Measurment of Natural Radioactivity and Evaluation of Radiation Hazards in Rock Samples of Seashore, Kanyakumari District

Abstract

The goal of the current research was to examine the radiation environment, along the most visited seashores in Tamil Nadu, India, Kanyakumari District. Gamma ray spectrometry was used to determine the average activity concentrations of radioactive elements such as 238U, 232Th, and 40K in seashore rock samples. Objective of this study is to quantify the amounts of natural radioactivity present in the chosen samples. Additionally, an evaluation of radiological risks posed by naturally occurring radionuclides was conducted, and the average activity-concentrations of 238U, 232Th, and 40K are 37.93, 187.51, and 461.95 (Bq/Kg) respectively. In this study, the yearly effective radiation dosage, air absorbed gamma radiation dose rate, and hazard index (Hin, Hex), alpha index, gamma index, representative level index value, activity utilization index, annual gonald dose equivalent were estimated. Results of this were little high recommended safe and criterion limit given by UNSCEAR. Statistical method was used to study the relation between radionuclides and also calculated radiation parameters. Result of this study revealed a selected seashore rock is high in emitting gamma radionuclides, but it doesn’t lead to significant health hazards to the exposed populace. The current findings provided as a crucial benchmark for any upcoming radiological research in Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu.