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The effects of uranium and its decay product radon in water are the most important concern in human health. In this paper, efforts have been made to measure and correlate the uranium (Using an LED Fluorimeter) and radon concentrations (Using SMART RnDuo) in the water samples from the Budhakedar region of the Garhwal Himalaya to assess the risk. The concentrations of uranium and radon in the water samples were found to vary between Below Detection Level (BDL) to 1.70 Bq L−1 (with an arithmetic mean of 0.15 Bq L−1) and 0.43 to 1.29 Bq L−1 (with an arithmetic mean of 0.75 Bq L−1) respectively. The annual effective dose to the inhabitants of the study region was also calculated for the different age groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports the concentrations of uranium and heavy metals in drinking water samples from Garhwal Himalaya, India determined using LED Fluorimeter and Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS), respectively. The radiological (carcinogenic) and chemical (non-carcinogenic) risks associated with the consumption of uranium in water were estimated for the public. The concentrations of natural uranium in the analyzed drinking water samples vary from 0 to 21.57 ppb with a mean value of 1.54 ppb. The average concentrations of heavy metals in the analyzed drinking water samples were found to be in the order of iron (3.99 ppm) > zinc (0.32 ppm) > copper (0.04 ppm) > nickel (0.01 ppm) > chromium and lead (Below Detection Level). The estimated risk quantities were found to be lower than World Health Organization (WHO) and United State Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) guideline values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uranium contamination in the aquatic environment is an emerging concern worldwide. With the development of the global economy, uranium contamination has gradually increased in recent years due to industrialization, agriculture practices and overexploitation of groundwater resources. Because of the complexity of uranium in the environment, the primary concern is to understand the potential impacts on human health and the environment, especially in a developing country like India where groundwater and surface water are the major sources of drinking water. This review presents an understanding of the sources and distribution of uranium contamination in parts of India along with its interaction and potential impacts on human health. This paper further emphasizes that there is a need for efficient strategies and low-cost removal techniques for the poor population in order to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lutetium-177 radio-pharmaceutical has become an important theranostic candidate in cancer treatment. Its availability from bench-to-bed requires strategic implementation of isotope-enrichment, neutron-irradiation and radio-chemical techniques. In this paper, the need for enrichment of lutetium-176 is emphasized by estimating specific activity of lutetium-177 as a function of enrichment percentage for typical neutron flux available at Dhruva reactor, India. A novel Atomic Vapour Laser Isotope Separation (AVLIS) module for lutetium-176 enrichment is designed to meet the above requirement. The paper documents its characteristics and production estimates. The design is carried out after critical assessment and evaluation of available AVLIS-infrastructure in the country. Outline of lutetium-177 enrichment, capable of producing non-carrier-added lutetium is also provided. This work concludes that India has taken a step forward towards self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat) in securing the supply chain of lutetium-177. • Estimation of specific activity of 177Lu using Bateman's approach. • Assessment of enrichment technologies for neutron flux of Dhruva reactor, India. • Selection of AVLIS for 176Lu enrichment after reviewing its infrastructure in India. • Design of AVLIS-module to achieve useable amount and desired enrichment of 176Lu. • Outline for enrichment of 177Lu to produce carrier-free 177Lu. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we present the variation of natural radioactivity in soil and water samples of Tehri Garhwal district of Garhwal Himalaya. The soil and water samples collected from different locations were studied and analyzed using Gamma ray spectrometry and Laser Fluoremetry techniques, respectively. The activity concentrations 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in the soil samples were found to vary 31 ± 6 to 67 ± 7 Bq kg−1 with an average 46 Bq kg−1, 38 ± 7 to 86 ± 10 Bq kg−1 with an average of 52 Bq kg−1 and 612 ± 120 to 1277 ± 168 Bq kg−1 with an average of 902 Bq kg−1, respectively. Uranium concentration in water samples was found to vary from BDL to 2 ppb with an average 0.6 ppb. The above measured values uranium in drinking water ware also be compare the uranium concentrations in drinking water in Ukimath area. The measured values of activity concentrations in the soil and water samples were found within permissible limits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Impacts of uranium exposure via drinking water on human health are of great concern due to its radiological and chemical toxicities. The consumption of uranium is linked with various serious diseases such as stomach cancer, kidney disease, deformity of bones and liver etc. In this paper, we present the results of measurements of uranium concentration in drinking water sources of Kumaun Himalaya, India. The associated radiological and chemical risks are estimated in terms of excess cancer risk and hazard quotient, respectively. No siginificant health risk is observed due to uranium consumption via drinking water in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The polymetallic mineral district in the Singhbhum shear zone (SSZ), eastern India, hosts some of the most important Palaeoproterozoic uranium, copper and apatite–magnetite deposits in India. Although the shear zone had been the locale of profuse hydrothermal alteration and there is general consensus about hydrothermal mineralisation, the alteration types vis-à-vis ore mineralisation are not amply clear. In this paper, we describe ore mineralogy and multiple alteration types vis-à-vis uranium-rare earth element (U-REE) mineralisation in the Narwapahar uranium deposit located in the SSZ. Uranium mineralisation is hosted by intensely deformed and metamorphosed tourmalinite, albite schist and chlorite schist, which are mineralogically heterogeneous showing extreme variations in constituent minerals and their modal abundances in the outcrop, hand specimen and microscopic scales often grading to nearly monomineralic rocks. Thorium-poor uraninite is an ubiquitous ore mineral of uranium. High uranium content is also noted in ilmenorutile and some unidentified U silicates. Allanite is the most abundant REE-bearing mineral whereas monazite and xenotime are subordinate. Low-Ti magnetite is nearly ubiquitous in the U ores. Based on locally preserved cross-cutting hydrothermal veins and frozen-in mineral replacement textures, the sequential metasomatic events deciphered from the Narwapahar deposit are B (boron) → Na–Fe (±Ca)→ K–Fe (±Ca)→ K→ H+. Uranium mineralisation is associated with B, Na–Fe and H+ metasomatism and perhaps with K–Fe metasomatism too whereas REE mineralisation is associated with K–Fe metasomatism and resultant hydrothermally altered rocks. The alteration types, especially the well-known pervasive regional-scale alkali metasomatism, the alteration paragenesis as described here and metal association (Fe–Cu–U–REE–Co–Ni–Mo–Au) are akin to Fe oxide (Cu–U–REE) (IOCG)-type mineralisation. The presence of a substantial amount of uranium in ilmenorutile and very fine-grained inclusion of uraninite in magnetite may potentially affect the recovery of uranium during beneficiation leading to low leachability of some uranium ores. The close association of REE-bearing minerals with the U ores requires focused study to examine the potential of U ores as a source of by-product REEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper deals with the seasonal variation of physico-chemical parameters in natural spring water sources collected from Pithoragarh city, Uttarakhand, India. A total of sixteen parameters were investigated for pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons during the study. Total dissolved solids have been found to range from 315 to 729 mg/L during pre-monsoon and 245 to 704 mg/L during post-monsoon. Total hardness and total alkalinity were observed to be high for two samples. Water quality index was evaluated to determine whether the use of water samples for drinking purpose is safe or not and its values range between 35.71 and 74.39 during pre-monsoon and 31.66 and 72.60 during post-monsoon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Conceptual geological model of unconformity-related uranium deposits in the Badami group of the western Kaladgi basin, India. • Project-Scale prospectivity analysis using manual and fuzzy logic approaches. • Three high-priority targets are identified for drilling and 8 additional low-priority targets for further exploration. • A simple and cost-effective workflow for targeting subsurface unconformity-related deposits using remote-sensing and hydrogeochemistry. Developing successful exploration strategies for finding new ore deposits is a major challenge for exploration geologists, particularly, for concealed deposits in terranes with thick sediment cover. Proterozoic unconformity-related uranium deposits occur at, below, or above, unconformable contacts between Archean and Paleoproterozoic crystalline basement and siliciclastic sediments of middle or later Proterozoic age, often at locations where fault systems cut across either one or both of the geologic units that lie above and below the unconformity. The present study implements project-scale prospectivity analyses to identify drilling targets in the Badami Group of the western Kaladgi basin, India. Topographic profiles; field observations of breccia and lineaments; surface and sub-surface sampling; petrography and geochemistry; drill-core lithologs; and interpreted aeromagnetic anomalies were used to build a generalized local geological model of unconformity-related uranium deposits in the study area. Based on the geological model and a generalised mineral systems model, hydrothermal alteration, proximity to lineaments, proximity to unconformity surface, and anomalous uranium content on the surface and in the groundwater were identified as key project-scale targeting criteria. Seven high-priority drilling targets were mapped based on expert driven prospectivity analysis constrained by a GIS-based fuzzy prospectivity modelling. Out of these, four target areas coincide with the targets identified by the Atomic Minerals Directorate (AMD) of India based on their independent investigation. The three new targets from this study are recommended as targets for detailed exploration and drilling. In addition to this, about eight additional low priority targets were identified for follow-up exploration activities. This paper demonstrates that the prospectivity mapping methods can be applied at the project scale. The strategy demonstrated in this study can be used for exploration targeting in similar basins like the western Kaladgi basin that are structurally less disturbed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sonrai basin, located along the southwestern margin of Bundelkhand Granite-Gneiss Complex (BGC) is known for its base metal and phosphorite mineralization. Uranium mineralization of appreciable grade and thickness was reported in Pisnari block in the northern part of this basin during sub-surface exploration activity in 1976-97. This was in the form of uranium-bitumin association within fractures in the carbonate-terrigenous sediments of Gorakalan shale, Rohini carbonate and Bandai sandstone of Sonrai Formation of Bijawar Group. Similar mineralization was also noted within the lower chloritic shale member of Solda Formation of the same Group. During subsequent drilling activity at a later phase (2005-09), uranium rich zones within Rohini carbonate and chloritic shale members were corroborated by the interception of mineralized bands in two boreholes drilled near Pisnari. Petrographic study of radioactive core samples reveal that uranium mineralization is closely associated with globular carbonaceous matter and sulphides along the fractures. Uranium is either adsorbed in carbonaceous matter or occurs as ultrafine inclusions of coffinite within carbonaceous matter. An additional phase of secondary uranium mineral (uranophane) is also noted in one of the boreholes. The uranium minerals, in association with sulphides, fill up moderately dipping fractures (approximately 15o towards North) which are oblique to the core axis of the inclined borehole and thus, the mineralization is characterized as hydrothermal fracture-controlled vein type mineralisation. C-HN- S analysis of carbonaceous matter occurring in close association with the uranium minerals reveal heterogeneity in composition with respect to carbon and sulfur. The present paper aims at discussing the geological, petrological and radiometric aspects of this mineralization, so as to enhance the understanding of the same. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of hydro geochemical exploration for sub-surface uranium mineralization is becoming significant due to the geochemical properties of uranium. The oxygen in natural water enhances the mobility of uranium by the complexing action of carbonates and bicarbonates with oxidized uranyl ions. The uranium and its decay products (i.e., radium group) can be used as good tracers for pinpointing uranium mineralization. The basement complex in the south of Cuddapah basin comprises granite, gneiss-migmatites and patches of greenstone belts. There are different generation of fractures and mafic dykes trending E–W, N S, NW-SE and NE–SW directions. The NNE–SSW to NE–SW trending fractures are youngest and often show higher uranium values in water along the same trend indicating possible mineralization. The fractures are often intruded by younger basic intrusive rocks and quartz reefs which often show high uranium content. Several NE–SW to NNE–SSW trending fracture zones with uranium mineralization are observed in the areas around Shivaramapuram-Nutankalva, Kamaguttapalle and T. Sundupalle villages. These sympathetic fracture zones are important for further sub-surface exploration. The present focus is given on a NE-SW fracture zone along Sivaramapuram–Nutanakalva tract extends over a strike length of ~15 km with a plan width of ~1 to 1.5 km. The tract is mostly soil covered and rock outcrops are scanty. Radioactive anomalies are located at small outcrops in fractured basic dyke, fractured and altered granite, deformed quartz vein, sludge samples collected from private village drilling sites, Pincha river channel sands and soils (U 3 O 8 values up to 0.19% (β/γ); n = 44;). Hydrogeochemical exploration along this fracture zone has indicated anomalous concentration of uranium in water samples ranging from 100 to 19,434 ppb U (n = 110). Selective borewells have been monitored for 8 months to check the seasonal variation. The data remain persistent and indicated encouraging outcome. This NE–SW fracture zone has affected the Nagari quartzite of Cuddapah Supergroup, thus indicate Post Nallamalai Mesoproterozoic Grenville orogeny, which is metallogenically favourable epoch for fracture controlled uranium mineralization. The surface anomalies vis-a-vis the hydro uranium anomalies and suitable geochemical condition along the NE-SW trending fracture make this zone a potential target for further sub-surface exploration. • The application of hydro geochemical exploration for sub-surface uranium mineralization is the topic of the paper. • the study area is mainly a granitoid province where a soil covered concealed fracture controlled uranium mineralization is being reported. • NE-SW trending fracture zone showed upto 19434 ppb uranium content in water. • Radioactive anomalies are located at small outcrops exposed near Sivarampuram in fractured basic dyke [0.13 and 0.19% U 3 O 8 (β/γ; n =2)] and Katramuduku in fractured granite [0.014 to 0.135% U 3 O 8 (β/γ); n =3]. • These surface anomalies vis-a-vis the hydro uranium anomalies and suitable geochemical condition along the NE-SW trending fracture make this zone a potential target for further sub-surface exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the eastern part of India, South Purulia Shear zone (SPSZ) forms an elementary feature of Tamar-Porapahar lineament that trends in approximately E -W direction. In terms of Uranium mineralization prospects, SPSZ contributes a significant fraction when it comes to exploration. For a detailed investigation of subsurface characteristics, a quasi 3D resistivity survey using multi-electrode Schlumberger array configuration was performed near Kutni village in South Purulia Shear Zone (SPSZ). For this approach, we carried out measurements at various parallel profiles perpendicular to the strike in the area, to achieve the spatial resistivity distribution beneath the subsurface. Interpretation of the electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) results shows the presence of a conducting body at a depth of approximately 25-30 m that dips in the north direction and has a continuous extent in the E -W direction. Such low resistivity regions in 2D resistivity sections, when compared with gravity results, the outcome was in concurrence with low-density zones. These low resistivity and low gravity anomaly zones may correspond to the hydrous Uranium altered regions. Two more multi-electrode Schlumberger profiles were taken parallel to the strike direction near the exposed outcrop that showed the presence of anomalous zones. The integrated approach of geophysical methods used in this paper improves the likelihood of target location and helps in successfully deciphering the dimension of the geological features present beneath the surface. • ERT survey was performed in SPSZ to delineate U-deposits and correlated with gravity findings. • Results show hydrothermal U-deposits associated with apatite-magnetite-quartzite. • Correlation of resistivity and density sections show a northerly dipping conductor trending E -W. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]