Vol. 7, Issue 12, Part A (2025)

This article investigates the natural radioactivity levels of agricultural surface soils of the city of Kufa, Najaf Governorate, Iraq. Mainly three naturally occurring radionuclides, which are responsible for external and internal radiation exposure ²³⁸U,  ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K were considered. The reason of monitoring these radionuclides is that it can be transported from soil to crop and finally to the man as well as animal food chain which results in increased chronic exposure. A total of fifteen soil samples were sampled from the agricultural sites to account for variations in land use, irrigation and soil texture. We prepared samples by air-drying them, sieved and homogenized for later stored in sealed containers to reach secular equilibrium prior to measurement. Gamma-ray spectrometry with a NaI(Tl) detector was used to measure (or assess) the concentrations of radionuclides. The measured concentrations of U-238, Th-232 and K-40 were found to vary between 22.8 and 28.4Bq/kg, 17.5 and 22.7Bq/kg and 309 and 380Bq/kg respectively from the same results. All values were less than the global safety levels of U-238, 33Bq/kg, Th-232, 45Bq/kg, and K-40, 420Bq/kg,  respectively. Small differences were explained by the nature of the soil, minerals and agricultural practices which are specific for each region. These results confirm that the natural radioactivity in the agricultural soils of Kufa does not reach dangerous levels and will not have a significant radiological impact on human health and crops. These results serve as a baseline for broader environmental monitoring and will help to promote sustainable land use of farmland in that region.