Uranium, radium and radon exhalation studies in some soil samples using plastic track detectors

Abstract

Radium concentration and radon exhalation rate have been measured in soil samples collected from some areas belonging to upper Siwaliks of Kala Amb, Nahan and Morni Hills of Haryana and Himachal Pradesh states, India using LR-115 type II plastic track detectors. Uranium concentration has also been determined in these soil samples using fission track registration technique. Radium concentration has been found to vary from 5.30 to 31.71 Bq.kg−1, whereas uranium concentration varies from 33.21 to 76.26 Bq.kg−1. The radon exhalation rate in these samples varies from 216.87 to 1298.00 mBq.m−2hr−1 (6.15 to 36.80 mBq.kg−1.hr−1). Most of the samples have uranium concentration above the worldwide average concentration of 35 Bq.kg−1. A good correlation (R2 = 0.76) has been observed between uranium concentration and radon exhalation rate in soil. The values of uranium, radium and radon exhalation rate in soil are compared with that from the adjoining areas of Punjab.