Horizontal and vertical characterization of radionuclides and minerals in river sediments

The natural radionuclide (238U, 232Th and 40K) contents and mineral characteristics have been analyzed for the different depth sediment samples of Ponnaiyar River with an aim of evaluating the radiation hazard and its relation to specific minerals. To know the complete radiological characteristics, the radiological indices have been calculated and compared with recommended values. In an FTIR study, the extinction coefficient and crystallinity index is calculated to find the relative distribution of major minerals and the crystallinity of quartz, respectively. Both horizontal and vertical distributions of radionuclides and major minerals are studied. Multivariate statistical analyses (cluster and factor) were carried out to determine the relationship between the radioactivity and the minerals. Statistical analyses suggest that the kaolinite is the major mineral to increase the level of radioactivity in the river sediments.