Determination of Uranium concentrations in Soil samples of Al-Tarmiya using the track detector CR-39.

Abstract

The nuclear track detector CR-39 was used to measure the Uranium concentrations in ten selected samples of Al-Tarmiya town situated in the north of Baghdad. A thermal neutron flux of 5x103 n.cm-2s-1delivered by the (Am-Be) neutron source to monitor the nuclear fission which took place when these samples were exposed to the neutrons. The results were compared with standard sample analysis and showed that the Uranium concentrations were ranged from0.585ppm to 0.730ppmin agricultural areas and between (0.256-0.432) ppm in residential areas: An average Uranium concentration of 0.663 ppm in agricultural areas was found higher than that in residential areas which was 0.342 ppm.