title: Studies on radionuclides 228Ra, 238U, 228Th and 40K in selected seaweeds of coastal Tamil Nadu, India.
abstract: Studies on natural and anthropogenic radioactivity assume greater importance in the context of human health and development. Hence two species of seaweeds viz: Gracilaria edulis and Ulva lactuca, from three high background radiation areas (Arockiapuram, Kadiapattinam and Kurumpanai) on the southwest coast of Tamil Nadu, and Mandapam as low background radiation area of the southeast coast of Tamil Nadu were studied for variations in activity concentration of 228Ra, 40K, 238U and 228Th. Among these radionuclides, 40K recorded significant inter-species variation while 238 U and 228Th showed significant association. The overall mean concentration of radionuclides was found high in G. edulis (5.31,57.49,36.05,356.55 Bq kg(-1) for 228Ra, 40K, 238U, 228Th respectively), while the mean concentrations for U. lactuca were 4.88, 42.35, 34.40,347.70 Bqkg(-1) for 228Ra, 40K, 238U, 228Th respectively. The mean concentration of radionuclides was uniformly found low during northeast monsoon season in both the seaweed species.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Holy Cross College, Nagercoil--629 004, India. pmarysaroja@gmail.com
authors.forename: P Mary
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Saroja
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Immanuel
authors.forename: G Allen Gnana
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Raj
authors.forename: K Esai
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Selvan
mesh_terms: D044724:Gracilaria / Q000737:chemistry*; D007194:India; D011197:Potassium Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis*; D011883:Radium / Q000032:analysis*; D012621:Seasons; D012624:Seaweed / Q000737:chemistry*; D013910:Thorium / Q000032:analysis*; D044445:Ulva / Q000737:chemistry*; D014501:Uranium / Q000032:analysis*; D014875:Water Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D011197:Potassium Radioisotopes; D014875:Water Pollutants, Radioactive; D014501:Uranium; D013910:Thorium; D011883:Radium