External natural radiation exposure rates from the primordial radionuclides in Northern Venezuela

The values for the concentration of potassium, uranium and thorium from the gamma ray data of 40K, 208Tl and 214Bi were determined and converted into exposure rates. This was accomplished by analysing more than 60 soil samples from 16 sites in the northern part of Venezuela and two offshore islands. The locations were grouped according to those with low elevation and close to the sea, and those at higher elevation and further away from the sea. These groups, as well as the average exposure rates in general, were compared with average global estimates from the primordial radionuclides. Finally, data on the 137Cs content of the same samples were also presented. (author)