Measurement of Natural Radioactivity in Sand Samples Collected from Ad-Dahna Desert in Saudi Arabia

Abdulaziz S. Alaamer

Department of Physics, Al-Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

DOI: 10.4236/wjnst.2012.24029                

Abstract

Natural radioactivity is a source of continuous exposure to human beings. The natural radioactivity due to the presence of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K in sand samples collected from Ad-Dahna was measured by means of HPGe. The measured activity concentrations of radionuclides were compared with the worldwide reported data. Mean measured activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K varied between 16.2 - 30.6, 15.8 - 36.7 and 285.3 - 533.2 Bq·kg^–1 respectively with a mean value of 23.4 ± 4.3 Bq·kg^–1, 29.7 ± 5.9 Bq·kg^–1 and 380 ± 65 Bq·kg^–1 respectively. Mean values of radium equivalent activity, absorbed dose rate and external radiation hazard index were 106 ± 8 Bq·kg^–1, 51.4 nGy·h^–1 and 0.29 respectively. The annual effective radiation dose was calculated to be 0.32 mSv·y^–1. The Raeq values of sand samples are lower than the limit of 370 Bq·kg^–1, equivalent to a gamma dose of 1.5 mSv·yr^–1.This study shows that the measured sand samples do not pose any significant source of radiation hazard and are safe for use in building materials.

Keywords

Natural Radioactivity, Sand, Gamma-Ray Spectrometry, Dose Rate, Ad-Dahna

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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