Abstract
Anthropogenic, including mining activities leaves the environment contaminated with potentially toxic substances and remote hazards if not properly checked. The quest in this study is the levels of naturally occurring radionuclides in Okobo coal, Nigeria and their possible distribution in coal mine vicinity soils, water and plants (cassava). Samples were characterized for levels of radionuclides and radiological detriments using high resolution gamma spectrometer, Gamma ray liquid scintillation and applicable radiological hazard indices. The range of mean activity concentrations (Bq·kg-1) for the environmental samples are as follows: 226Ra (8.39 ± 1.0 to 77.6 ± 4.0), 232Th (0.470 ± 0.4 and 77.8 ± 2), and 40K (29.1 ± 0.4 and 289 ± 6), with their respective mean values of 32.7 ± 2.1, 54.0 ± 1.5 and 158.8 ± 3.1 (Bq·kg-1). Radiological detriments including radium equivalent activity (Raeq), external hazard index (Hex), internal hazard index (Hin), radioactivity level index or gamma index (Iγ) and the ELCR for coal sample is 96.94 Bq·kg-1, 0.26, 0.30, 0.69, and 1.56 respectively. Reported values were below the safety limits stipulated by UNSCEAR and implied that the environment is relatively safe with low levels of natural radioactivity. Overall, this background study has demonstrated that Okobo coal mine is a less radio-hazard contributor to environmental samples. Exceptions to this generalization are representative gamma index (Iγr) and annual effective dose equivalent values for some cassava and soil samples, which may call for future impact monitoring.
Highlights
In spite of its abundant deposits in Nigeria, Coal does not presently contribute to Nigeria’s electricity generation
We focus on the levels of radiation exposure due to the natural radionuclides (238U, 232Th and 40K) in Okobo coal and their vicinity soils, water and cassava plants
Instrument employed for analysis include high resolution gamma spectrometer at the Center for Energy Research and Training (CERT), Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, consisting of high purity germanium (HPGe) detector, by Ortec Inc., connected to an Ortec series multichannel analyzer (MCA) through a preamplifier base and coupled to a personal computer
Summary
In spite of its abundant deposits in Nigeria, Coal does not presently contribute to Nigeria’s electricity generation. The unsuspected populace that constitute these communities where coal mining activities take place, do not know their environmental obligations under the minerals and mining act. This affects their rights including right to education, infrastructures, life, security, health, adequate standard of living, liberty (Sambo et al, 2012). There are strong indications of coal’s impact on human health and the environment. Air pollution generated by coal mining and combustion in power plants (Din et al, 2013) can affect the environment and human health. Key pollutants from coal mining of adverse impacts on the environment and health include oxides of C, S, and N. Heavy metals (Ikwuagwu, 2017) and organic pollutants (PAHs, PCBs among others) even at low concentration pollute the environment
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