Radioactive parameter analysis in soil samples at the Cauvery river

Abstract

Cauvery, one among the major rivers, passing through three states, namely Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. This river is crucial for drinking water, irrigation and electricity. In India, river sand is a key component of building construction. Through a gamma ray spectrometer with a NaI doped with thallium detector, the natural radioactive elements such as uranium, thorium and potassium (238U, 232Th, 40K) are explored and analysed. This analysis was already published. As per the report of United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) sediment and sand grain size is divided into several types, which include gravel medium sand (250–500µm), fine sand (100–250 µm), very fine sand (50–100µm), silty sand (2–50µm) and clay (<2µm). The range of gravel medium sand to fine sand (>125 µm) and non-magnetic grains were separated with the help of American Society for Testing Materials standard sieve and strong electromagnet. Those two samples for each site were subjected to Gamma ray spectroscopy and analysed. Related parameters like Absorbed-Dose (Din & Dout), Annual effective dose equivalent (AEin & AEout) is computed and correlated. By comparing the results of this investigation to the global average, it can be seen that practically all radioactive parameters are under control. However, the Cauvery River, with the exception of site no 31, does not present a radioactive hazard.