Radioactivity level of soil around Baqiao coal-fired power plant in China

Natural radioactivity level of soil around Baqiao coal-fired power plant in China was determined using gamma ray spectrometry. The concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in the studied soil samples range from 27.6 to 48.8, 44.4 to 61.4 and 640.2 to 992.2 Bq kg−1 with an average of 36.1, 51.1 and 733.9 Bq kg−1, respectively, which are slightly higher than the average values of Shaanxi soil. The radium equivalent activity, the air absorbed dose rate and the annual effective dose rate were calculated and compared with the internationally reported or reference values. The radium equivalent activities of the studied samples are below the internationally accepted values. The air absorbed dose rate and the annual effective dose rate received by the local residents due to the natural radionuclides in soil are slightly higher than the mean value of Xi'an and worldwide.

► Natural radioactivity in soil around the coal-fired power plant was determined.
► Radiological parameters were used to assess radiation hazard.
► The coal-fired power plant has affected the local radioactivity level.