Al-Noor Journal for Oil and Gas Studies
Official Journal of the College of Engineering, AlNoor University

Radiological Assessment of Soil Contamination by NORM in Ain Zalah Oil Field, Nineveh, Iraq

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Sana Fathe Mahammod

College of Technical Medical

https://doi.org/10.69513/jnog.v2.i1.ar6
Abstract
The activity concentrations and radiological hazard parameters (equivalent activity of radium Ra_eq, absorbed dose rate D, annual effective dose AEDE, external and internal hazard indices H, Gamma radiation representative level index I_γ, Alpha radioactivity level index (I_α), and excess lifetime cancer risk ELCR) of the terrestrial Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials NORM such as (_ ^226)Ra,(_ ^232)Th and (_ ^40)K were assessed in soil samples collected from Ain Zalah oil field, Nineveh, Iraq, using HPGe detector. The analysis of NORM gives obtainable data for rules about radiation protection. The results were depicted in graphical and tabular formats and subsequently compared to the established international permissible thresholds set by UNSCEAR. Consequently, it is possible that the petroleum extraction activities in the studied area could result in some radiological risks for both the workers and the surrounding environment due to the elevated activity concentration of radionuclides.
ies in the studied area could result in some radiological risks for both the workers and the surrounding environment due to the elevated activity concentration of radionuclides.

Keywords

NORM
Ain Zalah oil field
Soil
Activity concentration
radiological hazard assessment
Crossmark
Subjects
Al-Noor Journal for Oil and Gas Studies
Volume 2, Issue 1
Winter 2026
Pages 33-40

  • Receive Date 20 September 2025
  • Revise Date 31 January 2026
  • Accept Date 03 February 2026
  • Publish Date 01 January 2026

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