Assessment of radioactivity levels in soil samples on Zlatibor mountain

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the presence and activity concentrations of natural radionuclides and cesium in soil samples collected from the Zlatibor region. A total of ten soil samples were collected from various locations across the Zlatibor area. The analysis was performed using gamma spectrometry to measure the activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, 40K, and 137Cs. Additionally, 137Cs was found in big amounts in some of the samples, indicating its dispersion in the environment. The activity concentrations of the detected radionuclides were calculated, and their potential radiological implications were assessed. The obtained data from this study contributes to the baseline information on the natural radioactivity levels in the Zlatibor region, which is essential for environmental monitoring and radiation protection purposes. Furthermore, the presence of 137Cs highlights the importance of continued monitoring to assess potential radiological risks to the local population and environment.