Assessment Of Natural Radioactivity Level And Radiation Hazard Parameters In The Terrestrial Environment Of Eloor Island, Kerala

Authors: Dhanya Balakrishnan, Umadevi A.G, Jose P Abraham, P. J. JoJo, M. Harikumar, Sujata Radhakrishnan

Affiliations: Department of Physics, Cochin College, Kochi, 682002, Kerala, India, Department of Chemistry, NSS College, Ottapalam, Palakkad, 679103, Kerala, India, Centre for Advanced Research in Physical Sciences, Department of Physics, Fatima Mata National College, Kollam, 691001, Kerala, India, Environmental Assessment Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Health Physics Unit, IREL, Udyogmandal, Kerala, India

Emails: dhanyabnair08@gmail.com; umadeviag11@gmail.com; jojo@fatimacollege.net; mhari07@rediffmail.com

Journal: International Journal of Fundamental Physical Sciences (IJFPS)

Volume: 5, Issue: 2, Pages: 38-42, Date: June, 2015

ISSN: 2231-8186

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14331/ijfps.2015.330084

Abstract

The present study measured the concentration of primordial radionuclides in soil samples from Eloor Island, Kerala, using a NaI(Tl) gamma spectrometer. The exposure rate varied from 63 to 374 nGy/h. Activity concentrations ranged from 44.8–792.8 Bq/kg for 232Th, 8–445.5 Bq/kg for 238U, and 129–1160.5 Bq/kg for 40K. Radiation hazard parameters, including Raeq, Hex, Hin, and annual effective dose, were calculated. While some locations exceeded international safety limits, the overall impact from NORM industries was not significant. The findings contribute important baseline data for future radioactivity assessments in the region.

Keywords

Natural radioactivity, Gamma spectrometer, Eloor Island, Radiation exposure

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/