Assessment of natural radiation hazards and function of heat production rate in lake sediments of Puliyanthangal Lake surrounding the Ranipet industrial area, Tamil Nadu

In this work, ²³⁸U, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K activity concentration and the associated radiological implications are determined in the lake sediments at Puliyanthangal Lake of Ranipet Industrial area, Tamil Nadu using gamma ray spectrometry. From obtained results, activity concentration of radionuclides increases in the order of ²³²Th < ²³⁸U < ⁴0K in lake and the absorbed dose rate (D_R) is varied from 59 to 177 nGyh^-1 with an average of 95 nGyh^-1, which is slightly higher than the world average value of 84 nGyh^-1. The terrestrial heat flow associated with lake sediment also calculated and its correlation with radiological parameters was studied using correlation analysis. (author)