Radioactivity Measurements of the Jos Tin Mine Tailing in Northern Nigeria

Usikalu, M.R. and Anoka, O. C. and Balogun, F. A (2011) Radioactivity Measurements of the Jos Tin Mine Tailing in Northern Nigeria. Archives of Physics Research, 2 (2). pp. 80-86. ISSN 0976-0970

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Abstract

The activity concentrations of 226Ra and232Th in Jos Tin mine tailings and its environment were measured using Hyper-pure Germanium detector (HPGe). Preset counting time of 30,000s was used for each sample to avoid statistical errors. Results showed the activities varied from one site to another. The activities of 226Ra and232Th are much higher than the recommended average limit given by UNSCEAR in the mining sites and even at 500 m away from the mining site. At 1 Km away from the mining site the activity measured is within the limit for normal background. The ratio of activity of Thorium to Radium is greater by factor of 5 in all the samples in the mining site and 500 m away which should be about unity. The mean absorbed doses (1828.66, 252.08 and 171.07 nGyh-1) for Site1, Site2 and 500m from mining site respectively in air are equally high compared with (51 nGyh-1). Also, the estimated effective dose equivalents are much higher than the recommended limit except for 1 Km from the mining site. There is need to improve waste management practices in this industries in order not to expose those living and working in this environment to health hazards associated with these radionuclides

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Radioactivity, Absorbed dose, Effective dose, Tin mine tailings, HPGe
Subjects:	Q Science > QC Physics T Technology > TN Mining engineering. Metallurgy
Divisions:	Faculty of Engineering, Science and Mathematics > School of Physics
Depositing User:	Mrs Patricia Nwokealisi
Date Deposited:	16 Sep 2016 13:24
Last Modified:	16 Sep 2016 13:24
URI:	http://eprints.covenantuniversity.edu.ng/id/eprint/7204

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