Soil pollution assessment in salt field area of Kelambakkam, Tamilnadu using different analytical techniques

The aim of this study is to assess the soil pollution status in the salt field area of Kelambakkam, Tamilnadu using different analytical techniques. The natural radioactivity and pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and soil texture (sand, silt, clay) are determined using gamma ray spectrometer and standard methods respectively. The pH of The pH of soil ranged from 7.2 to 8.00 indicating that the soils are alkaline in nature. The radiation gamma dose rate value in the study area is found to be lower than world average value given by UNSCEAR, 1988. The results of the present work are compared with earlier work from different parts of the countries in the World. The multivariate statistical techniques such as correlation, factor and cluster analysis were employed between radioactive and Physico-chemical variables to identify the soil pollution sources. The statistical analysis indicated that percentage of the sand and slit can alter the concentration of radionuclides. This study may be basic line work for future investigations.