Estimation of Natural Radionuclides and Exhalation Rate in Surface Soils of Four Districts of Haryana, India

Abstract

A comprehensive study is conducted to determine the elemental concentrations of 238U, 232Th and 40K in surface soil samples collected from four well-populated districts of central part of Haryana, India. NaI(Tl) gamma ray spectrometer is used for measurement of 238U, 232Th and 40K in soil samples and SMART RnDuo is used for estimation of exhalation rate in soil samples. Average values of activity concentrations of 238U, 232Th and 40K are 27.9 ± 6.0 Bqkg−1, 34.0 ± 6.6 Bqkg−1 and 306.9 ± 15.9 Bqkg−1, respectively. Radium equivalent activity is lower than the recommended limits with an average value of 97.98 Bqkg−1. Absorbed dose rates in air outdoors, effective dose rates for indoor and outdoor, internal and external hazard index, radium equivalent activities and annual effective dose are measured in soil sample of the study area. A weak positive correlation is observed between radionuclides and exhalation rate.

Radon and thoron exhalation rate in the soil of Western Haryana, India

“…Over the past few decades, attention has been given to tracking natural radioactivity. Several researchers have studied natural radioactivity and exhalation rates in different parts of India (Panghal et al, 2018;Singh et al, 2020; Daulta et al 2019, Kumar et al, 2014). In this study, radon mass and thoron surface exhalation rates in soil were studied in the residential areas of Hisar district, Haryana.…”

“…The high radiation intensity is usually associated with igneous rocks and lesser intensity with sedimentary rocks (Joel et al, 2018). The generated radon and thoron swap out from rocks during the physical and/or chemical breakdown of these rocks, and radioactive gas exhales from grains and spreads through the soil pores (Panghal et al, 2018). The factors which play an important role in the escape of gas from the surface are (a) momentum gained by gas atoms during breakdown and (b) diffusion coe cient of gas for that material.…”