Natural radiation levels and dose contributions of cultural and historical settlements in Eastern Anatolia: A case study

Terrestrial radioactivity is a major component of exposure to environmental radioactivity. Primarily originating from the geological structure of the Earth's crust, this system includes natural radionuclide series (uranium, thorium) and potassium, which have been present since the formation of our planet. Radiometric determination is crucial in densely populated areas and frequently visited zones. Anatolia, renowned for its seasonal attractions and historical sites that attract high visitor densities, is a tourist destination with a rich history spanning from prehistoric times to the present day. This study focuses on various independent tourist destinations in Eastern Anatolia as a pattern. Several places were selected for the common route of touristic travel in East Anatolia. These included St. Pier Church, Harbiye Waterflow, Kommagene Kingdom in Nemrut Mount, Hasankeyf, Kasimiye Medresah, Darulzeferan Monastery, remnants of the old Harran University, Go center dot beklitepe and Halfeti. The radionuclide concentrations of the samples collected from these destinations were measured using a gamma spectroscopic system. Subsequently, dose contributions were calculated to correlate with cancer risk. 222Rn activity concentrations were measured in intervals ranging from 21 to 154 Bq/m3, while 238U, 232Th and 40K activity concentrations were obtained in ranges between 1.7 and 14.1, 2.5 and 23.2, and 18.1 and 554.2 Bq/kg, respectively. Although these data do not exceed officially determined risk limits, it is essential to note the calculated dose contributions for possible global deviations. This manuscript focuses on radioactive pollution and radiometric/dosimetric measurements. Nuclear techniques were employed on the samples to calculate the concentrations of 222Rn, 226Ra, 232Th and 40K. Therefore, this study is expected to provide valuable information for archaeo-tourism against radiation effects.