Soil - to - Plant Transfer Factors of Naturally Occurring Radionuclides for Selected Plants growing in Qassim, Saudi Arabia

Assessment of any release of radioactivity to the environment is important for the protection of public health, especially if the released radioactivity can enter the food chain. In the present work, a pot experiment carried out in greenhouse in Qassim University in order to examine the effect of contaminated irrigation water on migration and retention of radioactive elements in soil and plants. Natural radioactivity levels of Ra, Ra, U and K in nine samples (two soil samples and 7 dried plant samples) was evaluated using HPGe detector. Ra-226 showed results from below detection limit up to 22.9 Bq/kg with an average 13.1 Bq/kg. All U-238 showed results below detection limit except one soil sample with a result of 13.6 Bq/kg (1.1 ppm). Ra-228 showed results from below detection limit up to 31.7 Bq/kg with an average 17.5 Bq/kg. K-40 showed results from 221 up to 1212 Bq/kg with an average 151 Bq/kg These results were compared with reported ranges in the literature from other location in the world. The correlation between the specific activities of the plant samples with of the associated irrigating water for Ra and Ra. and with total radium are calculated. The results would be useful for establishing of the database in the area under consideration and represent a basis to assess any future changes in the radioactivity background levels due to various geological processes or any artificial influences around the area. [Atef El-Taher and Ahmad Al-Turki. Soil to Plant Transfer Factors of Naturally Occurring Radionuclides for Selected Plants growing in Qassim, Saudi Arabia. Life Sci J2014;11(10):965-972]. (ISSN: 1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com. 149