Determination of natural radioactivity in coralline beach sands of Lakshadweep Islands (Kavaratti and Minicoy), India

In the current study, the level of naturally occurring radioactivity materials (NORM) in coralline sand samples collected from Minicoy and Kavaratti Islands in Lakshadweep is determined for the first time. The measurement findings will serve as a background natural radioactivity reference level for the Lakshadweep Islands. Using an HPGe (high-purity germanium) detector-based gamma spectrometer with 100% relative efficiency, analysis of the collected sand samples was carried out to determine 226 Ra, 232 Th, and 40 K concentration. The average activity concentrations of 226 Ra, 232 Th, and 40 K for Minicoy coralline sands were 1.81 ± 0.2, 1.35 ± 0.2, and 9.72 ± 1.3 Bq kg –1 and for Kavaratti 1.62 ± 0.2, 0.99 ± 0.2, and 14.33 ± 1.5 Bq kg −1 , respectively. The radioactivity concentrations were much below the prescribed limit ( 226 Ra, 33 Bq kg –1 ; 232 Th, 45 Bq kg –1 ; and 40 K, 420 Bq kg –1 ) by the global average. To calculate the dose received by the locals and visitors, various radiological hazard indices like radium equivalent activity (Ra eq ), external hazard index ( H ex ), total absorbed dose rate, and the annual effective dose equivalent (AEDE) were examined in these samples. According to the findings, all of the indices fell below the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) set worldwide average limit. As a result, the findings of the present study show that coralline beach sands from the Islands of Minicoy and Kavaratti of Lakshadweep do not have any harmful radiological effects on visitors and locals.