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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.net.2019.04.021

Evaluation of elemental concentrations of uranium, thorium and potassium in top soils from Kuwait  

Bajoga, A.D. (Department of Physics, Gombe State University)
Al-Dabbous, A.N. (Environment and Life Sciences Research Center, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research)
Abdullahi, A.S. (Department of Geology, Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Bayero University)
Alazemi, N.A. (Environmental Radiation Protection Laboratory, Qadesiya)
Bachama, Y.D. (Department of Geology, Gombe State University)
Alaswad, S.O. (Nuclear Science Research Institute (NSRI), National Center for Nuclear Technology, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology)
Publication Information
Nuclear Engineering and Technology / v.51, no.6, 2019 , pp. 1638-1649 More about this Journal
Abstract
Top soil samples across the state of Kuwait numering ninety were collected and analysed using gamma-ray spectrometry, to evaluate the elemental concentration of $^{238}U$, $^{232}Th$ and $^{40}K$ and their depletion/enrichment. Results of elemental concentration ranges from 0.48 to 2.61 mg/kg, 0.87-5.23 mg/kg, and 0.24-2.23%, with a mean values of 1.39 mg/kg, 3.47 mg/kg, and 1.18%, for the $^{238}U$, $^{232}Th$ and $^{40}K$, respectively. Further analysis was conducted amongst the five identified soil types, i.e. Aquisalids (S1), Calcigypsids (S2), Petrocalcids (S3), Petrogypsids (S4), and torripsamment (S5). The highest radioactivity concentrations from both uranium and thorium were recorded in the S2 (Calcigypsids) soil, with a value of 1.71 (mg/kg) and 4.45 (mg/kg), respectively. Minimum and maximum values of $^{40}K$ are 1.1(%) and 1.27(%) and is prevalent in Aquisalids (S1) and Petrocalcids (S3) soil types, respectively. Ratios of elemental concentration for $^{232}Th/^{238}U$, $^{40}K/^{238}U$, $^{40}K/^{232}Th$ across the soil types are 2.53, 0.09 and 0.03, with a correlation coefficient of 0.92, 0.34, and 0.38, respectively. A progressively higher $^{232}Th/^{238}U$ ratio is observed moving south-wards, indicating lower $^{238}U$ content in soils from the south relative to the northern part. Overall results indicate Kuwait to be relatively an area with low level of natural radioactivity.
Keywords
Gamma-ray spectrometry; NORM; Radioactivity concentration; Elemental concentration; Concentration ratio; Depletion/enrichment;
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