Journal of Environmental Biology

Studies on radionuclides ²²⁸Ra, ²³⁸U, ²²⁸Th and ⁴⁰ K in selected seaweeds

of coastal Tamil Nadu, India

Author Details

P. Mary Saroja

(Corresponding Author)

Department of Chemistry, Holy Cross College, Nagercoil- 629 004, India.

e-mail : pmarysaroja@gmail.com

G. Immanuel

Centre for Marine Science and Technology, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University,

Rajakkamangalam- 629 520,?? India.

G. Allen Gnana Raj

Department of Chemistry and Research Centre, Scott Christian College, Nagercoil - 629 003,

India.

K. Esai Selvan

Health Physics Unit, Environmental Assessment Division, Indian Rare Earths Limited,

Manavalakurichi- 629 252, India.

Publication Data

Paper received:

28 January 2011

Revised received:

03 July 2011

Accepted:

06 August 2011

Abstract

Studies on natural and anthropogenic radioactivity assume greater importance in the context of human health and development. Hence? two species of seaweeds viz: Gracilaria edulis and Ulva lactuca, from three high background radiation areas (Arockiapuram, Kadiapattinam and Kurumpanai)? on the southwest coast of Tamil Nadu, and Mandapam as low background radiation area of the southeast coast of Tamil Nadu were studied for variations in activity concentration of ²²⁸ Ra, ⁴⁰ K, ²³⁸ U and ²²⁸ Th.? Among these radionuclides, ⁴⁰K recorded significant inter-species variation while ²³⁸ U and ²²⁸ Th showed significant association. The overall mean concentration of radionuclides was found high in G.edulis (5.31, 57.49, 36.05, 356.55 Bq kg^-1 for ²²⁸ Ra, ⁴⁰K, ²³⁸U, ²²⁸ Th respectively), while the mean concentrations for U.lactuca were 4.88, 42.35, 34.40, 347.70 Bqkg^-1 for ²²⁸ Ra, ⁴⁰K, ²³⁸U, ²²⁸ Th respectively. The mean concentration of radionuclides was uniformly found low during northeast monsoon season in both the seaweed species.

Key words

Gracilaria edulis, Ulva lactuca,Seaweeds, Radionuclides, Activity concentration??

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