The activity concentrations of natural radionuclides <sup>226</sup>Ra, <sup>232</sup>Th and <sup>40</sup>K, were measured in (16) sandstone samples collected from two regions of Sau...The activity concentrations of natural radionuclides <sup>226</sup>Ra, <sup>232</sup>Th and <sup>40</sup>K, were measured in (16) sandstone samples collected from two regions of Saudi Arabia, Region 1 (Al Wajh on Red Sea coast and Al Ula north-East of Medina), Region 2 (North of Al Ula and Az Zabirah, North-West of Hail) by (HPGe gamma spectrometer). The activity concentration average values of the radionuclides <sup>226</sup>Ra, <sup>232</sup>Th, and <sup>40</sup>K in the sandstone samples (Region 1) ranged from 10.97 ± 0.43, 27.68 ± 0.37 and 64.56 ± 0.74 Bq/kg respectively. These values are less than the international values reported by United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR, 2000), in (Region 2), average values ranged from 2465.49 ± 0.00, 2042.00 ± 0.00 and 2259.65 ± 0.64 Bq/kg respectively. These values are higher than the values reported by (UNSCEAR, 2000). Average values of radium equivalent activity Ra<sub>eq</sub> (Bq/Kg), absorbed dose rate D (nGy/h), annual effective radiation dose D<sub>eff</sub> (mSv/y), External index (H<sub>ex</sub>) and Internal index (H<sub>in</sub>) were in (region 1) 21.13, 27.22, 11.75, 0.07 and 0.10 respectively, in (region 2) 5775.19, 1787.78, 846.58, 11.57 and 15.64 respectively. These results are lower (except annual effective radiation dose) in (region 1) and higher in (region 2) than the world recommended values by (UNSCEAR, 2000). Also, samples were analyzed by Atomic Absorption spectrometer (AAS) for Al, Ca, Fe, K, Mg and Bi in % elements concentrations. Average value in (region 1) (Al Wajh and Al Ula) are 4.42, 0.41, 1.37, 0.04 and 0.03, (in region 2) (N. Al Ula and Az Zabirah) are 12.50, 10.05, 1.01, 1.19, 0.04 respectively. Classifications of sandstone depend on the content of these elements. These results are important for the safety of dwellers and user of sandstone in constructions.展开更多
文摘The activity concentrations of natural radionuclides <sup>226</sup>Ra, <sup>232</sup>Th and <sup>40</sup>K, were measured in (16) sandstone samples collected from two regions of Saudi Arabia, Region 1 (Al Wajh on Red Sea coast and Al Ula north-East of Medina), Region 2 (North of Al Ula and Az Zabirah, North-West of Hail) by (HPGe gamma spectrometer). The activity concentration average values of the radionuclides <sup>226</sup>Ra, <sup>232</sup>Th, and <sup>40</sup>K in the sandstone samples (Region 1) ranged from 10.97 ± 0.43, 27.68 ± 0.37 and 64.56 ± 0.74 Bq/kg respectively. These values are less than the international values reported by United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR, 2000), in (Region 2), average values ranged from 2465.49 ± 0.00, 2042.00 ± 0.00 and 2259.65 ± 0.64 Bq/kg respectively. These values are higher than the values reported by (UNSCEAR, 2000). Average values of radium equivalent activity Ra<sub>eq</sub> (Bq/Kg), absorbed dose rate D (nGy/h), annual effective radiation dose D<sub>eff</sub> (mSv/y), External index (H<sub>ex</sub>) and Internal index (H<sub>in</sub>) were in (region 1) 21.13, 27.22, 11.75, 0.07 and 0.10 respectively, in (region 2) 5775.19, 1787.78, 846.58, 11.57 and 15.64 respectively. These results are lower (except annual effective radiation dose) in (region 1) and higher in (region 2) than the world recommended values by (UNSCEAR, 2000). Also, samples were analyzed by Atomic Absorption spectrometer (AAS) for Al, Ca, Fe, K, Mg and Bi in % elements concentrations. Average value in (region 1) (Al Wajh and Al Ula) are 4.42, 0.41, 1.37, 0.04 and 0.03, (in region 2) (N. Al Ula and Az Zabirah) are 12.50, 10.05, 1.01, 1.19, 0.04 respectively. Classifications of sandstone depend on the content of these elements. These results are important for the safety of dwellers and user of sandstone in constructions.
