Specific activities and radiological hazard assessment in beach sand samples in Songkhla province, Thailand after Fukushima Dai-Ichi nuclear power plant accident in Japan

According to the Fukushima Dai-Ichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident in Japan on March 11, 2011, specific activities of natural (⁴⁰K, ²²⁶Ra and ²³²Th) and anthropogenic (¹³⁷Cs) radionuclides in 210 beach sand samples which were collected from Maharat, Sai Kaew, Samila, Chalatat, Na Thab, Sakom and Soi Sawan beaches in Songkhla Province along the eastern coast of Thailand, have been studied and evaluated. The specific activity levels of ⁴⁰K, ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ¹³⁷Cs in the area were found in the range 110.13 – 4574.12, 6.99 – 451.87, 3.75 – 665.76 and 0.58– 9.91 Bq/Kg, respectively. Furthermore, the median values of specific activities of ⁴⁰K, ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ¹³⁷Cs were calculated and compared with other research data in Thailand as well as global measurements and evaluations. Moreover, four radiological hazard indices for the studied area were also assessed by using the median values of specific activities of ⁴⁰K, ²²⁶Ra and ²³²Th. (paper)