Determination of Radioactivity Levels, Hazard, Cancer Risk and Radon Concentrations of Water and Sediment Samples in Al-Husseiniya River (Karbala, Iraq)

Abstract

Natural radioactivity U-235, Th-232, and K-40 of eight samples of water and sediments from Al-Husseiniya River have been investigated by using gamma spectrometer with High-Purity Germanium HPGe detector. Radon concentrations have been measured for these samples by using CR-39 detector. The average activity concentrations were 15.8±2.421 for U-238, 11.2±2.385 for Th-232, and 311±21.826 Bq/kg for K-40 in sediment samples; and 1.9±0.557 for U-238, 1.23±0.396 for Th-232, and 10.1±1.437Bq/L for K-40 in water samples respectively. These activities are compared with the worldwide limit. The average radium equivalent activity Raeq was 55.959±8.559Bq/kg in sediment. The average value of hazard index H was 0.344 in sediment samples. The average absorbed dose rate Dout was 27.511±4.095nGy/h and Din was 51.997±7.639 nGy/h in sediment samples respectively. The average of total annual effective dose equivalent AEDE for sediment was 288.815 μSυ/y. While the total of ELCR was 1.011 10-3. They are less than worldwide limits. Radon concentrations have been measured for the same samples. CR-39 detector was used for radon measurements. The average value in sediment was 6.00±0.759 Bq/kg, and 2.40±0.270 Bq/L in water samples. While the radium concentrations in sediment was 0.247±0.031Bq/kg. Both are less than the worldwide limit. The average value of EA and Cd in water was found to be 1.783±0.202mBq/m2.h and 46.890±255.245Bq/L respectively. While the surface and mass exhalation rates of sediment sample was 35.283±4.458mBq/m2.h and 7.091±0.896mBq/kg.h. The total annual effective dose AED in water samples was 14.762 μSυ/y which are less than the worldwide value 1mSv/y. Therefore, water of Al-Husseiniya River is safe with regards to the concentration of radon and natural radioactivity.