Analysis of Natural Radioactivity and Radiological Hazards in Soil Samples from The Western Ghats, India
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53555/5ecbqr51Abstract
This study took soil samples from the Agumbe region in the Western Ghats of Karnataka, India, and studied its natural radioactivity. To evaluate the native radiation levels in this ecologically delicate region, high-resolution gamma spectrometry was used to determine the activity concentrations of naturally occurring radionuclides Ra-226, Th-232, and K-40. We chose Agumbe because of its varied heights and rainfall patterns, in addition to its tropical climate and abundant biodiversity. The gamma spectrometry analysis of soil samples taken from uphill, downhill, and mid-hill sites showed that the radioactive concentrations varied across the various topographies. Ra-226, Th-232, and K-40 concentrations were generally within the global norms, with minor differences explained by regional topographical and geological factors. Environmental monitoring programs and radiological health evaluations can benefit from the study's findings regarding the region's radioactive baseline. Additionally, future research on radiation exposure in environmentally sensitive regions can use this information to support environmentally conscious management practices.
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