Author(s)

Safia H. Q. Hamidalddin

Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Jeddah University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The activity concentrations of natural radionuclides ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K, were measured in (16) sandstone samples collected from two regions of Saudi Arabia, Region 1 (Al Wajh on Red Sea coast and Al Ula north-East of Medina), Region 2 (North of Al Ula and Az Zabirah, North-West of Hail) by (HPGe gamma spectrometer). The activity concentration average values of the radionuclides ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K in the sandstone samples (Region 1) ranged from 10.97 ± 0.43, 27.68 ± 0.37 and 64.56 ± 0.74 Bq/kg respectively. These values are less than the international values reported by United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR, 2000), in (Region 2), average values ranged from 2465.49 ± 0.00, 2042.00 ± 0.00 and 2259.65 ± 0.64 Bq/kg respectively. These values are higher than the values reported by (UNSCEAR, 2000). Average values of radium equivalent activity Ra_eq (Bq/Kg), absorbed dose rate D (nGy/h), annual effective radiation dose D_eff (mSv/y), External index (H_ex) and Internal index (H_in) were in (region 1) 21.13, 27.22, 11.75, 0.07 and 0.10 respectively, in (region 2) 5775.19, 1787.78, 846.58, 11.57 and 15.64 respectively. These results are lower (except annual effective radiation dose) in (region 1) and higher in (region 2) than the world recommended values by (UNSCEAR, 2000). Also, samples were analyzed by Atomic Absorption spectrometer (AAS) for Al, Ca, Fe, K, Mg and Bi in % elements concentrations. Average value in (region 1) (Al Wajh and Al Ula) are 4.42, 0.41, 1.37, 0.04 and 0.03, (in region 2) (N. Al Ula and Az Zabirah) are 12.50, 10.05, 1.01, 1.19, 0.04 respectively. Classifications of sandstone depend on the content of these elements. These results are important for the safety of dwellers and user of sandstone in constructions.

Gamma Spectrometer, AA Spectrometer, Natural Radioactivity, Chemical Elements

Hamidalddin, S. (2022) Radiological Effectual and Mineral Salts Measurements of Sandstone Used in the Construction from Al Wajh, Al Ula and North Al Ula, Az Zabirah-Saudi Arabia. Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection, 10, 84-95. doi: 10.4236/gep.2022.109005.