Radiogenic heat production in the Coastal Plain Sands of Ipokia, Dahomey Basin, Nigeria

Abstract

This study is aimed at establishing the radiogenic heat production in the Benin Formation of Dahomey Basin using in-situ measurements of elemental concentrations of uranium, thorium and potassium over a kaolin deposits in Ifonyintedo, Ipokia LGA, Ogun State. Super-Spec gamma ray spectrometer is used to obtain varied data of naturally occurring radionuclides over eleven different stations in the Coastal Plain Sands at 1 m height above the ground. The mean heat produced by uranium, thorium and potassium are 294.3, 410.5 and 0.001 ρW kg−1 respectively. The total heat produced in the study area varied from 544.0 to 902.1 ρW kg−1, which classified the study area as Low-to-Moderate Heat Production Potential zone. This classification corresponds to the radiogenic heat characteristics of Benin Formation in Niger Delta.•In-situ measurements of three radioisotopes were made over Coastal Plain Sands of Dahomey Basin.•The mean heat produced by uranium, thorium, potassium and the total radiogenic heat are 294.3, 410.5, 0.001 and 704.79 ρW kg−1 respectively.•The study area is characterized by Low-to-Moderate Heat Production Potential.