Abstract
This study analyses the linear attenuation coefficient as an indicator for safe water, the study was carried out using various water samples from borehole, well and pond in two Local Government Areas namely, Jos North and Jos East areas of Plateau State, Nigeria. The samples were collected in a Perspex of volume 7cmX7cmX7cm and filled to a height of 3cm. Energy of 70kVp of X-ray was passed through the samples with an X-ray detector under the Perspex of water to get the different final X-ray doses. From the study the linear attenuation coefficient ranges from 0.2878cm-1-0.4270cm-1, 0.3074cm-1-0.4743cm-1, 0.3074cm-1-0.4743cm-1 for borehole, well and pond in that order. The study showed a strong correlation between the linear attenuation coefficient and turbidity, total hardness and density which follows a trend for different samples. The highest value of linear attenuation ranges from borehole, well, pond in that order. This study was able to get a value of linear attenuation coefficient for safe water which ranges from 0.40203cm-1-0.02414cm-1 which can be used to ascertain the quality of water.
Highlights
Linear attenuation coefficient (μ) is the fraction of incident photon per unit distance
Linear attenuation of all the water samples was determined by measuring 135ml of each water sample into Perspex designed in a square shape of dimensions of (7×7×7) cm3, the Perspex was used because it has similar atomic number with that of water
The water sample was placed between two collimators each of aperture of 1.2mm at a distance of 100cm from the X-ray source, a stool was constructed of 30cm http://www.earthlinepublishers.com height, with two strata, the top stratum having an opening of 10×10cm, this is to allow X-ray beam penetrate the water samples and reaches the X-ray detector which is placed on the second stratum 20cm below the first, the X-ray detector is placed 10cm above the X-ray couch
Summary
Linear attenuation coefficient (μ) is the fraction of incident photon per unit distance. The water samples from their different sources were analyzed for their psycho- chemical, heavy metals and linear attenuation in other to identify potential contaminant. I0 = Incidence ray μ = Linear attenuation coefficient x = Thickness of sample.
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