Radioactivity studies in soils from Northwestern Greece

A recent study reveals that soil samples from the Zagori Cultural Landscape and nearby Pogoni area in Northwestern Greece exhibit varying levels of natural radioactivity, including isotopes like 40K, uranium (U), thorium (Th) series, and anthropogenic cesium-137 (137Cs). Using High-Purity Germanium (HPGe) detectors calibrated for bulk geometry, researchers measured specific activities to estimate absorbed dosage and external hazard index (Hex), following UNSCEAR models. This analysis contributes to assessing the environmental sustainability of this largely unexplored region. The findings provide critical data on baseline radioactivity levels, which could inform conservation efforts and risk assessments in UNESCO World Heritage Sites with similar geological characteristics.

Zafeiris, T., Siltzovalis, G., Lagaki, V., Madesis, I., & Mertzimekis, T. (2024). Radioactivity studies in soils from Northwestern Greece. HNPS Advances in Nuclear Physics, 30, 256–260. https://doi.org/10.12681/hnpsanp.6121