Assessment of natural radioactivity levels due to 238U, 232Th, and 40K in the soil samples of Raichur district, Karnataka, India

Natural radioactivity measurement, dose assessment, and interpretation of radiological-related parameters and radiation monitoring of the region are crucial aspects from the public awareness and environmental safety point of view. The present paper discusses the results of activity concentration of...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: S Rajesh, B R Kerur
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2018-01-01
Series:Radiation Protection and Environment
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.rpe.org.in/article.asp?issn=0972-0464;year=2018;volume=41;issue=1;spage=51;epage=54;aulast=Rajesh
Description
Summary:Natural radioactivity measurement, dose assessment, and interpretation of radiological-related parameters and radiation monitoring of the region are crucial aspects from the public awareness and environmental safety point of view. The present paper discusses the results of activity concentration of the natural radionuclides 238U, 232Th, and 40K in the soil samples collected from Raichur district. ASTM procedure was followed for the sample collection and preparation for gamma spectrometric measurements. Gamma spectrometry-based 4” × 4” NaI (Tl) scintillation detector was employed for estimating activity concentrations of the gamma-emitting radioelements. Each sample was measured for a counting period of 60,000 s. The activity concentrations of the radionuclides 238U, 232Th, and 40K were found in the range 10–119, 8–285, and 46–1646 Bq/kg, respectively. The activity concentrations of the radionuclides and the dose-related parameters for the samples were found to be comparable with the global literature values, except few samples. The data generated from this study are the baseline radiological data of the region for future references.
ISSN:0972-0464