Determination of Concentrations of Natural Radionuclides in Soils and Water in Non-cultivated Sites in Seberang Perai, Malaysia

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the level of concentration of radionuclides in Non-cultivated soils and water, which are taken from Seberang Perai in Penang, Malaysia. The concentrations of natural radioactive nuclides; 226 Ra, 232 Th, and 40 K were assessed using HPGe detector. The concentrations of 226 Ra, 232 Th, and 40 K in soil samples are 4.98 to 160.09, 3.43 to 233.59 and from 56.40 to 819.63 Bq kg -1 respectively. The mean concentrations of 226 Ra, 232 Th, and 40 K are 36.00, 44.21 and 254.60 Bq kg -1 respectively. Similarly, the concentrations of 226 Ra, 232 Th, and 40 K in water samples were assessed to be from 0.19 to 2.13 (mean=1.07), 1.15 to 4.32 (mean = 3.08 ) and from 92.37 to 172.43 (mean = 132.43)Bq l -1 respectively. The outcomes using Pearson’s correlation shows that the relationship of concentrations of 226 Ra, 232 Th and 40 K amongst soil and water for the researched samples are R=0.85, R=0.91 and R= 0.75 correspondingly with p< 0.05. Statistical analysis using T-test showed significant distinction between concentrations of 226 Ra, 232 Th and 40 K in soil and water with t values equal to 3.92, 3.12, and 2.57 respectively at p < 0.05. The results clearly show the values of concentrations of these radionuclides are at the allowable levels with corresponding with dose assessment and radiological indexes.