Measurement of gamma radiation levels in soil samples from Thanjavur using γ-ray spectrometry and estimation of population exposure
This study assesses the level of terrestrial gamma radiation and associated dose rates from the naturally occurring radionuclides <sup> 232</sup> Th, <sup> 238</sup> U and <sup> 40</sup> K in 10 soil samples collected from Thanjavur (Tamil Nadu, India) using g-ray...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
2010-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Medical Physics |
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| Online Access: | http://www.jmp.org.in/article.asp?issn=0971-6203;year=2010;volume=35;issue=1;spage=48;epage=53;aulast=Senthilkumar |
| _version_ | 1811316246323396608 |
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| author | Senthilkumar B Dhavamani V Ramkumar S Philominathan P |
| author_facet | Senthilkumar B Dhavamani V Ramkumar S Philominathan P |
| author_sort | Senthilkumar B |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study assesses the level of terrestrial gamma radiation and associated dose rates from the naturally occurring radionuclides <sup> 232</sup> Th, <sup> 238</sup> U and <sup> 40</sup> K in 10 soil samples collected from Thanjavur (Tamil Nadu, India) using g-ray spectrometry. The activity profile of radionuclides has clearly showed the existence of low level activity in Thanjavur. The geometric mean activity concentrations of <sup> 232</sup> Th, <sup> 238</sup> U and <sup> 40</sup> K is 42.9±9.4 Bq.kg<sup> -1</sup> , 14.7±1.7 Bq.kg<sup> -1</sup> and 149.5±3.1 Bq.kg<sup> -1 </sup> respectively are derived from all the soil samples studied. The activity concentration of <sup> 232</sup> Th, <sup> 238</sup> U and <sup> 40</sup> K in soil is due to the presence of metamorphic rocks like shale, hornblende-biotite gneiss and quartzofeldspathic gneiss in these areas. Gamma absorbed dose rates in air outdoors were calculated to be in the range between 32 nGy.h<sup> -1</sup> and 59.1 nGy.h<sup> -1</sup> with an arithmetic mean of 43.3 ±9 nGy.h<sup> -1</sup> . This value is lesser than the population weighted world-averaged of 60 nGy.h<sup> -1</sup> . Inhabitants of Thanjavur are subjected to external gamma radiation exposure (effective dose) ranging between 39.2 and 72.6 μSv.y<sup> -1 </sup> with an arithmetic mean of 53.1±11 μSv.y<sup> -1</sup> . The values of the external hazard index determined from the soil radioactivity of the study area are less than the recommended safe levels. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T11:45:34Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-dea936d0123740239f9e8e3924847b76 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0971-6203 1998-3913 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T11:45:34Z |
| publishDate | 2010-01-01 |
| publisher | Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Medical Physics |
| spelling | doaj.art-dea936d0123740239f9e8e3924847b762022-12-22T02:48:12ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsJournal of Medical Physics0971-62031998-39132010-01-013514853Measurement of gamma radiation levels in soil samples from Thanjavur using γ-ray spectrometry and estimation of population exposureSenthilkumar BDhavamani VRamkumar SPhilominathan PThis study assesses the level of terrestrial gamma radiation and associated dose rates from the naturally occurring radionuclides <sup> 232</sup> Th, <sup> 238</sup> U and <sup> 40</sup> K in 10 soil samples collected from Thanjavur (Tamil Nadu, India) using g-ray spectrometry. The activity profile of radionuclides has clearly showed the existence of low level activity in Thanjavur. The geometric mean activity concentrations of <sup> 232</sup> Th, <sup> 238</sup> U and <sup> 40</sup> K is 42.9±9.4 Bq.kg<sup> -1</sup> , 14.7±1.7 Bq.kg<sup> -1</sup> and 149.5±3.1 Bq.kg<sup> -1 </sup> respectively are derived from all the soil samples studied. The activity concentration of <sup> 232</sup> Th, <sup> 238</sup> U and <sup> 40</sup> K in soil is due to the presence of metamorphic rocks like shale, hornblende-biotite gneiss and quartzofeldspathic gneiss in these areas. Gamma absorbed dose rates in air outdoors were calculated to be in the range between 32 nGy.h<sup> -1</sup> and 59.1 nGy.h<sup> -1</sup> with an arithmetic mean of 43.3 ±9 nGy.h<sup> -1</sup> . This value is lesser than the population weighted world-averaged of 60 nGy.h<sup> -1</sup> . Inhabitants of Thanjavur are subjected to external gamma radiation exposure (effective dose) ranging between 39.2 and 72.6 μSv.y<sup> -1 </sup> with an arithmetic mean of 53.1±11 μSv.y<sup> -1</sup> . The values of the external hazard index determined from the soil radioactivity of the study area are less than the recommended safe levels.http://www.jmp.org.in/article.asp?issn=0971-6203;year=2010;volume=35;issue=1;spage=48;epage=53;aulast=SenthilkumarAbsorbed doseexternal hazard index (Hex)gamma radiationnatural radioactivitysoilγ-ray spectrometry |
| spellingShingle | Senthilkumar B Dhavamani V Ramkumar S Philominathan P Measurement of gamma radiation levels in soil samples from Thanjavur using γ-ray spectrometry and estimation of population exposure Journal of Medical Physics Absorbed dose external hazard index (Hex) gamma radiation natural radioactivity soil γ-ray spectrometry |
| title | Measurement of gamma radiation levels in soil samples from Thanjavur using γ-ray spectrometry and estimation of population exposure |
| title_full | Measurement of gamma radiation levels in soil samples from Thanjavur using γ-ray spectrometry and estimation of population exposure |
| title_fullStr | Measurement of gamma radiation levels in soil samples from Thanjavur using γ-ray spectrometry and estimation of population exposure |
| title_full_unstemmed | Measurement of gamma radiation levels in soil samples from Thanjavur using γ-ray spectrometry and estimation of population exposure |
| title_short | Measurement of gamma radiation levels in soil samples from Thanjavur using γ-ray spectrometry and estimation of population exposure |
| title_sort | measurement of gamma radiation levels in soil samples from thanjavur using 947 ray spectrometry and estimation of population exposure |
| topic | Absorbed dose external hazard index (Hex) gamma radiation natural radioactivity soil γ-ray spectrometry |
| url | http://www.jmp.org.in/article.asp?issn=0971-6203;year=2010;volume=35;issue=1;spage=48;epage=53;aulast=Senthilkumar |
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