Centre For Energy Research And Training Research Articles

Gross Alpha and Gross Beta Activity Concentrations in Living Stone Potato in the Mining and Non-Mining Areas of Barkin-Ladi, Plateau State

The gross alpha and gross beta activity concentration in Living-stone Potato (Plectranthus esculentus), obtained in selected mining and non-mining areas of Barkin-Ladi, Plateau state have been determined. Sample tubers of Living-stone Potato were collected from mining and non-mining areas using a random sampling approach. The samples were taken directly from the farm and examined at Ahmadu Bello University's Centre for Energy Research and Training (CERT) in Zaria using a gas-filled proportional counter (MPC 2000 dual phosphor detector) with alpha and beta background of 0.5 cpm and 0.73 cpm, respectively. The results show that alpha activity in sample areas ranged from 0.005306 ± 0.00793 Bq/g to 0.03535 ± 0.00142 Bq/g with an average value of 0.03255 ± 0.00701 Bq/g. The gross alpha activity concentration was determined to be higher in the mining locations. The beta activity concentration ranges from 0.00349 ±0.0198 to 0.01397 ± 0.0198 Bq/g, with an average value of 0.03622 ± 0.00196 Bq/g. The greatest value of 0.01397 ± 0.0198 Bq/g was reported in the mining area. The lowest value was recorded below the detection limit of the machine utilized. Interestingly, all of the activities examined (alpha and beta) were found to be below the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended consumption values of 0.1 Bq/g and 1.0 Bq/g for alpha and beta, respectively. The rise in alpha and beta activity that has been observed in mining areas may be associated with the quality of irrigation water, local human activities like mining around farms, and fertilizer use in farming. The public consuming these products, however, may not be adversely affected by the outcomes in a significant way.

Gross alpha and gross beta activity concentrations and annual effective dose due to intake of water from the cement producing area of Sokoto, North-western Nigeria.

Mineral radioactivity is due to alpha, beta and gamma radiation from the unstable isotope in the composition. Gross alpha and beta activity concentration in ground water from cement producing area of Sokoto State has been determined using a non-gas proportional counter with model, protean instrument corporation (PIC) MPC 2000 DP single channel analyzer of Centre for Energy Research and Training (CERT), Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria. The mean activity concentration of gross alpha and beta were 0.05 and 0.14 BqL-1 respectively. These values were compared with the reported data from other studies and they were well within the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended limits of 0.1 and 1.0 BqL-1 for activity concentration of gross alpha and beta respectively. The mean annual effective dose due to activity concentration of both gross alpha and beta from intake of drinking water for children and adults were calculated to be 0.225 and 0.06 mSvy-1. This is in order to estimate the exposure risk arising from intake of water. This value is below the recommended reference dose level (RDL) of the effective dose of 0.1 mSvy-1. This study has shown that ground water from the communities around the cement producing area of Sokoto has slight contaminated radiologically, which might pose radiation related health risk to the public in the future.

Analysis of Radiological Hazard Indices from Mining Sites in Adamawa State, Nigeria

Aims: To analyse the radiological hazard indices from mining sites in Adamawa State, Nigeria.
 Study Design: Experimental study design using Gamma ray spectroscopy with a well calibrated Sodium Iodide (NaI) detector.
 Place and Duration of Study: Adamawa State, Nigeria and Department of Physics, Nasarawa State University Keffi, Nigeria, and Centre for Energy Research and Training (CERT) Laboratory, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria between November 2019 and August 2020.
 Methodology: Fifteen composite samples of soil from four mining sites collected using the systematic sampling techniques were analysed for activity concentrations of Ra-226, Th-232 and K-40 and Gamma Absorbed Dose Rate, Radium Equivalent Activity, External Hazard Index, Annual Effective Dose Rate and Excessive Life Cancer Risk were calculated.
 Results: Mean activity concentrations Ra-226 (107.60Bq/kg), Th-232 (84.89Bq/kg), and K-40 (475.34Bq/kg) were all above the world average values 35Bq/kg, 30Bq/kg and 400Bq/kg recommended by UNSCEAR. Mean Gamma Absorbed Dose Rate, Radium Equivalent Activity, Annual Effective Dose Rate, External Hazard Index, and Excessive Life Cancer Risk were 120.31nGy/h, 265.469Bq/kg, 0.148mSv/y, 0.401, and 0.369 respectively, against recommended values 59nGy/h, 370Bq/kg, 1mSv/y, 0.45, and 0.29 according to UNSCER, NEA-OECD and ICRP.
 Conclusion: High values of Activity Concentrations, Gamma Absorbed Dose, and Excessive Life Cancer Risk poses significant threat to the host community, especially around the 3 mining sites SA, SB and SC.
 Therefore, safety distance from mining areas is recommended by the competent Authority responsible for radiation protection matters in Nigeria. General awareness to enlighten the public about the possible dangers of undue radiation exposure and the risk of residing close to mining vicinity is required, for adequate protection of the host community.

Determination of scatter radiation to the breast during lumbosacral x-ray examination using thermoluminescence dosimeter

Objective: Exposure to ionizing radiation during radiographic examination is associated with some biological effects. The study was aimed to determine the amount of scatter radiation to the breast during lumbosacral x-ray examination.
 Materials and Methods: The study was a prospective, cross-sectional study carried out among 60 women referred for Lumbosacral spine radiography from September 2019 to December 2019. Ethical approval was granted by the hospital ethical committee. A single-phase mobile X-ray unit was used to dispense the radiation while a thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) chip was used to measure the radiation dose. The TLD chip was attached to the peri-areolar region of the left breast and held in place by a transparent adhesive tape. The TLD was carefully enclosed in a black polythene sachet before and after the investigation to shield it from background radiation. After the investigation the TLD,s were sent to the Centre for Energy Research and Training (CERT) for reading and annealing. 
 Results: The mean age and BMI of participants were 55.32±12.35years and 29.70±7.09kg/m2 respectively. The cumulative mean (±SD) ESD to the breast was 3.87±0.87mGy. The highest scatter radiation dose was observed in the age group 60-69 years. Pearson’s correlation showed a week correlation between age and ESD.
 Conclusion: The study showed that there were scatter radiations to the breast during lumbosacral X-Ray investigations which was was lowest among the age group 50-59years. No significant difference was seen between AP and lateral positions. The cancer risk was 1 in 6,000 indicating that there might be needed to shield the breast while performing lumbosacral X-ray.

Essential and trace elements status in the indigenous Ethiopian tuber crops

Abstract The objective of the study is multi elemental analysis of four indigenous Ethiopian tuber crops using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) technique in order to get scientific evidences about the status of essential, trace and non-essential elemental compositions. The samples were collected from Southern and South-western parts of Ethiopia. The irradiation and measurement were performed by using irradiation and counting facilities of the Nigeria Nuclear Reactor-1 (NIRR-1) and a HPGe detector setup at the Centre for Energy Research and Training (CERT), Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Nigeria. A total of 17 elements were determined at various concentration levels. The highest concentrations of K, Mg, Mn and Zn were found in Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott, whereas; the concentrations of essential and trace elements; Ca, K, Mg, Na, Cl, Mn, and Zn were found to be high in the native Coccinia abyssinica (Lam.) Cogn tuber. The estimated daily intake values of the constituent elements from the consumption of these crops are below upper tolerable limits set by international organizations such as WHO and FAO.

Assessment of radioactive contamination in water bodies around mine workings using radiation counter

The vulnerability of water bodies to contamination within the neighbourhood of open mine cast environ cannot be overemphasized. Evidence of radioactive trace elements associated with the target minerals in the Plateau State (Nigeria) showed the extent of this vulnerability. In order to address this challenge, the radioactivity levels of water samples from mine ponds, streams, wells, and boreholes around mine sites in the Plateau State were assessed. The water samples were analysed for gross alpha and beta radiation activities using MPC 2000 radiation counter in accordance with the provisions of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) at the Centre for Energy Research and Training (CERT) Zaria. The mean alpha radiation activity dose for the water samples collected from mine ponds, streams, wells, and boreholes was 0.63 + 0.1 Bq/l, 0.13 + 0.1 Bq/l, 0.34 + 0.1 Bq/l, and 0.51 + 0.2 Bq/l, respectively. The mean beta radiation activity dose for the water samples collected from mine ponds, streams, wells and boreholes was 4.1 + 1.8 Bq/l, 1.0 + 0.7Bq/l, 2.4 + 1.9 Bq/l, and 2.7 + 1.3 Bq/l, respectively. The water bodies were unwholesome for human consumption. The present use of water from the mine ponds for irrigation should be discontinued. The specific activities of alpha and beta radiations in the water samples decreased as distance from the mine increased. It is, therefore, clear that the mine sites were the sources of the high radiation values recorded in the water sources.

AN ASSESSMENT OF GROSS BETA RADIOACTIVITY CONCENTRATION IN WELL WATER IN SOME PARTS OF KADUNA SOUTH AND ENVIRONS, NIGERIA

Twelve (12) samples of water from hand-dug wells in some parts of Kaduna South and Environs were selected using a stratified random sampling. Twenty (20mils) of concentrated nitric acid were added to each two liters of the sampled water for preservation. The samples were then evaporated and counted for Gross Beta activity using MPC-2000-DP Model Gas free Proportional Counter at Centre for Energy Research and Training (CERT), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Results show that, the range of Beta activity in water in the area was 0.006 to 0.808 Bq/L, with Geometric mean of 0.120±0.077 Bq/L. The overall results show that, the Beta activity have their values below WHO recommended practical screening level of 1.0 Bq/L radioactivity for drinking water.

ANALYSIS OF GROSS ALPHA RADIOACTIVITY IN WELL WATER IN SOME PARTS OF KADUNA SOUTH AND ENVIRONS, NIGERIA

Twelve samples of water from hand-dug wells in some parts of Kaduna South and its Environs were selected using a stratified random sampling. Twenty (20mils) of concentrated nitric acid were added to each two liters of the sampled water for preservation. The samples were then evaporated and counted for Gross Alpha activity using MPC-2000-DP model gas free proportional counter at Centre for Energy Research and Training (CERT), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Results show that, the range of alpha activity in water in the area was 0.001 to 0.413 Bq/L, with geometric mean of 0.124±0.040 Bq/L. The overall results show that, the alpha activity have their values below WHO recommended practical screening level of 0.5 Bq/L radioactivity for drinking water.

Assessment of Total Suspended Particulates (TSP) in Ikot Abasi L. G. A., Nigeria

Concentrations of major, minor and trace elements in the total suspended particulate (TSP) matter around Ikot Abasi were determined by instrumental nuclear activation analysis (INAA) technique using the thermal neutrons from the first Nigerian nuclear research reactor (NIRR-1) at centre for energy research and training (CERT), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Total suspended particulate (TSP) concentrations ranged between 139±22 µgm-3 and 23±07 µgm-3. The total TSP concentrations from different source groups revealed the commercial sector as the highest contributor of TSP level to the area with a value of 254.64 µgm-3. This value is slightly higher than the µgm-3 standard set by the federal environmental protection agency FEPA. The INAA of the TSP samples show the presence of Al, Na and Mn. Their contributions range between 19.8±3.7 – 119.1±10.1 ppm for Al; 57.4±10.2 - 184±16 ppm for Na and 1.2±0.3 – 4.7±0.4 ppm for Mn in the TSP samples around the study area.

Calibration of the High Purity Germanium Gamma-Ray Spectrometer in CERT, ABU Zaria, Nigeria

Gamma-ray spectrometry is a very powerful tool for radioactivity measurements. The gamma-ray spectrometer laboratory in Centre for Energy Research and Training (CERT), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria is accredited to perform measurements of radioactive content of samples collected from the environment, food chain or industrial products with the aid of a high resolution HPGe detector. For accurate gamma-ray spectrometry, certain measurements were considered; the efficiency of the detector was performed experimentally against energies within the range of 59.50 keV (241Am) to 2204.50 keV (226Ra) for the respective geometries of 1 - 6 cm. The sustained solid angle relations with respect to the inverse square of sample geometries from 1 - 6 cm were evaluated. Another main point of this work was focused on the efficiency at geometry of 5 cm with respect to the three selected energies: 661.60 keV (137Cs), 1173.2 keV (60Co) and 1332 keV (60Co) for the main axis, ten degree off main axis, forty five degree off main axis and ninety degree off the detector main axis. In order to verify optimum geometries in our laboratory for both short lived and long lived radionuclides analyses, the evaluation of efficiencies for the respective energies: 1173.2 keV (60Co), 1332.5 keV (60Co), 1764 keV (226Ra) and 2294 keV (226Ra) were plotted against geometries of 1 to 6 cm from the detector end cap along the main axis.

Heavy metal concentration in soil of some mechanic workshops of Zaria-Nigeria

This research paper investigated the elemental composition of soil samples from four selected mechanic workshops in Zaria. A total of eight samples were analyzed at Centre for Energy Research and Training (CERT) Ahmadu Bello University Zaria using standardless X-Ray Fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF). From the result, it was found that Silicon (Si) has the highest mean concentration ranging from 0.0013-0.0024 ppm and Ba, Ni, Cr, Mn, Cu, V, Mo and Zn having very low concentration witha mean of (0.000035 0.000053) ppm, (0.000009 0.000012) ppm, (0.0000054 0.000012) ppm, (0.0000049 0.000012) ppm, (0.0000052 0.000017) ppm, (0.0000052 0.000029) ppm, (0.0000068 0.00007) ppm and (0.00001 0.000055) ppm respectively. Lead was found in only one sampling point (Samaru Dogon Icce) with an abundance of 0.00018 ppm which is less than the maximum permissible limits (MPL) recommended by W.H.O. Hence, the result shows that there were no much toxic elements in some of the mechanic workshops in Zaria. It is advisable that substances containing heavy metals should not be disposed in farm lands or any dumpsites close to residential areas. Key words: Heavy metals, soil, contamination, mechanic workshop.

Analyses of Heavy Metals in Water and Sediment of Bindare Stream, Chikaji Industrial Area Sabon Gari

Some heavy metals in the water and sediment of Bindare Stream of Chikaji Industrial Area Zaria, in the northern part of Nigeria were analysed using Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (EDX-RF) at the Centre for Energy Research and Training (CERT) ABU Zaria. The following metals were detected: Aluminium (Al), Titanium (Ti), Iron (Fe), Chromium (Cr), Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Manganese (Mn), Cadmium (Cd) and Nickel (Ni). Their means (mg/L) and standard errors for the metals in the water is as follows: Al 7.97 Ti 6.24 Fe 5.31 Cr 4.19 ; Zn 5.93 Cu

Analysis of Chrome Tanned Leather Shavings Using Neutron Activation Analysis

Chrome tanned leather shavings collected from the federal college of chemical and leather technology (CHELTECH) Zaria, Nigeria's tannery were analyzed using centre for energy research and training (CERT), Zaria Nigeria's miniature neutron source reactor (MNSR). The main aim of this work was to determine the concentration of chromium and other constituents of the shavings. Chromium is known for its human toxicity which includes skin irritation, lung cancer, as well as Kidney, liver and gastric damages. The disposal of this waste without treatment will constitute a serious impact on the environment. The result obtained indicates that Chromium is as much as 1%. The analyzed concentrations of As, Ba, Br, Co, Fe, La, Na, Sb, Sc, Sm and Zn in the sample are also presented. The results obtained were validated with the data obtained from the analysis of certified reference materials, IAEA-336 (Lichen) and IAEA 359 (Cabbage).

Determination of Absorbed and Effective Dose from Natural Background Radiation around a Nuclear Research Facility

This study presents result of outdoor absorbed dose rate and estimated effective dose from the naturally occurring radionuclides 232Th and 238U series 40K, around a Nuclear Research Reactor at the Centre for Energy Research and Training (CERT), Zaria, Nigeria. A high-resolution in situ -ray spectrometry was used to carry out the study. CERT houses a 30Kw Research Reactor and other neutron and gamma sources for Research and Training. The values of absorbed dose rate in air for 232Th, 238U and 40K range from 8.2±2.5-24.5±3.6 nGy h 1, 1.9±1.2-4.6±2.5 nGy h 1 and 12.2 ±5-38±6.7n Gy h 1 respectively . The estimated total annual effective dose outdoor for the sites range from 27.3-79.9 µSv y 1. This showed that radiation exposure level for the public is lower than the recommended value of 1 mSv y 1.Hence, the extensive usage of radioactive materials within and around CERT

Multi-elemental analysis of some Nigerian mineral rocks for a comparative assay of gamma shielding with concrete using winxcom

Analysis of chemical composition and concentration of three Nigerian minerals have been carried out with the research reactor (GHARR-1) at Ghana Atomic energy commission Kwabenya Accra, in order to analyze their gamma photon shielding prospects using WINXCOM software. The physical densities of Serpentinite rock from Katsina/ Zamfara state, Hematite rock from Kogi state and Barite from Benue states of Nigeria were measured, and their moisture content analyzed with the Am-Be neutron source irradiation facility at Centre for Energy Research and Training (CERT) A.B.U. in Nigeria Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of gamma ray spectra of the residual radio nuclides of the rock samples were performed using the SPAN 5.0 software. The result of the chemical composition was observed to have a good elemental correlation with the well known neutron shields (concrete), but indicative of a better substitute to ordinary concrete when, in addition, the moisture retention capabilities, refractive properties and, most importantly, their densities are taken into account. The knowledge of the elemental composition is a requirement for calculating the shielding characteristics using WINXCOM. For an increase in photon energy by a factor of 0.21keV the mass attenuation in Serpentinite decreased by 2.0cm2/g; Hematite had a decrease of 5.0cm2/g; Barite also decreased by 5cm2/g while concrete had its mass attenuated by only 1.3cm2/g. Keywords: Transmission, Reflection, Mineral rock, Thermal neutrons, Fast neutrons, Moisture

Determination of the elemental constituents of a natural dolerite using NIRR-1

Elemental characterization of natural dolerite obtained from South Western Nigeria has been carried out using Nigeria Research Reactor-1 (NIRR-1) located at the Centre for Energy Research and Training (CERT), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. The measurements showed the presence of aluminum, calcium, magnesium, titanium and iron with concentrations 69,990±3499, 61,140±8.0, 38,330±3929, 13,880±1804 and 8319±150 ppm, respectively, as the major elements. In addition, 16 other elements, in minor and trace quantities, including Th, a radioactive rare earth element and five other rare earth elements La, Ce, Sm, Dy and Lu were identified. The presence of the rare earth elements may be a confirmation of the previous argument that the observed single but broad glow peak in the glow curve of this rock is rather an overlap of more than one glow peak. The presence of Th suggests the possibility of internal radioactivity in the rock, a necessary criterion for using a material for luminescence dating. Thus, this work indicates that dolerite can be used for luminescence dating if properly developed for the purpose.

05/02033 Homogenization-free reactor core analysiswith general first collision probabilities method

Installation of Nigeria's Miniature Neutron Source Reactor (MNSR) has been completed and the facility is awaiting commissioning. The operator organization, Centre for Energy Research and Training (CERT), is therefore embarking on an ambitious project of automating crucial reactor design/analysis calculations with a view to simplifying them for the average reactor engineer or scientist. In this work, we show how the lattice code WIMS and core analysis code CITATION, have been combined in an innovative, interactive Windows environment, to automatically carry out each of the following calculations on MNSRs: Super- or sub-criticality test, control rod worth, core excess reactivity and shutdown margin, locating control rod's critical depth of insertion, control rod calibration, beryllium shims calibration, verification of some safety criteria, modifying core dimensions interactively, modifying beryllium reflectors dimensions interactively and calculating various temperature coefficients of reactivity. Only one CITATION base input data need to be prepared from group constants generated by WIMS and any of these calculations are carried out automatically, thereby eliminating the tedium and errors that usually attend manual data manipulation or regeneration. Consequently, calculations that used to take days may now be more reliably done within minutes.

Automating some analysis and design calculations of miniature neutron source reactors at CERT (I)

Installation of Nigeria's Miniature Neutron Source Reactor (MNSR) has been completed and the facility is awaiting commissioning. The operator organization, Centre for Energy Research and Training (CERT), is therefore embarking on an ambitious project of automating crucial reactor design/analysis calculations with a view to simplifying them for the average reactor engineer or scientist. In this work, we show how the lattice code WIMS and core analysis code CITATION, have been combined in an innovative, interactive Windows environment, to automatically carry out each of the following calculations on MNSRs: Super- or sub-criticality test, control rod worth, core excess reactivity and shutdown margin, locating control rod's critical depth of insertion, control rod calibration, beryllium shims calibration, verification of some safety criteria, modifying core dimensions interactively, modifying beryllium reflectors dimensions interactively and calculating various temperature coefficients of reactivity. Only one CITATION base input data need to be prepared from group constants generated by WIMS and any of these calculations are carried out automatically, thereby eliminating the tedium and errors that usually attend manual data manipulation or regeneration. Consequently, calculations that used to take days may now be more reliably done within minutes.