Mapping of Natural Radioactivity in Soil Samples of Kufa Districts, Iraq Using GIS Technique

Abstract

Abstract The aim from this work is to detect and draw the natural radioactivity of (uranium-238, thorium-232 and potassium-40) levels in soil samples that taken from Kufa districts, Najaf governorate, Iraq. The detection system used in study is NaI (Tl) with "3x3" dimension, while maps were drawn by geographic information system (GIS). Some radiological parameters were calculated depending on measuring of specific activity for 238U, 232Th, and 40K. The results of the average value with standard error in all samples of the present study for 238U, 232Th, 40K, and 235U were 6.2±0.74, 6.41±0.82, 278.10±19.43, and 0.28±0.03 Bq/kg, respectively. The specific activity of Uranium-238, Thourium-232, poasium-40 and Uranium-235 found in all soil samples were within the safety limit reported by UNSCEAR, except three samples have poasium-40 higher than safety limit. Also, the results of radiological parameters were all found to be below OECD, UNSCEAR safety limit. Generally, the average of specific activity in soil collected arranged of potassium-40 > thorium-232 > uranium-238. Mapping GIS for natural radioactivity and some radiological parameters were successfully draw for the study area. Finally, natural radioactivity and radiological parameters for soil samples at Kufa districts were safety.