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Assessment of Alpha Radioactivity in different Matrices along Subarnarekha River around Jaduguda Uranium Mine area, India

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Author Affiliations

  • 1Department of Physics, Bhatter College, Dantan, Dantan, Paschim Medinipur, 721 426; West Bengal; India School of Studies in Environmental Radiation and Archaeological Sciences; Jadavpur University; Kolkata, 700032, West Bengal, India
  • 2School of Studies in Environmental Radiation and Archaeological Sciences; Jadavpur University; Kolkata, 700032, West Bengal, India Nuclear and Particle Physics Research Centre, Department of Physics, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, 700032, West Bengal, India

Int. Res. J. Environment Sci., Volume 5, Issue (2), Pages 31-41, February,22 (2016)

Abstract

Mining effect generally increases the level of radioactivity of the surrounding environment. Our previous work already showed that alpha activity in water of Subarnarekha River is enhanced due to the effect of Jaduguda uranium mine. The question that consequently pops up is whether the associated materials like soil, sand and gravel along the river path will also be contaminated with radionuclides. Such contamination will cause severe harm to public health because these objects are often used as building materials. We have collected soil, sand and gravel samples from different locations along the river path starting from the area near Jaduguda upto the river mouth and have measured their alpha activity using SSNTD. The measured activity ranges from 55 – 2116 Bqkg-1, 933 – 2075 Bqkg-1 and 979 – 1924 Bqkg-1 for gravel, sand and soil samples respectively. In majority of the sites soil samples show highest activity among all the samples. This is the first ever attempt to measure and analyse the radioactivity pattern of soil, sand and gravels along the Subarnarekha river path and the study reveals some noticeable facts that are not only important from academic point of view but also crucial for the health of the local people.

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