RADIOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF HAZARA PHOSPHATE ROCK AND FERTILIZERS IN PAKISTAN

Natural radioactivity due to K-40, Ra-226 and Th-232 has been measured in phosphate rock samples, collected from various localities of Hazar a division of Pakistan, and in locally prepared and imported fertilize r, For data acquisition and analysis, a high-purity germanium (HPGe) d etector and a PC-based MCA were used. The Ra-226 content was very high and was found to vary from 307.7 Bq kg(-1) to 617.5 Bq kg(-1). This c an result in a significant radiation exposure if the rock and fertiliz er are handled in places with poor ventilation that could lead to rado n accumulation. These data can be used to determine the radioactivity being spread along with fertilizer on agricultural lands. (C) 1997 Els evier Science Ltd.