Investigation of distribution pattern of natural radioactivity in the sediments of Jampore beach, Daman, India
摘要
In the present study, the spatial distribution of radioactivity measured both in-situ and laboratory gamma spectrometry methods has been discussed. The grain size distribution of the samples was carried out by sieving method followed by measuring the weights of each fraction. The sediment samples were characterized for elemental analysis using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF). The results of EDXRF analysis suggested that, the study area has high mineral content with Fe, Al, Ca, Mg, Ti, K, V, Mn, Zr, Cr and La as the major elemental composition. The mean values of 226Ra, 228Ra and 40K in sediment size fraction 53–100 µm are 151.2 Bq kg−1, 369.4 Bq kg−1 and 209.7 Bq kg−1, respectively. The mean values of 226Ra, 228Ra and 40K in sediment size fraction 101–250 µm are 28.7 Bq kg−1, 60.6 Bq kg−1 and 272.6 Bq kg−1, respectively. The results of the study will help in generating radiometric database of the study area and to develop a methodology for use of natural radioisotope as tracer as a substitute for artificial radiotracer for investigation of sediment dynamics in coastal areas.