Assessment of Natural Radioactivity and Radiological Risks in River Sediments from Calabria (Southern Italy)

This study was developed to carry out a comprehensive radiological assessment of natural radioactivity for river sediment samples from Calabria, southern Italy, and define baseline background the area on radiation map. In studied area, elevated levels radionuclides are expected, due outcropping acidic intrusive metamorphic rocks which radioactive elements derive. To identify quantify radioisotopes, ninety nine selected coastal sampling points (ten each point) were collected as representative Ionian Tyrrhenian coastline Calabria. The analyzed using gamma ray spectrometer equipped with high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector. values mean activity concentrations 226Ra, 232Th 40K measured (21.3 ± 6.3) Bq kg−1, (30.3 4.5) kg−1 (849 79) respectively. calculated hazard indices showed average 63 nGy h−1 (absorbed dose rate), 0.078 mSv y−1 (effective outdoors), 0.111 indoors), (radium equivalent), 0.35 (Hex), 0.41 (Hin), 0.50 (activity concentration index) 458 µSv (Annual Gonadal Equivalent Dose, AGED). order delineate spatial distribution map areas low, medium high values, Surfer 10 software employed. Finally, multivariate statistical analysis performed deduce interdependency any existing relationships between radionuclides. results this study, also compared other locations Italian Peninsula characterized by similar local geological conditions, can be used future investigations about in investigated area.