SSRG International Journal of Agriculture & Environmental Science (SSRG-IJAES)–volume 4 Issue 2 March to April 2017

Estimation of Activity Concentration of Uranium and Thorium Using Gross Alpha and Gross Beta in Agricultural Soils in District S.Sindhu*, M.Sheela Udhaya Roselin, G.Shanthi.

Department of Physics and Research Centre, Women’s Christian College, Nagercoil, , India, 629001.

Abstract materials, such as 40K, 238U, 232Th radio nuclides are of great interest. Soil radionuclide activity concentration is one of the Natural radioactivity originates from extraterrestrial sources. main determinants of the natural background radiation [1].When Radioactivity concentration is one of the main determinants of rocks are disintegrated through natural process ,radio nuclides the natural background radiation. In this study the radioactivity are carried to soil by rain and flows,[2]. The high radiation concentrations of different agricultural soil samples were levels are due to the presence of large quantities of naturally determined the gross alpha and gross beta activity occurring radioactive minerals in the rocks, soils, water, etc., to concentrations were measured by using an alpha counter and some extent due to the cosmic ray latitude effect, and residual low beta counter. The gross alpha and beta activity were ranged radioactivity from fallout of nuclear bomb explosions including from 585.73Bq/kg to BDL and 2570.703Bq/kg to142.82Bq/kg nuclear reactor leaks. Significant natural radionuclide in soil .The gross alpha activity maximum at Arasamoodu Spinach soil which is directly relevant to the outdoor exposure is largely (585.73Bq/kg) while it s minimum at Thotiyodu spinach soil determined by the activity concentration in the source rock (BDL) and The gross beta activity maximum at Arasamoodu [3].The natural radioactivity of soil sample is usually Spinach agricultural farms (2570.703Bq/kg) while it s minimum determined from 226Ra, 232Th and 40K .The concentrations of at Arasamoodu agricultural farms (142.82Bq/kg). The natural radioactivity is usually important for the purpose of Thorium and Uranium concentration were also calculated by establishing baseline data for future radiation impact using gross alpha and gross beta activities. assessment, radiation protection and exploration [4]. Natural Key words: gross alpha, gross beta, agricultural soils background radiation comes from three primary sources: cosmic radiation , terrestrial sources ,and radon. The worldwide average I. Introduction background dose for a human being is about 2.4 mGy/Year. This exposure is mostly from cosmic radiation and natural Terrestrial radiation varies from place to place isotopes in the Earth. The terrestrial radiation varies from place depending upon the variation of radionuclide concentration to place , which depends on geological environment, type of originates in soil. The largest proportion of human exposure to living accommodation and elevation above the sea level . radiation comes from natural sources of external radiation Naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) are always including cosmic and terrestrial radiation and from inhalation or having been part of our world since its exits. The main ingestion of natural radioactive nuclides. Existing in terrestrial radioactive materials in NORM are long lived radio nuclides

ISSN: 2394-2568 www.internationaljournalssrg.org Page 28 SSRG International Journal of Agriculture & Environmental Science (SSRG-IJAES)–volume 4 Issue 2 March to April 2017 such as 238U, 235U, 232Th, and 40K [5]. The main sources of II. Study area: phosphorus for fertilizers and the primary material for the The area for the investigation under this project work is production of phosphate products are products are phosphate the agricultural soils. All these areas come under Kanyakumari rocks. Fertilizers are generally used in improving the properties District. of crops and in improving the properties of crops and in III. Experimental Techniques reclaiming land. Phosphate fertilizers contain elevated natural Zinc Sulphide Scintillation Detector uranium and its decay products [6]. The concentrations of An alpha counting system comprises of an alpha probe natural radioactivity is usually important for the purpose of and counting electronics system includes high voltage supply to establishing baseline data for future radiation impact probe, a preamplifier, an amplifier, timer and scalar. The assessment, radiation protection and exploration[7].Agricultural counter model SP 647A was used for the measurement. The soils are of special concern because they expose a direct threat PMT and crystal are placed n a light tight steel housing. So as to to human and environmental health .Monitoring of radioactivity have very low background and have an efficiency of about in the environment is important for human and environmental 31.07%. The standard source Am-241 was used for detector protection and provides a baseline of environmental calibrations. radioactivity levels.[8].( Potassium-40, uranium-238, and thorium-232 and their decay products are important natural Low Beta Counter elements that contribute to a large part of the radiation dose received by humans; thus far, approximately 60 abundantly The Counters consists of two or three G.M counters. distributed radionuclides have been identified. Radionuclides The counters have a silver or gold foil window through which are encountered in terrestrial strata (soil or rocks) or lakes and the beta particles travels and reach the gas chamber with water bodies (ocean, sea, or lakes) and can be easily isopropyl alcohol vapors and ionize the medium. The counter 40 accumulated into the food chain). Measurement of natural model BCS36A was used for this study. The standard source K radioactivity in rocks and soils is very important to determine was used and the corresponding efficiency of the counter was and monitor the amount of change of the natural background about 38.16%. activity with time for environmental protection [9]. About 60mg of the soil sample from each site was The objective of the present study is to measure the crushed into fine powder using agate motor and spread as a fine gross alpha and gross beta activity using the alpha scintillation layer Aluminum planchet and its gross alpha activity was counter and low beta counter respectively also. And to estimate measured using alpha scintillation counter with ZnS (Ag) the activity concentration of Thorium and Uranium from gross detector. Gross beta activity was measured using low beta alpha and beta activity. counting system of 2.5cpm background (ECIL model/K2700B). The soil samples were dried and then remove all attached sand and dust particles. About 60mg of the soil sample from each site was crushed into fine powder using agate motor and spread as a fine layer Aluminum planchet and its gross

ISSN: 2394-2568 www.internationaljournalssrg.org Page 29 SSRG International Journal of Agriculture & Environmental Science (SSRG-IJAES)–volume 4 Issue 2 March to April 2017 alpha gross beta activity were measured using alpha and low The gross alpha activity of the soil sample beta counter respectively. collected from near Coconut tree in Kanyakumari district is shown in Table 1. It shows that the gross alpha activity 3.2. Estimation of Thorium and Uranium from gross alpha maximum in Paraicodu surface soil sample 319.49 Bq/kg and and gross beta activity the minimum value of gross alpha activity is Arasamoodu, In monazite the concentration of Thorium (9%) and Veeyanoor, surface soil samples 212.99 Bq/kg. Uranium is (0.30%). The specific activity of Uranium is 3 times TABLE II: ACTIVITY CONCENTRATION OF THORIUM AND higher than that of the Thorium, the activity wise ratio of Th: U URANIUM FROM GROSS ALPHA ACTIVITY IN BANANA TREE SOIL SAMPLES in monazite can be taken as 10:1. Further, disintegration of one atom of Thorium results in the emission of 6s an 4s and Gross Alpha Thorium Uranium disintegration of one U atom results in the emission of 8a and Location Activity (Bq/kg) (Bq/kg) 6s. the total number of disintegration from U nuclides also can (Bq/kg) be obtained by dividing the corresponding number of  ray by Arasamoodu 212.99 32.27 2.42 8.[10] Kumarakoil 53.25 8.06 0.605 4. Results and discussions Paraicodu 212.99 32.27 2.42 TABLE I: ACTIVITY CONCENTRATION OF THORIUM AND Veeyanoor 372.74 56.48 4.24 URANIUM FROM GROSS ALPHA ACTIVITY IN COCONUT TREE SOIL SAMPLE Activity concentration of Thorium & uranium Of Banana soil sample from Gross Alpha activity Gross Alpha Thorium Uranium 400 Gross Alpha Location Activity activity (Bq/kg) (Bq/kg) 350 Bq/Kg (Bq/kg) 300 250 Thorium Arasamoodu 212.99 32.27 2.42 200 Bq/Kg 150

Madichel 266.24 40..34 3.03 Bq/kg 100 Uranium Paraicodu 319.49 48.41 3.63 50 Bq/Kg Veeyanoor 212.99 32.27 2.42 0 Activity Concentration Activity Arazamoodu Kumarakovil Paraicodu Veeyanoor Location

Activity concentration of Thorium & Uranium of Coconut soil samples from Gross Alpha activity Fig.2 350 300 The gross alpha activity of the soil sample collected 250 Gross Alpha activity 200 Bq/Kg from near Banana tree in Kanyakumari district is shown in 150 100 Thorium Bq/Kg Table 2. It shows that the gross alpha activity maximum in 50

Bq/kg Bq/kg 0 Veeyanoor soil sample 372.73 Bq/kg and the minimum value of Uranium Bq/Kg gross alpha activity is Kumarakoil, soil sample 53.25 Bq/kg.

Activity concentration Activity Location Fig.1

ISSN: 2394-2568 www.internationaljournalssrg.org Page 30 SSRG International Journal of Agriculture & Environmental Science (SSRG-IJAES)–volume 4 Issue 2 March to April 2017

Activity concentration of Thorium & Uranium of Tapioca soil samples From Gross Alpha activity 300 TABLE III: ACTIVITY CONCENTRATION OF THORIUM AND 250 Gross Alpha 200 URANIUM FROM GROSS ALPHA ACTIVITY IN SPINACH SOIL activity Bq/Kg 150 SAMPLES Bq/Kg 100 Thorium 50 Bq/Kg

Gross 0 Uranium Activity concentration Activity Alamparai Melapallam Thottiyodu Veeyanoor Bq/Kg Alpha Thorium Uranium Location Location Activity (Bq/kg) (Bq/kg)

(Bq/kg) Fig.4

Alamparai 585.73 88.75 6.66 The gross alpha activity of the soil sample collected from near

Arasamoodu 585.73 88.75 6.66 Tapioca soil in Kanyakumari district is shown in Table 4. It

Veeyanoor 106.69 16.16 1.21 shows that the gross alpha activity is maximum in Melapallam,

Thotiyodu BDL BDL BDL Thotiyodu, Veeyanoor, soil sample 266.24 Bq/kg and the

minimum value of gross alpha activity is Alamparai soil sample

Activity concentration of Thorium & Uranium Of 212.99 Bq/kg. Spinach soil samples from Gross Alpha activity TABLE V: ACTIVITY CONCENTRATION OF THORIUM AND 700 URANIUM FROM GROSS ALPHA ACTIVITY INDRUMSTICK TREE 600 Gross Alpha 500 activity Bq/Kg SOIL SAMPLES 400 300 Thorium Bq/Kg Gross 200 100 Uranium Bq/Kg Alpha Thorium Uranium 0 Location Activity (Bq/kg) (Bq/kg) (Bq/kg) Activity concentration Activity Bq/kg Location Fig.3 Alamparai 212.99 32.27 2.42 The gross alpha activity of the soil sample collected from Kalluvilai BDL BDL BDL spinach in Kanyakumari district is shown in Table 3. It Thiruthuvapuram 159.74 26.62 1.81 shows that the gross alpha activity maximum in Alamparai, Madichel 159.74 26.62 1.81 Arasamoodu soil samples 585.72 Bq/kg and the minimum Activity concentration of Thorium &Uranium of value of gross alpha activity is Thotiyodu soil samples Drumstick soil samples from Gross Alpha Activity 250 BDL. 200 Gross Alpha Table IV: Activity concentration of Thorium and Uranium from Gross 150 activity Bq/Kg Alpha Activity in Tapioca (Tuber) soil sample 100 Thorium 50 Bq/Kg

Bq/kg) ( 0 Uranium Gross Alpha Bq/Kg Thorium Uranium Concentration Activity Location Activity Location (Bq/kg) (Bq/kg) (Bq/kg) Fig.5 Alamparai 212.99 32.27 2.42 Melapallam 266.24 40.39 3.03 Thotiyodu 266.24 40.39 3.03 Veeyanoor 266.24 40.39 3.03

ISSN: 2394-2568 www.internationaljournalssrg.org Page 31 SSRG International Journal of Agriculture & Environmental Science (SSRG-IJAES)–volume 4 Issue 2 March to April 2017 The gross alpha activity of the soil sample collected from near TABLE VII: ACTIVITY CONCENTRATION OF THORIUM AND Drumstick plant in Kanyakumari district is shown in Table 5. It URANIUM FROM GROSS BETA ACTIVITY IN COCONUT TREE SOIL SAMPLES shows that the gross alpha activity maximum in Alamparai, soil sample 212.99 Bq/kg and the minimum value of gross alpha Gross Beta activity is Kalluvilai soil sample BDL. Thorium Uranium Location Activity TABLE VI: ACTIVITY CONCENTRATION OF THORIUM AND (Bq/kg) (Bq/kg) URANIUM FROM GROSS ALPHA ACTIVITY IN PAPAYA TREE SOIL (Bq/kg) SAMPLES Arasamoodu 142.82 32.45 2.16

Madichel 2035.14 462.53 30.84

Gross Paraicodu 1856.62 421.96 28.13 Alpha Thorium Uranium Location Veeyanoor 749.79 170.41 11.36 Activity (Bq/kg) (Bq/kg) (Bq/kg) Alamparai 266.24 40.34 3.03 Activity concentration of Thorium &Uranium of Coconut 2500 Tree soil samples of Gross Beta Activity Thiruthuvapuram 266.24 40.34 3.03 2000 Gross beta 1500 Madichel 266.24 40.34 3.03 activity Bq/Kg

(Bq/kg) 1000 Thorium Bq/Kg Arasamoodu 479.23 72.61 5.45 500 0 concentration Activity Uranium Bq/Kg Arazamoodu Madichel Paraicodu Veeyanoor Location Activity concentration of Thorium & Uranium of Papaya soil samples from Gross Alpha activity 600 Gross Alpha Fig .7 500 activity 400 Bq/Kg The gross beta activity of the soil sample collected from near 300 Thorium 200 Bq/Kg Coconut tree in Kanyakumari district is shown in Table 7. It can 100 Bq/kg Uranium be seen that the gross beta activity is maximum in Madichel soil 0 Bq/Kg with the value of 2035.14 Bq/kg and the gross beta activity is

Activity Concentration Concentration Activity minimum 142.82 Bq/kg has been recorded in Arasamoodu soil. Location By comparing table1&7 the beta activity of the soil collected Fig.6 from the surface is higher than the alpha activity. The content of The gross alpha activity of the soil sample collected from near Uranium is very lower than that of the Thorium. Papaya tree in Kanyakumari district is shown in Table 6. It TABLE VIII: ACTIVITY CONCENTRATION OF THORIUM AND shows that the gross alpha activity maximum in Arasamoodu URANIUM FROM GROSS BETA ACTIVITY IN BANANA TREE SOIL soil sample 479.23 Bq/kg and the minimum value of gross alpha Gross Beta Thorium Uranium activity is Alamparai, Thiruthuvapuram, Madichel soil samples Location Activity Bq/Kg Bq/Kg 266.24 Bq/kg. Bq/Kg

Arasamoodu 1999.43 454.42 30.29

Kumarakoil 499.86 113.60 7.57

Paraicodu 2035.37 462.58 30.84 Veeyanoor 999.72 227.21 15.15

ISSN: 2394-2568 www.internationaljournalssrg.org Page 32 SSRG International Journal of Agriculture & Environmental Science (SSRG-IJAES)–volume 4 Issue 2 March to April 2017

SAMPLES Activity Concentration of Thorium &Uranium of

3000 Spinach soil samples from Gross Beta Activity 2500 Activity concentration of Thorium & Uranium of Banana 2000 soil samples from Gross Beta Activity 1500 Gross beta activity Bq/kg 2500 1000 500 Thorium Bq/kg Gross beta activity Bq/kg 2000 Bq/Kg 0 Uranium Bq/kg

1500 Activity concentration concentration Activity 1000 Thorium Bq/Kg Location 500 Fig.9 0 Uranium Bq/Kg Activity concentration( Activity Bq/Kg) Arazamoodu Kumarakovil Paraicodu Veeyanoor The gross beta activity of the soil sample collected

Location from near Spinach in Kanyakumari district is shown in Table 9. It can be seen that the gross beta activity is maximum in Fig.8 Melapallam soil with the value of 1856.62 Bq/kg and the gross The gross beta activity of the soil sample collected from beta activity is minimum 928.31 Bq/kg has been recorded in near Banana tree in Kanyakumari district is shown in Table 8. It Alamparai soil. can be seen that the gross beta activity is maximum in Paraicodu By comparing table3&9 the beta activity of the soil soil with the value of 2035.37 Bq/kg and the gross beta activity collected from the surface is higher than the alpha activity. The is minimum 499.86 Bq/kg has been recorded in Kumarakoil content of Uranium is very lower than that of the Thorium. soil. TABLE X: ACTIVITY CONCENTRATION OF THORIUM AND By comparing table2&8 the beta activity of the soil URANIUM FROM GROSS BETA ACTIVITY IN TAPIOCA SOIL collected from the surface is higher than the alpha activity. The SAMPLES content of Uranium is very lower than that of the Thorium. Gross Beta TABLE IX: ACTIVITY CONCENTRATION OF THORIUM AND Thorium Uranium Location Activity URANIUM FROM GROSS BETA ACTIVITY INSPINACH SOIL (Bq/kg) (Bq/kg) SAMPLES (Bq/kg) Alamparai 1178.24 267.78 17.85 Gross Beta Thorium Uranium Arasamoodu 2570.70 584.25 38.95 Location Activity (Bq/kg) (Bq/kg) Veeyanoor 2142.25 486.88 32.46 (Bq/kg) Thotiyodu 1928.03 438.19 29.21 Alamparai 928.31 210.98 14.07

Melapallam 1856.62 421.96 28.13 Thotiyodu 1213.94 275.89 18.39 Activity concentration of Thorium & Uranium of Tapioca 2000 soil samples from Gross Beta Activity Gross beta Veeyanoor 1213.94 275.89 18.39 activity 1500 Bq/Kg

1000 Thorium Bq/kg)

Activity Bq/Kg 500 Concentration( Uranium 0 Bq/Kg Alamparai Melapallam Thottiyodu Veeyanoor Location Fig.10

ISSN: 2394-2568 www.internationaljournalssrg.org Page 33 SSRG International Journal of Agriculture & Environmental Science (SSRG-IJAES)–volume 4 Issue 2 March to April 2017 The gross beta activity of the soil sample collected from the gross beta activity is minimum 1392.46 Bq/kg has been near Tapioca soil in Kanyakumari district is shown in Table 10. recorded in Alamparai soil. It can be seen that the gross beta activity maximum in By comparing table 5&11 the beta activity of the soil Arasamoodu soil with the value of 2570.70 Bq/kg and the gross collected from the surface is higher than the alpha activity. The beta activity is minimum 1178.24 Bq/kg has been recorded in content of Uranium is very lower than that of the Thorium. Alamparai soil. By comparing table 4&10 the beta activity of the soil TABLE XII: ACTIVITY CONCENTRATION OF THORIUM AND URANIUM FROM GROSS BETA ACTIVITY IN PAPAYA TREE SOIL collected from the surface is higher than the alpha activity. The SAMPLES content of Uranium is very lower than that of the Thorium. Gross Beta TABLE XI: ACTIVITY CONCENTRATION OF THORIUM AND Thorium Uranium Location Activity URANIUM FROM GROSS BETA ACTIVITY IN DRUMSTICK TREE IN (Bq/kg) (Bq/kg) (Bq/kg) SOIL SAMPLES Alamparai 1071.13 243.44 16.23 Gross Beta Thorium Uranium Thiruthuvapuram 1642.39 373.27 24.88 Location Activity (Bq/kg) (Bq/kg) Madichel 2070.84 470.65 31.38 (Bq/kg) Arasamoodu 1963.73 446.30 29.75 Alamparai 1392.46 316.47 21.09 Kalluvilai 1532.28 348.25 23.22

Thiruthuvapuram 2142.25 486.88 32.46 Activity concentration of Thorium & Uranium Of Papaya Tree soil samples from Gross Beta activity Madichel 2534.99 576.13 38.41 2500 2000

Gross beta 1500 activity Bq/Kg Activity concentration of Thorium & Uranium of 1000 Drumstick Tree soil samples from gross Beta Activity Thorium Bq/Kg 500 3000 0 Uranium Bq/Kg 2500 Gross beta

activity Concentration/kg Activity 2000 Bq/Kg 1500 1000 Thorium Bq/Kg 500 Location 0 Uranium Fig.12 Bq/Kg Activity Concentration Activity (Bq/kg) The gross beta activity of the soil sample collected from near papaya tree in Kanyakumari district is shown in Table Location 12. It can be seen that the gross beta activity is maximum in Fig. 11 The gross beta activity of the soil sample collected Madichel soil with the value of 2070.84 Bq/kg and the gross from near Drumstick tree soil in Kanyakumari district is shown beta activity is minimum 1071.13 Bq/kg has been recorded in in Table 11. It can be seen that the gross beta activity is Alamparai soil. maximum in Madichel soil with the value of 2534.99 Bq/kg and

ISSN: 2394-2568 www.internationaljournalssrg.org Page 34 SSRG International Journal of Agriculture & Environmental Science (SSRG-IJAES)–volume 4 Issue 2 March to April 2017 By comparing table 6&12 the beta activity of the soil  The gross alpha activity of the near Drumstick collected from the surface is higher than the alpha activity. The tree soil samples were higher in Alamparai (212.99 content of Uranium is very lower than that of the Thorium. Bq/kg) and lower in Kalluvilai (BDL). The gross Conclusion beta activity of the Drumstick Tree soil sample is higher in Madichel (2534.99 Bq/kg) and lower in  The present study is to calculate the activity Alamparai (1392.46 Bq/kg). concentration of the radio nuclides such as  The gross alpha activity of the near Papaya tree Thorium, and Uranium in Agricultural soils in soil samples were higher in Arasamoodu (479.23 Kanyakumari District. Bq/kg) and lower in Alamparai, Thiruthuvapuram  From the gross alpha activity of the soil sample and Madichel (266.24 Bq/kg). The gross beta collected from agricultural places of Kanyakumari activity of the papaya soil sample is higher in District. It can seen that the gross alpha activity Madichel (2070.84Bq/kg) and lower in Alamparai near coconut tree soil samples were higher in (1071.13 Bq/kg). Paraicodu (319.49 Bq/kg), and concentration is lower in Arazamoodu, Veeyanoor surface soil References: (212.99 Bq/kg). The gross beta activity of the soil [1] K.Al-Jundi,B.A.Al-Bataina,Y.Abu-Rukah,H.M.Shhadeh, Natural radioactivity concentrations in soil samples along the Amman Aqaba Highway, sample is higher in Madichel (2035.14 Bq/kg) and Jordan, Radiat. Meas. 36, 555-560. 2003. [2] H.M.Taskin, P. Karavus, A. Ay, S. Touzogh, Hindiroglu, and G.Karaham, lower in Arazamoodu (142.82 Bq/kg). (2009), Radionuclide concentration in soil and lifetime cancer risk due to the gamma radioactivity in Kirklareli, Turkey. Journal of environmental  The gross alpha activity of the near Banana tree radioactivity, 100, pp.49-53.2009. [3] International symposium on areas of high natural radioactivity, in: soil samples were higher in Veeyanoor (372.74 T.L.Cullen. E. Penna Franca (Eds), Proceedings of the symposium published by Academica Brasileira de cienelas RJ, Procos da Calgdes, Brazil, June16-20, Bq/kg) and lower in Kumarakoil (53.25 Bq/kg). 1975, 1977. The gross beta activity of the soil sample is higher [4] M.Sohrabi,Recent radiological study of high level natural radiation areas of Ramsar, In: Proceeding of international conference Ramsar,3(7) pp: 39-47,1990 in Paraicodu (2035.37 Bq/kg) and lower in [5] R.L.Kathren, NORM sources and their origins. Appl. Radiat. Isot. 49, 149- 168.1988. Kumarakoil (499.86 Bq/kg). [6] M.Bolca, M.Sac,B.Cokuysal, T.Karalı, and E. Ekdal, Radioactivity in soils and various foodstuffs from the Gediz River Basin of Turkey. Radiat Meas. 42,  The gross alpha activity of the near Spinach soil 263-270. 2007. [7] Laura Guidotti,Franca Carini,Riccardo Rossi,Marina Gatti,Roberto samples is higher in Alampari, Arazamoodu M.Cenci, Gian Maria Beone:Gamma Spectroscopic measurement of radioactivity in agricultural soil of the Lombardia region ,northern (585.73 Bq/kg) and lower in Thottiyodu (BDL). Italy.142(2015) 36-44. [8] B. Skwarzec and L. Falkowski, “Accumulation of 210Po in Baltic The gross beta activity of the soil sample is higher invertebrates,” Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 99– 109, 1988. in Arazamoodu (2570.70 Bq/kg) and lower in [9] A.Najam Laith ,M. AL-Jomaily Firas ,M. ALFarhaEnas , Natural Alamparai (1178.24 Bq/kg). radioactivity levels of limestone rocks in northern Iraq using gamma spectroscopy and nuclear track detector, J Radioanal Nucl Chem . 289:709 -  The gross alpha activity of near Tapioca soil 715. 2011. [10] A.TRamli, A.Wahab,M.A Hussein,A.A. Khalikwood, Enviromental 238 U samples is higher in Melapallam, Thottiyodu, and and 232 Th concentration measurements in an area of high level natural background radiation at palong, Johor, Malaysia.J. Environ. Radioact.80.287- Veeyanoor (266.24 Bq/kg) and lower in Alamparai 275.2005 (212.99 Bq/kg). The beta activity of the soil sample is higher in (1856.62 Bq/kg) and lower in Alamparai (928.31 Bq/kg).

ISSN: 2394-2568 www.internationaljournalssrg.org Page 35