Pages: 289-300

Authors: Thi-Hong Bui, Van-Loat Bui, Somsavath Leuangtakoun, Lemthong Lathdavong, Sonexay Xayhuangsy, Duc-Thang Duong, Dinh-Khoa Tran, Van-Khanh Tran, Ngoc-Thiem Le, Giang T. T. Phan, Van-Khanh Hoang, and Hoai-Nam Tran

Abstract

Assessment of the characteristics of natural radionuclides and ¹³⁷Cs in soil in Phonsavan district, Xiengkhouang province, Laos has been conducted using a standard electrode coaxial Ge (SEGe) detector. Soil samples were collected at 20 locations close to the populated and agricultural area in Phonsavan district. The average activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³⁸U, ²³²Th, ⁴⁰K and ¹³⁷Cs are 54.0 ± 2.5, 65.1 ± 4.4, 96.9 ± 3.7, 433.2 ± 20.7, and 1.54 ± 0.13 Bqkg^-1, respectively. The average radium equivalent activity Ra_eq is 225.9 ± 7.8 Bqkg^-1. The highest Ra_eq of 269.9 Bqkg^-1 is still lower than the safety limit of 370 Bqkg^-1. Associated radiological hazard indices, such as absorbed gamma dose rate, outdoor annual effective dose equivalent, excess lifetime cancer risk, external and internal hazard indices, and gamma index, were also calculated and presented.

Key words: natural radionuclide, ¹³⁷Cs, soil sample, activity concentration

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