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NATURAL RADIOACTIVITY LEVEL AND ELEMENTAL COMPOSITION OF SOIL SAMPLES FROM A HIGH BACKGROUND RADIATION AREA ON
S K Sahoo1, R Kierepko2,3, A Sorimachi2,4
1National Institute of Radiological Sciences, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage, Chiba 263-8555, Japan sahoo@nirs.go.jp.
Radiation Protection Dosimetry
|March 31, 2016
Summary
Soil radioactivity in Odisha, India, shows elevated levels of Thorium (Th) series elements, leading to higher-than-average human radiation exposure. This study quantifies radioactivity concentrations and assesses potential health risks in the region.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Radiological Science
- Geochemistry
Background:
- High background radiation areas (HBRAs) pose unique environmental and health challenges.
- Odisha, India's eastern coast, is recognized as an HBRA.
- Understanding radionuclide distribution is crucial for risk assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the radioactivity concentration in soil samples from Odisha.
- To assess the dose rate and human exposure from natural radionuclides.
- To identify the primary contributors to enhanced radiation levels.
Main Methods:
- In situ dose rate measurements.
- Gamma spectrometry for radionuclide analysis (²²⁶Ra, ²²⁸Th, ⁴⁰K).
- X-ray fluorescence (XRF) for elemental composition analysis.
Main Results:
- In situ dose rates ranged from 0.25 to 1.2 µSv h⁻¹.
- Mean activity concentrations: ¹³⁰±97 Bq kg⁻¹ (²²⁶Ra), ¹¹¹⁰±890 Bq kg⁻¹ (²²⁸Th), 360±140 Bq kg⁻¹ (⁴⁰K).
- Outdoor effective dose rates (0.14–2.15 mSv) exceeded the global average (0.07 mSv), with Thorium series elements being major contributors. High Titanium (Ti) content (7.4±4.9%) was also observed.
Conclusions:
- Soil in Odisha's HBRA exhibits significantly elevated levels of natural radionuclides, particularly from the Thorium series.
- Human exposure to radiation in this area is higher than the global average, necessitating further health impact studies.
- The presence of high Titanium concentrations warrants further investigation into its role in radionuclide distribution.
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