STUDIES OF NATURAL RADIOACTIVITY IN ROCKS OF SOUTH CAUCASUS

Abstract

There are given results of radioactivity research in the rock samples within the territory of Kazbegi municipality, Georgia. Twenty-three samples have been collected from 22 locations. Up to 22 radionuclides were identified. Activity concentration of radionuclides of Th-232 family was in the limits from 19.2 to 57.9 Bq/kg (mean, 42.4 Bq/kg), U-238 family – from 16.5 to 38.5 Bq/kg (mean, 31.1 Bq/kg), U-235 family - from 1.03 to 2.40 Bq/kg (mean, 1.91 Bq/kg). Also, individual radionuclides have been identified: K-40 – from 204 to 1069 Bq/kg (mean, 632 Bq/kg), Cs-137 – from 0.18 to 2.69 Bq/kg. Radium equivalent activity varied from 58.2 to 192 Bq/kg (mean, 136 Bq/kg).