Determination of radioactivity levels in Akhisar, Gördes, Gölmarmara and Sindirgi regions, Western Turkey

In this study, radioactivity measurements in the environment of Akhisar, Golmarmara, Gordes and Sindirgi regions in Western Turkey were investigated in order to evaluate the implications of any excess radioactivity in the environment of geological formation. The radioactivity concentrations of 40K, 238U and 232Th radionuclides in the soil samples were measured by a NaI(Tl) gamma spectrometer system, and the radium activity concentrations in the water samples were also analyzed by an ZnS(Ag) alpha counter by the collector chamber method. The radioactivity of 40K, 238U and 232Th in soils ranged 2.80–2,347.77, 9.90–256.19 and 9.66–106.53 Bq kg−1, respectively. The activity of 226Ra in the water samples ranged from 0.03 Bq L−1 (0.89pCi/L) to 0.80 Bq L−1 (21.58pCi/L). In addition, the external terrestrial gamma dose rate in air (nGy h−1), annual effective dose rate (mSv year−1) and radium equivalent activity (Bq kg−1) were calculated and compared with international standard values.