Radiation hazard in soil from Ajaokuta North-central Nigeria

Usikalu, M.R. Radiation hazard in soil from Ajaokuta North-central Nigeria. International Journal of Radiation Research.

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Abstract

Background: Measurement of the radia�on dose distribu�on is important in assessing the health risk a popula�on and serve as reference in documen�ng changes to environmental radioac�vity in soil due to man-made ac�vi�es. Materials and Methods: The ac�vity concentra�on of 238U, 232Th and 40K in soil samples obtained from different loca�ons in Ajaokuta Local Government area was measured using Hyper Pure germanium Detec�on System (HPGe). Results: The calculated average concentra�on of the radionuclides ranged from 12 ± 1 Bqkg-1 to 59 ± 2 Bqkg-1 for 238U, 14 ± 1 Bqkg-1 to 78 ± 5 Bqkg-1 for 232Th and 49 ± 2 Bqkg-1 to 1272 ± 23 Bqkg-1 for 40K. In order to evaluate the radiological hazards due to natural radionuclides within Ajaokuta, the absorbed dose rate, gamma index, radium equivalent and excess life�me cancer risk were es�mated. According to measured data from the top soil (0-10 cm), the es�mated radium equivalent (Raeq) ranges from 55.7 Bqkg-1 at Steel Complex to 253.3 Bqkg-1 obtained from Forest samples. Conclusion: The mean absorbed dose rate, annual effec�ve dose and gamma radia�on index evaluated were 66.2 nGyh-1, 81.2 μSvy-1 and 1.05 respec�vely which are higher than the recommended limit for normal background radia�on. Thus, we conclude that people living in these loca�ons may be exposed to higher radia�on.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	Q Science > QC Physics
Divisions:	UNSPECIFIED
Depositing User:	Dr. Mojisola Usikalu
Date Deposited:	22 Aug 2017 14:20
Last Modified:	22 Aug 2017 14:20
URI:	http://eprints.covenantuniversity.edu.ng/id/eprint/8665

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