Distribution of naturally occurring radionuclides uranium and 226Ra in groundwater adjoining uranium complex of Turamdih, Jharkhand, India

Estimation of radionuclide content is essential for assessment of individual exposure in areas where groundwater is the principal source of drinking water. Elevated levels can be expected in areas known for radioactive mineral deposits and anthropogenic activities like mining and ore processing industry. The aim of this study is to determine the uranium and 226Ra in groundwater sources adjoining and away from uranium mining and ore processing industry at Turamdih, Jharkhand. The concentration of uranium in well/tubewell samples analysed nearby and away from the tailings ponds ranged from 0.1 to 8.4 μg l-1 and 226Ra varied from 4 to 269 mBq l-1. The wide variation of activity concentration is due to regions of uranium deposits with elevated level of radium in the earth's crust and geological faults, when compared to lower concentration profile of radium in earth crust. The ingestion of uranium and 226Ra in the adult population residing around Turamdih mining complex through drinking water sources ranged from 0.81 μSv year-1 to 3.8 μSv year-1 respectively. This is much lower than 100 μSv year-1, that is recommended by WHO for ingestion from intake of a single radionuclide. The groundwater monitoring carried out over four years around Turamdih mining complex indicates that there has been no observable impact on groundwater sources due to mining and ore processing activities in this region.