Natural radioactivity and concomitant health hazards in Kovalam beach sediments, Tamil Nadu with physico-chemical and mineralogical analysis

Abstract

The activity concentration of natural radionuclides in beach sediment samples collected from the tourist hotspot of Kovalam beach in Tamil Nadu was determined using NaI (Tl)-based gamma-ray spectrometry. The average activity concentrations of the radionuclides 238U, 232Th, and 40K in sediment samples are 9.79 ± 1.6, 206.96 ± 12.1, and 325.01 ± 24.9 Bq kg−1, respectively. The elevated concentrations of 232Th in the studied samples are likely due to the presence of thorium-bearing minerals. To understand the health and environmental implications, several radiological indices such as radium equivalent activity (Raeq), absorbed dose rate (DR), annual effective dose equivalent (AEDE), external hazard index (Hex), and gamma index (Iγ) were calculated and compared with the UNSCEAR reported reference levels. The activity ratios (232Th/40K and 232Th/238U) and the relationship between them have been studied to identify the sources of natural radionuclides in the study area. Multivariate statistical analysis provides information about the interrelationship within the radionuclides and radiological parameters.