Natural Radioactivity in Soil and Radiological Risk Assessment in Lișava Uranium Mining Sector, Banat Mountains, Romania

The specific activity and spatial distribution of 238U, 232Th 40K were determined in the surface soil from Lișava uranium mining sector. This sector belongs to Banat district, an historically important area Romania (an with closed mines a radioactive waste dump). Gamma-ray spectrometry using high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector was used measure naturally occurring radionuclides soil. average activities 197.21 Bq/kg for 16.21 543.21 40K. mineral contents selected rock samples (sandstones) examined scanning electron microscope (SEM), which revealed that brannerite, pitchblende coffinite most uranium-bearing minerals. means radiological hazard parameters calculated be 262.22 radium equivalent (Raeq), 123.72 nGy/h absorbed gamma dose rates (DR), 0.7 external index (Hex) 1.8 representative level (RLI). risk assessment indices associated investigated soils exceeded median values provided by UNSCEAR reflected geological settings influences anthropic such as practices tipping waste.