Radiation exposure and health concerns associated with the environmental geochemistry of relatively higher radioactivity in a fresh water basin

• Published in: Marine pollution bulletin 2023-11, Vol.196, p.115588-115588, Article 115588
• Main Authors: Khan, Rahat, Basir, Md. Samium, Akhi, Sayma Zahan, Anik, Amit Hasan, Hossain, Shabiha, Islam, H.M. Touhidul, Islam, A.R.M. Towfiqul, Idris, Abubakr M., Khan, Md. Harunor Rashid, Aldawood, Saad, Tareq, Shafi M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 232Th, 226Ra, &40K; Atrai river sediment; Bangladesh; Enrichment patterns; Environmental geochemistry; Radiological threats; Rare earth elements
• ISSN: 0025-326X; 1879-3363
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115588

This study was carried out on a negligible anthropogenically impacted Indo-Bangla transboundary river basin (Atrai, Bangladesh) to elicit radionuclides' and elemental distributions. Thirty sediment samples were collected from the Bangladesh portion of the river, and instrumental neutron activation analysis and HPGe γ-Spectrometry techniques were used to determine environmental radionuclides (e.g., 232Th, 226Ra, 40K) and associated elemental concentrations, respectively. Metal concentrations (Sc, V, Fe, Eu, Sm, La, Yb, Ce, Lu, Ta, Hf) were determined to comprehend the genesis of greater radioactivity. Recognizing the mean concentration of absorbed gamma dose rate (158.7 hGyh−1) is 2.88-times more than the recommended value (55 hGyh−1) that describes ionizing radiation concerns regarding potential health risks to the surrounding communities and the houses of native residents, which are constructed by Atrai river sediment. This work will assist relevant policymakers in exploring valuable heavy minerals and provide information regarding radiological health risks from a fluvial system. [Display omitted] •Compared to world value 2.4–4.2× higher radioactivity is found in a river sediment.•Elemental distributions were examined for the genesis of higher radioactivity.•The enrichment of REEs and Th demonstrated monazite's dominance.•Higher NORMs were originated from felsic source sorting & fluvial transportation.•This freshwater basin possesses potential radiological risks.