DETERMINATION OF RADON AND HEAVY METALS IN SOIL SAMPLES FROM SEBERANG PERAI, MALAYSIAMURTADHA SH. ASWOOD*A, MOHAMAD SUHAIMI JAAFAR** AND NAJEBA F. SALIHAbstract Concentrations of Radon- 222, Lead (Pb), Chromium (Cr), Cadmium (Cd), Cobalt (Co), Zinc (Zn) , and Copper (Cu) have been estimated in agricultural soil in the Seberang Perai, Malaysia. The activity concentration of radionuclides was determined using plastic track detectors (CR-39) to measure the exhalation radon rate in the virgin and fertilizers soils. Results reveal that the exhalation radon rate varies from 2.449 mBq/kg.h to 6.28 mBq/kg.h. The values for all samples are below the recommended safe limit of world. Atomic absorption spectroscopy has been used to measure the mean concentrations of Pb, Cr, Cd, Co, Zn, and Cu are 21.656, 16.716, 0.365, 5.358, 76.74,and 29.149 mg/kg, respectively. The obtained values can be considered as a baseline data for concentrations of radon and heavy metals in Malaysia for future environmental radiation monitoring. The mean concentrations of Cd and Cu are above the recommended values in the United States of America and China, respectively.
Enter your contact information below to receive full paper.
|