Gamma Ray Shielding Properties and Natural Radioactivity of Some Rocks of Trabzon District, Turkiye


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Gümrükçüoğlu N., Uzun Duran S., Bayram T., Küçükömeroğlu B., Yılmaz A. H.

EGYPTIAN JOURNAL OF SOIL SCIENCE, no.3, pp.381-390, 2023 (ESCI) identifier

Abstract

IN THIS study, the gamma-ray attenuation properties of spilitic basalt, andesite, dolomite, limestone and syenite rocks obtained from Trabzon Province and its vicinity have been investigated. The gamma-ray mass attenuation coefficients and radioactivity concentrations of the rocks considered have been determined by using coaxial high purity germanium detector (HPGe) detector system. The capability of andesite by means of gamma-ray shielding for low energy gamma rays has been found highest when it is compared with those of basalt, dolomite, limestone and syenite rocks. In the places where the rocks were extracted, the activities of the natural radioactive elements (U-238, Th-232, K-40) and artificial radioactive elements (Cs-137) have been determined by analyzing the natural radiation concentration on site and using gamma spectroscopic analysis to reveal the presence of radioactivity. The Cs-137 concentration has been found to be below the detection limit. The radioactivity concentrations of U-238, Th-232 and K-40 have been found to be in acceptable levels. Furthermore, chemical element analyzes have been carried out to determine the content of these rocks precisely. The gamma-ray mass attenuation coefficients of andesite for low energy gamma rays have been found to be highest among those of other rocks considered in this work.