Radon Concentrations Measurement for groundwater Using Active Detecting Method

On global scale, groundwater has been gaining increasing attention as essential and vital water resource. Its demand has been rising rapidly in the last several decades with the overpopulation and enhanced standards of living. In recent years, a great interest arose towards the natural radioactivity in water. Radon concentrations were measured in thirty groundwater samples from Qassim area, Saudi Arabia by using RAD7 an electronic radon detector connected to a RAD- H2O accessory (Durridge Co., USA). The measured radon concentration ranges from 0.76 Bq/l to 9.15 Bq/l with an average value of 3.56 Bq/l. The measured values of radon concentration are well in the range within the EPA’s maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 11.1 Bq L-1. The total annual effective dose resulting from radon in groundwater from Buraydah area were significantly lower than the UNSCEAR and WHO recommended limit for members of the public of 1 mSv year-1. The measured values for underground water from the study area suggest that the area is safe for farmers and there is no significant threat to the population as per as radon concentration is concerned

Natural radioactivity levels and associated radiation hazards in Nile river sediments from Aswan to El-Minia, Upper Egypt

224-230The natural radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th and 40K contents in the Nile river sediments at various locations in Upper Egypt from Aswan to El-Minia have been investigated using gamma spectrometric analysis. Determination and measurement of radionuclide concentration are of great importance for assessment of external radiation dose received by man. The range and mean values of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K activity concentrations are 13-42 (29), 10-67 (45) and 74-139 (123) Bq kg-1, respectively. These results are found to be in agreement with those reported data for Egyptian soil as 17 (5–64), 18 (2–96) and 320 (29–650) Bq/kg dry weight (UNSCEAR, 2000). The mean radium equivalent (Raeq) and dose rates are 100.21± 10.01 Bq kg-1, 44.88±6.69 n Gy h-1, respectively. The measured activity concentrations differ widely as their presence in the Nile river depends on the pertinent environmental situation such as the presence of dams, barrages and sediments type. The other factors controlling the distribution of the detected natural radioisotopes have been discussed

Multi-element determination of sandstone rock by instrumental neutron activation analysis

243-245<span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height: 115%;font-family:" times="" new="" roman";mso-fareast-font-family:"times="" roman";="" color:black;mso-ansi-language:en-in;mso-fareast-language:en-in;mso-bidi-language:="" hi"="" lang="EN-IN">The instrumental neutron activation analysis technique (INAA) was used in the qualitative and quantitative analysis of sandstone samples from Aswan area in South Egypt. The samples were properly prepared together with their standards and simultaneously <span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height: 115%;font-family:" times="" new="" roman";mso-fareast-font-family:hiddenhorzocr;="" color:black;mso-ansi-language:en-in;mso-fareast-language:en-in;mso-bidi-language:="" hi"="" lang="EN-IN">irradiated <span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height: 115%;font-family:" times="" new="" roman";mso-fareast-font-family:"times="" roman";="" color:black;mso-ansi-language:en-in;mso-fareast-language:en-in;mso-bidi-language:="" hi"="" lang="EN-IN">in a neutron flux of 7×1011 n/cm2.s in the TRIGA Mainz research reactor facilities. Gamma spectra from hyperpure germanium HPGe detector were analysed. The present study provides the basic data of elemental concentrations of sandstone rock. The following elements constituents have been determined: Na, K, Fe, Sc, Cr, Co, Zr, Ce, La, Nd, Sm, Eu, Yb, Lu, Hf, Ta, Th and U. The X-ray fluorescence (XRF) was used for comparison and to detect elements which can be detected only by XRF.</span

Comparative study of attenuation and scattering of gamma-rays through two intermediate rocks

198-203With the extensive applications of radioactive materials, it is necessary to look for locally available and cheep materials to be efficient absorbers appropriate for shielding from radiation hazards. The attenuation and scattering coefficients of gamma-rays of different energies in thirty samples from two igneous rocks: diorite and andesite, the effects of sample density, ρ, with radiation energy (E) ranging from 0.36 to 1.33 MeV, were investigated by using a scintillation detector NaI (Tl). The chemical composition of major elements is measured by X-ray fluorescence (XRF). The results showed an inverse proportionality between the linear attenuation coefficient μ and E, and μ has a direct proportionality with the sample density, ρ. The side scattering coefficient φ, is directly proportional to E, but at the same time φ has an inverse proportionality with the sample density. The results showed an inverse proportional between the half value layers and the sample density ρ