Abstract

The activity concentrations of ²³⁸U, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K in soil samples from different soil types has been collected in the state of Perak, Malaysia. The samples were determined using a high resolution co-axial HPGe gamma ray spectrometry system. Mean values for ²³⁸U, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K activity concentrations were found to be (127 ± 97) Bq kg^-1, (304 ± 28) Bq kg^-1, and (302 ± 29) Bq kg^-1 respectively. The highest concentration of ²³⁸U and ²³²Th was found for soil of the types Paleudults-Hapludults and ⁴⁰K for the typic Aeric Tropaquepts. The external hazard values (Hex) are between 0.35 and 3.07. Soil type typic Paleudults and typic Hapludults have a hazard index, H_ex value which is greater than 2, and the rest of the soil types (ten soil types) have H_ex values between 1 to 2. The concentrations of ²³⁸U and ²³²Th in soil samples in the study area are higher than the reference value.

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