Assessment of natural radioactivity levels for Karadag Mountain, Turkey

Background: The natural radioactivity levels in soil samples of Karadag Mountain in central Anatolia region have been determined. Materials and Methods: Analyses on the collected samples were performed to determine gross alpha and beta radioactivity concentrations by using a gas-flow proportional counter and the concentrations of U-238, Th-232 and K-40 by using a NaI(Tl) scintillation detector. Results: The estimated activities of gross alpha and beta ranged between 305.155 +/- 46.830 and 1305.437 +/- 77.23 Bq.kg-1, 479.743 +/- 22.658 and 1177.373 +/- 30.908 Bq. kg-1, respectively. The mean activity values of U, Th and K radionuclides were found to be 71.6, 83.9 and 451.1 Bq.kg-1, respectively. Also, known radiation health hazard indices were calculated using radioactivity concentrations of soil samples. Conclusion: The present results have been compared with the obtained values from other regions in Turkey and the internationally reported values as well as the reference values. The soil samples in the studied area are safe and can be used as a construction material without posing any significant radiological threat to public. This investigation reveals a baseline of levels of natural radioactivity in Karadag Mountain, Turkey.