Radioactivity analysis of soil samples taken from the western and northern shores of Lake Van, Turkey.

In this study, concentrations of the radioactive isotopes226 Ra,232 Th,40 K and137 Cs were measured in soil samples from the shores of Lake Van using a high purity germanium detector. Activity concentrations obtained for these nuclides were compared with world average values. The average226 Ra,232 Th and4 0 K activity concentrations calculated for the soil samples were higher than the world average values reported by UNSCEAR. The lowest226 Ra,232 Th and4 0 K activity concentrations were recorded in sample T-1 whereas the highest values were recorded in sample T-11. Concentrations of137 C in the samples ranged between 0.91 ± 0.01 and 29.68 ± 0.33Bqkg-1 . In order to evaluate the radiological hazards resulting from natural radioactivity, radium equivalent activities, absorbed dose rates, and internal and external hazard indices were calculated and the results were compared with internationally recognized values.