Abstract
ABSTRACT This study examined the radioactivity levels of soil samples within selected solid mining sites in Nigeria using high-purity germanium (HpGe) detector. Sixty soil samples in all were collected from the 10 solid mineral mining sites investigated and six samples were collected as control samples from non-mining environment for analyses. The results of the activity concentration values obtained for 40K, 226Ra and 232Th are 100.22 Bq kg−1, 33.15 Bq kg−1 and 77.31 Bq kg−1, respectively. The 226Ra and 40K activities were found to be within the United Nation Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation acceptable permissible limit, but the 232Th mean value was above the permissible limit of 30 Bq kg−1 for the public. In comparison, 40K, 226Ra and 232Th soil samples mean activity concentrations were higher than the control soil samples values by 48.6%, 43.7% and 62.3%, respectively. The results of estimated radiation hazard indices indicate average values of 150.72 Bq kg−1, 68.40 nGyh−1 , 83.65 µSvy−1 and 454.70 µSvy−1 for the Radium Equivalent (Ra eq ), Absorbed Dose Rate (D), Dose Equivalent (AEDE) and Annual Gonadal Equivalent Dose (AGED), respectively. The mean values for External Hazard Indices (Hex, Hin), Representative Gamma index () and Excess Life Cancer Risk (ELCR) were 0.41, 0.50, 1.06 and 0.29 × 10−3, respectively. The statistical analysis shows positive skewness.
Highlights
Assessment of background radioactivity level plays a significant role in the protection of man from excessive radiation exposure (Abodunrin et al, 2017)
Natural background radiation levels are likely to vary with human activities and natural processes, it may change with locations due to different mineralogical, deformational and climatic factors responsible for the syngenetic processes for mineral formation
25.88-67.61 Bq kg-1 for 40K, 226Ra and 232Th respectively. Their mean values are higher than the control values by 47%, 5% and 46% respectively, while the mean concentration of 77.28 Bq kg-1 obtained is above the ICRP, IAEA and UNSEAR, recommended permissible limit of 30 Bq kg-1 for the public
Summary
Assessment of background radioactivity level plays a significant role in the protection of man from excessive radiation exposure (Abodunrin et al, 2017). Since radioactive materials are prevalent in many minerals and soil formation and in the water that meets them, extraction and processing of these mineral resources that emanate from these sources exposes and raises the concentration of naturally occurring radionuclide in the environment (Avwiri, et al, 2012). The knowledge of radionuclide distribution in the environment is of immense benefits in assessing the effects of radiation exposure, monitoring of radioactive materials are of primary importance to man and for the protection of the environmental (Avwiri et al, 2012; Emelue et al, 2014: Dolchinkov and Nichev, 2017)
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 callMore From: International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry
Disclaimer: 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.
