Study of Environmental Radiation on Sand and Soil Samples from Kuakata Sea Beach of Patuakhali
- 1 Department of Physics, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Bangladesh
- 2 Health Physics & Radioactive Waste Management Unit (HP & RWMU), Institute of Nuclear Science & Technology (INST), Atomic Energy Research Establishment (AERE), Savar, Bangladesh
- 3 Department of Physics, Comilla University, Comilla, Bangladesh
- 4 Department of Physics, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Bangladesh
- 5 Department of Physics, Comilla University, Comilla, Bangladesh
- 6 Department of Physics, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Bangladesh
Abstract
The activity concentrations of radionuclides in the sand and soil samples collected from Kuakata seabeach of Patuakhali district in Bangladesh have measured using a high resolution high purity germanium (HPGe) detector of relative efficiency 40%. The activity concentrations of 226 Ra, 232 Th and 40 K were found in the sand samples of Kuakata seabeach varied from 2.82 ± 4.89 to 87.96 ± 4.45 Bq.Kg –1 , 21.72 ± 16.27 to 290.93 ± 18.15 Bq.Kg –1 and 26.24 ± 0.35 to 852.05 ± 142.15 Bq.Kg –1 respectively. For soil samples the activity concentrations of corresponding radionuclides were found to be 20.98 ± 3.96 to 42.92 ± 4.76 Bq.Kg –1 , 59.25 ± 15.62 to 144.34 ± 18.52 Bq.Kg –1 and 570.43 ± 100.3 to 1165 ± 166.27 Bq.Kg –1 respectively. The average absorbed dose rate due to radionuclides in sand was estimated to range from 51.84 to 246.55 nGy.h–1 with an average of 98.33 nGy.h –1 . Also the average absorbed dose rate due to radionuclides in soil was estimated to range from 76.63 nGy.h –1 to 142.36 nGy.h –1 with an average of 110.04 nGy.h –1 . Radium equivalent activities were calculated for the analyzed samples to assess the radiation hazards arising due to the presence of this radionuclide in the samples. Most of the calculated radium equivalent activities are lower than the limit set in the OECD report (370 Bq.kg –1 ). The measured representative level index values for the investigated samples varied in the range 0.8 to 3.75.
- V. Kannana, M. P. Rajana, M. A. R. Iyengara and R. Rameshb, “Distribution of Natural and Anthropogenic Radionuclides in Soil and Beach Sand Samples of Kalpak- kam (India) Using Hyper Pure Germanium (HPGe) Gamma Ray Spectrometry,” Applied Radiation and Isotopes, Vol. 57, No. 1, 2002, pp. 109-119. doi:10.1016/S0969-8043(01)00262-7
- S. U. El-Kameesy, S. Abd El-Ghany, S. M. El-Minyawi, Z. Miligy and E. M. El-Mabrouk, “Natural Radioactivity of Beach Sand Samples in the Tripoli Region, Northwest Libya,” Turkish Journal of Engineering & Environmental Science, Vol. 32, No. 1, 2008, pp. 245-251.
- IAEA, “Measurement of Radio-Nuclides in Food and the Environment,” IAEA Technical Report Series, No. 295, 1989.
- A. Amekudzie, G. Emi-Reynolds, A. Faanu, E.O. Darko, A. R. Awudu, O. Adukpo, L. A. N. Quaye, R. Kpordzro, B. Agyemang and A. Ibrahim, “Natural Radioactivity Con- centrations and Dose Assessment in Shore Sediments along the Coast of Greater Accra, Ghana,” World Applied Sciences Journal, Vol. 13, No. 11, 2011, pp. 2338-2343.
- International Atomic Energy Agency, “Measurement of Radionuclides in Food and the Environment: A Guide- book,” International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, 1989, pp. 139-144.
- NEA Group, “Nuclear Energy Agency, Exposure to Radiation from Natural Radioactivity in Building Materials,” OECD, Paris, 1979.
- United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR), “Sources, Effects and Risks of Ionising Radiation,” United Nations, New York, 1988.
- M. R. Abdil, H. Faghihian, M. Kamali, M. Mostajaboddavati and A. Hasanzadeh, “Distribution of Natural Radionuclides on Coasts of Bushehr, Persian Gulf, Iran,” Iranian Journal of Science & Technology: Transaction A, Vol. 30, No. A3, 2006, pp. 259-269.
- K. A. Kabir, S. M. A. Islam and M. M. Rahman, ‘’Distribution of Radionuclides in Surface Soil and Bottom Sediment in the District of Jessore, Bangladesh and Evaluation of Radiation Hazard,” Journal of Bangladesh Aca- demy of Sciences, Vol. 33, No. 1, 2009, pp. 117-130.
- United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR), “Sources and Effects of Ionizing Radiation,” United Nations, New York, 1993.
- R. D. Delaune, G. L. Jones and C. J. Smith. “Radinuclides Concentrations in Louisiana Soils and Sediments,” Health Physics, Vol. 51, No. 2, 1986, pp. 239-244.
- N. M. Ibrahiem, A. H. Abd El Ghani, S. M. Shawky, E. M. Ashraf and M. A. Farouk, “Measurement of Radioactivity Levels in the Nile Delta and Middle Egypt,” Health Physics, Vol. 64, No. 6, 1993, pp. 620-627. doi:10.1097/00004032-199306000-00007