Spatial distribution and accumulation of 226Ra, 228Ra, 40K and 137Cs in bottom sediments of Mumbai Harbour Bay

• Published in: Journal of radioanalytical and nuclear chemistry Vol. 295; no. 2; pp. 835 - 839
• Main Authors: Kumar, Ajay, Karpe, Rupali, Rout, Sabyasachi, Joshi, Vikram, Singhal, Rakesh Kumar, Ravi, Pazhayath Mana
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01-02-2013
• Subjects: Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Diagnostic Radiology; Hadrons; Harbors; Harbours; Heavy Ions; Inorganic Chemistry; Mumbai; Nuclear Chemistry; Nuclear Physics; Physical Chemistry; Sediments; Solubility; Spatial distribution; Surface chemistry; Bottom sediments; Particle size distribution; Correlation analysis; Gamma spectroscopy; Natural and anthropogenic radionuclides; Minerals composition
• ISSN: 0236-5731; 1588-2780
• DOI: 10.1007/s10967-012-2166-3

The present work shows the activity levels of
226
Ra,
228
Ra,
40
K and
137
Cs in bottom sediments collected from eight locations of Mumbai Harbour Bay. The study has shown that
40
K and
228
Ra concentration is nearly uniform throughout the studied area while
226
Ra and
137
Cs are more concentrated in the southern regions of the bay. The significant variation in the activity levels of radionuclides within the study site might be due to their sorption/desorption processes onto the surface of sediment materials. The low mean value of
226
Ra/
228
Ra ratio (0.72) in the sediments indicates that
238
U has relatively greater solubility and mobility than
232
Th. Similarly, low activity ratio (0.18) for
137
Cs/
40
K reflects the presence of very high content of
40
K in sediment due to presence of primary minerals in sediment. Silt and clay were reported to dominate the composition of the sediment. A significant positive correlation between
226
Ra and
228
Ra and
137
Cs and
40
K suggest a similar origin of their geochemical sources and identical behavior during transport in the sediment system.