TITLE:
Analysis of Natural Radioactivity in Soil Samples by Gamma Spectrometry and Evaluation of Radiological Risk in Yaadga Region of Burkina Faso
AUTHORS:
Karim Kaboré, Luc Telado Bambara, Moumouni Derra, Inoussa Zongo, François Zougmoré
KEYWORDS:
Soil Sample, Activity Aoncentration, Uranium, Thorium, Potassium
JOURNAL NAME:
World Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology,
Vol.16 No.1,
January
31,
2026
ABSTRACT: The activity concentrations of primordial Radionuclides such as 238U, 232Th and 40K in soil samples taken in the Yaadga Region of Burkina Faso around the gold mining site of Seguenega were measured by Gamma Spectrometry using High Purity Germanium detector. Radiological hazard assessment due to such natural radioactivity was also investigated. The average activity concentration of 238U, 232Th and 40K were found to be 18.97 ± 1.43 Bq.kg−1, 22.98 ± 0.96 Bq.kg−1 and 212.72 ± 29.75 Bq.kg−1 respectively. The average absorbed dose was 0.032 µGy/h whereas the Annual Committed Effective Dose was 0.040 ± 0.002 mSv.y−1. The average radium equivalent activity concentration was 69.11 Bq.kg−1. The external and internal Hazard indices were 0.18 and 0.24 respectively which are at least four times less than one. The mean effective dose rate, the mean values of Raeq, and Hex and Hin for the studied area are below their respective permissible limits, thus indicating that radiation hazard is not significant in this area.