Abstract
Radiation emissions from the University of Ibadan National Institute of Radiation Protection and Research (NIRPR), physico-chemical properties measurement and insect's fauna collection around the surrounding of the Institute were conducted for a period of six months (November, 2011-April, 2012). Radiation survey meter model (RDS-30) type was used to take readings along the immediate surroundings of the NIRPR surroundings. Soil samples were collected at five points in the study site at a distance of 50 m from the Institute and the football pitch with a distance of 250 m away from the Institute as control site. Heavy metals (Fe, Cu, Zn, Cr, and Pb) were analysed using MiniPal 4 energy-dispersive X-Ray fluorescence (EDXRF) bench top spectrometer. Pit falls and sweep net were used in collection of crawling and flying insects respectively, some other arthropods were also collected. Results showed that radiation emission values of 0.012-0.016 µSv/hr was recorded, which was higher than the control site with reading of 0.009 µSv/hr. Heavy metal readings showed that iron (Fe) was higher at the sites than other metals. Correlation between chromium and lead was high (0.797) at (p<0.01). Diversity indices (Margalef, Shannon Wiener and Evenness respectively) for control site (3.56, 0.54, and 0.52) were higher than at the study site (2.62, 0.15 and 0.17). There was no correlation between arthropods abundance and radiation. This result therefore suggests that radiation could not be implicated in abundance and distribution of these arthropods.
Highlights
Since the discovery of X-rays and radioactivity more than 100 years ago, we have found ways of producing radiation and radioactive material artificially
This study aimed at assessing the environmental status of the Nigerian Institute of Radiation Protection and Research (NIRPR) building surroundings using the occurrence and species diversity of insect fauna, measurement of the quantity of radiation emissions and heavy metals constituents of the soil around the institute
Shannon-Wiener and Evenness indices show number of species, diversity and uneven distribution in the study site compared to the control site
Summary
We live in a world in which radiation is naturally present everywhere. All life on earth has evolved in the presence of this radiation (IAEA, 2004). Since the discovery of X-rays and radioactivity more than 100 years ago, we have found ways of producing radiation and radioactive material artificially. The first use of X-rays was in medical diagnosis, within six months of their discovery in 1895. A benefit from the use of radiation was established very early, but some of the potential dangers of radiation became apparent on the doctors and surgeons who unwittingly overexposed themselves to X-rays in the early 1900s. Many different applications of radiation and radioactive materials have been developed (IAEA, 2004)
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