Correlation and statistical analysis between natural radioactivity and hazards in rocks from Kolar taluk, Karnataka

Abstract

Naturally occurring radionuclides rocks are one of the possible sources of indoor and outdoor radiation. Samples were taken from Kolar taluk in Karnataka in order to evaluate the radioactive hazards and natural radioactivity levels in those samples. The activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K in these samples were determined using NaI(Tl) gamma ray spectroscopy. The measured ranged from 5.05 to 171.43 (Bq kg^-1); 5.04 to 274.64 (Bq kg^-1); 287.23 to 2603.45 (Bq kg^-1) for ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K. In this study, the yearly effective radiation dosage, air absorbed gamma radiation dose rate, and hazard index (H_in, H_ex), gamma index, activity utilization index, annual gonald dose equivalent were estimated. The study’s demonstrate that potassium (⁴⁰K), a naturally occurring radionuclide, is higher than radium and thorium. The levels of the computed radionuclides were compared to other places in Karnataka and world average value. The relationship between radionuclides was examined using correlation and statistical methods, radiation parameters were also computed. Information on background radioactivity levels and the impacts of radiation on locals in the research area under inquiry is what this study aims to deliver.