Abstract
Analysis of naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) and environmental (radiological) hazard associated with radionuclides in rocks from northeastern Nigeria was carried out and the results are presented. NORMs analysis on rock samples was undertaken with gamma-ray spectroscopy, while radon isotopes were analyzed using an electric radon measurement device (RAD 7). Activity concentration (Bq kg−1) of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K ranges from 11.4 ± 2.6 to 74.6 ± 4.8, 26.6 ± 0.8 to 183.4 ± 3 and 30.1 ± 4.6 to 1120.3 ± 16.4, respectively. Ranges for annual effective dose (mSv) are 0.03–0.20; radium equivalent (Bq kg−1) is 5.7.33–358.36; external hazard index is 0.16–0.99; 222Rn and 220Rn exhalation rates (Bqm−3 h−1) are 2.60–6.25 and 0.50–7.10, respectively. For radon emanation coefficient, the working month level and related dosages ranges are 0.012–0.058, 0.25–0.00 and 1.38–3.30 mSv, respectively. The results reveal that the possible radionuclides enrichment in the rocks is potentially an environmental (radiation) hazard to the inhabitants of the area.
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