## 4 Conclusions  
In this study, the radiation-shielding capabilities of five varieties of serpentinite rocks were investigated and the main findings can be compiled as follows:  
1. It is found that serpentinite minerals are ferromagnetism. Nickel is the most abundant heavy metal analyzed in serpentinites. Serpentinites, formed by the hydration of silica-poor olivine at low temperatures, may consist of antigorite, chrysotile, or lizardite. The optical properties and chemical composition of the selected samples indicate that they are predominantly composed of antigorite.
2. The presence of REE elements in the serpentinite structure influences the thermal neutron cross-sections, while the LOI (crystalline H\({}_{2}\)O) content affects the fast neutron cross-sections.
3. It was found that the radiation-shielding behavior followed the following order, Sr-2> Sr-5 > Sr-3> Sr-4> Sr-1, for thermal and fast neutrons and \(\gamma\)-rays. The fast neutron-absorption equivalent dose rates (uSv/h) of the serpentinite samples' behavior followed the following order: Sr-2< Sr-5 < Sr-3< Sr-4< Sr-1.
4. Sr-2 exhibits an HVL of 1.8143 cm for thermal neutrons, which is approximately 58% lower than the typical HVL of standard concrete (\(\sim\)4.30 cm). The Sr-2 samples are more convenient and competent for radiation shielding compared to the other serpentinite samples.
5. Due to their specific mineralogical composition and geochemical characteristics, serpentinite formations show strong potential as effective shielding materials against fast neutrons and gamma radiation in nuclear environments. In the serpentinite sample with antigorite composition, the gamma ray test revealed the significant impact of pores on radiation-shielding properties; it was observed that when the pores are empty, radiation can pass through directly without any deviation.  
Conceptualization, A.D.K. and D.Y.; methodology, A.D.K. and D.Y.; software, A.D.K. and D.Y.; validation, A.D.K. and D.Y.; formal analysis, A.D.K. and D.Y.; investigation, A.D.K. and D.Y.; resources, A.D.K. and D.Y.; data curation, A.D.K. and D.Y.; writing--original draft preparation, A.D.K. and D.Y.; writing--review and editing, A.D.K. and D.Y.; visualization, A.D.K. and D.Y.; supervision, A.D.K. and D.Y.; project administration A.D.K.; funding acquisition, A.D.K. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.  
This research was financed by Frat University FUBAP grant number MF25.63, at [[https://bap.frat.edu.tr/?act=guest&act2=project&durum=devan&Pflakulte](https://bap.frat.edu.tr/?act=guest&act2=project&durum=devan&Pflakulte)]([https://bap.frat.edu.tr/?act=guest&act2=project&durum=devan&Pflakulte](https://bap.frat.edu.tr/?act=guest&act2=project&durum=devan&Pflakulte)).  
Figure 15: Absorbed equivalent dose rates (\(\mu\)Sv/h) of the serpentinite samples.  
**Institutional Review Board Statement:** Not applicable.  
**Informed Consent Statement:** Not applicable.  
**Data Availability Statement:** The authors confirm that the data used to support the findings of this study are available within the article.  
**Acknowledgments:** The authors would like to thank [PERSON] for laboratory support.  
**Conflicts of Interest:** The authors declare no conflicts of interest.