Measurements of background radiation levels around Indian station Bharati, during 33rd Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica

Investigations on baseline levels for natural radioactivity in soils, rocks, and lakes of Larsemann Hills in East Antarctica

“…Table 2 presents the comparison of the average radioactivity in soil samples with respect to global average, India, and data available in literature (Navas et al, 2005;Tubertini et al 1995). In this study, radioactivity concentrations of 238 U (34 Bq/ kg), 232 Th (216 Bq/kg), and 40 K (1262 Bq/kg) around Bharati site (35th expedition) are in agreement with results of Bharati site (33rd expedition) (Bakshi et al, 2017). The mean 238 U radioactivity in Larsemann Region is found to be comparable with Indian average of 238 U (29 Bq/kg) and global average 238 U (32 Bq/kg).…”

“…Dried samples were ground, homogenized, and brought to the desired sample size as per the coning and quartering procedures suggested by Popek (Popek, 2003). The details of sample storage, counting, and calibration methodology of HPGe gamma spectroscopy system are given elsewhere (Bakshi et al, 2017).…”

“…The spectra were acquired for 100,000 s, and the photo peaks were evaluated using an MCA emulation software. Background spectrum was obtained with silica blank matrix for 100,000 s. Activities of the soil and rock samples are calculated using the formulae given in the literature (IAEA, 2004), and calculation of combined uncertainty in the measurement has been carried out following the method described earlier (Bakshi et al, 2017). From the estimated soil activity, concentration due to 238 U, 232 Th, and 40 K, terrestrial external gamma dose rate (D) in nGy/h at 1 m above the ground level was calculated using Eq.…”

“…The table also shows the calculated gamma dose rate (D) in nGy/h at 1 m above the ground level as per UNSCEAR, 2000. The gamma spectrum has already been published for soil samples in details by Bakshi et al (2017). The calculated gamma dose rates are in the range of 126 to 250 nGy/h.…”

“…The naturally occurring radionuclides including 40 K and radionuclides in the 238 U and 232 Th decay series exist in trace levels in the environment (UNSCEAR, 2000;UNSCEAR, 2008). Bakshi et al (Bakshi et al, 2017) reported the radioactivity concentrations of natural radionuclides in soil of Grovnes area near "Bharati" station, Antarctica, and observed the 238 U and 232 Th activity concentrations are about 35 Bq/kg and 228.3 Bq/kg, respectively. Their study was limited to soil collected from a limited area (1 sq.…”