Abstract
The present study is aimed at evaluating the radiation profile along the coast of the Poompuhar- Nagore range, which is known to be hydrodynamically active and is enriched with anthropogenic activities. The study of radiation on the coastal belt and evaluating their dynamics (magnitude and spatio-temporal variability) is crucial both for the coastal inhabitants as well as possible exploration of rare-earth minerals. The effective gamma radiation during the new moon along the coastal range varies between 0.9 to 3.55 ?sv.h-1, respectively. The annual equivalent dose is estimated up to gamma radiation of 0.26 to 2.80 ?sv.h-1. Generally, the concentrations of the gamma radiation measured are elevated in certain areas namely Chinnagudi, Kuttiyandiyur, and Chandrapadi. In particular, the gamma radioactivity is high at Chandrapadi and Chinnagudi during the new moon as it shows considerable amounts of radiation. There is a definite variation due to the moon phase on the gamma radiation profile of the area studied. Out of the eight coastal villages under study, about 60% of the coastal line shows high levels of gamma radiation during both new moon and full moon phases.
Highlights
Natural radioactivity is widespread in the Earth’s environment, and it exists in various geological formations such as earth crust, rocks, soils, plants, water, sand, sediments, and air
Studies concerning the radiation hazards arising from the use of sand or soil showed that natural radiation is the largest contribution to external dose to the world population (Papadopoulos et al 2014 & 2016)
The concentrations of the gamma radiation measured are elevated in certain areas namely Chinnagudi, Kuttiyandiyur, and Chandrapadi
Summary
Natural radioactivity is widespread in the Earth’s environment, and it exists in various geological formations such as earth crust, rocks, soils, plants, water, sand, sediments, and air. Beach sands are composed mainly of quartz, feldspar, and other minerals resistant to wave abrasion. They are mineral deposits formed by the combination of weathering, fragmentation, and degradation (Ching-Jiang et al.1993, Kanse et al 2016, Lal 1991). Studies concerning the radiation hazards arising from the use of sand or soil showed that natural radiation is the largest contribution to external dose to the world population (Papadopoulos et al 2014 & 2016). Predominant natural radiation affecting terrestrial systems and the most studied radio-nuclei is radon. Dynamics between terrestrial and cosmic processes on radiative distribution on various hydro-litho-climatic reasons are widely ventured, no integrated model has been developed so far (UNSCEAR 2000)
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