oa Comparison of terrestrial gamma dose rate maps in border areas - a study for map regional unification

Terrestrial radiation, the substantial component of the natural radiation environment, is variable with the geological setting of the earth surface. Potassium, uranium decay series, and thorium decay series are fundamental sources of radioactivity of rocks. Radiometric maps, descibing the gamma dose rate or concentration of natura! radioactive elements, are used in environmental studies, estimation of absorbed radiation dose from terrestrial radiation, geological investigations, exploration of raw materials, delimitation of regions of radon risk and they provide a base against which man made contamination can be estimated. A series of radiometric maps has been published (IAEA 1995).