Abstract
In this work the concentration of alpha emitters such as Radon ((222)Rn), Radium ((226)Ra), and Uranium ((238)U) from soil samples that had been taken in depth 50 cm, for KUFA city in AL-NAJAF governorate, IRAQ. Alpha emitters were determined using CR-39 detector. Also, radon exhalation rates per mass (E(M)) and area (E(A)) were determined for all soil samples using standard theoretical equations. The results of (222)Rn in the air space of the container (C) of soil samples ranged from 220.73 to 613.59 Bq/m(3) with a mean of 398.08 ± 94.75 Bq/m(3). While the results of activity of concentrations of (226)Ra ranged from 0.326 to 0.905 Bq/kg, with a mean of 0.587 ± 0.140 Bq/kg. As well as, the results of (238)U concentrations ranged from 0.403 to 1.119 ppm with a mean of 0.726 ± 0.173 ppm. The mean values of E(M) and E(A) due to C were 3.65 ± 0.87 mBq/kg h and 384.61 ± 91.54 mBq/m(2) h, respectively. The results of alpha emitters in soil samples of the study area indicate a moderate activity concentration of natural radioactivity levels, which were found to be an accepted level according to UNSCEAR. Also, it is found that different soils and soil formations also exhibit variations in radionuclide distribution and in radon release due to differences in the composition of the soil, mineralogical composition, and porosity. These values could be considered as a database for environmental surveillance, radioactivity hazard estimation, and for land-use planning in AL-NAJAF governorate, which will help to develop radiation protection strategies besides sustainable soil cultivation.