Evaluation of dose for the population due to natural radioactivity of uncultivated soil from the surrounding of the city of Skopje

Abstract

Determination of natural radionuclides in the environment is important as relevant parameter for radiological risks estimations. The objective of this research was focused to define the activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in samples of uncultivated soil, taken from 13 locations in the surrounding of the Skopje city. Within the research performed, the obtained data indicated that the value of 232Th and 226Ra activity was within the range from 27.06 to 43.66 Bq kg–1, and from 20.38 to 39.44 Bq kg–1, respectively. As expected, the 40K concentration in soil was significantly higher, ranged between 392.48 and 625.80 Bq kg–1. The concentrations obtained were the basis for calculation of other parameters that are fundamental for determination of the environmental radiation safety for the population. The obtained results from this study suggest that in the surrounding of Skopje there is no significant radiation risk for the population, i.e. the safe limits were not exceeded, pointing out the insignificant risk that arises from naturally occurring radionuclides in the environmental soil.