Evaluation of natural radioactivity in a cultivated area. El Jadida, Morocco

Radioactive elements are present everywhere in the environment. Detectable amounts are naturally found in soil, rocks, water, air, and vegetation and can be ingested if they enter the food chain or are inhaled. The primordial radionuclides ²³⁸U, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K are the main sources of external radiation exposure for the general public. Exposure to high levels of radiation over long periods can lead to health problems such as cancer. The uptake of natural radioactive elements by plants grown in contaminated soil can play a substantial role in exposing the population to radiation. Therefore, this study assesses the annual effective dose of naturally occurring radionuclides and ¹³⁷Cs in soil samples collected from agricultural areas in the El-Jadida region, Morocco. Radionuclide concentrations in soil samples were measured using a High-Purity Germanium (HPGe) gamma spectrometer system. The annual effective dose rates of El-Jadida agricultural area soil samples were estimated and compared to internationally recommended values. The results revealed significant variations in specific activities among different sampling points. Recorded concentrations for ²²⁶Ra, ²¹⁰Pb, ¹³⁷Cs, ²³²Th, ²³⁴Th, ²³⁵U, and ⁴⁰K ranged from 20.35±1.1 to 78.95±4.05 Bq.kg^-1, 49.7±4.4 to 269.0±15.7 Bq.kg^-1, 1.0±0.1 to 6.5±0.4 Bq.kg^-1, 6.0±0.8 to 19.6±1.6 Bq.kg^-1, 25.8±3.9 to 184.5±11.9 Bq.kg^-1, 1.2±0.2 to 8.5±0.5 Bq.kg^-1, and 94.1±6.5 to 286.1±15.3 Bq.kg^-1. This study provides essential baseline data for evaluating hazard indices related to natural radiation in the examined region, offering insights into potential environmental and health risks associated with radionuclide concentrations in agricultural soils.