Determination of Radioactivity Concentrations of 226Ra,232Th, and 40K in Soil Samples in the City of Zliten, Libya, and the Associated Radiation Hazards

Mustafa G Sahoub; Mohamed R Alkadar

doi:10.26629/uzjns.2026.01

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Published: Feb 12, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.26629/uzjns.2026.01

Mustafa G Sahoub

Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Zawia, Libya

https://orcid.org/0009-0008-6716-7151

Mohamed R Alkadar

Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Al-Asmarya Islamic University, Libya

https://orcid.org/0009-0002-2716-4710

Abstract

The concentrations of natural radioactive elements, namely radium, thorium, and potassium, were measured and analysed in 51 soil samples taken from 16 different sites within Zliten, Libya. These activity measurements were conducted using a high-purity germanium radiation detector (HPGe), with a measurement duration set at 13.9 h. The average activity concentration values recorded were approximately 22.16 Bq/kg for radium (²²⁶Ra), 12.18 Bq/kg for thorium (²³²Th), and 294.30 Bq/kg for potassium (⁴⁰K). These values are below the globally recognized average activity concentration levels. The radiation risk associated with these natural nuclides in the soil was assessed through various indicators. The radium equivalent activity (Ra_eq) had an average value of 61.53 Bq/kg, while the absorbed dose rate in air (D) averaged at 30.05 nGy/h. The annual effective dose equivalents, calculated for outdoor (AD_out) and indoor (AD_in) exposure, were found to be 0.037 mSv/year and 0.154 mSv/year, respectively. Additionally, the mean values of the hazard indices were determined as follows: the external hazard index (H_ex) at 0.165, the internal hazard index (H_in) at 0.228, and the gamma radiation hazard index (Iγi) at 0.465. Upon comparing these findings with the global standards outlined in the Radiation Protection Report (UNSCEAR 2000), it was concluded that the soil in the studied region does not present radiation hazards and poses no significant health risks to the local population

How to Cite

[1]

M. G. Sahoub and M. R. Alkadar, “Determination of Radioactivity Concentrations of 226Ra,232Th, and 40K in Soil Samples in the City of Zliten, Libya, and the Associated Radiation Hazards”, UZJNS, vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 01–08, Feb. 2026.

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 1 (2026): Univ Zawia J Nat Sci

Section

Physics

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