Determination of natural radioactivity and annual effective equivalent dose in Uşak province in Turkey

In this study, the natural radioactivity levels of the Uşak province in Turkey was determined by taking natural radioactivity measurements from the samples of soil, water and sediment. After determining the pH and conductivity of the 261 soil and 23 sediment samples from the research area, the activity concentrations of K-40, U-238 and Th-232 in the samples of soil and sediment were measured with gamma ray spectrometer. The equivalent radium activity of soil was calculated by using the activity concentration levels of K-40, U-238 and Th-232 in the soil samples. After the soil samples were classified by district, the absorbed dose rate at one meter above the ground and annual effective dose were calculated for each district. Radon concentration and radon exhalation rate in the soil and sediment samples were determined by using CR-39 nuclear track detectors. For the soil samples, the plots of isodose maps were drawn for the activity concentrations of K-40, U-238 and Th-232, the equivalent radium, the absorbed dose rate in air at one meter above the ground, and the effective radium activity. The areas with high and low values were clearly shown on the plots of isodose maps. After establishing the alkalinity, pH, conductivity, mV and salinity levels of the 165 water samples from the research area, the radium activity concentrations of the water samples were determined by using the collector chamber method. The radon concentration, radon exhalation rate and effective radium activity of the water samples were determined using CR-39 nuclear track detectors. The annual effective doses were separately calculated from the levels of radon concentration and effective radium activity measured in the water samples. The plots of isodose maps were drawn for the doses calculated for radon and radium in water. In the central Uşak, Eşme, Ulubey, Karahallı, Sivaslı and Banaz districts, and Ören and Fakılı villages, which were in the research area, the indoor radon concentration was measured with CR-39 nuclear track detectors, and the annual effective dose due to indoor radon concentration was calculated. The total dose to which the residents in the research area were exposed was analyzed in terms of the dose from indoor radon concentration, soil and water. The results were interpreted by comparing them with the related literature. Key words: Natural radiation, Uşak province, annual effective dose equivalent, gamma ray spectrometer, nuclear track detector, radon