Natural Radioactivity Levels in Sediment Collected in Pattani Bay Pattani Province, Thailand
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Abstract
This research aimed to measure radioactivity levels in marine sediment collected in some areas of Pattani Bay and compare with world average values of those in soil reported by UNSCEAR (2008). Sediment samples were collected from 7 sites along the seashore of Pattani Bay, Pattani province during the summer and rainy seasons. Radioactivity was analysed using gamma spectrometer with a high purity germanium detector (HPGe) using IAEA Soil 6 as a reference material. The detected radionuclides were related to the naturally occurring isotopes 40K, 238U and 232Th. The average values of specific actives of 40K, 238U and 232Th are: 803.29 ± 107.16, 59.93 ± 16.13 and 79.47 ± 12.44 Bq/kg, respectively (summer season), and 648.78 ± 212.46, 44.42 ± 20.42 and 66.20 ± 30.16 Bq/kg, respectively (rainy season). It was found that, their hazard indices were higher than the UNSCEAR (2008)’s reported values of 412, 35 and 45 Bq/kg for 40K, 238U and 232Th, respectively. However, the values of hazard index of natural radionuclides in sediment samples were found at the normal level.
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