Measurement of Natural Radioactivity in Some Commercial Marble Samples Used in Algeria

Authors : E SAADİ, F BENRACHİ, M DE JESUS

Pages : 155-160

View : 21 | Download : 8

Publication Date : 2019-03-28

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Ionizing radiations emitted by natural radionuclides have always existed in building materials which directly affect human beings, and can contribute in accumulated dose in long term . The objective of this work was an investigation of natural radioactivity levels associated radiation hazard in commercial marble samples used in Algeria. S ix samples were collected from marble dealers and were analyzed by gamma spectrometry, using a high resolution HPGe semi-conductor detector with ( 1.11 keV for 214 Bi 609 keV line ). The spectra were analyzed using the Genie 2000 software dedicated to the processing of gamma spectra. The activity concentrations of primordial radionuclides 232 Th, 226 Ra and 40 K were determined; they ranged from 0.1 to 1.5 Bq/kg with an average concentration value of 0.9 Bq/kg, from 0.5 to 40.3 Bq/kg with a mean concentration value of 9.3 Bq/kg and from 0.7 to 38.7 Bq/kg with an average concentration value of 25.5 Bq/kg, respectively. The results were found to be lower than the world wide average values. In order to assess the radiological hazard associated to these radionuclides, radiation hazard parameters and dose estimations were elaborated.  
Keywords : Ionizing radiations, Marble, Natural radioactivity, Gamma spectrometry