Behavior of Natural Radionuclides, Radiological Hazard Parameters, and Magnetic Minerals in Rock Samples of Kolli Hills, Eastern Ghats, India

Abstract

The natural radionuclide (238U, 232Th, and 40K) content of the 15 rock samples collected from Kolli hills along the Eastern Ghats, India, has been analyzed using a 4″ × 4″ NaI (Tl) scintillation detector-based gamma-ray spectrometer. The activity concentrations of 238U, 232Th, and 40K were between 12.97–49.89, 6.4–27.05, and 51.85–95.84 Bq kg−1, respectively. To understand the entire radiological characteristics of the collected samples, the various radiological hazard parameters have been calculated and were compared with the global recommended mean values. From the magnetic studies, values of χ ranged from 33.1 to 510.7 × 10−8 m3 kg−1. Moreover, in rock samples of Kolli hills, ferrimagnetic minerals are found to be the main magnetic carrier. Statistical analyses were performed to study the relation between the natural radionuclides, radiological hazard parameters, and magnetic minerals. The results of Pearson’s correlation analysis shows that 238U and 232Th strongly correlate with the radiological hazard parameters, and a poor correlation was noted between magnetic and radiological parameters. However, a positive and a near-positive correlation was also observed between SIRM/χ (0.501–0.578) and κFD% (0.471–0.481) with U and Th activity concentrations, respectively. This indicates that the carrier and grain size dependence parameters also play a significant role in increasing the activity concentrations of U and Th and its associated radiological parameters. From the cluster analysis, it is found that the content of ferrimagnetic minerals is higher in sample nos. 4, 5, 11, and 12, which greatly improves the properties of concrete when used for building construction purposes.