Investigation of gamma-ray attenuation properties of beach sand samples from Antalya, Turkey

The linear attenuation coefficient (LAC), the mass attenuation coefficient (MAC), the half-value layer (HVL), the tenth-value layer (TVL), the mean free path (MFP), the radiation protection efficiency (RPE), the effective atomic number (Zeff), and the effective electron density (Neff) of beach sand samples from Antalya in Turkey were calculated. The LACs and MACs were experimentally calculated using gamma-ray spectrometry in the energy range of 80–1332 keV. Also, MACs of the sand samples were theoretically calculated and obtained results were compared with experimental results. The LACs and MACs of the sand samples are the highest at 80.99 keV whereas the LACs and MACs of the sand samples are the lowest at 1332.49 keV. The LACs and MACs of the sand samples decrease with increasing gamma-ray energy. The HVLs, TVLs, and MFPs are affected density of the sample. The HVLs, TVLs, and MFPs have high values when the sample has low density. The HVLs, TVLs, and MFPs are inversely proportional to linear attenuation coefficient. RPE is related to density of the samples. Also, Zeff and Neff values were calculated and compared with obtained results with contents of the components by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry values and obtained contents of the components by photon activation analysis (PAA). There are differences between obtained Zeff and Neff values using XRF and PAA. It can be concluded that gamma-ray absorption parameters depend on the chemical contents of the components, atomic number of the elements, and density of the samples. As a result, this study gives information about how to develop new radiation shielding material such as concrete using natural sand samples. © 2021, Saudi Society for Geosciences.