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Assessment of environmental radioactive elements in groundwater in parts of Nalgonda district, Andhra Pradesh, South India using scintillation detection methods

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Abstract

The objective of this work was to determine the radioactive element concentrations in groundwater in parts of the Nalgonda district. Results indicate that 222Rn activity is present in significant levels in deep groundwater compared to shallow groundwater and tank water. An increasing 222Rn activity trend is noticed along the well depth while electrical conductivity, uranium, and alkalinity levels showed inverse trends. Environmental tritium data indicates modern recharge to groundwater. Inter-elemental correlations suggest that high dissolved uranium is associated with high alkalinity and high electrical conductivity groundwater. The study also infers recharge sources and mechanisms to shallow and deep groundwater.

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Acknowledgments

Authors sincerely acknowledge the constant support and encouragement by Dr. K. L. Ramakumar, Group Director (RC & IG) and Dr. Gursharan Singh, Associate Director (I), Radiochemistry and Isotope Group, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai. Thanks are also due to DHAN Foundation, Tamil Nadu, Dr. U. Saravana Kumar, Head, Isotope Hydrology Section and Dr. Sapra (RPAD) of BARC for their help during the course of this study. Authors are thankful to Ms. Thivya, Earth science department, Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu for preparing location map, Mr. Sadasiva and his team, DHAN foundation, Hyderabad for help during field work. Dr. Sahayam, NCCM, BARC, Hyderabad is duly acknowledged for providing uranium analysis.

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Author notes

  1. Tirumalesh Keesari

    Present address: US Geological Survey, 345 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Isotope Applications & Radiopharmaceuticals Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai, India

    Tirumalesh Keesari & Hemant V. Mohokar

  2. Radiological Physics & Advisory Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai, India

    Bijay Kumar Sahoo

  3. DHAN Foundation, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India

    G. Mallesh

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  1. Tirumalesh Keesari
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  2. Hemant V. Mohokar
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  3. Bijay Kumar Sahoo
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  4. G. Mallesh
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Correspondence to Tirumalesh Keesari.

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Keesari, T., Mohokar, H.V., Sahoo, B.K. et al. Assessment of environmental radioactive elements in groundwater in parts of Nalgonda district, Andhra Pradesh, South India using scintillation detection methods. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 302, 1391–1398 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-014-3566-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-014-3566-3

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