Usama  Elghawi, Taha  S. Barka, Feisal  Abutweirat, Karima  Elmasri, 
    Studying of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM) in Oilfield (A/100) South
East of Libya,
    Environmental Research Journal,
    Volume 13,Issue 2,
    2019,
    Pages 58-63,
    ISSN 1994-5396,
    erj.2019.58.63,
    (https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?doi=erj.2019.58.63)
    Abstract: The huge volume of Naturally Occurring
Radioactive Materials (NORM) wastes produced annually
by the oil and gas industry in Libya deserves the attention
of the national environmental protection authority,
radioactive waste management and regulatory bodies. An
investigation was carried out to find out the concentration
of (NORMs) in evaporation ponds sludge in south eastern
oilfield (A/100) of Libya. Twenty soil samples were
collected from five evaporation ponds sludge. Activity
concentrations of <sup>226</sup>Ra, <sup>232</sup>Th and <sup>40</sup>K in soil generated
during oil production operations were determined using a
gamma spectroscopy system based on High Purity
Germanium (HPGe) detector. Concentrations ranged from
83 to 1000 Bq kg<sup>&#150;1</sup> for <sup>226</sup>Ra, 59 to 315 Bq kg<sup>&#150;1</sup> for <sup>232</sup>Th
and 109 to 304 Bq kg<sup>&#150;1</sup> for 40K. To evaluate the
radiological effects, radium equivalent activity and
external hazard are calculated. The magnitude of these
results demonstrates the need of screening oil residues for
their radionuclide content in order to decide about
possibility of minimize the environmental impact of
NORM and their final disposal. Disposal of NORM waste
has to be in accordance with national regulations,
environmental policy and international agreements and
conventions. The researchers recommend limits for
clearance and disposal, based on best international
practice.
    Keywords: NORM;radioactivity;NORM regulations and guidance;oilfield;evaporation ponds;health hazards