Measurement of uranium, radium and radon exhalation rate of soil samples from Karbi Anglong district of Assam, India using EDXRF and Can technique method

摘要

Natural radiation is the largest contributor to the collective radiation dose to the world population. Relatively constant exposure to the population at a location for a considerable period of time is the cause of radiation hazard to the population. The earth is radioactive since its creation. The radioactive elements such as uranium, radium and radon are present in soil, air and water. The inhalation and ingestion of these radionuclides, above the permissible level, becomes a health hazard. In the present investigation, uranium concentration has been determined by EDXRF technique and radium and radon exhalation rate of soil samples have been determined by Can technique method. Uranium concentration in soil samples has been found to vary from 1.47 ppm to 10.66 ppm whereas radium concentration varies from 10.54 Bq/kg to 49.67 Bq/kg. The radon exhalation rate in these samples has been found to vary from 502.34 mBqm~(-2)h~(-1). to 2062.53 mBqm~(-2)h~(-1). A good positive correlation coefficient (R= 0.98) has been observed between uranium concentration and radon exhalation rate of soil samples.