Properties of Soil in Najaf Governorate

Abstract

 Eight soil samples were selected around Najaf governorate at depth levels 40-50 cm. X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) was used to determine the concentrations of major and trace elements. Liner and mass attenuation coefficient (µ, µρ) have been determined at gamma energies (662, 1172,1332) keV using NaI (Tl) detector. The range of linear attenuation coefficients for calculated samples were (0.553-1.163) cm-1, (0.122-0.178) cm-1 and (0.049-0.105) cm-1 at (662, 1172,1332) keV respectively. The range of mass attenuation coefficients obtained (0.39-0.76) cm2/gm, (0.087-0.117) cm2/gm and (0.0336-0.074) cm2/gm at (662, 1172,1332) keV respectively. The results showed that Fe content in the samples has a strong effect on the mass attenuation coefficient and this parameter is inversely proportional to the gamma energy.