Radon Concentrations in Soil Samples and Radon Exhalation Rates in Baghdad Governorate

摘要

In the present work, we have measured the radon gas concentration in soil samples from depths (0,10) cm for selected regions in Baghdad governorates by using alpha-emitters registrations which were emitted form radon gas in (CR-39) nuclear track detector. The first part is concernedwith the determination of radon gas concentrations in surface soil samples, the highest average radon gas concentration was found in Baghdad governorate in AL-Aiamiriya region, which was equal to (40.5 ± 1.5 Bq/m3), while the lowest average radon gas concentration was foundin Mahmudiyah region which was equal to (12 ± 2.5 Bq/m3) was with an average value of (24.337 ± 8.7 Bq/m3), while the radon exhalation rate was ranged from (13.092 mBq/m2h) to (44.186 mBq/m2h) with an average value of (26.552 ±7.89 mBq/m2h). The second part is concerned with the determination of radon gas concentrations in soil samples from depth 10 cm. The highest average radon gas concentration was in AL-Aiamiriya region, which was equal to (31.5 ± 2.2 Bq/m3), while the lowest averageradon gas concentration was found in Mahmudiyah region which was equal to (11 ± 2.0 Bq/m3), with an average value of (31.5 ± 2.2 Bq/m3). Radon exhalation rate was ranged from (12.001 mBq/m2h) to (34.367 mBq/m2h) with an average valueof (23.170 ± 5.46 mBq/m2h). The present results have shown that the radon gas concentrations in all surface soil samples and from depth 10 cm were less than the recommended value (200 Bq/m3) given by (ICRP, 1993). To the best of our knowledge, some of the presentresults might be presented for the first time.