷Cs activity concentration range was compared with the reported ranges in the literature from some of the other locations in the world. Results obtained in this study show that ¹³⁷Cs concentration is of a lower level in the investigated area. However, the range of ¹³⁷Cs concentrations observed in this study is significantly high relative to similar data reported from Libya. The average value of estimated external effective dose rate is found far below the dose rate limit of of 1.0 mSv·y^–1 for members of the general public recom-mended by ICRP as well as the external gamma radiation dose of 0.48 mSv·y^–1 received per head from the natural sources of radiation assessed by (UNSCEAR, 2000). It is concluded that ¹³⁷Cs soil contamination does not pose radia-tion hazards to the population in the investigated areas.

Keywords

¹³⁷Cs; Riyadh; Soil; Activity Concentration; Dose Rate; Annual Effective Dose

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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