Measurement of natural radioactivity in river sediments of Thamirabarani, Tamilnadu, India using gamma ray spectroscopic technique
V. Thangam, A. Rajalakshmi, A. Chandrasekaran, B. Jananee
Abstract
Natural radioactivity is diffuse in earth’s environment and occurs in various geological formations like sand, soil and rocks as well as in plants, water and air. Among the various building materials, river sediment is commonly used in building constructions. Sediment samples were collected from Thamirabarani river belt, Tamilnadu, India. Radiometric analysis was carried out using Gamma ray spectrometry for the sediment samples in this area. Activity concentrations of the natural radionuclides such as 226Ra, 232Th and 40K were determined and other radiological parameters were calculated. The average activity concentration values for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K were 40.85, 51.87 and 838.19 Bq kg−1, respectively. Radium equivalent (Raeq), absorbed dose rate (DR), annual effective dose equivalent (AEDE), hazard indices (Hex and Hin) and activity utilisation index (AUI) were also calculated and compared with world average values. The mean values of the radiological parameters are less than the recommended limit. Hence, there is no radiological hazard involved in using river sediments for construction from in this study area.