Alpha, beta and gamma radiation assessment along the Northeast Coast of Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

Abstract In this study, 21 sediment samples were collected from twenty-one locations along the Northeast coastal area of Tamil Nadu, India to estimate the activity concentration of gross α, gross β, and primordial radionuclides (238U, 232Th, and 40K) using alpha & beta counters, and NaI (Tl) γ-ray detector respectively. Mean activity concentrations were measured as 32 Bq kg− 1 for gross α, 621 Bq kg− 1 for gross β, 60 Bq kg− 1 for 238U, 70 Bq kg− 1 for 232Th, and 573 Bq kg− 1 for 40K. The different radiological parameters are calculated for all samples and compared to assess the complete radiological profile of the sediments. The average activities of 238U, 232Th, and 40K are higher than the world average values of UNSCEAR reports. Gamma dose rate and annual effective dose equivalent in the sediment samples are more than the recommended safety levels. eU/eTh ratio applied for the paleo-oxygenation state of the coastal sediments.