A Geochemical Assessment of Terrestrial Gamma-ray Absorbed Dose Rates

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Abstract
A survey of the geochemical literature and unpublished data has resulted in the classification of the concentrations of the naturally occurring radioelements U, Th, and K by their associated rock types. A data base of over 2500 entries has been compiled, permitting calculation of terrestrial .gamma.-ray absorbed dose rates. The general lithology of terrains may be distinguished by their radioelement ratios, relative abundances, and total .gamma. radioactivities. The .gamma.-ray absorbed dose rates in air above igneous rocks generally vary with their silica contents, and with the exception of shale, sedimentary rocks have lowe K:U and K:Th ratios than most igneous rocks. The appreciable difference between the overall mean terrestrial .gamma.-ray dose rate for rock of the continental surface (.apprx.7 .times. 10-8 Gy h-1) and the mean dose rate from field measurments over soil (.apprx.5 .times. 10-8 Gy h-1) is explained by the substantial differences between radioelement concentrations of soil and rock, differences that may vary markedly with rock type.

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