scholarly journals Assessment of Solid Mineral to Soil Radioactivity Contamination Index in Selected Mining Sites and their Radiological Risk Indices to the Public

Author(s):  
Ezekiel Oghenenyerhovwo Agbalagba ◽  
Mohammed S. Chaanda ◽  
Stephen Uloho U. Egarievwe

Abstract This study examined the radioactivity levels of soil samples within selected solid mining sites in Nigeria using high purity germanium (HpGe) detector. Sixty soil samples in all were collected from the ten solid mineral mining sites investigated and six samples were collected as control samples from non-mining environment for analyses. The results of the activity concentration values obtained for 40K, 226Ra and 232Th are 100.22 Bq kg-1, 33.15 Bq kg-1 and 77.31 Bq kg-1 respectively. The 226Ra and 40K activities were found to be within the United Nation Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) acceptable permissible limit, but the 232Th mean value was above the permissible limit of 30 Bq kg-1 for the public. In comparison, 40K, 226Ra and 232Th soil samples mean activity concentrations were higher than the control soil samples values by 48.6%, 43.7% and 62.3% respectively. The results of estimated radiation hazard indices indicate average values of 150.72 Bq kg-1, 68.40T, 83.65µSvy-1 and 454.70µSvy-1 for the Radium Equivalent (h), iDose Equivalent (AEDE) and Annual Gonadal Equivalent Dose (AGED) respectively. The mean values for External Hazard Indices (Hex, Hin), Representative Gamma index (s) and Excess Life Cancer Risk (ELCR) were 0.41, 0.50, 1.06 and 0.29 x10-3 respectively. The statistical analysis shows positive skewness.

Author(s):  
U. Rilwan ◽  
I. Umar ◽  
G. C. Onuchukwu ◽  
H. A. Abdullahi ◽  
M. Umar

This work evaluates the radiation hazard indices from some selected mining sites in Nasarawa West, using Sodium Iodide Thallium Gamma Spectrometry. Raeq ranged from 100.39-197.40 Bq/Kg with a mean 161.44 Bq/Kg, which is lower than the average of 370 Bq/Kg. The GADR ranged from 44.85 nGy/hr-90.71 nGy/hr with the mean 73.68 nGy/hr. which is also below the average of 89 nGy/hr for soil. The AGED ranged from 315.77 mSv/yr-640.91 mSv/yr with the mean 519.19. Which is above the threshold value of 300 mSv/yr. ACI ranged from 0.73-1.45 with the mean value 1.18 which is above the standard of unity. The AEDE (outdoor) ranges from 0.055 mSv/yr-0.111 mSv/yr with the mean 0.090 mSv/yr which is above the 0.07 mSv/yr standard permissible limit. The AEDE (indoor) ranged from 0.220 mSv/yr-0.445 mSv/yr, with the mean value 0.361mSv/yr. This is below the 0.45 mSv/yr threshold. The ELCR ranged from 00.770-1.558 with the mean value 1.265 and from 0.193-0.389 with the mean value 0.317 for outdoor and indoor respectively, which exceed the 0.29 X 10-3 threshold limit. The External  and  Internal  Hazard  indices ranges from 0.271-0.533 and 0.289-0.675 as well as mean values 0.435 and 0.512 respectively, which are  below the threshold. Therefore, there may be serious radiological effects to the populace.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ologe Oluwatoyin ◽  
◽  
Joseph Aisabokhae ◽  

The study area located in the southern part of Kebbi State, northwestern Nigeria, has witnessed intense mining activities and upscale industrialization in recent years. These events have necessitated deeper and insightful studies into radiological hazard evaluation to mitigate associated adverse consequences and enforce protective measures in the environment. A total of 45 sampled locations each were taken for both industrial and mining sites in northwestern Nigeria to determine the concentration of Potassium-40, Thorium-232 and Uranium-238 radionuclides as applied to radiological hazard analysis. The mean value of the absorbed dose in the industrial site was 90 nGy/h, whereas the mining site recorded a mean value of 210 nGy/h. Other radiological indices such as radium equivalent factor, external risk assessment, internal index and representative gamma index recorded mean values of 187.68, 0.507, 0.547 and 0.768 respectively, whereas the same hazard indices presented higher values of 412.58, 1.114, 1.231 and 1.675 respectively in the mining site. The variability studies showed that the dose risk ratio of the industrial region to the mining region is 1:2. The mining site presented radiological hazard indices higher than the recommended global threshold hence should be classified as a restricted zone to forestall health-related crises which may manifest among local dwellers.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 89-96
Author(s):  
P. Lamichhane ◽  
B. Rijal ◽  
P. Shrestha ◽  
B. R. Shah

This study was conducted to determine the amount of naturally occurring radioactivity in the soil of Nepal's Kathmandu valley. The activity of naturally occurring radionuclides was determined in these soil samples using a sodium iodide detector. Activity concentrations of 238U, 232Th, and 40K were found in the range: 32.00-111.38 Bq kg-1, 33.52-130.04 Bq kg-1, and 342.50-897.71 Bq kg-1, respectively. These values are well within the permissible range as recommended by UNSCEAR. The soil samples with the highest activity concentrations were primarily found in the valley's northern region. The activity concentrations were also used to calculate the radiation hazard indices: the mean value obtained were 96.63 nGy hr-1 for Absorbed Gamma Dose Rate in Air, 200.04 Bq kg-1 for Radium Equivalent Activity, the 0.12 mSv yr-1 for Annual Effective Dose, and 0.55 for External Hazard Index. These calculated hazard indices were used to estimate the potential radiological health risk from the soil, and the dose rates associated with it were significantly less than their permissible limit. The overall findings indicate no radiological threat to the population's health in the study area. Additionally, the findings of this study provide baseline information on potential radionuclides that contribute mostly for radiation exposure from natural sources.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 1238-1242
Author(s):  
Ashish Rai ◽  
Surendra Singh

Soil fertility status of the intensively vegetables growing in black soils of Varanasi (UP), India is not available. Therefore, present study was under-taken to assess the fertility status by collecting 100 surface (0-15 cm depth) soil samples using geographical positioning system (GPS). Soil samples were analysed following standard methods. The pH of the surface soils ranged from 7.3 to 8.4 with a mean of 7.9 indicating alkaline nature of soil. The EC of the soils were normal and ranged from 0.17 to 0.48 dS m-1 with mean value of 0.30 dS m-1. The organic carbon content of the soils ranged from 3 to 9 g kg-1 with a mean of 5.8 g kg-1. The range (mean) values of available N, P and K were 106 to 291 (184), 8 to 65 (27) and 145 to 358 (229) kg ha-1, respectively. The soils were found 99% low in available N content and nutrient index rating of available P was found high. The range (mean) values of B, Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn were, 0.11 to 0.53 (0.40), 0.38 to 3.04 (1.08), 0.22 to 1.96 (0.79), 2.9 to 16.40 (8.42) and 0.68 to 12.64 (3.24) mg kg-1 soil, respectively. The available sulphur of the soils ranged from 7 to 33 mg S kg-1 with mean of 15 mg S kg-1 soil. Soils were categorised in to low, medium and high status, subsequently 99 % soils were found low in available nitrogen whereas 63% soil samples were found medium in available phosphorus, and 88% were medium in available potash. 26, 48 and 26% soils were low, medium and high in S, respectively and the corresponding Figs. for B were 90, 10 and 0%. In case of cationic micronutrients, 7, 58 and 35% soils were low, medium and high in Zn and the corresponding Figs. for Available Mn were 30, 44 and 26%. Fe was found 6, 59 and 35% in low, medium and high category respectively. There was no copper deficiency found in black soils of Varanasi.


Author(s):  
N. P. Udeh ◽  
A. C. Ikegwuonu ◽  
O. A. Okeke ◽  
C. Obudulu ◽  
K. P. Okafor ◽  
...  

Soil samples and cassava tubers collected from farmlands within Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka vicinity were analyzed for their heavy metal levels using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) in order to assess their levels of contamination on the environment as a result of excessive fertilizers and automobile emission. Physiochemical properties of the soil samples were determined using standard methods. The soil pH had a mean value of 6.27 ± 0.07, 6.10 ± 0.06 and 6.57 ± 0.03 respectively indicating that the soils were slightly acidic to neutrality. Total organic carbon and nitrate mean values were 105.20 ± 6.20, 95.75 ± 9.57 and 94.6 ± 2.27 and 138.07 ± 12.09, 149.35 ± 14.25 and 149.20 ± 1.17 respectively showing presence of some organic matters. The mean levels of heavy metals in the soil samples were 0.01 ± 0.01, 0.05 ± 0.03 and 0.05 ± 0.03 for lead (Pb), 0.24 ± 0.16, 0.001 ± 0.001 and 0.001 ± 0.000 for cadmium (Cd) and 0.00 ± 0.00, 0.010 ± 0.006 and 0.001 ± 0.001 for chromium (Cr). These metals levels were in the abundance trend of Pb>Cd> Cr. The mean metal concentrations obtained in the cassava tubers respectively were 0.001 ± 0.001, 0.001 ± 0.001 and 0.005 ± 0.005 for lead (Pb), 0.000 ± 0.000, 0.0003 ± 0.0003 and 0.000 ± 0.000 for cadmium (Cd) and 0.002 ± 0.002, 0.000 ± 0.000 and 0.002 ± 0.002 for chromium (Cr). These metals levels were in the abundance trend of Pb> Cr > Cd. For both the soil and cassava samples, there were no significant variations in the heavy metal concentrations and also in physicochemical parameter except for pH; this showed that there is low heavy metal enrichment in the soils studied. Based on the study, the following heavy metals (Pb, Cd, and Cr) falls within the Codex maximum permissible limits 0.1mg/l or ppm expect soil cadmium in science village which is above the Codex limit. The overall results showed that the farmlands (on soils and cassava tuber) appear to be free from poisoning or some metal enrichment and safe for agricultural purposes and also safe for human health and consumption.


Author(s):  
C K Rotich ◽  
N O Hashim ◽  
M W Chege ◽  
C Nyambura

Abstract The activity concentration of soil samples of Bureti sub-county was measured using thallium-activated sodium iodide detector. To ascertain the level of radiation hazard to the public, gamma radiation dose rates were also estimated. The average activity concentration due to 40K, 226Ra and 232Th for soil samples are 1164 ± 70, 106 ± 8 and 79 ± 5 Bqkg−1, respectively. An average dose rate of 145 ± 10 nGyh−1 was recorded, which is about 2.5 times higher than the world average value of 60 nGyh−1(UNSCEAR). On the other hand, an average outdoor effective dose of 0.35 ± 0.02 mSvy−1 was measured, which is lower than the ICRP safety limit of 1 mSvy−1. This shows that the radiation hazards from naturally occurring terrestrial radionuclides in Bureti is low and therefore human radiation exposure is within the accepted limits.


2019 ◽  
Vol 100 ◽  
pp. 00052
Author(s):  
Aneta Łukaszek-Chmielewska ◽  
Martin Girard ◽  
Olga Stawarz ◽  
Barbara Piotrowska ◽  
Karol Wojtkowski ◽  
...  

In this article are presented the results of measurements of natural radioactivity in twelve soil samples from the Kampinoski National Park by using high purity germanium detector (HPGe). The average values of the natural radionuclides 40K, 226Ra and 228Ac concentrations in the soil samples are 8.54, 6.65 and 206 Bq/kg respectively. Additionally radiation hazard indices were calculated to evaluate the radiological risk for the public and environment. The results show that the mean values of radium equivalent activity (Raeq) and gamma absorbed dose rate (D) in the air, outdoor annual effective dose equivalent (Eout), and representative level index (Iγ) for analyzed samples were lower than the limit recommended by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effect of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR). This study is the first to evaluate the radiological impacts in the investigation area.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document