Study of K-40, Ra-226, Ra-228 and Ra-224 activity concentrations in some seasoning and nuts obtained in Rio de Janeiro city, Brazil

Abstract This work presents an investigation of the activity concentration (AC) of naturally occurring radionuclides in 26 samples of seasoning and nuts utilized for Brazilian population. The samples were measured using gamma spectroscopy technique with a high-purity germanium detector. The analysis shows that K-40 AC was measured in all samples, and its AC ranges from 21.0 Bq/kg to 1288 Bq/kg. The highest K-40 AC was measured for cheiro verde, a Brazilian seasoning made of chives (Allium schoenoprasum) and parsley ( Petroselinum crispum), while annatto, made with the fruit of Bixa orelhana ,...