Investigation of Some Properties of Chemical Fertilizers Using Gamma-ray Spectrometry and Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry

摘要

The purpose of this study is to investigate chemical fertilizers using gamma-ray spectrometry and energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (EDXRF). Eight different types of chemical fertilizers were examined. Samples were counted using high purity germanium (HPGe) spectrometry for counting periods of one day. Spectra were analysed using computer software. After this process, radioactivity concentration of radionuclides, radium equivalent activity, internal hazard index, external hazard index and activity concentration index were calculated and compared with reported values in the scientific literature. Macro, minor and micronutrients were investigated using EDXRF. Size and shape of the chemical fertilizers were studied by scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrographs. Ra-226 was detected only in sample 1 whilst K-40 was detected in all chemical fertilizers. Th-232 and Cs-137 were not detected in any fertilizer. Except for sample 2 and sample 3, the radioactivity concentration of K-40 and dose values are higher than the world average and limit values reported in the respective literature.