No abstract

The concentrations of natural radionuclides in surface soil samples around selected villages of Jaduguda were investigated and compared with the radioactivity level in the region. Concentrations of 238U, 232Th, and 40K were determined by a gamma ray spectrometer using the HPGe detector with 50% relative efficiency, and the radiation dose to the local population was estimated. The average estimated activity concentrations of 238U, 232Th, and 40K in the surface soil were 53.8, 44.2 and 464.2 Bq kg−1 respectively. The average absorbed dose rate in the study area was estimated to be 72.5 nGy h-1, where as the annual effective dose to the population was 0.09 mSv y-1. A correlation analysis was made between measured dose rate and individual radionuclides, in order to delineate the contribution of the respective nuclides towards dose rate. The radio-elemental concentrations of uranium, thorium and potassium estimated for the soils, in the study area, indicated the enrichment of uranium series nuclide. The results of the present study were subsequently compared with international and national recommended values.

A systematic study of the gamma radiation levels (indoor and outdoor) in the villages surrounding the uranium-enriched regions around Jaduguda, India has been undertaken by monitoring selected dwellings in six villages. Each dwelling unit was monitored for a total duration of 1 y. The gamma radiation measurements were carried out using card-based CaSO(4): Dy thermoluminescent dosemeters. The estimated average annual gamma dose values for indoor and outdoor were 980 and 924 (µGy y(-1)), respectively, for the entire region studied. The maximum indoor and outdoor gamma doses experienced in North Dungridih and South Dungridih villages were 1305 and 1223 (µGy y(-1)), respectively. The minimum indoor and outdoor gamma dose values observed in Chatikocha village were 624 and 696 (µGy y(-1)), respectively. Seasonal variation of the indoor gamma values was not observed during the year; however, a small variation was seen with the type of building materials used for construction purposes. A statistical analysis was attempted to characterise the distribution of terrestrial gamma radiation obtained in the study area. The average quarterly indoor gamma values for spring, summer, monsoon and winter seasons as prevalent in the regions were 267±71, 262±54, 213±91, 238±66 (µGy 90 d(-1)), respectively. The annual effective doses to the local population residing in the selected dwelling units were estimated to be 0.6 and 0.1 (mSv y(-1)) for indoor and outdoor, respectively, using an occupancy factor of 0.8 and 0.2.

Flow stratigraphy has been carried out in the Rajmahal Traps from exploratory boreholes drilled for coal in the western sector of Bengal Basin. Different volcanic flows have been demarcated according to their broad megascopic characters. These flows are primarily basaltic in nature. It mainly contains plagioclase, augite along with magnetite and Ti-magnetite and shows porphyritic texture. Inter-trappean sediments are largely argillaceous in nature and restricted towards the lower part of this volcanic sequence. However, a prominent megacrystic plagioclase bearing basaltic flow zone occurs persistently in the middle part. It demarcates two separate modes of eruption in the entire volcanic sequence. Episodic volcanism during initial phase results intermittent deposition of inter-trappean sediments below this zone whereas eruption becomes fairly continuous during later stage which inhibits sedimentation above the megacrystic flow. As this megacrystic zone is very prominent and well persistent, it can be treated as marker horizon.