Edelweiss Applied Science and Technology ISSN: 2576-8484 Vol. 8, No. 6, 3511-3518 2024 Publisher: Learning Gate DOI: 10.55214/25768484.v8i6.2742 © 2024 by the author; licensee Learning Gate © 2024 by the author; licensee Learning Gate * Correspondence: pure.salar.hussein@uobabylon.edu.iq Investigating danger indicators in the soil samples of the Nile Region in Babylon Governorate in Iraq Salar Hussein Ibrahem1* 1Department of Physics, College of Education for Pure Sciences, University of Babylon; pure.salar.hussein@uobabylon.edu.iq (S.H.I.). Abstract: This study was conducted to detect the presence of radionuclides in the Nile region, which is one of the districts affiliated with the Mahaweel district in the Babil Governorate in Iraq and is located to the southeast of the center of the district, where many cancer cases appeared in this area, which necessitated researching whether there is a trace of radioactivity in the soil of this region was used, where the “NaI(Tl) gamma detector” was used, and the activity concentration levels of 238U, 232Th, and 40K were measured and compared with the internationally permissible values for twenty samples of the soil of this region. The radionuclides of the soil were as follows: 238U with an average of (11.72±1.62) Bq/kg, 232Th with an average of (21.04±3.7) Bq/kg and 40 K with an average of (133.55±1.82). Bq/kg. Absorbed dose rate, annual effect, radium equivalent activity, effective dose rate (EDR), and equivalent dose (AEDE) were measured. The radioactivity level index (I), external (Hex) and internal (Hin) risk indices, as well as increased lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) were determined. It was concluded that there is no danger that may threaten the population in this area, and thus the possibility of any health effects of radiation is low. The values obtained are considered among internationally accepted values, meaning that this area is free of harmful radioactivity. Keywords: "NaI(T1) detector", Nile region, Soil, Specific activity. 1. Introduction Gamma rays, an electromagnetic kind of radiation, are produced by nuclear reactions. It is commonly described as high-energy, short-wavelength electromagnetic radiation. This tremendous energy can cause serious harm when it is absorbed by living cells. Gamma rays have a deep penetrating property; hence protecting them takes a lot of mass. For greater absorption, materials with a high atomic number and high density are typically employed. Gamma-ray spectrometry can make use of a variety of radiation types. Thallium-activated sodium iodide NaI(Tl) detectors, though frequently employed for gamma-ray spectrometry, cannot match the combination of high resolution and low background that Ge detectors can provide. Knowing the detector's effectiveness inside the counting geometry is necessary to determine the radionuclide concentration. Over the past few years, a number of techniques for figuring out efficiency in these odd geometries have been created. In order to understand the type and concentration of radioactive nuclides and their significance [1-4]. 2. Tools and Procedures As shown in Table (1) and Fig (1), the geographical locations of the Nile region in Babil Governorate in Iraq. Samples were examined at a depth of ( 30-25 ) cm underground. Samples weigh one kilogram in Marinelli beaker and kept for 50 days after filtering through a sieve (1 mm) and dried in an oven at 120 °C to remove moisture. 3512 Edelweiss Applied Science and Technology ISSN: 2576-8484 Vol. 8, No. 6: 3511-3518, 2024 DOI: 10.55214/25768484.v8i6.2742 © 2024 by the author; licensee Learning Gate Table 1. The code, location, longitude and latitude of soil samples. Latitude (North) Longitude (East) Sample code 32°34'29.105"N 44°31'59.804" E N1 32°34'29.867"N 44°32′42.291" E N2 32°34'3.309"N 44°32 17.684" E N3 32°33′24.59"N 44°31'58.814" E N4 32°33'10.91"N 44°32′41.692" E N5 32°32'41.445"N 44°32' 27.984" E N6 32°32'49.304"N 44°33'0.207" E N7 32°33'10.738"N 44°32'8.154"E N8 32°32'59.916"N 44°32'51.094 E N9 32°32'47.022"N 44°32'9.724"E N10 32°33′19.433"N 44°32'18.173 E N11 32°33'35.789"N 44°31'52.225"E N12 32°34'18.532"N 44°31'19.729"E N13 32°34′16.806"N 44°31'2.78"E N14 32°34′25.847"N 44°30'12.787"E N15 32°34'45.902" N 44°30'15.156"E N16 32°34'31.49″N 44°30'25.396"E N17 32°34′26.827"N 44°31'35.289" E N18 32°34'43.822 N 44°31'24.871"E N19 32°34'35.195″N 44°30′55.458 E N20 Figure 1. The geographical locations of the Nile region. Utilizing the detector Na (TI) the radioactivity of -emitting nuclides such 238U, 232Th, and 40K have been discovered and investigated. This system offers a multi-channel analyzer (ORTEC) with 4096 channels that connect to an ADC unit. Software placed on the nuclear facility is used to perform and process nuclear measurements and analyses. Maestro-32, a computer program, is the research facility. 3513 Edelweiss Applied Science and Technology ISSN: 2576-8484 Vol. 8, No. 6: 3511-3518, 2024 DOI: 10.55214/25768484.v8i6.2742 © 2024 by the author; licensee Learning Gate Use radioactive sources with an energy range of (88-1332.5) keV to calibrate the measuring apparatus, such as Co-57, Co-60, Na-22, Cs- 137, and Cd-109. 3. The Theoretical Part The activity concentration and danger indices are computed as follows after determining the radiation background and calibrating the detector's energy and effectiveness: 3.1. Specific Activity (𝐴) The radiologic efficacy of 238U has been evaluated using 214Bi with an energy of 1764 keV, monitoring the activity of 40K with an energy of 1460 keV and 232Th with a 2614 keV energy. The specific activity (A) of radionuclides in soil samples was calculated using the following formula [5]: 𝐴 = 𝑁𝑛.𝑎 𝐼𝛾.𝜀.𝑚.𝑡 ± √𝑁𝑛.𝑎 𝐼𝛾.𝜀.𝑚.𝑡 ( Bq Kg ) (1) Where: 𝑁𝑛. 𝑎: The net count, which is the region beneath each sample's curve after the background has been removed. 𝐼𝛾: Gamma index . m: The sample's weight (1 kg) t: Measuring time (18000 seconds) ε: The detector's efficiency 3.2. Equivalent of Radium (Raeq) It has been established that a radiological index will describe the activity concentrations. Equation (2) is used to get the (238U, 232Th, and 40K) (Raeq) index [6]: (Raeq Bq/kg) = 𝐴𝑈 + 1.43𝐴𝑇ℎ + 0.077𝐴𝐾 (2) Where: AU, A Th, and AK, respectively, the activity concentrations of (238U, 232Th, and 40K) in (Bq/kg) 3.3. Rate of Air Absorbed Dose (AD) Equation (3) with terms of terrestrial core concentration, using the amount absorbed in the air can be determined [7-9]: KThU AAA h nGy AD 0417.0604.0462.0)( ++= (3) 3.4 3.4. Rate of AnnuaI Effective Dose (AED) A member's estimated annua1 effective dose equivalent was computed using a conversion factor of (0.7 Sv/Gy), and the absorbed rate's effective dose equivalent was determined using an outdoor occupancy of (20%) and an indoor occupancy of (80%). [10]: (A E D) in (m Sv /y) =AD (nGy h ) ×10-6×8600h×0.8×0.7(sv Gy ) (4) (A E D) out (m Sv /y) =AD(nGy h ) ×10-6×8600h×0.2×0.7(sv Gy ) (5) 3.5. Internal (Hin) and External (Hex) Indices of Hazard Gamma radiation risk can be evaluated using both internal risk transactions (Hin) and external risk indices (Hex). Equations (6) and (7) were obtained based on the quality of radiation specific activity [11,12]: Hex = Au 370 + ATh 259 + Ak 4810 (6) Hin = Au 185 + ATh 259 + Ak 4810 (7) 3514 Edelweiss Applied Science and Technology ISSN: 2576-8484 Vol. 8, No. 6: 3511-3518, 2024 DOI: 10.55214/25768484.v8i6.2742 © 2024 by the author; licensee Learning Gate 3.6. Index of Gamma (I𝛾) Equation (8) was used to compute the gamma index ( I )for soil samples [13-16]: 𝐼𝛾 = Au 150 + ATh 100 + Ak 1500 (8) 4. Results and Discussion The specific action is indicated in Table (2). For twenty samples that were taken from various places in Nile region in Babylon governorate. Table 2. Specific activity values for 238U, 232Th, 40K, and (Raeq). No. S. C. Specific activity [Bq/kg] (Raeq) [Bq/kg] 40K 238U 232Th 1 N1 140.37±1.89 2.94±0.17 22.8 ± 5.7 122.8±9.65 2 N2 132.80±1.83 5.92±0.46 11.8 ± 3.3 111.8±10.92 3 N3 107.54±1.64 1.39±0.22 13.8 ± 2.1 103.8±6.23 4 N4 136.45±0.96 6.01±0.41 25.31 ± 8.4 95.31±7.34 5 N5 150.95±1.96 12.2±0.98 37.27 ± 4.2 137.27±9.91 6 N6 183.29±2.15 11.6±0.62 39.87 ± 4.6 149.87±8.73 7 N7 113.44±1.70 10.1±0.64 27.09 ± 3.1 127.09±9.71 8 N8 148.82±1.31 12.02±0.18 12.73 ± 2.8 112.73±3.54 9 N9 372.92±2.81 28.33±0.96 19.37 ± 4.9 91.37±14.3 10 N10 115.52±1.72 4.39±0.46 22.27 ± 5.1 145.27±6.63 11 N11 365.99±3.04 16.5±0.73 29.14 ± 4.7 129.14±11.63 12 N12 179.56±2.13 6.59±0.39 10.81 ± 3.7 103.81±5.71 13 N13 65.523±0.95 7.52±0.39 14.84 ± 4.7 144.84±5.12 14 N14 167.64±2.06 9.31±0.55 15.91 ± 3.8 155.91±8.84 15 N15 125.68±1.78 6.72±0.47 12.69 ± 5.8 112.69±6.75 16 N16 106.458±0.65 30.31±0.33 34.83 ± 4.9 134.83±5.26 17 N17 148.02±1.94 3.51±0.34 11.15 ± 4.2 161.15±6.78 18 N18 356.85±2.88 29.79±1.05 11.39 ± 5.1 111.39±14.9 19 N19 43.954±1.05 20.56±0.14 15.06 ± 5.7 105.06±7.05 20 N20 116.47±1.72 8.72±0.53 32.82 ± 3.8 132.82±6.46 Max. 372.92±2.81 30.31±0.33 39.87 ± 4.6 161.15±6.78 Min. 43.954±1.05 1.39±0.22 10.81 ± 3.7 91.37±14.3 Av. ±S. D. 133.55±1.82 11.72±1.62 21.04±3.7 124.44±3.76 P. L. [10] 412 33 45 370 With Table 2, the average value of the specific activity of 238U was reported to be (11.72±1.62 Bq/kg), with the lowest and highest values ranging from (1.39±0.22 to 30.31±0.33) (Bq/kg). Sample N3 contained the least value, whereas sample N16 contained the greatest value. Based on Figure 3's representation of the values of various 238U concentrations. The current work's average value is below the UNSCEAR 2000-calculated global average value of 33 Bq/kg [17]. The specific activity of 232Th, on the other hand, has a range between (10.81 ± 3.7 and 39.87 ± 4.6) Bq/kg. The samples N6 and N12 had the highest and lowest values, respectively, with an average value of 21.04±3.7 (Bq/kg), as shown in Figure (4). The current work's average value of 232Th is lower than the global average value (45 Bq/kg). While samples N9 and N19 contained the highest and lowest values of the specific activity of 40K, which 3515 Edelweiss Applied Science and Technology ISSN: 2576-8484 Vol. 8, No. 6: 3511-3518, 2024 DOI: 10.55214/25768484.v8i6.2742 © 2024 by the author; licensee Learning Gate ranged from (43.954±1.05 to 372.92±2.81) Bq/kg to these values. The current work's average value of 40K is lower than the global average value (412 Bq/kg) as it is clear in Figure (2). The Raeq levels ranged from (91.37±14.3to 161.15±6.78) Bq/kg to (124.44±3.76 Bq/kg on average). All samples' Raeq concentrations were below the the global average value because the average value is less than 370) Bq/kg (proposed worldwide limit, this appears in Figure (5). Figure 2. The samples' specific 40K activity. 0 40 80 120 160 200 240 280 320 360 400 440 480 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Sp e ci fi c A ct iv it y fo r K -4 0 ( B q /k g) Sample code Global limit 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Sp e ci fi c A ct iv it y fo r U -2 3 8 ( B q /k g) Sample code Global limit 3516 Edelweiss Applied Science and Technology ISSN: 2576-8484 Vol. 8, No. 6: 3511-3518, 2024 DOI: 10.55214/25768484.v8i6.2742 © 2024 by the author; licensee Learning Gate Figure 3. The samples' specific 238U activity. Figure 4. The samples' specific 232Th activity. Figure 5. 0 10 20 30 40 50 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Sp e ci fi c A ct iv it y fo r Th -2 3 2 ( B q /k g) Sample code Global limit 0 40 80 120 160 200 240 280 320 360 400 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 R a e q ( B q /k g) Sample code Global limit 3517 Edelweiss Applied Science and Technology ISSN: 2576-8484 Vol. 8, No. 6: 3511-3518, 2024 DOI: 10.55214/25768484.v8i6.2742 © 2024 by the author; licensee Learning Gate The samples' Radon equivalent. Table 3. Risk indices measurements. Sample no. AD (nGy/h) Hex Hin I𝛄 AEDE (mSv/y) Indoor Outdoor N1 45.382 0.28 ± 0.01 0.24 ± 0.01 0.376 0.216 0.029 N2 25.745 0.39 ± 0.01 0.32 ± 0.01 0.189 0.173 0.013 N3 39.933 0.36 ± 0.01 0.30 ± 0.01 0.285 0.156 0.028 N4 28.014 0.44 ± 0.03 0.36 ± 0.02 0.315 0.167 0.027 N5 42.340 0.51 ± 0.01 0.38 ± 0.01 0.406 0.176 0.018 N6 29.881 0.53 ± 0.01 0.42 ± 0.01 0.113 0.162 0.021 N7 32.035 0.40 ± 0.01 0.32 ± 0.01 0.220 0.208 0.026 N8 41.709 0.45 ± 0.01 0.35 ± 0.01 0.310 0.187 0.018 N9 28.809 0.33 ± 0.01 0.27 ± 0.01 0.208 0.122 0.023 N10 43.281 0.42 ± 0.01 0.33 ± 0.01 0.378 0.288 0.028 N11 25.723 0.37 ± 0.01 0.32 ± 0.01 0.187 0.134 0.021 N12 42.853 0.30 ± 0.01 0.29 ± 0.01 0.295 0.189 0.016 N13 29.763 0.45 ± 0.01 0.36 ± 0.01 0.209 0.137 0.018 N14 41.782 0.40 ± 0.01 0.33 ± 0.01 0.336 0.204 0.023 N15 32.811 0.41 ± 0.01 0.31 ± 0.01 0.183 0.181 0.015 N16 21.709 0.46 ± 0.01 0.36 ± 0.01 0.208 0.378 0.022 N17 43.809 0.42 ± 0.01 0.34 ± 0.01 0.378 0.187 0.019 N18 44.261 0.41 ± 0.01 0.35 ± 0.01 0.186 0.311 0.023 N19 23.723 0.38 ± 0.01 0.28 ± 0.01 0.295 0.207 0.028 N20 42.652 0.47 ± 0.01 0.35 ± 0.01 0.209 0.199 0.021 Ave. 33.545 0.41± 0.01 0.33± 0.01 0.244 0.25 0.021 Max 45.382 0.53 ± 0.01 0.42 ± 0.01 0.376 0.378 0.029 Min. 21.709 0.28 ± 0.01 0.24 ± 0.01 0.113 0.122 0.013 Global limit [17] 55 ≤ 1 ≤ 1 ≤ 1 1 1 According to Table 3, an average value rate of (33.545nGy/h), the values for AD ranged from (21.709 to 45.382) nGy/h. Hin values ranged from (0.24 ± 0.01to 0.42 ± 0.01) and Hex values ranged from (0.28 ± 0.01to 0.53 ± 0.01), all of which fell below the global boundaries. With an average of 0.41, the values for (Iγ) fell within the usual range for the world. The average values of AEDEin and AEDE out were (0.25 m Sv / year) and (0.021m Sv/ year), respectively, with the ranges being (0.122 to 0.378) m Sv /year and (0.013 to 0.029) m Sv /year, respectively. According to the current findings, all samples' values for Raeq, Hin, Hex, AD, AEDE out, and AEDE in were below the UNSCEAR-recommended value [17]. 5. Conclusions The study's findings showed that all values are within the range of values that are internationally acceptable, meaning that human life is not in risk in Nile region in Babylon governorate. Copyright: © 2024 by the authors. 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