V. Ramasamy

Assessment of spatial distribution and potential ecological risk of the heavy metals in relation to granulometric contents of Veeranam lake sediments, India

The contents and spatial distributions of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) have been studied in surface sediments of Veeranam lake, Tamilnadu, India. Heavy metal contents are higher in open water area (limnetic zone) (OWA) than other two regions such as inflow river mouth (littoral zone) (IFR) and outflow river mouth region (OFR). Present metal contents are compared with both background and toxicological reference values. The comparative results suggest that the present metals except Cd and Pb create an adverse effect on the aquatic ecosystems associated with this lake. The Pollution Load Index (PLI) and Potential Ecological Risk (PER) are calculated and calculated PLI values (range: 1.18-4.09 with an average of 2.03) show that the present sediments are polluted significantly and these values are higher in OWA region. From the PER values, each single element has low potential ecological risk. However, Cd shows higher ecological risk. The comprehensive PER index of the sediments shows moderate degree. The magnetic susceptibility is higher in OWA region. Granulometric analysis confirms that the silt is major content. Multivariate Statistical analyses (Pearson Correlation, Cluster and Factor analysis) were carried out and obtained results suggested that the heavy metals in present lake have complicated contamination sources or controlling factors and the heavy metals such as Cr, Cu, Ni and Zn may be incorporated in magnetic minerals which are presented in silt grains. Also it shows that the role of silt is incorporating the cations on their surface and raising the level of magnetic susceptibility and heavy metal contents. The present study recommends that the heavy metal levels are unlikely to cause additional adverse health risks to the aquatic ecosystem associated with this lake.

Influence of mineralogical and heavy metal composition on natural radionuclide concentrations in the river sediments.

The natural radiation level has been determined for the sediment samples of the Ponnaiyar River with an aim of evaluating the radiation hazard. The mineralogical characterizations of the sediments have been carried out using the Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic technique. The relative distribution of major minerals is determined by calculating extinction coefficient. The concentration and spatial distribution of heavy metals (Pb, Cr, Cu, Zn and Ni) have been studied to understand the heavy metal contamination and its level of toxicity. To evaluate the potential toxicity, heavy metal concentrations are compared with different toxicological and geological reference values. The comparison results suggest that the present metals create an adverse effect on the aquatic ecosystems associated with this river. To assess the sediment contamination due to the studied heavy metals, the Pollution Load Index (PLI) is calculated. Multivariate Statistical analyses (Pearson Correlation, Cluster and Factor analysis) were carried out between the parameters obtained from radioactivity, mineralogical and geochemical analysis to know the existing relations. Obtained results showed that the effect of mineralogy on level of radioactivity should be significant. However, mineralogy effect on heavy metal composition in the sediments should be limited, indicating that other factors such as vicinity of the pollution sources are more important. Also, the influence of mineralogical characterization on level of radioactivity is significant, whereas the influence of the heavy metal composition on level of radioactivity should be limited.

Horizontal and vertical characterization of radionuclides and minerals in river sediments

The natural radionuclide ((238)U, (232)Th and (40)K) contents and mineral characteristics have been analyzed for the different depth sediment samples of Ponnaiyar River with an aim of evaluating the radiation hazard and its relation to specific minerals. To know the complete radiological characteristics, the radiological indices have been calculated and compared with recommended values. In an FTIR study, the extinction coefficient and crystallinity index is calculated to find the relative distribution of major minerals and the crystallinity of quartz, respectively. Both horizontal and vertical distributions of radionuclides and major minerals are studied. Multivariate statistical analyses (cluster and factor) were carried out to determine the relationship between the radioactivity and the minerals. Statistical analyses suggest that the kaolinite is the major mineral to increase the level of radioactivity in the river sediments.

Synthesis and study of optical properties of transition metals doped ZnS nanoparticles.

ZnS and transition metal (Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Ag and Cd) doped ZnS were synthesized using chemical precipitation method in an air atmosphere. The structural and optical properties were studied using various techniques. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis show that the particles are in cubic structure. The mean size of the nanoparticles calculated through Scherrer equation is in the range of 4-6.1 nm. Elemental dispersive (EDX) analysis of doped samples reveals the presence of doping ions. The scanning electron microscopic (SEM) and transmission electron microscopic (TEM) studies show that the synthesized particles are in spherical shape. Optical characterization of both undoped and doped samples was carried out by ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The absorption spectra of all the samples are blue shifted from the bulk ZnS. An optimum doping level of the transition metals for enhanced PL properties are found through optical study.

A relationship between the natural radioactivity and mineralogical composition of the Ponnaiyar river sediments, India

The natural radiation level has been determined for the sediment samples of Ponnaiyar River, India with an aim of evaluating the radiation hazard. The average activity concentrations are within the world and Indian average values although some extreme values have been determined. The magnetic susceptibility measurement has been carried out to know the magnetization nature of the sediments. More downstream (mouth) of the river has quite higher magnetic susceptibility values. The mineralogical characterizations of the sediments have been carried out using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic and XRD technique. The minerals such as quartz, microcline feldspar, orthoclase feldspar, kaolinite, calcite, gibbsite, montmorillonite, smectite, palygorskite and organic carbon are identified from FTIR analysis. Few minerals like zircon, monazite and hornblende are identified only in XRD analysis. The relative distribution of major minerals is determined by calculating extinction coefficient. The calculated values show that the amount of quartz is greater than microcline feldspar and very much greater than kaolinite in all the sites. The content of quartz and microcline feldspar is decreases, and kaolinite gradually increases towards the river mouth. Multivariate Statistical analyses were carried out between the parameters obtained from radioactivity analysis and other analyses to know the existing relations. Obtained results are discussed and suggested that the natural radioactivity level of the present sediments is mainly controlled by clay content and lesser extent to magnetic susceptibility.

Impact of sediment characteristics on the heavy metal concentration and their ecological risk level of surface sediments of Vaigai river, Tamilnadu, India

The distributions of the metals (Al, Fe, Mg, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) were measured for the surface sediments of the Vaigai river, Tamilnadu, India. These values are compared with different standard values to assess the level of toxicity of the heavy metals in the sediments. Risk indices (CF, PLI and PER) are also calculated to understand the level of toxicity of the metals. Multivariate statistical analyses (Pearsons correlation analysis, cluster analysis and factor analysis) are carried out to know the inter-relationship between sediment characteristics and the heavy metals. From this analysis, it is confirmed that the contents of clay and organic matter play an important role to raise the level of heavy metal contents as well as PLI and PER (level of toxicity). Heavy metal concentrations of the samples (after removing silt and clay fractions from bulk samples) show decrease in their concentrations and risk indices compared to the level of bulk samples.

Assessment of spatial distribution and radiological hazardous nature of radionuclides in high background radiation area, Kerala, India

The concentration and distribution of the natural radionuclides ((238)U, (232)Th and (40)K) have been analyzed for the beach sediments of Kerala with an aim of evaluating the radiation hazards. The ranges of activity concentrations of (238)U, (232)Th and (40)K are BDL-1187 ± 21.7 Bq/kg, BDL-5328 ± 23.2 Bq/kg and BDL-693 ± 31.2 Bq/kg respectively. Radiological parameters such as absorbed dose rate, annual effective dose equivalent, annual gonadal dose equivalent, radium equivalent, hazard index, gamma Index, activity utilization index and excess lifetime cancer risk are calculated to know the complete radiological hazardous nature. Concentration of radionuclides ((238)U and (232)Th) and all the calculated radiological parameters are higher in site number S(23) (Chavara beach) due to the presence of rich deposits of black sands. Average concentrations of radionuclides ((238)U and (232)Th) and all calculated radiological parameters are higher than the recommended level. Both univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were applied effectively to assess the distribution of the radionuclides. Univariate statistical analysis shows that the confirmation of infrequent extreme deviations of all radioactive variables. Cluster analysis shows that light minerals play a role in cluster I sampling sites and heavy minerals may be played in sampling sites of other clusters. Calculated activity ratio confirmed the presence of light and heavy minerals in above mentioned sampling sites. The Kerala beach sediments pose significant radiological threat to the people living in the area and tourists going to the beaches for recreation or to the sailors and fishermen involved in their activities in the study area.

Spatial and vertical distributions of heavy metals and their potential toxicity levels in various beach sediments from high-background-radiation area, Kerala, India

The spatial and vertical distribution of heavy metals and the sediment characteristics of beaches in Kerala, India (the upper surface sediments and the first, second and third one-foot-thick strata) were assessed in this study. The concentrations of most of the studied metals were highest at sampling site S1 (Cochin). The measured concentrations were compared with background and toxicological reference values. The results show that definite adverse biological effects are possible at most of the sampling sites due to the high Pb levels. Three different indexes were calculated to investigate the potential toxicity level. Most of the studied metals and all calculated indexes were highest in the third foot of sediment. Multivariate statistical analyses were performed and suggested that particular heavy metals, e.g., Pb, Cd, Cr and Ni, may represent contamination from a common source. The Cd and Pb concentrations and all the calculated index values show a relationship with the content of organic matter. The results of the present study suggest the recommendation that a systematic analysis is needed to monitor heavy metal levels in the studied area.

Role of sediment characteristics on natural radiation level of the Vaigai river sediment, Tamilnadu, India

The sediment characteristics such as granulometric contents (sand, silt and clay), organic matter, magnetic susceptibility (low and high frequency) and weight percentage of magnetic minerals and the natural radionuclide ((238)U, (232)Th and (40)K) contents have been analyzed for the sediment samples of Vaigai river with an aim of evaluating the radiation hazard nature and assessing characterization of sediment. Granulometric analysis confirmed that the sand is major content. The organic matter content is ranged from 0.30 to 8.62% and comparison shows that the present river has high organic content. The magnetic measurement results indicated that the sites S16, S18 and S25 may be affected anthropogenically. Frequency dependence magnetic susceptibility is calculated to know the contribution of grains to magnetic susceptibility. Average of activity concentrations (except (40)K) and all calculated radiological parameters are within the recommended level. Multivariate statistical analyses (Pearson correlation, cluster and factor analysis) dictated that the role of sediment characteristics on the level of radioactivity in the river sediments. The content of organic matter and clay, and magnetic parameters are positively correlated with important radioactive variables. The measurement of organic matter and magnetic susceptibility in various granulometric contents show some higher values in silt and clay fractions. Radioactivity level was also measured for the samples (after removing silt and clay fractions from bulk samples) and the results show decrease in radioactive variables. The present study stated that the lower grain sized fractions have the ability to absorb the contents such as organic content and magnetic minerals as cations on their surface and raise the level of radioactivity. Percentage of decrease in the natural radionuclides of (238)U, (232)Th, (40)K and absorbed dose rate of the samples (after removing the silt and clay fractions from bulk samples) to the bulk samples are 13.59, 33.37, 20.52 and 26.13% respectively. Thus, it is concluded that the radiation effect does not pose to the public those who are using these sediments.

Role of light and heavy minerals on natural radioactivity level of high background radiation area, Kerala, India.

Natural radionuclides ((238)U, (232)Th and (40)K) concentrations and eight different radiological parameters have been analyzed for the beach sediments of Kerala with an aim of evaluating the radiation hazards. Activity concentrations ((238)U and (232)Th) and all the radiological parameters in most of the sites have higher values than recommended values. The Kerala beach sediments pose significant radiological threat to the people living in the area and tourists going to the beaches for recreation or to the sailors and fishermen involved in their activities in the study area. In order to know the light mineral characterization of the present sediments, mineralogical analysis has been carried out using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic technique. The eight different minerals are identified and they are characterized. Among the various observed minerals, the minerals such as quartz, microcline feldspar, kaolinite and calcite are major minerals. The relative distribution of major minerals is determined by calculating extinction co-efficient and the values show that the amount of quartz is higher than calcite and much higher than microcline feldspar. Crystallinity index is calculated to know the crystalline nature of quartz present in the sediments. Heavy mineral separation analysis has been carried out to know the total heavy mineral (THM) percentage. This analysis revealed the presence of nine heavy minerals. The minerals such as monazite, zircon, magnetite and illmenite are predominant. Due to the rapid and extreme changes occur in highly dynamic environments of sandy beaches, quantities of major light and heavy minerals are widely varied from site to site. Granulometric analysis shows that the sand is major content. Multivariate statistical (Pearson correlation, cluster and factor) analysis has been carried out to know the effect of mineralogy on radionuclide concentrations. The present study concluded that heavy minerals induce the (238)U and (232)Th concentrations. Whereas, light mineral (calcite) controls the (40)K concentration. In addition to the heavy minerals, clay content also induces the important radioactive variables.