Assessment of natural radioactivity level and radiation hazards in soil samples of Wadi Al-Rummah Qassim province, Saudi Arabia

The present work deals with estimation and distribution of natural radionuclides in 40 soil samples collected from Wadi Al-Rummah (Qassim part) Central Saudi Arabia. Estimations were carried out using Nal (T1) gamma-ray spectrometer. Activity concentrations ranged from 5.3 to 45.0 Bq kg(-1), from 4.3 to 33.8 Bq kg(-1) and from 38 Bq kg(-1) to 273.1 Bqkg(-1) for Ra-226, Th-232 and K-40, respectively. The average activity concentrations of Ra-226, Th-232 and K-40. in soil samples was 15.5 Bq kg(-1), 14.1 Bq kg(-1) and 143.1 Bqkg(-1). The results of this study were compared with other studies around the world. Radiation hazard parameters such as radium equivalent activity, annual dose, external hazard were calculated and compared with the recommended levels quoted from International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP-60) and United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation UNSCEAR reports.