Journal of Geology & Geophysics
Open Access

Natural radioactivity and evaluation of radiation hazards in soils from granitoide-granite geological formation in Cuba

International Conference on Geology

June 22-23, 2015 Florida, USA

Alonso-Hernández C M1, Sibello-Toledo A2, Guillen-Arruebarrena A1, Sibello-Hernández R1 and Cartas-Aguila H1

Posters-Accepted Abstracts: J Geol Geosci

Abstract :

The natural radioactivity of soils at the Cumanayagua Granitoide-Granitic massif in the South Centre of Cuba has been studied. The radioactive ties of soil samples have been measured with a low-background HPGe detector. The radioactivity concentrations of respectively. In order 238U, 232Th and 40K ranged from 11.5 to 34.8, 4.6 to 21.7 and 381 to 1201 Bq kg-1, to evaluate the radiological hazard of the natural radioactivity, the radium equivalent activity, the absorbed dose rate, the annual effective dose rate and the external hazard index have been calculated and compared with the internationally approved values. From obtained results, the area can be regarded as an area with normal natural background radiation and this area may not pose radiological risks to the inhabitants owing to harmful effects of ionizing radiation from the natural radionuclides in soils. The studies provide background radioactivity concentrations in Cumanayagua Granitoide area and generate a baseline data for radiological mapping of Cuba in the future.