Uranium, thorium, potassium and radium in Dodurga and Celtek coals in northern Turkey

The concentration of radionuclides in coals in indicative of the natural radiation background of the region and the likely external gamma exposure to the population. Using sodium iodide gamma-ray spectrometer, the radioactivity concentration of coals from Dodurga and Celtek in northern Turkey has been estimated. The concentration of Ra-226 in the coals is determined by the collector chamber and directly through Ra-222 emanation methods from the coals. It is detected that some coals have more uranium, thorium and radium contents than the surrounding soils and rocks