Radioactivity, radon and heavy elements analysis on the western and northern shores of Lake Van

In this study, analyses of natural radioactivity (238U (226Ra), 232Th and 40K) were performed in water, deep mud and soil samples taken from specific locations and depths on the western and northern shores of Lake Van in Tatvan, Ahlat, Adilcevaz and Erciş districts, through which active earthquake fault lines pass. Additionaly, the concentrations of radon and radon diffusion parameters and in order to determine whether any radioactive contamination from the power reactor is used for energy production in neighbouring countries 137Cs, 90Sr and 129I radioisotope analyses were performed in all samples. In addition, to determine whether heavy metal pollution, the concentrations of main element (Mg, Ca, Na and K) together with the heavy metal concentrations (Zn, Fe, Mn, Ni, Cu, Cr and Co) were performed in all the samples. The results were interpreted by using statistical analyses considering the geological, geographical and climatic features of the regions as well as their seasonal features.