Natural radioactivity measurements and dose assessments in sand samples collected from Zonguldak beaches in Turkey

Abstract

In this study, measurements of the gamma activity concentrations of U-238, Th-232 and K-40 natural radionuclides and associated dose assessments in sand samples collected from Zonguldak beaches (Turkey) were carried out. In order to measure the activity concentrations an Ortec GEM30 P4 model gamma spectrometer with HPGe detector was used. The activity concentrations for U-238, Th-232 and K-40 radionuclides were found to vary from 9.98 +/- A 0.82 to 56.81 +/- A 2.44, from 9.93 +/- A 1.46 to 48.87 +/- A 3.81 and from 103.00 +/- A 6.73 to 610.50 +/- A 24.24 Bq kg(-1), respectively. The gamma dose rates were estimated to be from 16.67 +/- A 1.63 to 79.44 +/- A 4.37 nGy h(-1).