Radioactivity analysis of soil samples taken from the western and northern shores of Lake Van, Turkey

In this study, concentrations of the radioactive isotopes 226Ra, 232Th, 40K and 137Cs were measured in soil samples from the shores of Lake Van using a high purity germanium detector. Activity concentrations obtained for these nuclides were compared with world average values. The average 226Ra, 232Th and 40K activity concentrations calculated for the soil samples were higher than the world average values reported by UNSCEAR. The lowest 226Ra, 232Th and 40K activity concentrations were recorded in sample T-1 whereas the highest values were recorded in sample T-11. Concentrations of 137C in the samples ranged between 0.91 ± 0.01 and 29.68 ± 0.33 Bq kg−1. In order to evaluate the radiological hazards resulting from natural radioactivity, radium equivalent activities, absorbed dose rates, and internal and external hazard indices were calculated and the results were compared with internationally recognized values.