Radioactivity concentrations and dose assessment in surface soil samples from east and south of Marmara region, Turkey

Abstract

The activity concentrations of (137)Cs, (40)K, (232)Th, (238)U and (226)Ra were measured in surface soil samples from East and South of Marmara region, Turkey. The physico-chemical parameters (organic matter, CaCO(3) contents and pH-value) of the soil samples were determined in the samples collected from 100 sampling stations. The average activity concentrations of (137)Cs, (40)K, (232)Th, (238)U and (226)Ra were found to be 27.46 +/- 21.84, 442.51 +/- 189.85, 26.63 +/- 15.90, 21.77 +/- 12.08 and 22.45 +/- 13.31 Bq kg(-1), respectively. The mean value of total annual external gamma radiation dose equivalent for the natural radionuclides was calculated to be 54.86 mu Sv. The current data were compared with those found in the other locations of Turkey and different countries.