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This study reports the 222Rn, 220Rn, and their progeny concentration in Shivamogga district by using SSNTD's based pin hole dosimeters and deposition-based progeny sensor. The average indoor 222Rn and 220Rn concentration varies from 8.14 to 146 Bq m−3 and 13.01 to 157 Bq m−3 with a mean value of 60.61 and 61.77 Bq m−3. The EEC for 222Rn and 220Rn ranges from 1.55 to 19 Bq m−3 and 0.44 to 6 Bq m−3 with a mean value of 7.29 and 2.66 Bq m−3. The annual average equilibrium factor for 222Rn is well within the global mean values of 0.4, while the thoron is bit higher than specified global mean values of 0.02. The annual effective dose varies from 0.31 to 2.5 mSvy−1 with a mean value of 1.1 mSvy−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary goal of this study was to determine the risk due to radon concentration in drinking water. Water is essential for most of the life on the Earth, and the quality of drinking water is a key criterion for one's health. Radon (222Rn) and radium (226Ra) are the radioactive elements that can be found in water. Thirty samples of drinking water were collected in Haliyal, Joida, and Mundgod taluks of Uttara Kannada district. Emanometry technique was used to determine the concentration of 222Rn activity. The activity concentration of 222Rn in water varies between 3.78 ± 0.38 Bq l-1. and 135.96 ± 1.72 Bq l-1 with a mean value of 26.23 ± 0.65 Bq l-1. The cumulative average annual effective doses for all of the samples under investigation are well below the safe limit of 100 µSv y-1 suggested by WHO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prime objective of this study is to estimate the natural radioactivity and their associated radiological hazards in soil samples of Uttara Kannada district having different geological conditions. The 226Ra, 232Th and 40K activities were estimated using HPGe detector based gamma ray spectrometer. The average 226Ra, 232Th and 40K activity concentrations are 36.13 ± 0.96, 48.47 ± 1.26 and 415.76 ± 6.83 Bq kg−1 respectively. The mean annual effective dose equivalent value was found to be 0.40 mSv y−1 and is less than the ICRP proposed value of 1 mSv y−1. The radiological hazard indices were computed and compared with internationally agreed values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 226Ra, 232Th and 40K activities were investigated in soil samples of Chikkamagaluru district, Karnataka, using γ-ray spectrometry. The average activity of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K were found to vary from 15.2 ± 0.6 to 58 ± 1.2 Bq kg−1, 14 ± 0.6 to 86.2 ± 1.7 Bq kg−1, and 224.5 ± 5.5 to 1650 ± 20.3 Bq kg−1 with a mean value of 36.93 ± 1.0, 51.6 ± 1.3 and 566.97 ± 11.0 Bq kg−1. The average activity concentrations are slightly higher than world average value. The average annual effective dose is more than the Indian average value of 0.084 mSv y−1. The average values of all the radiological hazards are less than the criterion limit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reports the gamma absorbed dose rate (GADR) in 88 locations within five different geological regions of Uttara Kannada district. The measurements were made using a UR-705 environmental radiation dosimeter. The outdoor gamma absorbed dose rate varies from 44.5 to 220.0 nGy h–1 with the mean value of 78.0 nGy h–1, which is 1.3 times higher than the international average value of 59 nGy h–1. The indoor gamma absorbed dose rate varies from 57.3 to 242.5 nGy h–1 with an average of 90.0 nGy h–1, which is slightly higher than the world average of 84 nGy h–1 as suggested by UNSCEAR-2000. The estimated dose rate varies with the geological background and soil type. The total AEDE ranges from 0.3 to 1.38 mSv year–1 with an average of 0.53 mSv year–1. The average total AEDE is lower than the dose limit of 1 mSv year–1 for public, suggested by ICRP-1991. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Measurement of indoor radon, thoron and their equilibrium equivalent concentrations in different dwellings around Kabini river basin, Karnataka State, India was carried out using SSNTD based pin-hole dosimeters during 2017–2018. Indoor concentrations of radon and thoron are varied from 18.9 to 156.8 Bq m− 3 and 13.1 to 110.0 Bq m− 3, respectively. The present study reveals that the annual effective dose received by the people of the study area is lesser than the recommended level 3–10 mSv y− 1 of the International Commission of Radiological Protection and is safe from the exposure of radon, thoron and their progenies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assesses the ambient gamma dose rate and radon concentration in drinking water at different locations in few coastal taluks of Uttara Kannada district. The ambient gamma dose and 222Rn activity in drinking water has been estimated by using micro R survey meter and Emanometry technique respectively. The annual effective doses ranges from 0.39 to 0.82 mSvy−1 with a geometric mean value of 0.55 mSvy−1 and it is slightly higher than the world average value. 222Rn activity in drinking water vary from 3.34 ± 0.22 to 160.18 ± 1.84 Bql−1 with mean value of 25.07 ± 0.86 Bql−1. Annual average ingestion dose due to consuming water are well below the WHO and EC suggested action level of 100 µSvy−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study is an attempt to assess the silkworm cocoon production and its profitability in North Eastern Karnataka region through structured survey during 2017-18. The per acre total investment required for establishment of mulberry garden was ₹ 44,150. However, establishment cost varies across the districts of study area. The human labour usage in establishment of mulberry garden was highest in Kalaburagi (53.25 mandays) district compared to Raichur (50.30 mandays) and Ballari (46.80 mandays) districts. The variable cost incurred by sericulture farmers was more than 81 per cent of the total cost of cultivation of mulberry. However, the expenditure on human labour (35.97%) was the major constituent of the total cost. The variable cost incurred in silk cocoon production was found to be more than 90 per cent of the total cost of cocoon production. Expenditure on mulberry leaves (54.96%) was the major constituent of total variable cost. However, human labour and marketing cost were the other major cost components of the total cost. The net returns realised by silk cocoon producing farmers was ₹ 55,819 per 300 DFLs. The extent of net returns realised was highest in Kalaburagi (₹ 58,708/ 300 DFLs) district compared to Raichur (₹ 54,726) and Ballari (₹ 54,025) districts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents the results of indoor and outdoor ambient gamma dose rates and radon concentration in groundwater at different locations of Koppa and Narasimharajapura taluks of Chikmagalur district, (13°40' north latitude and 75° 62' east longitudes). The total annual effective dose ranged between 0.67 mSv/y and 1.76 mSv/y with an average value of 1.16 mSv/y. The calculated total annual effective dose was found to be higher than the world average. The radon concentration in groundwater was analyzed using radon emanometry technique. The measured radon concentrations ranged from 3.96 Bq/l to 90.63 Bq/l with an average value of 35.34 Bq/l. This study reveals that 80% of drinking water samples have radon levels higher than the maximum contaminant level of 11 Bq/l recommended by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. All the recorded radon concentration values were found to be well below the action level of 100 Bq/l recommended by the World Health Organization. It is also found that the dose due to borewell water samples is higher compared to dose due to water from other sources such as hand pump, open well, and tap water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research study was conducted in Bidar and Kalaburagi Districts of Karnataka. To study the comparative economics of different soybean cropping systems. A sample size of 160 farmers was selected using multistage random sampling method. Field level data were elicited for the agricultural year 2013-14 through personal interview method. Soybean + Redgram, Soybean + Jowar, Soybean + Bajra, and sole Soybean were the major cropping systems identified. Study revealed that, the average age of the sample respondents was 43, 45, 41, 44 and 43 years, respectively in CS-I, CS-II, CS-III, CS-IV and overall cropping system. The literacy percentage was highest in CS-I followed by CS-IV, CS-II and CS-III respectively. The net returns realized in these major cropping systems were ₹54443.20, ₹ 34108.18, ₹ 21047.27 and ₹ 13503.06 respectively. The gross returns realized in CS-I was highest, as compared CS-II, CS-III and CS-IV respectively. Similarly, the net returns obtained in CS-I was found to be the highest followed by CS-II, CS-III and CS-IV respectively. Returns per rupee spent was found to be the highest in CS-I. Among the studied soybean based cropping systems, CS-I (soybean + redgram) and CS-II (soybean + jowar) were found to be the most profitable system under rainfed condition in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]