College of Science, Kirkuk University discussed a master dissertation on the concentrations of radon gas and heavy metals in Kirkuk by the postgraduate student, Ms. Jinan Nasser Hawas.
The dissertation aimed at focusing on the environmental assessment of soil and water in several sites via measuring the physico-chemical properties of water such as acidity, electrical conductivity, salinity and temperature.
The dissertation included studying the relation between soil depth and radon concentrations in the study area, determining the relation between levels of heavy metals and radon in the selected sites and evaluating the suitability of water for irrigation.
The dissertation concluded that radon gas concentrations in soil samples increased with increasing depth and the highest value of radon gas concentration was recorded in water samples.
The dissertation reviewed the health risks of heavy metals in water samples confirmed that there are no potential harmful health effects.