Available online at www.pelagiaresearchlibrary.

com

Pelagia Research Library

Advances in Applied Science Research, 2012, 3 (2):950-961

ISSN: 0976-8610
CODEN (USA): AASRFC

Determination of Radon and Thoron Activity in the Soil By using Solid State
Nuclear Track Detectors (SSNTDs), Passive Technique
Huda R. Algaim1, Rifat M. Dakhil2 and Isa J. Al-Khalifa3
1
Environment and Pollution Department, Basrah Technical College, Foundation of Technical
Education, Basrah, Iraq
2
Petrochemical Engineering Department, Basrah Technical College, Foundation of Technical
Education, Basrah, Iraq
3
Physics Department, College of Education, Basrah University, Basrah, Iraq

______________________________________________________________________________
ABSTRACT

Radon and thoron activity concentration levels have been determined in the soil of Basra Governorate, Iraq. The
area of the study included three districts, they are Hayy-Alabas, Hayy-Aljameeat and Almuaficia.. In this
investigation CR-39 and LR-115 type2 solid state nuclear track detectors and a cylindrical plastic container
technique are used. The samples are taken from the surface and the depth 1m for each location. Maximum activity of
radon levels observed is (16200 Bq.m-3) in Hayy-Alabas station number 10 for soil from the surface and minimum
levels is (1560 Bq.m-3) were observed in Almuaficia station number 54 for soil from the surface. The activity of
radon were measured in Hayy-Aljameeat and Almuaficia which are with in normal limits according to
International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). The high values of radon activity are measured in
many locations in Hayy-Alabas and Hayy-Aljameeat. There are many anomalous values of radon activity in the
soil in some stations of Hayy-Alabas has been observed in this study. The reasons of this anomalous has been
220
discussed. The activity concentration of thoron is smaller than the activity concentration for radon (( Ac / Ac222 )
<1) over all study area. The reason of this result has been discussed. The average value of the activity of thoron
concentration Ac220 in the soil samples from the surface equal 2073.33 Bq.m-3, 1893.75 Bq.m-3 and 1822.22 Bq.m-3
for Hayy-Alabas, Hayy-Aljameeat and Almuaficia respectively and the average value for the soil samples from the
depth 1m equal 1666.66 Bq.m-3 , 906.25 Bq.m-3 and 1103.333 Bq.m-3 for Hayy-Alabas, Hayy-Aljameeat and
Almuaficia respectively.

Keywords: Radon, Thoron, CR-39, LR-115 type 2, soil , Activity (Bq m-3).
______________________________________________________________________________
INTRODUCTION

Radon is a fascinating type of element in which it is only massive inert gas found every where in different
proportions. This special property of radon make it to unique and have characteristics which are unusual in their
combination [1]. Radon, thoron and their decay products are alpha-, beta- and gamma-emitting nuclei. Inhalation of
these radionuclides represents the main source of exposure to ionizing radiation for population in most countries [2-
5].

950
Pelagia Research Library
Huda R. Algaim et al Adv. Appl. Sci. Res., 2012, 3(2):950-961
_____________________________________________________________________________

BASRAH-IRAQ

Figure(1): Basrah Governorate, numbering in station number (s), represent the places where samples taken
from, (the two maps are from Google Earth)

951
Pelagia Research Library
Huda R. Algaim et al Adv. Appl. Sci. Res., 2012, 3(2):950-961
_____________________________________________________________________________
Measurements of radon are importance because the radiation dose to human population due to inhalation of radon
and its daughters contributes more than 50% of the total dose from natural sources [6]. The dose which deriving
from the presence in the air of 222Rn is linked to the inhalation of its short–lived daughters, which are deposited in
the respiratory organs, if deeply inhaled, emit alpha-particles in direct contact with the bronchial and pulmonary
epithelium. For these reasons, the dose deriving from the exposure to 222Rn in closed spaces has been placed in
direct relation to the risk of lung cancer [7]. It seems that radon accepted the idea and implementation of
globalization of the world by making available itself everywhere. Its existences is strongly tied with the presence of
other elements. Outside air typically contains very low levels of radon, however, it may build up to higher
concentrations indoors when it is unable to disperse [8].

The main source of indoor radon is the soil, the activity concentration of radon coming from the soil can reach
higher and higher values due to the better and better insulation techniques of dwellings. The epidemiological
researches show the relative risk of lung cancer is 1.33 above 200 Bq m-3 [9] and the relative risk increases by 0.15-
0.2 per 100 Bq m-3 [10]. Solid state nuclear track detectors (SSNTD) have been extensively used in this regard and
almost all branches of science and technology [11-14].

In this study, we use a SSNTD technique based on determining detection efficiencies of the CR-39 and LR-115 type
II solid state nuclear track detectors for measuring α - particles due to the radon and thoron series. The relevant
ranges of the emitted α -particles in air and SSNTD utilized, were calculated by means of a TRIM program [15]. In
this work we used (SSNTDs) to evaluate radon and thoron concentrations in various soil samples are brought from
different places from Hayy-alabaas district and the area around it in Basra governorate, In order to set a baseline
data for these areas which would be of great help for radiological database of Iraq.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

METHOD OF STUDY
The soil samples were collected from 55 locations in Basrah city during October 2011. The area of study included
three districts Hayy-Alabas, Hayy-Aljameeat and Almuaficia as shown in figure(1). The soil samples where taken
from the surface and depth 1m from each location. The number of soil samples is 110. Each one of these soil
samples is dried in the oven at 120 oC and milled in the grinder. Finally, all samples are sieved (riddled) in sieve
with 300 µ m pores. Each sample of soil of 1cm height is placed in the bottom of the closed cylindrical plastic
container as shown in the Fig.(2) [16].

Soil Sample

Figure(2):Arrangement of the solid state nuclear track detector films placed at a distance of 9 cm above a soil
sample in a cylindrical plastic container
of 2 cm radius.

Identical disks of radius 2 cm of CR-39 and LR-115 type II SSNTDs have been separately placed at a distance of 9
cm above the sample for one month. Two identical films of CR-39 and the same from LR-115 type II are used for

952
Pelagia Research Library
Huda R. Algaim et al Adv. Appl. Sci. Res., 2012, 3(2):950-961
_____________________________________________________________________________
each sample to achieve a high accuracy. This long time of irradiation is necessary for secular equilibrium and to
accumulate considerable number of tracks of α -particles that emitted from radon, thoron and their progenies.

After the irradiation, the exposed films were developed in an NaOH solution with chemical etching conditions 2.5
N at 60 oC for 120 minutes for LR-115 type II films and 6.25 N at 70 oC for 7 hours for CR-39 films [17]. After the
chemical treatment of the CR-39 and LR-115 type II detectors the visual counting of alpha particles tracks (i.e. N GCR ,
N GLR ) are carried out by means of an optical microscope.
The global alpha particle track densities that registered on CR-39 and LR-115 detectors (i.e. ρ GCR and ρ GLR ) are
calculated according to the following equations

N GCR
ρ CR
= -------------------------------- ( 1)
AG × t G
G

And

N GLR
ρ
----------------------------- ( 2)
LR
=
AG × t G
G

Where AG is the global area of view and tG is the global time of irradiation, N GCR and N GLR are the average values
of the number of tracks registered on the CR-39 and LR-115 detectors respectively .

Hence, the global density of tracks due to the α -particles emitted by radon, thoron and their daughters, registered
on the CR-39 SSNTD is then

 
ρ GCR = Ac222 (Bq. cm −3 ) ∑ k i Pi CR Ri +
3
Ac220 4

Ac222
∑ k i Pi
CR
Ri ……………….. (3)
 i =1 i =1 

The global density of tracks per unit time (tracks.cm-2.s-1) due to the α -particles of the radon and thoron groups
registered on the LR-115 type II SSNTD is then equal to:

ρGLR = Ac222 (Bq. cm −3 ) 3 P LR ∆R + 4 P LR ∆R

 Ac220 
 ………..……. (4)
 Ac222 

Combining eqs.(3) and (4), the following relationship between track densities and thoron to radon ratio is [17]:

3
Ac220 4

ρ CR ∑ ki Pi
i =1
CR
Ri + 222
Ac
∑k i =1
i Pi CR Ri
G
= ………… (5)
ρ LR
Ac220
G
3 P LR
∆R + 4 P LR
∆R 222
Ac
CR
Where, Pi represents the probability for an alpha-particle of energy Eαi and index i emitted at a distance x
from the detector to reach and be registered on the CR-39 SSNTD [17].

LR
The values of Pi CR for each index i are shown in Table (1) and the values of P for each residual thickness are
shown in Table (2).

953
Pelagia Research Library
Huda R. Algaim et al Adv. Appl. Sci. Res., 2012, 3(2):950-961
_____________________________________________________________________________

Knowing ρ GCR , ρ GLR , Pi CR and P LR one can determine the Ac220 / Ac222 ratio and consequently the Ac220 and
Ac222 activities of the studied soil samples have been evaluated.

Table (1): Data obtained for the probability ( Pi

CR
α -particles and thoron group α -
) for radon group
particles to be registered on the CR-39 SSNTD for the gas volume of the α -particles of energy E α i and
index i in the gas volume [ 17].

E α i, MeV
Nuclide Ri , cm
Pi CR × 10 −3
Radon group α -particles
222
Rn 5.49 3.90 2.871
218
Po 6.00 4.65 3.383
214
Po 7.68 6.65 4.440
Thoron group α -particles
220
Rn 6.28 4.80 3.391
216
Po 6.78 5.45 3.433
212
Bi 6.08 4.75 3.527
212
Po 8.78 8.36 5.711

Table (2): Values of the probability ( P ) for the α -particles of the radon and thoron groups to be
LR

registered on the LR-115 SSNTD for different residual thickness for (LR-115 films) for the gas volume of the
water samples. Rmin and Rmax are the α -particles ranges in the gas volume which correspond to the lower
and upper ends of the energy window [17].

µm
P LR × 10 −3
Residual thickness, Rmax , cm
Rmin , cm
3 0.46 3.83 203.299
4 0.61 3.52 11.302
5 0.80 3.44 4.329
6 0.98 2.71 1.536
7 1.07 2.66 1.405
8 1.29 2.53 1.336
9 1.42 2.31 0.267
10 1.60 2.02 0.191

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

220 222
The Ac / Ac ratios and the radon and thoron activity per unit volume for the samples studied have been
determined by using Equations (5) and (4) respectively . The error on track density counting is smaller than 7% for
samples studied. The area of study included Hayy-Alabas, Hayy-Aljameeat and Almuaficia districts in Basrah
Governorate, each location of the study called station. From table(3) to table(8) shows the number of station, the
global track density of LR-115 type II ( ρ G ), the global track density of CR-39 ( ρ G ), the ratio of
LR CR
Ac220 / Ac222 ,
222 220
the activity of 222Rn ( Ac ) and the activity of 220Rn( Ac ) for the soil samples. Table(3), table(5) and table(7) are
concerned with the soil samples from the surface. Table(4), table(6) and table(8) are concerned with the soil samples
from the depth 1m .

From Table(3) and table (4) it is clear that the observed radon concentrations for the soil from the surface and depth
1m in allot of stations in Hayy Alabas district are high than the natural limits [7].

The high levels of radon concentrations in the soil means clearly there are high uranium and radium concentrations
in this soil [18], therefore, the high levels of radon concentrations in many stations in Hayy-Alabas district may be
refer to high concentration of uranium and radium, which need more investigation.

When we lock carefully to the data in table(3) and table(4) we notice the radon concentrations for the soil which got
from the surface of almost stations of study is greater than for soil which got from the depth 1m, this mean there are
external pollution of uranium in the soil of this stations because of in natural case the concentration of uranium is
increase with increasing in depth [19]. The data in table(3) and table(4) is shown in figure(3) and figure(4).

954
Pelagia Research Library
Huda R. Algaim et al Adv. Appl. Sci. Res., 2012, 3(2):950-961
_____________________________________________________________________________
Table (3): The radon and thoron concentration in the soil samples from the surface in Hayy-Alabas in Basrah
governorate

Station Number ρ GLR × 10 −5 ρ GCR × 10 −5 Ac220 / Ac222 Ac222 Ac220

(tr .cm -2.s -1) (Bq.m-3) (Bq.m-3)
(tr .cm -2.s -1)
1 49.51086 80.5765 0.18500 11583.414 2142.951
2 50.48166 81.5473 0.41200 9503.360 3915.355
3 53.39407 86.40131 0.35008 10617.333 3716.964
4 55.33567 90.28451 0.12643 13811.361 1746.169
5 47.56926 77.6641 0.11237 12066.454 1355.945
6 61.16048 99.99252 0.08413 16039.308 1349.386
7 52.42327 85.43051 0.15315 12697.388 1944.560
8 43.68605 70.86849 0.27147 9355.467 2539.734
9 39.80285 65.04368 0.09356 10321.548 965.721
10 67.95608 110.6713 0.16834 16187.201 2725.008
11 57.27727 93.19692 0.19006 13328.321 2533.175
12 60.18968 98.05092 0.16166 14442.294 2334.784
13 58.24807 95.13852 0.10370 14925.335 1547.778
14 57.27727 93.19692 0.19006 13328.321 2533.175
15 51.45246 83.4889 0.26395 11100.374 2929.958
16 40.77365 66.01448 0.33224 8241.493 2738.125
17 40.77365 66.01448 0.33224 8241.493 2738.125
18 52.42327 85.43051 0.15315 12697.388 1944.560
19 49.51086 80.5765 0.18500 11583.414 2142.951
20 38.83205 63.10208 0.22364 8724.534 1951.119
21 21.35763 34.94884 0.06710 5717.761 383.665
22 30.09484 48.54006 0.47306 5382.613 2546.293
23 23.29923 37.86125 0.22364 5234.720 1170.671
24 22.32843 35.91964 0.59270 3637.706 2156.069
25 32.03644 52.42327 0.06710 8576.641 575.498
26 23.29923 37.86125 0.22364 5234.720 1170.671
27 62.13128 100.9633 0.22364 13959.254 3121.790
28 38.83205 63.10208 0.22364 8724.534 1951.119
29 20.38683 33.00724 0.33224 4120.747 1369.063
30 38.83205 63.10208 0.22364 8724.534 1951.119

Radon Concentration in the Soil from the Surface

Radon Concentration in the Soil from Depth 1 m
1.8E+04
R adon C o ncentra tion in B q/m3

1.6E+04

1.4E+04

1.2E+04

1.0E+04

8.0E+03

6.0E+03

4.0E+03

2.0E+03

0.0E+00
S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13 S14 S15 S16 S17 S18 S19 S20 S21 S22 S23 S24 S25 S26 S27 S28 S29 S30

Station Number

Figure(3): The Radon concentration of the soil samples from the surface and depth 1m in Hayy-Alabas in
Basrah governorate.

955
Pelagia Research Library
Huda R. Algaim et al Adv. Appl. Sci. Res., 2012, 3(2):950-961
_____________________________________________________________________________
Table (4): The radon and thoron concentration in the soil samples from the depth 1m in Hayy-Alabas in
Basrah governorate.

ρ GLR × 10 −5 ρ GCR × 10 −5 Ac222

Station Number
(tr .cm -2.s -1) (tr .cm -2.s -1)
Ac220 / Ac222 Ac220
(Bq.m-3)
(Bq.m-3)
1 43.68605 70.86849 0.27147 9355.467 2539.734
2 41.74445 67.95608 0.17815 9838.507 1752.728
3 42.71525 69.89769 0.06710 11435.521 767.330
4 55.33567 90.28451 0.12643 13811.361 1746.169
5 39.80285 65.04368 0.09356 10321.548 965.721
6 56.30647 92.22612 0.04937 15408.375 760.771
7 39.80285 65.04368 0.09356 10321.548 965.721
8 38.83205 63.10208 0.22364 8724.534 1951.119
9 42.71525 69.89769 0.06710 11435.521 767.330
10 58.24807 95.13852 0.10370 14925.335 1547.778
11 58.24807 94.16772 0.38278 11248.266 4305.579
12 59.21887 96.10932 0.25847 12845.280 3320.181
13 60.18968 98.05092 0.16166 14442.294 2334.784
14 61.16048 99.02172 0.33224 12362.240 4107.188
15 57.27727 92.22612 0.54822 9651.252 5290.976
16 31.06564 50.48166 0.22364 6979.627 1560.895
17 32.03644 52.42327 0.06710 8576.641 575.498
18 41.74445 67.95608 0.17815 9838.507 1752.728
19 39.80285 65.04368 0.09356 10321.548 965.721
20 29.12404 47.56926 0.10370 7462.667 773.889
21 24.27003 39.80285 0.02712 6831.734 185.274
22 30.09484 48.54006 0.47306 5382.613 2546.293
23 23.29923 37.86125 0.22364 5234.720 1170.671
24 24.27003 39.80285 0.02712 6831.734 185.274
25 31.06564 50.48166 0.22364 6979.627 1560.895
26 24.27003 39.80285 0.02712 6831.734 185.274
27 63.10208 102.9049 0.13733 15556.268 2136.393
28 39.80285 65.04368 0.09356 10321.548 965.721
29 21.35763 34.94884 0.06710 5717.761 383.665
30 38.83205 63.10208 0.22364 8724.534 1951.119

Thoron Concentration in the Soil from the Surface

Thoron Concentration in the soil from Depth 1 m
6000
3
Thoron C oncentration in Bq/m

5000

4000

3000

2000

1000

0
S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13 S14 S15 S16 S17 S18 S19 S20 S21 S22 S23 S24 S25 S26 S27 S28 S29 S30

Station Number

Figure(4): The Thoron concentration of the soil samples from the surface and depth 1m in Hayy-Alabas in
Basrah governorate.

956
Pelagia Research Library
Huda R. Algaim et al Adv. Appl. Sci. Res., 2012, 3(2):950-961
_____________________________________________________________________________
Table (5): The radon and thoron concentration in the soil samples from the surface in Hayy-Aljameeat in
Basrah governorate

Station Number ρ GLR × 10 −5 ρ GCR × 10 −5 Ac222 Ac220

-2
(tr .cm .s )-1
(tr .cm -2.s -1)
Ac220 / Ac222
(Bq.m-3) (Bq.m-3)

31 44.65686 71.83929 0.59270 7275.413 4312.138

32 47.56926 77.6641 0.11237 12066.454 1355.945
33 41.74445 67.95608 0.17815 9838.507 1752.728
34 49.51086 79.6057 0.61985 7906.346 4900.753
35 24.27003 39.80285 0.02712 6831.734 185.274
36 37.86125 61.16048 0.41200 7127.520 2936.516
37 24.27003 39.80285 0.02712 6831.734 185.274
38 28.15324 45.62766 0.29993 5865.653 1759.286
39 21.35763 34.94884 0.06710 5717.761 383.665
40 31.06564 50.48166 0.22364 6979.627 1560.895
41 22.32843 35.91964 0.59270 3637.706 2156.069
42 19.41602 31.06564 0.93293 2523.733 2354.460
43 14.56202 23.29923 0.93293 1892.800 1765.845
44 17.47442 28.15324 0.52131 3006.773 1567.454
45 20.38683 33.00724 0.33224 4120.747 1369.063
46 14.56202 23.29923 0.93293 1892.800 1765.845

Table (6): The radon and thoron concentration in the soil samples from the depth 1m in Hayy- Aljameeat in
Basrah governorate.

ρ GLR × 10 −5 ρ GCR × 10 −5 Ac222

Station Number -2
(tr .cm .s )-1 -2
(tr .cm .s ) -1 Ac220 / Ac222 -3
Ac220
(Bq.m )
(Bq.m-3)
31 32.03644 52.42327 0.06710 8576.641 575.498
32 48.54006 79.6057 0.02712 13663.468 370.548
33 45.62766 74.75169 0.04534 12549.495 568.939
34 39.80285 65.04368 0.09356 10321.548 965.721
35 42.71525 69.89769 0.06710 11435.521 767.330
36 38.83205 63.10208 0.22364 8724.534 1951.119
37 23.29923 37.86125 0.22364 5234.720 1170.671
38 29.12404 47.56926 0.10370 7462.667 773.889
39 32.03644 52.42327 0.06710 8576.641 575.498
40 29.12404 47.56926 0.10370 7462.667 773.889
41 23.29923 37.86125 0.22364 5234.720 1170.671
42 20.38683 33.00724 0.33224 4120.747 1369.063
43 25.24083 40.77365 0.41200 4751.680 1957.678
44 18.44522 30.09484 0.12643 4603.787 582.056
45 21.35763 34.94884 0.06710 5717.761 383.665
46 18.44522 30.09484 0.12643 4603.787 582.056

From table(5) and table(6) we noted the levels of radon concentrations for hayy-Aljameet stations are in the natural
limits, but the soil from the depth 1m for stations number 32,33,34 and 35 have a high levels in compare with
another stations. The data in table(5) and table(6) is shown in figure(5) and figure(6).

957
Pelagia Research Library
Huda R. Algaim et al Adv. Appl. Sci. Res., 2012, 3(2):950-961
_____________________________________________________________________________

Radon Concentration in the Soil from the Surface

Radon Concentration in the Soil from Depth 1 m

Radon Concentration in Bq/m

3
2.E+04

1.E+04

1.E+04

1.E+04

8.E+03

6.E+03

4.E+03

2.E+03

0.E+00
S31 S32 S33 S34 S35 S36 S37 S38 S39 S40 S41 S42 S43 S44 S45 S46

Station Number

Figure(5): The Radon concentration of the soil samples from the surface and depth 1m in Hayy-Aljameeat in
Basra governorate.

Thoron Concentration in the Soil from the Surface.

Thoron Concentration in the Soil from Depth 1m
3
Thoron Concentration in Bq/m

6.E+03

5.E+03

4.E+03

3.E+03

2.E+03

1.E+03

0.E+00
S31 S32 S33 S34 S35 S36 S37 S38 S39 S40 S41 S42 S43 S44 S45 S46

Station Number

Figure(6): The thoron concentration of the soil samples from the surface and depth 1m in Hayy-Aljameeat in
Basrah governorate.

958
Pelagia Research Library
Huda R. Algaim et al Adv. Appl. Sci. Res., 2012, 3(2):950-961
_____________________________________________________________________________

Table (7): The radon and thoron concentration in the soil samples from the surface in Al Muaficia in Basrah
governorate .

ρ GLR × 10 −5 ρ GCR × 10 −5 Ac222

Station Number -2
(tr .cm .s ) -1 -2
(tr .cm .s ) -1 Ac220 / Ac222 Ac220
(Bq.m-3)
(Bq.m-3)
47 19.41602 31.06564 0.93293 2523.733 2354.460
48 32.03644 52.42327 0.06710 8576.641 575.498
49 31.06564 50.48166 0.22364 6979.627 1560.895
50 22.32843 35.91964 0.59270 3637.706 2156.069
51 23.29923 37.86125 0.22364 5234.720 1170.671
52 25.24083 40.77365 0.41200 4751.680 1957.678
53 18.44522 30.09484 0.12643 4603.787 582.056
54 23.29923 36.89045 2.52205 1557.652 3928.473
55 22.32843 35.91964 0.59270 3637.706 2156.069

Table (8): The radon and thoron concentration in the soil samples from the depth 1m in Al Muaficia in
Basrah governorate .

ρ GLR × 10 −5 ρ GCR × 10 −5 Ac222

Station Number -2
(tr .cm .s ) -1
-2 -1 A220
/A 222
-3
Ac220
(tr .cm .s ) c c (Bq.m )
(Bq.m-3)
47 20.38683 33.00724 0.33224 4120.747 1369.063
48 34.94884 57.27727 0.03891 9690.615 377.106
49 33.97804 55.33567 0.16834 8093.601 1362.504
50 23.29923 37.86125 0.22364 5234.720 1170.671
51 24.27003 39.80285 0.02712 6831.734 185.274
52 28.15324 45.62766 0.29993 5865.653 1759.286
53 21.35763 34.94884 0.06710 5717.761 383.665
54 22.32843 35.91964 0.59270 3637.706 2156.069
55 23.29923 37.86125 0.22364 5234.720 1170.671

From table(7) and table(8) we noticed the levels of radon concentrations for all stations of Almwaficia are in the
natural limits. The data in table(7) and table(8) is shown in figure(7) and figure(8).

Radon Concentration in the Soil from the Surface

Radon Concentration in the Soil from Depth 1m
1.2E+04
3
Radon concentration in Bq/m

1.0E+04

8.0E+03

6.0E+03

4.0E+03

2.0E+03

0.0E+00
S47 S48 S49 S50 S51 S52 S53 S54 S55

Station Number

Figure(7): The Radon concentration of the soil samples from the surface and depth 1m in Almuaficia in
Basrah governorate.

959
Pelagia Research Library
Huda R. Algaim et al Adv. Appl. Sci. Res., 2012, 3(2):950-961
_____________________________________________________________________________

Thoron Concentration in the Soil from the Surface

Thoron Concentration in the Soil from Depth 1m

4.5E+03
Thoron Concentration in Bq/m

4.0E+03
3

3.5E+03
3.0E+03
2.5E+03
2.0E+03
1.5E+03
1.0E+03
5.0E+02
0.0E+00
S47 S48 S49 S50 S51 S52 S53 S54 S55

Station Number

Figure(8): The thoron concentration of the soil samples from the surface and depth 1m in Almuaficia in
Basrah governorate

220 222
From all above tables we noticed the ratio ( Ac / Ac ) <1 , this mean thoron concentration is smaller than radon
concentration over all study area may be because of the short half life for thoron in comparison with radon and the
220
long irradiation time(one month)[20]. The average value of the activity of thoron concentration Ac in the soil
samples from the surface equal 2073.33 Bq.m-3, 1893.75 Bq.m-3 and 1822.22 Bq.m-3 for Hayy-Alabas, Hayy-
Aljameeat and Almuaficia respectively and the average value for the soil samples from the depth 1m equal 1666.66
Bq.m-3 , 906.25 Bq.m-3 and 1103.333 Bq.m-3 for Hayy-Alabas, Hayy-Aljameeat and Almuaficia respectively.

CONCLUSION

In this investigation, the activity of radon and thoron levels have been measured in the soil of the three districts in
Basra governorate. In this study the maximum radon activity (16200 Bq.m-3 )have been observed in Hayy-Alabas
district, station number 10 for soil from the surface, while the minimum radon activity (1560 Bq.m-3) has been
observed in Almuaficia district, station number 54 for soil from the surface. The average value of the activity of
thoron concentration Ac220 in the soil samples from the surface equal 2073.33 Bq.m-3, 1893.75 Bq.m-3 and 1822.22
Bq.m-3 for Hayy-Alabas, Hayy-Aljameeat and Almuaficia respectively and the average value for the soil samples
from the depth 1m equal 1666.66 Bq.m-3 , 906.25 Bq.m-3 and 1103.333 Bq.m-3 for Hayy-Alabas, Hayy-Aljameeat
and Almuaficia respectively.

The high levels of radon concentrations which observed in the soil samples for any stations in this study are came
may be from the high concentrations of uranium and thorium in this soil, the study of uranium concentrations of
these soils are in progress. The high concentration of uranium and radium in the stations in Hayy-Alabas district are
came from external pollutions because of the radon concentrations for the soil which got from the surface of almost
stations of study is greater than for soil which got from the depth 1m.

220 222
The ratio ( Ac / Ac ) <1 , this mean thoron concentration is smaller than radon concentration over all study area
may be because of the short half life for thoron in comparison with radon and the long irradiation time.

The data in this study is the first investigation and this study provided a basis for the radiation pollution and radon
map in Iraq.

960
Pelagia Research Library
Huda R. Algaim et al Adv. Appl. Sci. Res., 2012, 3(2):950-961
_____________________________________________________________________________
REFRENCES

[1] Virk H.S. and Singh B., Tectonophysics, 1993, 27(1): 215-224.
[2] Viruthagiri G., Ponnarasi K., Advances in Applied Science Research, 2011,2(2): 103-108.
[3] Hasan A.K., Subber A.R.H., Shaltakh A.R., Advances in Applied Science Research, 2011,2(5): 273-278.
[4] Baroniya S., Anwer Z., Sharma P. K., Dudhe R., Kumar N., Der Pharmacia Sinica, 2010,1(3): 172-182.
[5] Sharma N., Sharma R., Virk H.S., Advances in Applied Science Research, 2011,2(3): 186-190.
[6] UNSCEAR, Sources, Effects and Risks of Ionizing Radiation, United Nations Reports: New York, (1988),145.
[7] ICRP , Lung Cancer risk from indoor exposure due to radon daughters, Annals of the ICRP 17, 1 , Oxford:
Pergemon, (1987).
[8] Rasas M., Measurement of Radon and Its daughters Concentrations Indoor and outdoor Throughout Gaza Strip,
Master thesis, Islamic University of Gaza, (2003).
[9] Pavia M., Bianco A., Pileygic C., Angelillo I.F., Bulletin of the WHO, (2003), 81(10) 732-738.
[10] Lagarde F., Pershagen G.A., Akerblom G., Axelson O., Baverstam U., Damber L., Enflo A., Savartengreen M.,
Swedjemark G.A., Health Physics, (1997), 72(1): 269-276.
[11] Al-Khalifa I.J., Iraqi J. Polymers, (2005), 10(1): 75-78.
[12] Algaim, H.R., Al-Khalifa, I.J., Journal of Kufa Physics, A Special Issue for the Kufa's First Conference for
Physics 6-7 October 2010: 105-113.
[13] Subber, A.R.H., Ali, M.A., Al-Asadi, T.M., Advanced in Applied Science Research, (2011), 2(6): 336-346.
[14] Algaim, H.R., Basrah Journal of Science (A), (2012), 30(1): 112-122.
[15] Ziegler J.F., (2007), The Stopping and Range of Ions in Matter (SRIM), Vers. 96.
[16] Misdaq M. A., Bakhchi A., Moustaaidine H., Satif C. and Fahde K., Appl. Radiation Isotopes, (1997), 48(4):
527-533.
[17] Misdaq M. A., Satif C., J. Radio. Nucl. Chem., (1996), 207(1): 107-116.
[18] Kant K., Upadhyay S.B., Sharma G.S., Chakarvarti S.K., Iran. J. Radiat. Res., (2004), 1(4): 181-186.
[19] Rabee F.B., Al-zamel A.Z., Al-Fares R.A., Bem H., Nukleonika, (2009), 54(1): 3-9.
[20] Giammanco S., Sims K.W.W., Neri M., Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems, (2007), 8(10): 1-14.

961
Pelagia Research Library