Study of gross alpha and gross beta activity concentration in sediment and soil samples of three southern districts of Tamil Nadu

Human can be exposed to the radiation emitting from different radioactive sources depending upon their activities and surroundings. Human activities have contributed to the increased concentration of some radionuclides in the environment. A survey of the gross alpha and gross beta activity in soil samples collected along the three southern districts of TamilNadu has been carried out. Determination of the gross alpha and gross beta activity concentration are done by using ZnS (Ag) and low beta counter. The gross alpha activity varies from 162.3 Bq/kg to 3679.6 Bq/kg near the sea and ranges from 107.5 Bq/kg to 1774.1 Bq/kg 150 m away from the sea. The gross alpha activity in the sub-urban area varies from 53.67 Bq/kg to 644.12 Bq/kg. The gross beta activity concentration in the soil ranges from 388.8 Bq/kg to 40111.1 Bq/kg in the coastal region (near the sea) and ranges from 669.06 Bq/kg to13278.4 Bq/kg (150 m away from the sea). While the gross beta activity concentration in the sub-urban area varies from 1103.05 Bq/kg to 4202.12 Bq/kg. The obtained values shows soil from the sampled locations may pose some long time health hazards to the public. Statistical analysis are also performed between the soil samples.