DETERMINATION of the NATURAL RADIOACTIVITY DISTRIBUTION and CONSUMPTION EFFECTIVE DOSE RATE of CEREAL CROPS in ARDAHAN PROVINCE, TURKEY

Abstract

A total of 141 samples; wheat flour samples (66 samples) and cereal product samples (75 samples) such as barley, wheat, vetch, rye and oat collected from local residences, small markets and regional farmers in different districts of Ardahan City were analyzed using a gamma spectrometer with NaI (Tl) scintillation detector. It was observed that the activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in wheat flour samples used in the nourishment of living creatures varied between 9.22 ±1.71 - 38.32±5.74 Bq kg-1, 10.53 ± 2.82 - 32.70±2.85 Bq kg-1 and 204.31±32.14- 429.54±45.8 Bq kg-1, respectively. Activity concentration values of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K for cereal crops detected are compatible with similar studies conducted in the world. The estimated total annual effective dose, based on intake of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in cereal crops, ranged from 27.56 ± 5.43 (barley) μSvy-1 and 207.32 ± 44.8 (wheat flour) μSvy-1. These values show that the consumption dose rate resulting from the ingestion of cereal crops by the people of the study region is low and no harmful health effects are expected for living things.

Keywords

• Natural radioactivity
• NaI(Tl) dedector
• Cereal crops
• Wheat flour
• Consumption dose

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