Title: Analysis of radioisotope concentrations in sediments using γ-ray spectrometry

Authors: M. Kullab, A. Ismail, Y. Abu-Rukah

Addresses: Faculty of Science, Physics Department, Yarmouk University, Irbid 211-63, Jordan. ' Faculty of Science, Physics Department, Yarmouk University, Irbid 211-63, Jordan. ' Faculty of Science, Earth Sciences Department, Yarmouk University, Irbid 211-63, Jordan

Abstract: The concentrations of some naturally occurring radioisotopes in sediments of the Kufranja river basin in Jordan were determined by means of γ-ray spectrometry with precise calibration of energy and efficiency. The nuclides| concentrations were found by either direct measurement of their activities, as in the case of 226Ra and 40K, or through the measurements of the activities of their daughters with short half-lives, as in the case of 238U and 232Th. Furthermore, the hazard index, the radium equivalent activity and the absorbed dose rate for each of these nuclides had been calculated. It turned out that the concentrations of radioisotopes in sediments of the studied area were below the standard limits and the human effective dose equivalent ranged from 23.8 to 35.7 µSv/yr.

Keywords: radioisotopes; sediments; γ-ray spectrometry; radionuclides; HPGe detector; radium equivalent; activity; hazard index; Jordan; radioisotope concentrations.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2006.009329

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2006 Vol.26 No.4, pp.398 - 407

Published online: 20 Mar 2006 *

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