Radioactivity and radionuclide distributions in soils of Gogi region, a proposed uranium mining region in North Karnataka

Gogi (16° 44' 00" N, 76° 45 '00 E), a village in Shahapur taluk in Yadgiri district of Karnataka, India has been identified as a prospective uranium mining area. A preoperational study to establish baseline database on radioactivity and trace elements concentrations in different environmental matrices around the proposed uranium mining area is essential became such study would help, in future, the assessment of radiological impact of long term mining operations on the environment. Hence, a detailed study aimed at generating baseline database has been initiated. This paper presents the results of external gamma radiation dose rates measurements, distribution of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in the soil samples of Gogi region. This is perhaps the first report based on systematic studies aimed at generating baseline database on radiation levels and radionuclide distribution in Gogi region