Abstract
A total of 25 well water samples from various locations of Idah and environs including Ofukolo, Ega, Ede - Adejo, and Ede - Alaba, have been investigated for their 222 Rn concentrations using liquid scintillation counter manufactured by Packard Instrument Company. The concentration of 222 Rn in the well water samples was found to vary in the range 3.0± 2.00 – 18.24± 1.50 Bq/L and a mean concentration of 9.64 Bq/L with An average mean concentration of 10.23 Bq/L recorded respectively. The results showed that 222 Rn concentration in well water sources were greater than the maximum concentration limit (MCL) of 11.1Bq/L set by USEPA and 10.0 Bq/L set by WHO. The annual effective dose by ingestion for adult male was found to be in the range 0.0198 mSv/y to 0.1198 mSv/yand an average of 0.0721 mSv/y which are lower than the annually received effective dose as set by ICRP.
Highlights
Radon, a natural byproduct of the radioactive decay of uranium, radium and thorium, is analpha-emitting noble gas with a half-life of 3.8 days
The results have shown a range of 222Rn concentration between 3.01±2.00 Bq/L to 18.24±1.83 Bq/L with a mean radon concentration of 9.64Bq/L and an average mean radon concentration of 10.23 Bq/L recorded for the study location. 75% of the water samples were found to be above the maximum contamination level of 11.1Bq/L set by [7], 10.0Bq/L set by [20] and [21]
The present study showed that the radon concentration in the well water samples from Idah has been found to have an average mean 222Rn concentration of 10.23Bq/L for well water
Summary
A natural byproduct of the radioactive decay of uranium, radium and thorium, is analpha-emitting noble gas with a half-life of 3.8 days. The quantity of radon dissolved in groundwater depends on different factors such as the characteristics of the aquifer, water-rock interaction, water residence time within aquifer, material content of radium, etc. Measurements of radon contents in groundwater have been performed in connection with geological, hydro geological and hydrological surveys health hazard studies. The half-life of radon and its solubility have allowed the use of radon gas as a natural groundwater tracer to identify and quantify groundwater discharge to surface waters [4], or to attempt to elucidate the type of rocks through which groundwater’s flow [5]. The Commission of European Communities (CEC) recommends the monitoring of radon levels in domestic drinking water supplies originating from different types of groundwater sources and wells in different geological areas, in order to determine consumer population exposure. The aim of this study was to measure radon concentration in well water from different locations in Idah and its environs and evaluate the annual effective dose by ingestion from the radon concentrations so measured for the locations
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
