Radioactivity Levels and Health Risk Assessment of Base Metal Deposits and Associated Rocks in Northwestern Türkiye
Environmental Forensics, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1080/15275922.2026.2722968
- Dergi Adı: Environmental Forensics
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Compendex, Environment Index, Geobase, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Natural Science Collection (ProQuest), Engineering Source (EBSCO)
- Anahtar Kelimeler: HPGe measurement system, metal deposits, Natural and artificial radioactivity, radiological dose parameters
- Ankara Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
The eastern Biga Peninsula (northwestern Türkiye) hosts numerous polymetallic mineral deposits associated with complex magmatic and hydrothermal systems, which may contribute to elevated natural radioactivity in ore-bearing rocks and their surrounding lithologies. This study aimed to determine the activity concentrations of naturally occurring radionuclides (226Ra, 2³2Th, 40K), and the artificial radionuclide (1³7Cs) in base metal deposits and associated host rocks, and to evaluate their potential radiological impacts on the environment and human health. Thirty-nine representative rock samples were collected from mineralized zones and adjacent wall rocks. Gamma-ray spectrometric measurements were performed using a high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector. Standard radiological hazard indices, including absorbed gamma dose rate (D), radium equivalent activity (Raeq), annual gonadal dose equivalent (AGDE), exposure rate (ER), annual effective dose equivalent (AEDE), excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR), external hazard index (Hex), internal hazard index (Hin), and gamma radiation level (GRL), were calculated to assess potential radiological risks. The mean activity concentrations of 226Ra, 2³2Th, 40K, and 137Cs were 35.11, 44.73, 697.53, and 0.62 Bq kg−1, respectively. Among the naturally occurring radionuclides, 40K exhibited the highest activity concentration, reflecting the abundance of potassium-bearing minerals within the investigated lithologies. The calculated mean values of Raeq, Hex, and Hin were below the internationally recommended safety limits, indicating generally acceptable radiological conditions across most of the study area. However, several localized sampling sites, particularly sample EY22DR-05 and, to a lesser extent, YO13-01, exceeded the recommended thresholds for Raeq, Hex, and Hin, demonstrating the presence of spatially heterogeneous radiological anomalies associated with localized geological conditions rather than region-wide radiological contamination. Similarly, the mean absorbed gamma dose rate was slightly higher than the global average reported by UNSCEAR, whereas the elevated ELCR values observed at a limited number of sampling locations further emphasize the importance of site-specific environmental assessment. Overall, the results indicate that radiological conditions in the eastern Biga Peninsula are generally within acceptable levels for the majority of the investigated area; nevertheless, localized radiological hotspots require particular attention in future environmental monitoring and land-use planning. In addition to descriptive statistical evaluation, Pearson correlation analysis was performed to quantify the relationships between radionuclide concentrations and radiological hazard indices, providing further insight into the principal contributors controlling environmental radiation levels in the investigated mineralized system.