Gamma radiation and dose rate investigations on the Adriatic islands of magmatic origin.

Natural radioactivity of Middle-Adriatic Sea islands and islets was measured. Gamma spectrometric measurements, both in situ and in laboratory, as well as radon measurements in the seawater were performed. Activity concentrations and the associated dose rates due to naturally occurring (232)Th, (238)U and (40)K radioisotopes were determined. Dose rates calculated from in situ gamma spectrometry are in correlation with dose rates calculated from activity concentrations measured in collected samples of pebbles and rocks. In situ gamma ray spectrometry in the seawater has been performed, showing activity concentration of 220 and 240 Bq m(-3) for (214)Bi and (214)Pb, respectively due to the presence of magmatic rocks in the seabed. The radium equivalent activity varied from 13 to 53 Bq kg(-1). These values are lower than the limit values, indicating that the radiation hazard is not significant. The highest mean activity concentrations of naturally occurring radionuclides in rock samples collected were found on the islands of magmatic origin.