Investigations of natural radioactivity levels and the possible radiation hazards in floriculture soil, Holeta, Shoa, Ethiopia, using gamma ray spectrometry

The aim of this study is to investigate the natural radioactivity levels and possible hazards in floriculture soils. The observed results were compared with the same study done for Virgin land and Agricultural farm land, from same study area, Holeta, Shoa, Ethiopia. The radioactivity concentration of 238U, 232T h and 40K were determined using gamma-ray spectrometry with NaI (Tl) detector. Moreover, the elemental concentrations, Req, DR, ADR, Hex and Hin were calculated. The results were compared to international standards, soil-375 and soil-6 given by IAEA. The average values of 238U, 232T h and 40K in Floriculture soil were found to be 142.29 ±. 27.67, 7.82 ± 0.54 and 259.62 ± 44.98 Bq/Kg respectively, in agricultural farm land these were found to be, 133.85 ± 20.49, BDL and 287.82 ± 35.68 Bq/Kg respectively, and in virgin land. 30.51 ± 5.32, 14.52 ± 1.695 and 100.29 ± 19.81 Bq/Kg respectively. The activity concentration of 238U is increasing faster than the other NORM for soils exposed to artificial fertilizers and increasing rate is more for the case of floricultural soils. The hazardous measuring parameters were found to be maximum as compared with the virgin soils. This may be as a result of more phosphate fertilizers added to the floriculture soil.