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Investigation of radioactivity level in soil and drinking water samples collected from the city of Erzincan, Turkey

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Abstract

This study is part of an effort to assess the level of background radiation for Erzincan Province of eastern Turkey. Radionuclide activity concentrations in soil samples were measured through gamma-ray spectrometry and the average activities were determined as 8.93, 11.39, 281.94, and 9.52 Bq/kg for the radionuclides 238U, 232Th, 40K, and 137Cs, respectively. The average annual effective dose from these natural radioactivity sources (238U series, 232Th series and 40K,) was calculated to be 27.9 μSv. Radioactivity levels in drinking and potable water samples were studied using a multi-channel low level proportional counter. The average gross alpha activity concentration was found to be 0.0477 Bq/L (min. 0.007 Bq/L; max. 0.421 Bq/L) and the average gross beta activity was measured as 0.104 Bq/L (min. 0.008 Bq/L; max. 1.806 Bq/L). These values lead to an average annual effective dose of 9.75 μSv from the alpha emitters and 56.34 μSv from the beta emitting radionuclides in water. The radioactivity levels in the water samples investigated were found to comply with the reference levels recommended by WHO and the regulations set forth by the Turkish Health Ministry.

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Acknowledgment

The authors acknowledged the financial support provided by Erzincan University’s Scientific Research Unit (Project No.:2009/2-6).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Elementary Education, Faculty of Education, Erzincan University, 24030, Erzincan, Turkey

    P. Yalcin

  2. TAEK, Cekmece Nuclear Research and Training Centre, Altinsehir Yolu, 5 Km, 34303, Halkali, Istanbul, Turkey

    H. Taskin, E. Kam, A. Varinlioglu & B. Tasdelen

  3. Institute of Natural Sciences, Erzincan University, 24030, Erzincan, Turkey

    H. Taskin & M. Terzi

  4. Department of Physics, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Harran University, 63300, Sanliurfa, Turkey

    A. Bozkurt

  5. Department of Physics, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Aksaray University, 68100, Aksaray, Turkey

    A. Bastug

Authors
  1. P. Yalcin
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  2. H. Taskin
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  3. E. Kam
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  4. H. Taskin
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  5. M. Terzi
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  6. A. Varinlioglu
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  7. A. Bozkurt
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  9. B. Tasdelen
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Correspondence to E. Kam.

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Yalcin, P., Taskin, H., Kam, E. et al. Investigation of radioactivity level in soil and drinking water samples collected from the city of Erzincan, Turkey. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 292, 999–1006 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-011-1596-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-011-1596-7

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