Gamma-Ray Measurements of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials in Sludge, Scale and Well Cores of the Oil Industry in Southern Iraq

Abdul Ridha Hussain SUBBER; Master Abdul ALI; Walead Hamid ALMOSAWY

Authors

Abdul Ridha Hussain SUBBER Departemnt of Physics, College of Education, University of Basrah, Basrah
Master Abdul ALI Department of Physics, College of Education, University of Basra, Basra
Walead Hamid ALMOSAWY Department of Physics, College of Education, University of Basra, Basra

Keywords:

Gamma ray spectroscopy, oil sludge, oil well core, radium, NORM

Abstract

Radioactivity of nuclides ²³⁸U, ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K was measured in soil by γ-ray spectrometry using a NaI (Li) detector. A criterion was set in order to analyze sludge samples from oil fields and oil well-cores in southern Basrah, in the Iraq oil fields. More than 3 γ-ray energy peaks were used for the determination of ²²⁶Ra and ²³²Th activity concentrations to obtain results that are more accurate. Relationships between the measured radionuclides were discussed. Radionuclides ²³⁸U and ²²⁶Ra were found in disequilibrium with ratio of specific activities (²³⁸ U/²²⁶ Ra) less than unity for most of the sludge and core samples. The content of radioactive elements in the sludge, scale and well core is found within the range of other petroleum countries in the region.

doi:10.14456/WJST.2014.93

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Author Biographies

Abdul Ridha Hussain SUBBER, Departemnt of Physics, College of Education, University of Basrah, Basrah

Prof. Dr. in Applied Nuclear Physics

Master Abdul ALI, Department of Physics, College of Education, University of Basra, Basra

Asst. Teacher

Applied Nuclear Physics

Walead Hamid ALMOSAWY, Department of Physics, College of Education, University of Basra, Basra

Asst. Teacher in Applied Nuclear Physics

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