Assessment of radioactivity levels and radiological hazard indices in phosphate and phosphate mine waste samples from Algeria

Phosphate ore is the starting raw material for production of all phosphate products including fertilisers phosphate waste. It can be of sedimentary, volcanic or biological origin. Like any other geological material found in nature, it contains various amounts of naturally occurring primordial radionuclides, such as ²³⁸U series, ²³²Th series and ⁴⁰K. Gamma-ray spectrometry was used to assess natural radioactivity levels and radiological hazard indices in phosphate samples. In this paper, the specific activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K of phosphate ores, merchant and mine waste samples were determined. Based on the activity concentrations, the radiation hazard indices (Ra_eq, H_ex, H_in and I_γr), and the radiation doses (D, AED and ELCR) were calculated. The results were discussed and compared with those from other studies as well as recommended safety limit values. (authors)