Dynamics of radionuclides activity, radon exhalation rate of soil and assessment of radiological parameters in the coastal regions of Kerala, India

The activity concentration of natural radionucides such as 40K, 226Ra and 232Th and radon surface and mass exhalation rates of the soil were assessed and the related radiometric parameters have been estimated from the activities of the samples from beaches of coastal Kerala including some high background radiation areas (HBRAs). The activity concentrations of 40K, 226Ra and 232Th were estimated using NaI (Tl) gamma ray spectrometry and the radon mass and surface exhalation rate has been estimated using the ‘Can technique’ with LR-115 solid state nuclear track detectors. The estimated values indicate that the radionuclide concentrations in the study area were within the recommended limit except for Kollam district when compared with world average values. Radon exhalation rate found to vary according to grain size of the soil. Dose parameters have been evaluated in order to verify the radiological protection of the general public. The results of the present systematic investigation are presented and discussed in detail in the manuscript.