[en] The present study aims to characterize soil from the Douala Bassa area in Cameroon using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) and gamma-ray spectrometry techniques. In this regard, activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K were assessed using a High Purity Germanium detector. Radium equivalent activity was computed from the measured activities concentrations of radionuclides, and no significant radiological risk due to natural radiation background was observed for the inhabitants and visitors of the investigation zone. The EDXRF technique enabled to determine elemental concentrations of trace elements and major compounds in the analyzed soil samples. The concentrations of different compounds and trace elements found as well as their ranges were displayed in graphical color. The geological provenance of the investigated soil was assessed using the measured data. It was observed that the investigated soil samples are classified as Fe-soil and are illustrative dregs from the Continental margin due to the considerable high concentration of Fe (its concentration ranged from 14.78% to 22.26 %). In addition, the diagram for the tectonic discrimination of sediment provenance provided important remark as studied samples are residue from Passive Margins. It can be concluded that the results of these two analytical methods could be used as baseline data for subsequent investigations of the soil provenance in the Littoral region.
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