Measurement of the Natural Radiological Activity and Assessment of Radiological Hazards in Soil Samples around the Jordan Uranium Mining Company (JUMCO) in Central Jordan

The radionuclide concentrations of Radium (²²⁶Ra), Uranium (²³⁸U), Thorium (²³²Th), and Potassium (⁴⁰K) were measured for 24 surface soil samples using a high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector, in order to calculate the concentration of natural radioactivity, and determine the radiation background of the study area. Samples were collected from the central Jordan around the site of the Jordan uranium mining company (JUMCO) and in the residential areas close to it (Sawaqa, Al-Damkhi village, and Qatrana City). The area contains various mining activities. This study is considered a basic study of the area as it is expected to increase mining activity in the area. As uranium mines and expansion of phosphate mines and cement mining in neighboring areas. The natural radioactivity concentrations for ²²⁶Ra, ²³⁸U ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K ranged (from 31.6 to 352.8), (from 22.8 to 249.5), (from 11.1 to 23.6), (from 151 to 456.7) (Bq/kg) and it is average value are (89.5, 66.4, 19.7, 287.7) (Bq/kg), respectively. The results showed that the average radioactivity concentration values for the isotopes ²³²Th and 40K were less than the global average concentration of these isotopes (45, 420) (Bq/kg), respectively. As for the average concentration of radioactivity for ²²⁶Ra and ²³⁸U, it was higher than the global average concentration (32, 33) (Bq/kg), the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR 2000). The values of the radium equivalent concentration (Raeq) ranged from (81.8 to 401.75) (Bq/kg). The average values were (140) (Bq/kg), which is less than the internationally recommended limit of (370) (Bq/kg), and to measure Radiation risk to the public as a result of exposure to ²²⁶Ra, ²³⁸U, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K in the studied samples. The air absorbed dose rate (DR), the annual effective dose equivalent (AEDE), and the internal (Hin) and external (Hex) radiation hazard index were calculated and their average values are less than internationally permissible limits.