Determination of radioactivity and heavy metals of Bakirçay river in Western Turkey

In this study, radioactive and heavy metal contaminations in sediments and waters of Bakırçay River in Western Turkey were investigated to determine their pollution potential. The radium concentrations in the water samples were measured using the collector-chamber method. The radioactivities of 40K, 226Ra and 232Th in sediments and soils were found to be 45.30 to 839.19Bqkg−1, 35.26 to 160.57Bqkg−1 and 1.86 to 131.49Bqkg−1, respectively. The activity of 226Ra in the water samples ranged from 0.09 to 0.36Bq/L. To determine the radiological hazard of natural radioactivity in the samples, the external terrestrial gamma dose rate in air (nGyh−1), annual effective dose rate (mSvy−1), radium equivalent activity (Bqkg−1) were calculated and compared with internationally recommended values. ► Radioactive and heavy metal contaminations of Bakırçay River were determined in sediments and water samples. ► Pollution potentials of these contaminations and their distributions throughout the river were investigated. ► Radium concentrations levels in the river water varied under 0.36Bq/L. ► Obtained data were evaluated statistically.