Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

Vol.15, Issue 03, 2009; Page No.(570-576 )

A STUDY ON THE NATURALLY OCCURRING RADIONUCLIDES DISTRIBUTION IN THE PUNNAIKAYAL ESTUARY, GULF OF MANNAR, INDIA

R. Krishnamoorthy, M.K.Palaniappan, H. E. Syed Mohamed, A. Sadiq Bukhari and P.Shahul Haineed

Abstract

The presents paper discusses the distribution of Terrestrial Gamma Radiation, Primordial Radionuclides, Gross Alpha and 211"Po in the estuarine ecosystem namely Punnaikayal estuary (Gulf of Mannar) River Tamiraparani. Measurements of Terrestrial Gamma Radiation, Primordial Radionuclides, and Gross Alpha were made in sediment sample. Water, sediment and side( ted biota Nvere subjected to 2)"9)o determination. The Terrestrial Gamma radiation level in Punnaikayal estuarine were 29.3pR/ h. Primordial radionuclides levels in the Punnaikaval estuarine sediment U (586 13q/ Kg), 272Th (1473 Bq/Kg), -4"K (762 Bq/Kg). The Gross Alpha level in Punnaikaval estuarine was 73.2 In water, dissolved concentration of -th'Po was found to be 1.8 mBcpll tor l'unnaikayal estuary. Polonium-210 concentration in sediment was also significantly higher in Punniukava I estuary (8.9 8q/ Kg). samples of six different sizes grain ranging from 50 um to 911 itni %Vole SlibieCted to anal\ sis. It Was observed that particles of 900 um registered the activity between 9.7 11q.,:k,„ind 262.48\1/ kg has been registered in the particle size of 50um. The highest octi\ ity of Po-210 9.0 lq,; kg is confined to the upper layer sediment (0-5cm) and to 7.0 Bg/ kg (5 Li) m1and 5.3 (10-1:) cm) respectively The 2 'To activity in the biota fell within the range of 5.6 to 1334.1 Bg/ K. the bivalve mollusc \ lenstri casta of the estuary was identified to concentrate higher leVt'l at''''PO in their soft tissues, suggesting that it could be used as a sentinel organism for '"'Po in an e warm,' system. 1 he signitu ani is at the resti1k are discussed.

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