Studies on the dependence of natural radioactivity on clay minerals of soils in Davanagere district of Karnataka, India.

The paper presents the distribution of natural radionuclides in soils with various clay minerals of Davanagere district. The activity concentration of natural radionuclides in soil were measured using NaI(TI) gamma spectrometry and the minerals present in the soils were identified using Fourier–transform infrared spectroscopy. The normality of the frequency distribution curve of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K concentration was verified using Kolmogorov–Smirnov test. The major trace minerals observed in the soils were determined based on the intensity of corresponding peaks. The soil with clay minerals Quartz and Hematite showed higher radionuclide content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]