Vertical distributions and gamma dose rates of 40K, 232Th, 238U and 137Cs in the selected forest soils in Izmir, Turkey.
This paper presents the results obtained from a radioecological study carried out in the selected forest sites of Izmir, Turkey. The levels of gamma-emitting radionuclides, 40K, 232Th, 238U and 137Cs, in soils were determined using gamma spectroscopy. The activity profile for 40K, 232Th and 238U exhibits a uniform distribution with respect to depth. The depth distribution of 137Cs activity was established by fitting the experimental points to an exponential or a Gaussian function. About 42-97% of the 137Cs deposition was found in the first 10 cm of soil even after 18 y from Chernobyl accident. The dose-rate and annual-effective dose received from external irradiation were quantified. It is indicated that 137Cs from the fallout plays a less role in external radiation exposures in forest sites of Izmir than in potential exposures from naturally occurring radionuclides accounted for by soil.
Karadeniz
Ozlem
O
Department of Physics, Faculty of Arts and Science, Dokuz Eylül University, 35160 Tinaztepe, Izmir, Turkey. ozlem.karadeniz@deu.edu.tr
Yaprak
Günseli
G
D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis; D005720:Gamma Rays; D011197:Potassium Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis; D011834:Radiation Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D012987:Soil / Q000032:analysis*; D012990:Soil Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis*; D013051:Spectrometry, Gamma / Q000379:methods; D013910:Thorium / Q000032:analysis; D014421:Turkey
D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes; D011197:Potassium Radioisotopes; D012987:Soil; D012990:Soil Pollutants, Radioactive; D013910:Thorium