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Comparison of thoron (220Rn) content and gamma radiation level in high background radiation area of Kollam district in Kerala, India

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Abstract

In order to map the thoron prone areas of the coastal region of Kollam district, a well known HBRA of south India, comparative study of radon and thoron exhalation rate was conducted. The in situ measurement of radon and thoron exhalation has been taken. These studies were correlated with the gamma radiation level. The average value of thoron exhalation is found to 5.55 ± 1.35 Bq m−2 s−1 along the coastal areas and the radon exhalation rate is found to 107.6 ± 32 Bq m−2 h−1. The value of thoron exhalation was found 12 times greater than the global values in Neendakara and Chavara region and about 6 times greater in the Alappad region.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to Board of Research in Nuclear Science, Department of Atomic Energy, Mumbai for the financial support provided to this project (No. 2013/36/10-BRNS/0686).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mar Thoma College, Thiruvalla, Kerala, India

    M. Midhun, Samuel Mathew & R. S. Rejith

  2. Fatima Mata National College, Kollam, Kerala, India

    P. J. Jojo

  3. Radiological Physics and Advisory Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Center, Mumbai, India

    B. K. Sahoo

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  1. M. Midhun
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  2. Samuel Mathew
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  3. R. S. Rejith
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  4. P. J. Jojo
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  5. B. K. Sahoo
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Correspondence to Samuel Mathew.

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Midhun, M., Mathew, S., Rejith, R.S. et al. Comparison of thoron (220Rn) content and gamma radiation level in high background radiation area of Kollam district in Kerala, India. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 314, 177–185 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-017-5378-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-017-5378-8

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