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Twenty-five water samples of springs were taken from different locations in the Erbil / Iraqi Kurdistan. The annual effective dosage of radon gas ingestion and inhalation was determined in spring water samples consumed by residents of Erbil city using the RAD7 detector. The highest radon activity concentration was reported in the Doli akoyan/gale faqeyan sample, which was extremely close to the recommended contamination threshold of 11.1 Bq/L, whereas all other radon activity concentrations were below this range. Additionally, the statistical analysis indicated a non- significant relation between radon concentration and most of the studied water physiochemical parameters excpte bicarbonate (HCO3−). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the effect of the use of chemical fertilizers on natural radioactivity levels in agricultural soil was investigated. For this purpose, virgin and agricultural (fertilized) soils were collected from Erbil city, the capital of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region. Gamma-ray spectrometry was applied using a high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector to determine the activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in soil samples. The results showed that the range of activity concentrations for 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in virgin soils are (10.6-16.2) Bq/kg, (8.8-10.7) Bq/kg, and (241.8-340.9) Bq/kg, respectively, while the range of activity concentrations for 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in agricultural soils are (11.9-18.2) Bq/kg, (8.8-12.4) Bq/kg, and (247.7-338.3) Bq/kg, respectively. The obtained values of activity concentration show that the application of chemical fertilizers elevated the natural radioactivity level of the soil. The radiological hazard parameters were also calculated in both the virgin and agricultural soil samples and compared with the international dose safety limit in the soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we determined the activity concentrations of naturally occurring radioactive nuclides in plant crops and the corresponding soil collected from greenhouses and agricultural fields in Erbil city in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region by using a high purity germanium detector. The soil-to-plant crops transfer factors were determined for radioactive nuclides. The results showed that the activity concentration ranges for 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in agricultural soils were (11.94–18.24) Bq/kg, (8.80–12.36) Bq/kg and (247.65–338.26) Bq/kg, respectively. The activity concentrations ranges for 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in plant crops were (0.20–1.45) Bq/kg, (0.11–0.48) Bq/kg, and (68.07–1355.36) Bq/kg, respectively. The transfer factors from soil to plant crops for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K were in the ranges of (0.011–0.087), (0.011–0.046), and (0.201–5.130), respectively. The annual effective doses from consuming plant crops were also estimated. The values obtained were comparable to the internationally recommended values. • Natural radioactive nuclide level examined in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan. • Activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K determined in soils and plant. • Measurements used to determine soil-to-plant crop transfer factors. • Annual effective doses from plant crop consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study is to determine the activity concentration of radioactive nuclide in plant fertilizers used in agriculture in Iraqi Kurdistan region using high- purity germanium detector (HPGe) gamma spectrometer. The results showed that the range of activity concentrations for 226Ra, 232Th, 40K and 137Cs in chemicals and organic fertilizers are (0.1-134), (0.1-74), (1-12,000) and (0-1) Bq/kg respectively, based on the measured activities that were used to assess the radiological hazards. Radium equivalent activity in some samples exceeds the value (370 Bq/kg) which recommended by the OECD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, the activity concentration of naturally occurring radioactive nuclides in 19 widely consumed spices in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region was determined. For the radioactivity evaluation, gamma-ray spectrometry equipment with high purity-germanium detectors (HP-Ge) was utilized. The activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, 40K, and 137Cs ranged from BMDA (Below Minimum Detectable Activity) (for cumin) to 4.65 ± 0.37 Bq.Kg-1 (for learners), 0.06 ± 0.02 (for ring) to 3.79 ± 0.26 Bq.Kg-1 (learners), 37.8 ± 2.09 (for ring) to 869.95 ± 36.92 Bq.Kg-1 (for turmeric), and BMDA to 1.83 ± 0.63 Bq.Kg-1 (for cloves), respectively. On the basis of these results, the radiological hazard indices associated with the use of food spices were calculated. The total ingestion annual effective dose (IAED) of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K ranged between 0.25 and 5.66 µSv.y-1. The dose of naturally occurring radionuclides was less than the recommended limit, and there are no radiological risks associated with the consumption of food spices. This sort of baseline information will very probably be crucial for estimating population exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]