Author(s)

Sherif S. Nafee^1,2, Dheya Al-Othmany³, Safia H.Q. Hamidalddin⁴, J.H. Al-Zahrani⁴, W.R. Alharbi⁴, Hanan M. Barashed⁴

¹Physics Department, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
²Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.
³Nuclear Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
⁴Physics Department, Girls Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The natural radioactivity of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K and the fallout of ¹³⁷Cs in soils and granite rocks of two regions in Yemen (Shabwah and Hadramout) were measured by using gamma-ray spectrometry (HPGe) detector. The average values of the radionuclides ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K in the soil samples are 14.34, 25.78 and 566.05 Bq/kg respectively. For rock samples, the average activity concentration for ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K are 45, 106 and 1235 Bq/kg respectively. Low concentration values of ¹³⁷Cs in soil and rock samples under investigation, are not radiologically important. The radium equivalent activity (Raeq) and external hazard index (Hex) of all samples are less than the limits of 370 Bq·kg^-1 and unity, respectively. The average values of total absorbed dose rate due to three primordial radionuclides in soil and rock samples are 46.5 nGy/h and 138.36 nGy/h, respectively, where the absorbed average value of the granite is higher than the permitted limit. So, the local people must avoid using these granite samples as the interior decorative materials of dwelling without radioactivity control.

Gamma Spectrometry, Annual Effective Dose, External Hazard Index

Nafee, S. , Al-Othmany, D. , Hamidalddin, S. , Al-Zahrani, J. , Alharbi, W. and Barashed, H. (2017) Measurement of Gamma Emitting Radionuclides for Assessment, Environmental Hazards of Radiation in Rock and Soil Samples of Shabwah and Hadramout Regions, Yemen. Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection, 5, 66-75. doi: 10.4236/gep.2017.55005.