A study of natural radioactivity in the welding workshops waste

6^th International Conference and Exhibition on Materials Science and Engineering

September 12-14, 2016 Atlanta, USA

Z M Alamoudi

King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Material Sci Eng

Abstract :

In this study, the natural radio activities of 40K, 226Ra and 232Th and the man-made 137Cs in samples of solid wastes of (TIG) welding process, was collected from the welding workshops in different locations of Saudi Arabia ( Jeddah, Asfan and Tabuk). The concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, 40K and 137Cs were determined by gamma-ray spectrometer using HPGe detector. The results show that the average concentrations were 44.8, 50.23, 431.82 and 1.5 Bq/Kg, respectively. Radium equivalent activities of the samples under consideration were calculated with an average value of 127 Bq/Kg .The total absorbed dose in the study samples ranged between the lower value (0.027) mGy/h (sample No.4) to the higher value (0.628) mGy/h (sample No.5), with an average value of (0.19) mGy/h which is lower than the limits as recommended by UNSCEAR 2000. Also, heavy metals analysis was done by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The concentration�s average values of Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Bi, Pb and Th elements in the samples of welding workshops waste were 1.02%, 63.18%, 0.25%, 0.25%, 76.99 ppm, 62.87 ppm and 17.63 ppm, respectively. The data were discussed and compared with limits given by United Nations Scientific Committee for the effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR).

Biography :

Z M Alamoudi completed Doctor of Philosophy in Science (Experimental Physics) from King Abdulaziz University (KAU), Faculty of Science, Physics Department. She is serving as Head of Physics Department for 4 years in the same university. She has published more than 15 papers in reputed journals and attended and participated in many national and international conferences.

Email: zalamoudi@windowslive.com