Study of background radiation along the south east coast of Tamilnadu

The activity concentration of primordial radionuclides in beach rock samples of South East Coast of Tamilnadu has been estimated using gamma-ray spectrometer with an aim of establishing the background radiation level of the area. The average concentration of 232Th, 238U and 40K were found to be 104.73 Bq kg-1, 27.08 Bq kg-1 and 222.20 Bq kg-1 respectively. The average absorbed gamma dose rate due to the presence of 232Th, 238U and 40K in beach rock samples is 86 nGy h-1. These results indicate no radiological anomaly. The data presented in this study will serve as a base line survey for primordial radionuclides concentration in the rocks of the area. (author)