Spatial Distribution of Radionuclides and Major Elements in Soil of Murree and Kotli Sattian Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

The study is aimed to investigate the specific activity of radionuclides and major elements in soils of Subdivisions  Murree and Kotli Sattian (Himalayan Mountain range) Pakistan as a part of the ongoing baseline data collection using gamma-ray spectrometer and wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence (WDXRF).The natural radionuclides ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K showed inhomogenous distribution 20.0 to 29.5, 43.4 to 62.4 and 163.0 to 493.6 Bq kg^-1 respectively where as ¹³⁷Cs exhibited extreme variation from 1.3 to 54.1 Bqkg^-1. The dominant constitutes of soil were SiO₂, Al₂O₃ and Fe₂O₃. Weak to moderate correlation was observed between elemental composition and activity concentrations of radionuclides. The average annual effective absorbed dose rate measured at 1m above ground due to terrestrial sources was 72.9 ± 1.0 µSvy^-1. The high altitude of study area causes the dominant doses to the public .The radium equivalent activity Ra_eq, outdoor and indoor hazard indices were lower than the safe limit of Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development report for general public.

Keywords: Gamma emitters, major elements, XRF, soil, Himalayan Mountain range, Gamma Spectrometry