Environmental radioactivity in the ecosystem of Gulf of Mannar, India

The paper presents results of a preliminary study of background radiation and the distribution of natural radionuclides (210Po, 210Pb and 228Ra) in the ecosystem of Gulf of Mannar which maintains a rich biological diversity of flora and fauna. Five sampling stations were fixed along the coast. The ambient gamma levels were measured and they revealed a non-uniform radiation profile ranging from 10 - 450 uR/hr. The biological samples were subjected to analyses of 210Po, 210Pb and 228Ra. The general trend was that 210Po was concentrated to a higher degree than 210Pb and 228Ra. The soft tissues of organisms accumulated higher 210Po content while the shells and bones contained more of 210Pb and 228Ra. The results of the present study are indicative of a high natural background radiation in the coastal area of Gulf of Mannar and the need of an intensive study of the gulf. (author). 16 refs., 2 tabs., 1 fig