Science Journal of Physics
April 2012, Volume 2012, ISSN:2276-6367
© Author(s) 2012. This work is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
Research Article
Radiation hazards due to terrestrial radionuclides at the coastal area of Ship Breaking Industries, Sitakunda, Bangladesh
Author: 1Rahman M. M., 1Islam A. T., 2Kamal M., 2Chowdhury M. I.,
1Department of Physics, University of Chittagong, Chittagong-4331, Bangladesh
2Radioactivity Testing and Monitoring Laboratory, Bangladesh Atomic Energy
Commission, Chittagong-4203, Bangladesh
Accepted 1 April 2012; Available Online 5 April 2012
doi: 10.7237/sjp/211
Abstract:
One of the largest ship braking facilities in the world is situated in the sea shore along the Sitakunda coast line, Bangaldesh. So, this coastal region of the Bay of Bengal plays a vital role in the socio-economic development of poverty-stricken country Bangladesh. For the assessment of radiation risks due to terrestrial radionuclides in this coast, shore sediment was analyzed by a high quality gamma spectrometer. 238U, 232Th and 40K radionuclides were found to have specific activity 30.93 Bq/kg, 61.65 Bq/kg and 467.8Bq/kg, respectively, on average. These observed values were higher than the world accepted value. So, Sitakunda coastal region emerged as to possess the high natural background radiation. Observation of higher activity for 40K might have a link to the scraping of vessels of food stuffs. Strong correlated distribution 238U and 232Th indicated the abundance of monazite mineral in this coastal area. Atmospheric fallout of 137Cs was negligible.
Keyword:Gamma spectrometry, 232Th, 238U, 40K, Sediment, Monazite, Sitakunda,