Measurements of natural gamma radiation in beach sediments of north east coast of Tamilnadu, India by gamma ray spectrometry with multivariate statistical approach

The distribution of natural gamma ray emitting 238U, 232Th and 40K radionuclides in beach sediments along north east coast of Tamilnadu, India has been carried out using a NaI(Tl) gamma ray spectrometric technique. The total average concentrations of radionuclides 238U, 232Th, and 40K were 35.12, 713.16, and 349.60 Bq kg−1, respectively. Correlations made among these radionuclides prove the existence of secular equilibrium in the investigated sediments. The total average absorbed dose rate in the study areas is found to be 504.75 nGyh−1, whereas the annual effective dose rate has an average value of 0.62 mSvy−1. The mean activity concentrations of measured radionuclides were compared with other literature values. The ratios between the detected radioisotopes have been calculated for spatial distribution of natural radionuclides in studied area. Also the radiological hazard of the natural radionuclides content, radium equivalent activity, external hazard index of the sediment samples in the area under consideration were calculated. Multivariate Statistical analyses (Pearson Correlation, Cluster and Factor analysis) were carried out between the parameters obtained from radioactivity to know the existing relations.