Natural radioactivity and hazardous index of major South Indian river sediments. (2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Murugesan, S.; Mullainathan, S.; Ramasamy, V.
• Is Part Of: International journal of low radiation. Volume 10:Number 1(2015)
• Page Start: 14
• Page End: 33
• Publication Date: 2015
• Subjects: river sediments -- Palar River -- RHP rate -- radioactive heat production -- ELCR -- excess lifetime cancer risk -- quartz -- magnetic susceptibility -- natural radioactivity -- hazardous index -- India -- absorbed dose rate -- radium equivalent concentration -- feldspar -- radiological risks -- low radiation; Radiobiology -- Periodicals; Radiation -- Health aspects -- Periodicals; Radiation tolerance -- Periodicals; 571.4505
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1477-6545

Abstract

The activity concentrations of 238 U, 232 Th and 40 K have been determined by gamma ray spectrometry with an NaI(Tl) detector in sediments of Palar River, Tamil Nadu, India. The absorbed dose rate, radium equivalent concentration, external (Hex ) and internal (Hin ) hazardous indices are calculated from criteria formula and compared with the international recommended limits. The Radioactive Heat Production (RHP) rate and Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk (ELCR) are also calculated. The observed dose rate from ERDM (Environmental Radiation Dosimeter) at 1 m above the ground level at each site of the river is measured and correlated with calculated absorbed dose rate. The distribution of quartz, feldspar, magnetic susceptibility and weight of the magnetic minerals is correlated with radioactivity results. From the observations, the weight of the magnetic minerals is an index to identify the sediments of low or high radiological risk.