The radiation dose and distribution coefficient of 210Po and 210Pb concentrations in aquatic environs of major rivers of coastal Karnataka

The activity of 210Po and 210Pb was measured in different matrices of aquatic ecosystem of the major rivers of Coastal Karnataka viz, Kali, Sharavathi and Netravathi. The environmental samples such as surface water, suspended particulate matter and sediment have been subjected to analyses. The activity of these two radionuclides were determined by radiochemical separation of 210Po and counting the activity using a ZnS(Ag) alpha counter. The activity ratio of 210Po and 210Pb and correlation between the activity of these radionuclides were studied. From the measured concentration of 210Po and 210Pb, the internal Committed Effective Dose to the population for the study area was calculated. The distribution coefficient Kd between water, suspended particulate matter and sediments have been calculated to understand the distribution and accumulation of these radionuclides in different matrices of the aquatic environment.