(226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K contents in soil samples from Garhwal Himalaya, India, and its radiological implications.
The exposure of human beings to ionising radiation from natural sources is a continuing and inescapable feature of life on earth. Natural radionuclides are widely distributed in various geological formations and ecosystems such as rocks, soil groundwater and foodstuffs. In the present study, the distribution of (226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K was measured in soil samples collected from different lithological units of the Thauldhar and Budhakedar regions of Garhwal Himalaya, India. The collected soil samples were analysed using gamma ray spectrometry. The activity concentrations of the naturally occurring radionuclides (226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K in these soil samples were found to vary from below detection level (BDL) to 131 +/- 18 Bq kg(-1), 9 +/- 6 to 384 +/- 53 Bq kg(-1) and 471 +/- 96 to 1406 +/- 175 Bq kg(-1), respectively. The distribution of radionuclides depends upon the rock formation and chemical properties within the earth. The activity concentrations vary widely depending on the sample origin. The external absorbed gamma dose rates due to (226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K were found to vary from 49 to 306 nGy h(-1). The average radium equivalent activity from these soil samples was 300 Bq kg(-1).
Ramola
R C
RC
Department of Physics, H N B Garhwal University, Badshahi Thaul Campus, Tehri Garhwal-249 199, India. rcramola@gmail.com
Gusain
G S
GS
Badoni
Manjari
M
Prasad
Yogesh
Y
Prasad
Ganesh
G
Ramachandran
T V
TV
D001417:Background Radiation; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D007194:India; D011197:Potassium Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis*; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011883:Radium / Q000032:analysis*; D012990:Soil Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis*; D013910:Thorium / Q000032:analysis*
D011197:Potassium Radioisotopes; D012990:Soil Pollutants, Radioactive; D013910:Thorium; D011883:Radium