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Radiometric Evaluation of Naturally Occurring Radionuclides in Soil Around Mining Areas in Nasarawa State, Nigeria |
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PP: 1-6 |
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doi:10.18576/jrna/110101
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Author(s) |
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Iwa S. James,
Kingsley K. Ugwuagbo,
Joshua S. Ajol,
Jibrin S. Yaro,
Abdullahi I. ode,
Sadiq R. Tukur,
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Abstract |
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| This study investigates the activity concentrations of naturally occurring radionuclides in soil samples collected from mining areas in Nasarawa, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. A total of thirty-one soil samples were analyzed, comprising fifteen each from active and abandoned mining sites, along with one control sample. The samples were prepared and analyzed by gamma spectroscopy method using Sodium Iodide (NaI(TI))- detector with 7.62cm2 by 7.62cm2 geometry to determine the concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K. The mean activity concentrations for the active (abandoned) mining sites were 38.32 ± 2.51 Bq/kg (39.26 ± 2.71 Bq/kg), 31.57 ± 1.97 Bq/kg (37.80 ± 2.91 Bq/kg), and 59.59 ± 3.51 Bq/kg (69.83 ± 3.93 Bq/kg) for ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K, respectively. Radiological hazard indices were evaluated to assess potential health risks. The calculated mean values for absorbed dose rate (D), radium equivalent activity (Raeq), external hazard index (Hex), annual effective dose equivalent (AEDE), and excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) for the active (abandoned) sites were 39.32 nGy/h (43.90 nGy/h), 88.20 Bq/kg (98.73 Bq/kg), 0.238 (0.267), 48.22 µSv/y (53.83 µSv/y), and 168.76 × 10⁻⁶ (188.42 × 10⁻⁶), respectively. The AEDE values surpass recommended global safety limits, indicating a potential radiological health risk for residents and workers in the area. It is therefore recommended that mitigation measures, including shielding, environmental remediation, or site restrictions, be implemented to reduce long-term exposure and safeguard public health. |
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