Natural radioactivity of soil in Sabah and Sarawak

Abstract

ABSTRACT

 Soil samples were collected from 40 locations throughout Sabah and Sarawak and were analysed for natural radionuclides concentration. The mean soil concentrations of ²³⁸U, ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, ²²⁸Ra and ⁴⁰K in Sabah were 22, 18, 28, 24 and 216 Bq kg^-1 respectively while corresponding values in Sarawak were 25, 25, 38, 32 and 305 Bq kg^-1 respectively. This study showed that the concentration of natural radionuclides (except ⁴⁰K) in soil in Sabah and Sarawak were about one third of the respective values in Peninsular Malaysia. 

ABSTRAK

Sampel tanah telah diambil di 40 lokasi di seluruh Sabah and Sarawak. Keradioaktifan tabii sampel tanah telah diukur. Min kepekatan ²³⁸U, ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, ²²⁸Ra dan  ⁴⁰K di Sabah masing-masing adalah 22, 18, 28, 24 dan 216 Bq kg^-1 manakala di Sarawak pula masing-masing adalah 25, 25, 38, 32 and 305 Bq kg^-1. Keputusan pengukuran menunjukkan keradioaktifan tabii tanah (kecuali ⁴⁰K) di Sabah dan Sarawak adalah lebih kurang satu pertiga daripada nilai di Semenanjung Malaysia.