Abstract
The main objective of the present study was to assess natural radioactivity level from soils of an abandoned potash mine and its surroundings at Holle locality in Hinda district, the Republic of Congo. Samples were analyzed using an HPGe gamma spectrometer. Activity concentration values obtained varied from 21.01 ± 6.47 to 117.3 ± 2.69 Bq/kg with a mean value of 46.15 ± 4.69 Bq/kg of 40K; that of 238U varied from 17.36 ± 10.74 to 40.04 ± 8.58 Bq/kg with a mean value of 25.14 ± 10.06 Bq/k, while that of 232Th varied from 8.68 ± 3.7 to 27.33 ± 2.69 Bq/kg with a mean value of 18.16 ± 2.94 Bq/kg. Mean activity concentration values obtained for 238U, 232Th and 40K were relatively low compared to the world average values. Radiological hazard indices associated were also calculated and found to be under recommended limits. Results pointed out that radioactivity level in the region was relatively low. Consequently, soils of the surrounding abandoned potash mine can be used for buildings construction.
Highlights
The Republic of Congo is one of the richest subsoil countries in the world
Activity concentration values obtained varied from 21.01 ± 6.47 to 117.3 ± 2.69 Bq/kg with a mean value of 46.15 ± 4.69 Bq/kg of 40K; that of 238U varied from 17.36 ± 10.74 to 40.04 ± 8.58 Bq/kg with a mean value of 25.14 ± 10.06 Bq/k, while that of 232Th varied from 8.68 ± 3.7 to 27.33 ± 2.69 Bq/kg with a mean value of 18.16 ± 2.94 Bq/kg
The activity concentrations of 40K, 238U and 232Th varied from 21.01 ± 6.47 to 117.3 ± 2.69 Bq/kg, 17.36 ± 10.74 to 40.04 ± 8.58 Bq/kg and 8.68 ± 3.7 to 27.33 ± 2.69 Bq/kg respectively
Summary
The Republic of Congo is one of the richest subsoil countries in the world The mining of these resources by foreign companies is accompanied by a glaring absence of accompanying measurement in the field of public health and radiation protection for the surrounding populations. This disregard of public authorities could lead to the development of diseases in the region such as a cancer. Most of these exploited mines in the Republic of Congo are abandoned and left in plain sight in the country, such is the case of Holle potash mine, called Saint-Paul mine. Soils from abandoned mine sites have been the subject of many studies worldwide: [1,2,3,4,5,6]
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