Natural radioactivity in South West Coast of India

Abstract

Soil samples from South West Coast region of India were analysed for their 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K activities by gamma spectrometry. The 226Ra concentration varied in the range of 8.2–68.4 Bq kg −1 with a mean of 30.6 Bq kg −1, 232Th in the range of 5.9–77.2 Bq kg −1 with a mean of 38.2 Bq kg −1, and 40K in the range of 14.6–344.9 Bq kg −1 with a mean of 152.2 Bq kg −1 in 0–5 cm soil profile. Depth profile studies showed a uniform distribution of these radionuclides throughout the soil depth in most of the sampling stations. The 226Ra and 232Th activities show significant positive correlation with the organic matter content of the soil.