Study on effects of physicochemical parameters on natural radionuclides concentration and assessment of radiological parameters in the soil samples of Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada

Abstract

The paper deals with the distribution and enrichment of natural radionuclides 232Th, 226Ra, and 40K in the soil samples of Mangalore. The soil samples collected from the region were analyzed for the activity of natural radionuclides using NaI (Tl) gamma-ray spectrometer. The activity of 232Th varies in the range 40.5–95.2 Bq/kg with a mean value of 64.9 Bq/kg; the activity of 226Ra varies in the range 54.9–77.8 Bq/kg with a mean value of 65.1 Bq/kg; and that of 40K varies in the range 308.7–486.5 Bq/kg with a mean value of 368.9 Bq/kg. The calculated values of radiological parameters were found to be below the world recommended level. The results of these systematic studies are presented and discussed in this paper.

Keywords

• 226Ra and 232Th
• 40K
• natural radioactivity
• radiological parameters