1st International Conference in Physical Science and Advance Materials IOP Publishing

IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 757 (2020) 012011 doi:10.1088/1757-899X/757/1/012011

Assessment of natural radioactivity hazards in selected water

samples collected from northern regions of Oman
A Al-Harmali1
1
Physics department, Science college, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman, corresponding author: Email:
[email protected]

Abstract: This study explores the radioactivity hazards in water samples collected from the
Northern regions of Oman. The naturally occurring radioactive nuclides of the main series, 238U,
232
Th, 235U and 40k have been studied by means of low level gamma spectroscopy. Majority of the
studied valleys (wadis) are descending from Super Hajar Mountains either towards its east part
(coastal area) or the west part (desert).Water samples were analyzed by applying the same analysis
technique and ranges of concentrations of238U, 232Th, 235U and 40K were found to be (0.35-1.7),
(<DL-0.17), (0.01-0.18) and (0.26-0.91) all in Bq.L-1 respectively. The radiological hazards, D, HR
and Raeq were calculated and found at ranges (0.21-7.94) nGy/h, (3.0-9.0)*10-4 mSv/yr and (0.02-
3.6) Bq.L-1 respectively. The Hin, Hex and Iγr results were less than 1. The assessment of
radioactivity in water samples showed values lower than world-wide average according to (WHO.
The results indicate that the radiation hazard from naturally and artificially radionuclides in water
samples from the area studied in this current work is barely significant.

Keywords: Radioactivity- Water – HPGe Detector- Gamma rays

1.Introduction

Radioactivity is the word used to describe the decay of atomic nucleus. It refers to the property of unstable
atoms to move to a more stable. Earlier in 20th century, Radioecology started to be considered an
individual natural science [1]. Since the creation of the earth radioactivity exit naturally everywhere, in
air, soil, water, plants and food. Depending on the concentration of the radionuclides, the radiation doses
delivered by these materials will [2]. The sultanate of Oman occupies most of the south east corner of
Arabian Peninsula. The distribution of natural radioactivity in the environment depends basically on the
geological and geographical properties. Most wadis in Oman are having headwaters descend from the
mountains towards the coast or deserts. Majority of the studied valleys are descending from Hajar
mountains either towards its east part (coastal area) or the west one (desert). Along these valleys, sub-
surface water is available. In result, these regions are agricultural regions and therefore are populous too.
Consequently, this study will provide a baseline data of radiation considering 15 locations from northern
regions of Oman.

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1st International Conference in Physical Science and Advance Materials IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 757 (2020) 012011 doi:10.1088/1757-899X/757/1/012011

2. Materials and Methods

2.1 Water and Grass samples Collection and Preparation

In this study, decision was made to collect samples of water and grass from east and west of western Hajar
Mountains. The sampling area considered in this study located at west of north Al Hajar Mountains where
the influence of dust storms on the Arabian Peninsula takes place. Heavy rain drifts soil from mountains to
the wadis and plain. Disturbed soils cause a decrease in the net surface radiation. Furthermore, the
Ophiolites which are igneous rocks constitute the bulk of the geographical configuration of the northern
regions of Oman. In terms of natural radioactivity; it is well known that igneous rocks are strongly
enriched in thorium and uranium [3]. Some essential aspects were taken into consideration in order to
obtain reliable results. Areas of agricultural activities were selected in order to investigate about probable
radionuclides that might have eroded into the wadis by fertilizers. For each location, water samples were
taken from an area distribution with the same Global Positioning System (GPS) readings to ensure precise
comparison with other locations. Samples were collected from 15 different locations as shown in Table
(1), Where 1 refers to the headwater of the wadi and 2 to the estuary of the same wadi. In the Lab, water
samples were acidified with concentrated nitric acid (HNO3) to bring the PH to 2 to avoid any adherence
of radionuclide to the interior part of the containers and prevent the growth of organisms [4]. Then 1 L of
each sample was stored into the Marinelli beakers for 4 weeks.

Table 1: Water samples codes and locations

Sample Code location Willayat LatitudeN longitudeE

(Deg.Min.S) (Deg.Min.S)
AW1 WADI ASWAD1 Shinas 24 52 4̍ 3.1 ̎ 56 17 0̍ 3.3 ̎

AW2 WADI ASWAD2 Shinas 24 52 1̍ 7.0 ̎ 56 19 4̍ 6.8 ̎

HW1 WADI HIBI1 Sohar 23 54 5̍ 3.4 ̎ 56 33 2̍ 3.5 ̎

HW2 WADI HIBI2 Sohar 24 02 5̍ 8.1 ̎ 56 33 2̍ 5.8 ̎

IW1 WADI HILTI1 Sohar 24 03 2̍ 9.9 ̎ 56 29 0̍ 5.3 ̎

IW2 WADI HILTI2 Sohar 24 05 2̍ 6.9 ̎ 56 29 0̍ 5.3 ̎

BW BURAIMI Buraimi 24 01 1̍ 6.8 ̎ 56 11 5̍ 5.3 ̎

FW WADI ALFATH Yanqul 23 40 4̍ 5.6 ̎ 56 15 0̍ 3.4 ̎

DW1 WADI DHUNK(FEDA)1 Dunk 23 31 4̍ 8.3 ̎ 56 35 1̍ 5.8 ̎

DW2 WADI DHUNK(FEDA)2 Dunk 23 32 2̍ 9.0 ̎ 56 18 0̍ 5.9 ̎

SW WADI ALSAIFA AlSinaina 23 44 4̍ 5.6 ̎ 55 53 0̍ 7.1 ̎

WW1 Wadi WAHRA 1 Ibri 23 18 1̍ 0.8 ̎ 56 42 2̍ 8.6 ̎

WW2 Wadi WAHRA 2 Ibri 23 29 0̍ 5.0̎ 56 40 2̍ 7.3 ̎

MW Wadi bani Gahafir (MAHBAB) Rustaq 23 27 2̍ 8.5 ̎ 57 04 5̍ 9.0 ̎

KW Wadi bani Gahafir (KHADA) Rustaq 23 25 2̍ 0.9 ̎ 57 17 5̍ 6.2 ̎

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1st International Conference in Physical Science and Advance Materials IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 757 (2020) 012011 doi:10.1088/1757-899X/757/1/012011

2.2 Gamma-Ray spectroscopy

The most common detectors in gamma spectroscopy systems are Thallium activated Sodium Iodide (NaI),
Lanthanum Bromide (LaBr) and High Purity Germanium (HPGe).The resolution of each detector is
different. Resolution of the spectra refers to the sharpness of peaks in a spectrum. The HPGe detector
shows narrow and sharp energy lines as shown in figure (1) [5].

Figure (1): Resolution of most common detectors

A Germanium detector is a semiconductor diode in which the intrinsic region is sensitive to ionizing
radiation. The digital signal or spectrum can be analyzed using a personal computer and a Software
program called (GENIE 2000). The schematic sketch in figure (2) shows the detection System of γ
radiation.

Figure (2): The detection System of γ radiation.

3.Results and Discussions

The maximum activity concentrations of main radionuclides in water 238U , 235U, 232Th and 40K were
found all at maximum levels in HW1 sample with values (1.69±0.10 Bq.L-1), (0.18±0.01 Bq.L-1 ),
(0.17±0.02 Bq.L-1) and (0.91±0.01 Bq.L-1) respectively . Whereas the lowest activity concentrations of

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1st International Conference in Physical Science and Advance Materials IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 757 (2020) 012011 doi:10.1088/1757-899X/757/1/012011

238
U (0.35±0.06 Bq.L-1) was found in DW2, and the lowest concentrations of 235U, 232Th were found in
(HW2) with (0.010±0.001 Bq.L-1), (< ) in 6 locations respectively. The results of the water samples
showed that the activity concentrations of uranium were higher than thorium in all water samples figure
(3). HW1 is a falaj sample where radionuclides have been presented in the water for long time and
contaminated significantly from the soil comparing with sub-surface water which exists temporarily
during the heavy rain only and for a short time.

٢
Activity concentrations

٢٣٢Th-
١٫٥
٢٣٨U-
(Bq/L)

١ ٤٠K-
٢٣٥U-
٠٫٥

٠
١Aw ٢Aw ١Hw ٢Hw ١Iw ٢Iw BW Fw ١Dw ٢Dw Mw Kw
Sample code

Figure(3): Activity concentrations of main radionuclides in water samples

The values of the concentrations of the present study to be in the range of other studies and is below the
recommended values by WHO [6] as shown in Table (2).

Table (2) Comparison of activity concentrations of natural radionuclides in this study with other studies
from different countries

Activity concentration(Bq.L-1) References

232 40 226 238
Th K Ra U
Country

Present study <DL - 0.17 0.26 - 0.91 <DL - 3.25 0.35 - 1.69 Present study
Oman, A'Dhahira 0.087 0.379 0.73 0.287 [7]
Oman,A 'Dhahira 0.094 0.469 0.775 0.311 [7]
Yemen 1.26 - 3.5 - [8]
Saudi Arabia Western province <DL - 3.3 DL - 339.2 - 0.001 - 0.170 [9]
Saudi Arabia, Arar city 9 - 27 63 - 250 11 - 33 - [10]
Egypt 0.05 - 0.1 - [11]
Sudan 9.19 - 11.6 - [12]
Yemen-Ahomria 1.81 <DL 4 - [8]
Bangladesh 0.250 9 - 0.157 [13]
India 8.0E-04 - - - [14]
Bangladesh, Tarakandi 1.76 11.43 1.59 - [15]
WHO 0.6 10 1 10 [6]

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1st International Conference in Physical Science and Advance Materials IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 757 (2020) 012011 doi:10.1088/1757-899X/757/1/012011

3.1 Variation of 238U series activities in water

The concentrations of this radionuclide are higher than WHO limit (1Bq.L-1) in four water samples (figure
4). It reflects the geochemical controls on solubility and adsorption, its physical, chemical properties and
variation of 226Ra formation in the terrestrial environment [7].

٣٫٥
concentrations(Bq.L-1)

٣
٢٫٥ ٢٣٨U-
Activity

٢ ٢٢٦Ra-
١٫٥ ٢١٤Bi-
١
٢١٠Pb-
٠٫٥
٠ ٢١٤Pb-
١AW ٢AW ١HW ٢HW ١IW ٢IW BW FW ١Dw ٢DW MW KW
Sample code

Figure 4: Activity concentrations of radionuclides in 238U series in water samples

The radionuclide 210Pb concentrations were recorded to be less than concentrations of 226Ra in all locations
with a range of (DL – 0.72) Bq.L-1. This occurred due to the mobility and short half-life of 210Pb compared
to 226Ra. The isotopes 214Bi and 214Pb have the shortest half-lives which cause the fastest decay among all
radionuclides in the series and this interpreted their lowest concentrations.

3.2 Variation of 232Th series activities

Two significant isotopes from 232Th series were observed in water samples, 232
Th (228Ac) and212Pb.The
minimum levels are less than the detection limit (figure5).

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1st International Conference in Physical Science and Advance Materials IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 757 (2020) 012011 doi:10.1088/1757-899X/757/1/012011

٠٫١٨
٠٫١٦
Activity Concentrations(Bq.L-1)

٠٫١٤
٠٫١٢
٠٫١
٠٫٠٨ ٢٣٢Th-
٠٫٠٦
٢١٢Pb-
٠٫٠٤
٠٫٠٢
٠
١AW ٢AW ١HW ٢HW ١IW ٢IW BW FW ١Dw ٢DW MW KW
Sample code

Figure (5): Activity concentrations of radionuclides in 232Th series in water samples

The concentrations of 40K were found to be higher than 232Th (228Ac) concentrations in all water samples.
This may be due to the very short half-life of 228Ac (6.13 hours). The activity concentrations of 235U are
consistent with that of soil samples. Table (3) compares the activity concentrations of natural
radionuclides in this study with other studies from different countries. It showed the values of the
concentrations of the present study to be in the range of other studies and is below the recommended
values by WHO.

Table (3): A comparison of different activity concentrations of water between different countries.
Activity concentration(Bq.L-1) References
Country 232
Th 40
K 226
Ra 238
U
Present
<DL - 0.17 0.26 - 0.91 <DL - 3.25 0.35 - 1.69 Present study 3.3
Study
Oman, A'Dhahira 0.087 0.379 0.73 0.287 [7] Ass
Oman,
A'Dhahira
0.094 0.469 0.775 0.311 [7] ess
Yemen 1.26 - 3.5 - [8] men
Saudi Arabia Western ts
<DL - 3.3 DL - 339.2 - 0.001 - 0.170 [2]
province
Saudi Arabia, Arar city 9 - 27 63 - 250 11 - 33 - [10] of
Egypt 0.05 - 0.1 - [11] haz
Sudan 9.19 - 11.6 - [12] ard
Yemen-Ahomria 1.81 <DL 4 - [8]
Bangladesh 0.250 9 - 0.157 [13] s in
India 8.0E-04 - - - [14] wat
Bangladesh, Tarakandi 1.76 11.43 1.59 - [17]
WHO 0.6 10 1 10 [6]
er

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1st International Conference in Physical Science and Advance Materials IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 757 (2020) 012011 doi:10.1088/1757-899X/757/1/012011

samples

Exposure to radiation can be defined in terms of many parameters, such as absorbed dose rate, annual
effective dose, radium equivalent activity, Gamma representative level and internal and external hazard
indices.
The external absorbed dose rate in air at a height of about 1 m above the ground was calculated by:

D (nGy.ℎ) =0.0417 +0.462 +0.604 ………. (1)

According the annual effective dose received by a member in mSv.y-1 unit, the values obtained for the
water samples were calculated using equation:

(μSv.   ) = 8760× 0.2 × 0.7 × 10 ×  …………………..(2)

The radium equivalent activity (Raeq) was calculated by equation:

  = +1.43 +0.077 ………………………………………..……… (3)

The external, internal and gamma representative level hazard indices which are on concern due to their
impact on people health were calculated using:
   !
 = 
+  + "# ≤ 1 ……………………………………………………….………. (4)

'  
%& = +  + ! ≤ 1………... .(5)
#  "#
'  !
*,- = +  + 
 
≤ 1 …….…… (6)
formulas respectively. Where  ,  and  are the activities of 226
Ra, 232
Th and 40
K in Bq.kg-1,
respectively [16].

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 1st International Conference in Physical Science and Advance Materials IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 757 (2020) 012011 doi:10.1088/1757-899X/757/1/012011

Table (4): A comparison of different hazard parameters in water between different countries.

Sample Code D H -4 R H
in
H
ex
345 Category of
R(*10 ) aeq -3
(nGy/h) -3 -3
(*10 ) water
( mSv/yr) (Bq/L) (*10 ) (*10 )

Aw1 0.36 4.0 0.53 3.0 2.0 2.0 Rain water

Aw2 0.26 3.0 0.83 4.0 2.0 4.0 Well water
Hw1 7.94 9.0 3.56 180 460 1140 Falaj water
Hw2 0.32 4.0 0.44 2.0 2.0 5.0 Rain water
Present Iw1 0.44 5.0 0.93 5.0 3.0 7.0 Rain water
study Iw2 0.26 3.0 0.51 3.0 2.0 4.0 Rain water
BW 0.24 3.0 0.81 4.0 1.0 3.0 Rain water
Fw 0.46 6.0 0.11 1.0 3.0 6.0 Rain water
Dw1 0.50 6.0 1.85 9.0 3.0 7.0 Rain water
Dw2 0.22 3.0 1.14 6.0 1.0 3.0 Rain water
Mw 0.21 6.0 0.02 5.0 1.0 3.0 Rain water
Kw 0.27 3.0 1.25 6.0 2.0 4.0 Rain water
Oman, A'Dhahira[7] 0.04 5.1 0.87 - 2.4 - well water
Oman, A'Dhahira[7] 0.418 6.2 1.06 - 0.10 - Tap water

Oman, A'Dhahira[7] 0.26 3.2 0.53 - 1.5 - Falaj water

Saudi Arabia[10] 30 370 - 230 170 - Well water
Yemen[8] - 36 6.6 - - - Well water
NorthMalaysia [12] - 13.7 21.78 - - - Tap water
Bangladesh[14] - - 254.14 - - - Tap water
Egypt[13] - - 7.13 - - - Well water
Worldwide[6] 18 - 93 0.1 370 <1 <1 <1 WHO

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