Assessment of natural radioactivity in soil samples of Dez river sides - Khouzestan province

Geographical features of each region of the world affect the activity concentration of natural radionuclides such as uranium، thorium and potassium. In this study، 26 soil samples were randomly collected from sides of the Dez River and transferred to the Laboratory for preparation. Activity concentration of natural radioactive materials was measured using p-type HPGe detector with a 38% relative efficiency. The results indicated that radioactivity concentration of 226Ra، 232Th and 40K in soil samples varied over a range of 15. 97 - 32. 87Bqkg-1، 8. 04 - 33. 85 Bqkg-1 and 106. 82 - 471. 35 Bqkg-1، respectively while their mean values were 25. 21، 19. 71 and 289. 57Bqkg-1 in that order. Statistical results at 5% internal error showed that the mean values of radionuclides'' activity concentrations were lower than their defined ones–the average values of the world and Iran. The results of radiological parameters predicted no radioactivity danger in the region.