Investigation of Elemental Radioactive Concentrations and Radon Gas in Soil Samples Collected Around Abou Zabal Fertilizer Phosphate Factory

S.Fares, W.M.Moslem, A.K.Hassan, A.A.Eltawil, F.Abdelhamied

Determine levels of some natural radioactivity in soil samples were collected around Abou Zabal fertilizer phosphate factory in Egypt. Activity concentration of the soil sample of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K was determined by using a high resolution γ -ray HPGe spectrometry and CR-39 detector. According to the results this analysis, ²³⁸U was found concentration mean (241.06 ± 23.17 Bqkg^-1), ²²⁶Ra was found in concentrations mean of (283.87 ± 26.53 Bq kg^-1), ²³²Th in mean concentrations of  (16.15 ± 1.45 Bq kg^-1) and ⁴⁰K in mean concentrations of  (146.36 ± 6.9 Bq kg^-1) for the analyzed soil, respectively. Radon (²²²Rn) mean concentration in the samples was estimated using solid state nuclear track detectors (CR – 39). The Radon gas mean doses from inhalation gas were found (337.06.37 µSv/y). The radioactivity levels determined and the γ-absorbed dose rates in soil sample above the ground were calculated. Elemental concentrations were determined for ²²⁶Ra (range from 7.8 ppm to 46.26 ppm), ²³²Th (range from 1.98 ppm to 9.14 ppm), ²³⁸U (from 5.63 ppm to 33.28 ppm), and ⁴⁰K (from 0.07 % to 0.69 %). The measured Th/U ratio exhibits values was mean 0.17  , whereas the U/Ra ratio was mean 0.81 and Th/K ratio values was mean 0.8 there are unequilibrium between ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K but there are equilibrium between ²³⁸U and ²²⁶Ra . Correlation Coefficient between Mass exhalation and Activity concentration of ²³⁸U equal (1.0). Correlation Coefficient between Surface exhalation and Activity concentration of ²³⁸U equal (0.962777) this was very good correlation. Correlation Coefficient between Activity concentration of ²²⁶Ra e and Activity concentration of ²³⁸U equal (0.962777) the good correlation.