URANIUM QUANTIFICATION IN GROUNDWATER AND HEALTH RISK FROM ITS INGESTION IN AND AROUND TIRUVANNAMALAI, TAMIL NADU, INDIA.

The aim of this study is to assess the degree of contamination in drinking water sources around the holy mountain "Arunachala" in Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu. Drinking water samples from 20 different sites were collected, and their physio-chemical parameters, pH, electrical conductivity and total dissolved solvents were determined. An LED fluorimeter was used to determine the concentration of uranium in these samples. As consumption of contaminated drinking water involves both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk, excess cancer risk; life-time average daily dose; hazard quotient and annual effective dose were calculated for the samples. On comparing these values with their respective maximum permissible limits, it is found that water from the aquifers around the mountain is safe to consume.

Potential ecological risk assessment in soils of Yelagiri hill, Tamil Nadu using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) technique.

Soil contamination by heavy metals is a serious concern due to their toxicity and ability to accumulate in the environment. The present work explains the assessment of heavy metal contamination in soils of Yelagiri hill, Tamilnadu using energy dispersive X-ray flurascence (EDXRF) technique. Among the determined concentration of heavy metals, the concentration of chromium (Cr-181.9 mg kg-1) for sample YS-6 is more than twice the average crustal value since possibility of anthropogenic activities. The determined metal concentrations were found in the order of Fe > K > Ca > Ti > Mn > V > Zn > Cr > Ni > Co. In order to assess the pollution status of soil, a potential contamination index (Cp), contamination factor (CF), Contamination degree (Cd), modified contamination degree (mCd), single pollution index (Pi) and nemerow pollution index (NPI) and potential ecological risk factor (Eri) were estimated to prevent the biological effects on the soil. The calculated values of potential contamination index (Cp), contamination factor (CF), Contamination degree (Cd), modified contamination degree (mCd) suggested that, soil samples are moderately contaminated by metals Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Co due to anthropogenic activities. The calculated values of potential ecological risk factor (Eri) for Cr, Ni, and Zn is less than 40. This indicates that soil samples are low in ecological risk. Similarly the calculated potential contamination index (RI) value is 26.70 for Cr; 59.96 for Ni; 18.73 for Zn which is less than 95 indicating the soil samples show low potential ecological risk index. The potential ecological risk assessment indicates that living organisms are at no risk of heavy metals.

Assessment of gamma radiation and associated radiation hazards in coastal sediments of south east coast of Tamilnadu, India with statistical approach.

Gamma spectroscopy was performed to determine the concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in sediment samples collected from Periyakalapet to Parangaipettai, East coast of Tamilnadu. The activity concentrations were determined by direct counting using a hyper pure germanium (HPGe) detector inter phased with a multi channel analyzer (MCA). The average activity concentrations of the corresponding nuclides were 30.81 Bq kg-1 for 226Ra, 85.67 Bq kg-1 for 232Th and 425.72 Bq kg-1 for 40K. The average activity concentration of 232Th and 40K are slightly higher and 226Ra is lower than world average values. The radiation hazard indices namely Radium Equivalent Activity (Raeq) Absorbed Gamma Dose Rate (DR), Annual Effective Dose Rate (HR), Representative Level Index (RLI), Annual Gonadal Dose Equivalent (AGDE), Internal Hazard Index (Hin) and External Hazard index (Hex) are calculated and compared with the previously reported data. The extracted values are comparable to the recommended values and they all fall within the safety limits. Hence harmful radiation effects are not posed to the public and tourists going to the beaches for recreation or to the fishermen involved in their activities in the area as a result of the natural radioactivity of sediments. Multivariate Statistical analyses were carried out between the parameters obtained from the radioactivity to know the existing relations and to study the spatial distribution of radionuclides.

Radioactivity and radiological hazards from a kaolin mining field in Ifonyintedo, Nigeria.

The concentrations of the radionuclides in the subsurface formation (soils and rocks) solely depend on their geological origin, which enables its variation from point to point on the Crust. Construction materials can possess elevated concentrations of radioactivity if their byproducts are mined from contaminated radionuclide sources. In this article, results of in situ measurements of radioactivity concentrations of 40K, 232Th, and 238U as well as gamma doses and radiological hazards from kaolin mining field were presented and evaluated. Eleven stations were randomly occupied in order to cover the upper axis of a kaolin mining field in Ifonyintedo. The radiometric survey was achieved using Super-Spec (RS-125), equipment capable of measuring activity concentrations and gamma doses. For each location, measurements were taken four times, while its mean and standard deviation values were estimated for better accuracy. The overall mean activity concentrations (for 40K, 232Th and 238U) and gamma dose were estimated as 93.9 Bq kg-1, 65.1 Bq kg-1, 38.2 Bq kg-1, and 59.6 nGyh-1 respectively. The estimated radiological hazards from the measured parameters showed that the overall mean concentrations of Radium Equivalent, External and Internal Hazards, Annual Effective Dose, Gamma and Alpha Indices, and Representative Level index are 138.5 Bq kg-1, 0.37 0.48, 0.29 mSvyr-1, 0.48, 0.19, and 0.97 respectively. By comparing the mean values of the activity concentrations and their radiological risks with the several world standards from the literature, kaolin deposits in Ifonyintedo are highly rich in thorium.

Data on natural radioactivity and associated radiation hazards in coastal sediment of Chennai Coast, Tamilnadu, India using gamma ray spectrometry.

This article contains data on the activity concentration of natural radionuclides in coastal sediment samples collected from Pulicat Lake to Vadanemmeli, East coast of Tamil Nadu using NaI(Tl) detector based γ-spectrometry. As marine sediments are found to be the repository of many radioactive pollutants, studied the objectives like (i) determine natural radionuclide activity concentrations in sediment samples in and around Chennai coast (ii) evaluate the radiological hazards due to natural radioactivity associated with coastal sediments and (iii) identify areas which may be radiological hazardous for the public along the study area. The average activity concentration of 238U, 232Th and 40K in the present study is lower than world median value. The radiological hazard indices such as External hazard index (Hex) and Gamma representative level index, (Iγ) were evaluated to assess radiation hazard associated with the sediments. The simulated results show sediments do not pose any significant radiation hazards due to concentration of natural radionuclides.

Data on the radiometric survey over a kaolinitic terrain in Dahomey Basin, Nigeria.

This article consists the in situ data sets of activity concentrations of radionuclides (K-40, Th-232 and U-238) and gamma radiation dose rates measured about 1 m above a kaolinitic terrain in Ifonyintedo, Dahomey Basin, SW Nigeria. Nineteen (19) data points were randomly occupied at the lower axis of the kaolin field using a hand-held detector known as Super-Spec (RS 125). At each data point, the measurements were taken four times, while their averages and standard deviations were estimated in order to ensure accuracy. The radiometric survey was carried out between December, 2017 and January, 2018. The data sets were processed and analyzed via a descriptive statistics. The data can be explored further by estimating the radiological risks to the miners on the field, and to correlate the activity concentrations of the data with the activity concentrations of the tiles that are produced from the kaolin deposits in Ifonyintedo. Furthermore, the data from this article could be compared with other data acquired over a kaolinitic terrain across the globe.

Assessing heavy metal toxicity in sediments of Chennai Coast of Tamil Nadu using Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (EDXRF) with statistical approach.

The concentration of some heavy metals: Al, Ca, K, Fe, Ti, Mg, Mn, V, Cr, Zn, Ni and Co in sediments from Pulicat Lake to Vadanemmeli along Chennai Coast, Tamil Nadu has been determined using EDXRF technique. The mean concentrations of Mg, Al, K, Ca, Ti, Fe, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, and Zn were found to be 1918, 25436, 9832, 9859, 2109, 8209, 41.58, 34.14, 160.80, 2.85. 18.79 and 29.12 mg kg-1 respectively. These mean concentrations do not exceed the world crustal average. The level of pollution attributed to heavy metals was evaluated using several pollution indicators in order to determine anthropogenically derived contaminations. Enrichment Factor (EF), Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo), Contamination Factor (CF) and Pollution Load Index (PLI) were used in evaluating the contamination status of sediments. Enrichment Factors (EF) reveal the anthropogenic sources of V, Cr, Ni and Zn Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo) results reveal that the study area is not contaminated by the heavy metals. Similar results were also obtained by using pollution load index (PLI). The results of pollution indices indicates that most of the locations were not polluted by heavy metals. Multivariate statistical analysis performed using principal components and clustering techniques were used to identify the source of the heavy metals. The result of statistical procedures indicate that heavy metals in sediments are mainly of natural origin. This study provides a relatively novel technique for identifying and mapping the distribution of metal pollutants and their sources in sediment.

Statistical assessment to magnetic susceptibility and heavy metal data for characterizing the coastal sediment of East coast of Tamilnadu, India.

A rapid urbanization and industrialization enhances the significant heavy metal pollution in the sediments of coastal area and introduced a serious threat to the human health. In the present study, concentration of heavy metals such as Al, Ti, Fe, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Zn, La, Pb, Mg, Ca, Ni, Cd and Ba are determined in sediments along Periyakalapet to Parangaipettai coastal area, Tamilnadu using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (EDXRF).These metals have more affinity to establish metallic bond with ferrous material leading to enhancement of sediment magnetic susceptibility. Hence, a magnetic susceptibility (χLF, χHF, χFD) measurement was carried for sediments by using MS2B dual frequency susceptibility meter. Multivariate statistical analysis (Pearson correlation, factor and cluster analysis) was carried out between heavy metals and magnetic susceptibility to assess the anthropogenic impact in the sediments. The study revealed that a magnetic susceptibility measurement is an inexpensive, fast, non-destructive and suitable method to identify the heavy metal pollution sources.

Data on heavy metal and magnetic relationships in coastal sediments from South East Coast of Tamilnadu, India.

In this data, the heavy metal concentration and magnetic susceptibility in coastal sediment samples collected from Periyakalapet to Parangaipettai of East Coast of Tamilnadu using Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) technique and dual frequency susceptibility meter. We aimed to (i) determine the heavy metal concentration in the sediments from Periyakalapet to Parangaipettai of East Coast of Tamilnadu (ii) assess the magnetic mineral property of sediments (iii) study the correlation between heavy metal and magnetic susceptibility. The determined heavy metal concentration found in the order of Mn> Ba > V > Cr > Zn > La > Ni >Pb> Co > As > Cd > Cu > Al > Fe >Ca> Ti > K > Mg. The magnetic susceptibility (χlf) measurements show that they vary from 5.92×10-8 m3 kg-1to 29.06×10-8 m3 kg-1 with an average of 20.39×10-8 m3 kg-1. Analysed data confirmed that magnetic susceptibility has the potential tool to indicate the heavy metal pollution sources.

Assessment of Heavy Metal Contamination in Marine Sediments of East Coast of Tamil Nadu Affected by Different Pollution Sources.

The aim of this study was to determine the concentration of heavy metals in the sediments of Periyakalapet to Parangipettai coast, east coast of Tamil Nadu, by using energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) technique. The average heavy metal concentrations in the sediment samples were found in the order Al>Fe>Ca>Ti>K>Mg>Mn>Ba>V>Cr>Zn>La>Ni>Pb>Co>Cd>Cu. The average heavy metal concentrations were below the world crustal average. The degree of contamination by heavy metals was evaluated using pollution indices. The results of pollution indices revealed that titanium (Ti) and cadmium (Cd) were significantly enriched in sediments. Pearson correlation analysis was performed among heavy metal concentrations to know the existing relationship between them. Multivariate statistical technique was employed to identify the heavy metal pollution sources.

Dataset on elemental concentration and group identification of ancient potteries from Tamil Nadu, India.

The dataset contains concentration of major and trace elements of ancient potteries from Tamilnadu and grouping different potteries from the statistical techniques of factor and cluster analysis (Figs. 2, 3 and 4). The major and trace elemental concentration data generated using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence technique (EDXRF) and factor and cluster analysis data obtained using STATISTICA (10.0 version) software. The concentration of major and trace elements determines the type of clay minerals (Calcareous/Non-Calcareous and either low or high refractory) and firing atmosphere adopted by the artisans at the time of manufacture. The statistical tool examined graphically the grouping pattern of the samples in terms of chemical composition and extract information about their provenance. The compilation of this data provides a resource for the wider research community in archeology.

Data on Heavy metal in coastal sediments from South East Coast of Tamilnadu, India using Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) Technique.

This article contains the chemical and geographical data and figures for the chemical data in sediments of East Coast (Pattipulam to Dhevanampattinam) of Tamilnadu. The obtained data are related to the research article "Heavy Metal Assessment in Sediment Samples Collected From Pattipulam to Dhevanampattinam along the East Coast of Tamil Nadu Using EDXRF Technique" (Chandramohan et al., 2016) [1]. Chemical data are collected from Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (EDXRF). Furthermore, the obtained chemical data describes it in more detail in the figures.

Assessment of Natural Radioactivity and Radiological Hazards in Brick Samples Used in Tiruvannamalali District, Tamilnadu, India, With a Statistical Approach.

The activity concentration of Ra, Th and K in brick samples used in Tiruvannamalai District of Tamilnadu has been determined using gamma ray spectrometry. The activity concentration ranges from BDL to 16.02 Bq kg, 17.86 to 120.19 Bq kg, 240.09 to 481.35 Bq kg for Ra, Th, and K, respectively. The concentration of these radionuclides is compared with reported data from other countries. The radium equivalent activity (Raeq), absorbed gamma dose rate (DR), annual effective dose rate (HR), annual gonadal dose equivalent (AGDE), criteria formula (CF), representative level index (RLI), activity utilization index (AUI), gamma index (Iγ), alpha index (Iα), the external hazard (Hex), and internal hazard (Hin) indices are calculated for the measured samples to assess the radiation hazards due to the use of these materials in the construction of dwellings. Multivariate statistical techniques (Pearson correlation, principal component analysis and cluster analysis) are used to study the relation between radionuclides and radiation hazards. The treatment of 14 radioactive variables sampled at 32 bricks by the factor and cluster analyses provided a possible interpretation of the collective data. The spatial distribution pattern of radionuclides has been depicted through the Kriging method using MapInfo software.

Spatial distribution of physico-chemical properties and function of heavy metals in soils of Yelagiri hills, Tamilnadu by energy dispersive X-ray florescence spectroscopy (EDXRF) with statistical approach.

Soil physico-chemical properties were thought to be important factors in obscuring clear identification of pollutant sources. In the present study physicochemical properties such as, pH, electrical conductivity, bulk density, porosity density, soil texture and color were determined to identify the pollution status using different conventional analytical methods in soils of Yelagiri Hills, Tamilnadu. Soil pH ranges from 5.39 to 8.43 which indicate that the soils are acidic to alkaline in nature. The concentrations of selected heavy metals were determined using energy dispersive X-ray florescence spectroscopy (EDXRF) technique. In all the locations Al is the most abundant metal and Co is the least amount in soil. The relationship between the physico-chemical properties and heavy metals were studied by Pearson correlation. The statistical technique shows that strong significant correlation among the heavy metals. The Chemometric approaches namely: principal component analyses (PCA), hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), were used for identify the soil pollutant. Spatial distribution of physico-chemical properties of soil such as pH, soil texture (sand, silt, clay) electrical conductivity was studied by geo-statistical methods such as kriging identified areas. The heavy metal mapping also attempted to know the distribution pattern in soils.

Assessments of radioactivity concentration of natural radionuclides and radiological hazard indices in sediment samples from the East coast of Tamilnadu, India with statistical approach.

This paper reports on the distribution of three natural radionuclides (238)U, (232)Th and (40)K in coastal sediments from Pattipulam to Devanampattinam along the East coast of Tamilnadu to establish baseline data for future environmental monitoring. Sediment samples were collected by a Peterson grab samples from 10m water depth parallel to the shore line. Concentration of natural radionuclides were determined using a NaI(Tl) detector based γ-spectrometry. The mean activity concentration is ⩽2.21, 14.29 and 360.23Bqkg(-1) for (238)U, (232)Th and (40)K, respectively. The average activity of (232)Th, (238)U and (40)K is lower when compared to the world average value. Radiological hazard parameters were estimated based on the activity concentrations of (238)U, (232)Th and (40)K to find out any radiation hazard associated with the sediments. The radiological hazard parameters such as radium equivalent activity (Raeq), absorbed gamma dose rates in air (DR), the annual gonadal dose equivalent (AGDE), annual effective dose equivalent (AEDE), external hazard index (Hex) internal hazard index (Hin), activity utilization index (AUI) and excess lifetime cancer (ELCR) associated with the radionuclides were calculated and compared with internationally approved values and the recommended safety limits. Pearson correlation, principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) have been applied in order to recognize and classify radiological parameters in sediments collected at 22 sites on East coast of Tamilnadu. The values of radiation hazard parameters were comparable to the world averages and below the recommended values. Therefore, coastal sediments do not to pose any significant radiological health risk to the people living in nearby areas along East coast of Tamilnadu. The data obtained in this study will serve as a baseline data in natural radionuclide concentration in sediments along the coastal East coast of Tamilnadu.

Statistical assessment of heavy metal pollution in sediments of east coast of Tamilnadu using Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (EDXRF).

The study of heavy metal pollution in coastal sediments assumes importance with respect to environmental ecology in view of the rapid industrialization and increased anthropogenic activities. The concentrations of Mg, Al, K, Ca, Ti, Fe, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni and Zn were measured in twenty sampling sites along the east coast of Tamilnadu, India by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (EDXRF). Natural background values were used to delineate their origin as geogenic or anthropogenic. To interpret and assess the contamination status for heavy metals in sediments, four metal pollution indices used such as an enrichment factor, a geo-accumulation index, a contamination factor and a pollution load index. Multivariate statistical methods were applied to identify the source of heavy metals. Heavy metal toxicity risk was assessed using sediment quality guidelines. The presented methodology was used to determine the anthropogenic origin of heavy metals in the sediment.

Assessment of natural radioactivity and function of minerals in soils of Yelagiri hills, Tamilnadu, India by Gamma Ray spectroscopic and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) techniques with statistical approach.

Gamma Ray and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic techniques were used to evaluate the natural radioactivity due to natural radionuclides and mineralogical characterization in soils of Yelagiri hills, Tamilnadu, India. Various radiological parameters were calculated to assess the radiation hazards associated with the soil. The distribution pattern of activity due to natural radionuclides is explained by Kriging method of mapping. Using FTIR spectroscopic technique the minerals such as quartz, microcline feldspar, orthoclase feldspar, kaolinite, montmorillonite, illite, and organic carbon were identified and characterized. The extinction coefficient values were calculated to know the relative distribution of major minerals such as quartz, microcline feldspar, orthoclase feldspar and kaolinite. The calculated values indicate that the amount of quartz is higher than orthoclase feldspar, microcline feldspar and much higher than kaolinite. Crystallinity index was calculated to know the crystalline nature of quartz. The result indicates that the presence of disordered crystalline quartz in soils. The relation between minerals and radioactivity was assessed by multivariate statistical analysis (Pearson's correlation and cluster analysis). The statistical analysis confirms that the clay mineral kaolinite and non-clay mineral quartz is the major factor than other major minerals to induce the important radioactivity variables and concentrations of uranium and thorium.

Multivariate statistical analysis of heavy metal concentration in soils of Yelagiri Hills, Tamilnadu, India--spectroscopical approach.

Anthropogenic activities increase the accumulation of heavy metals in the soil environment. Soil pollution significantly reduces environmental quality and affects the human health. In the present study soil samples were collected at different locations of Yelagiri Hills, Tamilnadu, India for heavy metal analysis. The samples were analyzed for twelve selected heavy metals (Mg, Al, K, Ca, Ti, Fe, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni and Zn) using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectroscopy. Heavy metals concentration in soil were investigated using enrichment factor (EF), geo-accumulation index (Igeo), contamination factor (CF) and pollution load index (PLI) to determine metal accumulation, distribution and its pollution status. Heavy metal toxicity risk was assessed using soil quality guidelines (SQGs) given by target and intervention values of Dutch soil standards. The concentration of Ni, Co, Zn, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ti, K, Al, Mg were mainly controlled by natural sources. Multivariate statistical methods such as correlation matrix, principal component analysis and cluster analysis were applied for the identification of heavy metal sources (anthropogenic/natural origin). Geo-statistical methods such as kirging identified hot spots of metal contamination in road areas influenced mainly by presence of natural rocks.

Synthesis, growth and characterisations of semi-organic nonlinear optical crystal glycine barium nitrate (GBN).

Transparent crystal of glycine barium nitrate (GBN) has been grown from aqueous solution by slow evaporation technique at room temperature. Powder XRD study reveals the crystalline nature of the grown sample. Single crystal XRD study shows that the GBN belongs to orthorhombic crystal system. FTIR spectral study confirms the presence of the functional groups in the grown crystal. The presence of wide transparency window in the UV-visible region makes GBN crystal suitable for opto-electronic device applications. The grown sample has SHG efficiency is 0.8 times that of standard KDP crystal. Dielectric studies reveal that both dielectric constant and dielectric loss decreases with increase in frequency. Photoconductivity study confirms the negative photoconducting nature of the crystal.

Spectroscopic characterization of recently excavated archaeological potsherds from Tamilnadu, India with multi-analytical approach.

A combined analytical study of potsherds excavated from different archaeological sites of Tamilnadu (Kavalapatti, Nattapuraki and Thamaraikulam villages), India are analyzed by spectroscopic techniques such as FTIR, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) coupled with Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (EDS). FTIR and XRD techniques have been attempted to characterize the mineralogical composition, firing temperature and firing conditions of the archaeological potsherds. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) is the complementary study to estimate the firing temperature from characteristic thermal reactions in potsherds under controlled firing in inert gas atmosphere. Further, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) equipped and coupled with an Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (EDS) to analyze internal morphology and chemical composition of the potsherds was used. From the results of the above techniques, the firing temperatures of potsherds were found to be greater than 650°C.