Geospatial analysis of the source of monazite deposits and the dynamics of natural radionuclides in the selected coastal
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Geospatial analysis of the source of monazite deposits and the dynamics of natural radionuclides in the selected coastal environs of Kerala, south west coast of India V. Vineethkumar1 · R. Akhil2 · K. P. Shimod3 · V. Prakash1 Received: 15 April 2020 / Accepted: 22 September 2020 / Published online: 12 October 2020 © Akadémiai Kiadó, Budapest, Hungary 2020
Abstract Present study is an attempt to identify the source of monazite deposits and understand the dynamics of natural radionuclides in the coastal environs of Alappuzha and Thiruvananthapuram districts, south west coast of India. The source of monaztite bearing black sands was identified by combining the activity concentration of the natural radionuclides, lithology and drainage systems of Alappuzha and Thiruvananthapuram districts. The activity concentrations of naturally occurring radionuclides (40K, 226Ra, and 232Th) in sand samples collected from the study area were determined using high efficiency NaI(Tl) detector. The radiological parameters viz. radium equivalent activity (Raeq), absorbed dose rate (D), annual effective dose (indoor and outdoor), annual gonadal dose equivalent, and excess lifetime cancer risk were also determined from the activity concentration and compared with the values reported for the other regions of the world. The results of these systematic investigations are presented and discussed in detail in the manuscript. Keywords Monazite · Radionuclides · 40K, 226Ra, and 232Th · NaI(Tl) detector · Radiological parameters
Introduction Natural radionuclides are the principal sources of radioactivity in the environment. The concentration of activity varies from place to place due to geological and other characteristics. It is well reported that, there are regions in which the radiation levels are high compared to normal background called high background radiation areas, HBRAs [1]. Some regions along the coastal environment of peninsular India particularly Kerala were also found to have higher concentration of natural radioactivity [2]. Several investigators have studied extensively on the enrichment of radionuclides along the coastal environment of Kerala [1–6]. The comprehensive studies report that, higher concentration observed is mainly * V. Prakash [email protected] 1
Department of Studies and Research in Physics, Payyanur College, Edat, Kannur, Kerala 670327, India
2
Department of Geography, Himalayan University, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh 791111, India
3
Department of Geography, Kannur University, Payyanur Campus, Edat, Kannur, Kerala 670327, India
due to the presence of monazite bearing black sand. Investigators have identified the monazite placer deposits in some of the locations in Kerala and Tamilnadu. The Kuttakuzhi, Vilavancod, and Vellanad in Thiruvananthapuram district, Esanthimangalam in Thovala thaluk, Tadikarakonam near Nagarcoil and Kalkulam taluk of Tamilnadu are some of the places were rich monazite bearing black sands prevailed. It is also reported that, a newly identified mineral cheralite from Kutta
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