Research Information System
RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY, vol.148, no.2, pp.227-236, 2012 (SCI-Expanded)
This study assesses the level of background radiation for Kayseri province of Turkey. Natural radionuclide activity concentrations in soil samples were determined using high-resolution gamma spectroscopy. Outdoor gamma dose measurements in air at 1 m above ground level were determined using a portable gamma scintillation detector. The obtained results of uranium and thorium series as well as potassium (K-40) are discussed. The present data were compared with the data obtained from different areas in Turkey. From the measured gamma-ray spectra, the average activity concentrations were determined for U-238 (range from 3.91 to 794.25 Bq kg(-1)), Th-232 (range from 0.68 to 245.55 Bq kg(-1)) and K-40 (range from 23.68 to 2718.71 Bq kg(-1)). The average activity concentrations of U-238, Th-232 and K-40 were found to be 35.51, 37.27 and 429.66 Bq kg(-1), respectively, and 11.53 Bq kg(-1) for the fission product Cs-137. The highest values of U-238, Th-232 and K-40 concentrations (794.25 Bq kg(-1), 245.55 Bq kg(-1), 2718.71 Bq kg(-1), respectively) were observed in abnormal samples at Hayriye village. The average outdoor gamma dose rate in air at 1 m above the ground was determined as 114.43 nGy h(-1). Using the data obtained in this study, the average annual effective dose for a person living in Kayseri was found to be about 140.34 mu Sv.