Study Of Natural Radioactivity And Radiological Parameters Of 238U, 232Th And 40K In Soil Samples

Abstract

Gamma spectrometry was used to study of the activity concentrations of primordial radionuclides ²³⁸U, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K. The natural radioactivity levels in soil samples from the Basapura and Doni in Gadag District, Karnataka. The average activity concentrations in Basapur soils were found to be 30.98 ± 0.37 Bq kg⁻¹ for ²³⁸U, 51.88 ± 0.12 Bq kg⁻¹ for ²³²Th, and 552.41 ± 1.98 Bq kg⁻¹ for ⁴⁰K, while in Doni soils the respective averages were 23.02 ± 14.40 Bq kg⁻¹, 38.60 ± 11.12 Bq kg⁻¹, and 187.56 ± 146.16 Bq kg⁻¹. The results indicate that the activity concentrations of ²³⁸U and ²³²Th in both regions lie within the worldwide recommended limits, while ⁴⁰K shows relatively higher variations due to differences in mineral composition and soil fertility.  The calculated radiological hazard indices, including absorbed dose rate (D), Radium Equivalent Activity (Raeq)and annual effective dose equivalent (μSvy⁻¹), indicate that the natural radioactivity levels in the study area do not pose a significant radiological health risk to the local population.