Radiation status of soils from the region of the Eastern Rhodopes (Southern Bulgaria)

Abstract

Local values of natural radiation background in soils from unexplored regions in the Eastern Rhodopes were established. The impact of anthropogenic activity as a potential risk for increase in radiation background was assessed. Soil samples from areas near the liquidated lead-zinc mines – Madzharovo, gold mine – Ada Tepe, Krumovgrad, lead-zinc complex – Kardzhali, Neochim – Dimitrovgrad, deposits for extraction of gneiss, marble quarries, etc. were analyzed to study possible contamination. Specific activity of natural radionuclides 210Pb, 238U, 226Ra, 235U, 232Th, 40K and technogenic 137Cs in the studied samples was determined by gamma spectrometric analysis with Multichannel analyzer DSA 1000, production of CANBERRA and HPGe-detector.