Preliminary Results Measuring the Gamma Dose Rate Distribution in North Eastern Burkina Faso where the Concentration of Uranium in the Soil is Elevated

On this paper, the gamma dose rate is measured using the IdentiFINDER device which is equipped by a portable gamma-ray spectrometer. Horizontal and depth profiles are then obtained in the study area. The measurements are performed at one meter above the ground and under variables depths often reaching 100 cm on a determined geographical point of interest. The dose rate at one meter above the ground varies between 0.050 μSv.h−1 and 0.300 μSv.h−1. The mean value in the study area is about 0.128 μSv.h−1 which is well higher than the world average of gamma dose rate from natural radioactivity. It is also higher than the established limit of gamma dose rate for the international recommendation of public exposure to the natural source of ionizing radiation. The gamma dose rate also rises with the depth and this variation confirms the terrestrial origin of the anomaly.