Radon and helium monitoring in some thermal springs of North India and Bhutan

摘要

The Geological Survey of India (GSI) reported the location of 303 thermal springs in different states of India. Besides the thermal springs, there are also a number of natural cold-water springs. These springs (Figure 1) are related to tectonic belts, grabens and fault zones spread over the entire geographical area of the subcontinent. Some of these springs have linkage with Indian mythology and are famous pilgrimage centres since historical times. While people visit these springs for pleasure and remedial purposes, unconsciously they may be exposed to a large dose of radioactive emissions3 from some of these. The purpose of this study is two-fold: (i) To measure radon concentration in natural and hot-water springs in some of the north Indian states, viz. Uttaranchal, West Bengal and Sikkim, and in Bhutan to determine the level of radioactivity, and (ii) to monitor helium concentration in some thermal springs of West Bengal, Jharkhand, Uttaranchal and Himachal Pradesh for purposes of industrial exploitation.