Radioanalytical Method for the Measurement of Activity of 210Po and 210Pb in Soil and Sediment

Abstract

The present study discusses the seasonal variation of ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb in the soil and sediment of Hemavathi River Environment. The samples were collected in pre-monsoon and monsoon seasons and the concentration of²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb was determined using standard radiochemical analytical method. The mean activity concentration of ²¹⁰Pb in soil was found to be 12.19 Bq kg^-1 and 5.41Bq kg^-1 in monsoon and pre-monsoon respectively. The mean activity concentration of ²¹⁰Pb in sediment was found to be 12.87 Bq kg^-1 and 6.17 Bq kg^-1 in monsoon and pre-monsoon respectively. The mean activity concentration of ²¹⁰Po in soil is 7.18 Bq kg^-1. The mean activity concentration ratio between ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb in soil and sediment is 1.54 and 0.66 respectively. The activity was high in monsoon as compared to the pre-monsoon. The mean activity in monsoon was higher than pre-monsoon in both soil and sediment. A good correlation observed between organic matter and the activity concentration of ²¹⁰Pb in soil and sediment of both the seasons. ²¹⁰Pb was increased with increase organic matter and clay, moisture also influence to increase the activity concentration.