Investigation of Natural Y-Radioactivity of Soil and Rock Samples from the Kenticha Tantalite Processing area of the Sidamo Region
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Date
1995-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Soil and rock samples from a mining region in southern Ethiopia have been analysed for
natural gamma (y) radioactivity. A NaI(TI) scintillation spectrometer was used to select, out
of 200 samples, those with a marked level of radioactivity above the background radiation.
Then a high resolution p-type germanium detector, inside a passive lead shield lined internally
with copper and aluminium, coupled to a Canberra S I 00 MCA card was employed to measure
the y-radiation from each sample. The y-spectra obtained were then transferred to a Canberra
MicroSampo software for further analysis. The radioactivity content of the samples has been
determined and the results, which may serve as baseline data for future work in environmental
radiation monitoring, are discussed. The uranium and thorium activities have also been
estimated so as to provide preliminary information on which type of soil and rock one should
concentrate for possible prospecting of uranium and thorium minirals
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Keywords
Soil and Rock Samples