Quantification of Activity Concentrations and Radiation Hazard Indices in the Solid Minerals Exploration Fields of Benue State, Nigeria with Multivariate Statistical Approach
A. I. Olanrewaju, G. O. Avwiri
Advances in Research · pp. 1–13 · Published 6 Jun 2017
10.9734/AIR/2017/33432Abstract
The quantification of activity concentrations of radionuclides and the radiation hazard indices in the exploration fields of Benue State have been carried out. Samples of the environmental matrix (soil and minerals) were collected from five mining sites of barite, limestone, lead, coal and salt in Lessle, Gboko, Anyin, Owukpa and Akuana communities. The concentrations of radioactivity was analyzed using NaI (Tl) γ-ray spectroscopy. Results showed that the concentrations of activity of the primordial radionuclides 40K, 238U, and 232Th for soil samples obtained ranged from 11.42 (Salt) – 1491.47 (Lead) Bq/kg, 12.87 (Barite) – 452.32 (Coal) Bq/kg and 6.78 (Coal)–108.41 (Barite) Bq/kg respectively. The mean value activity concentration of the radionuclides in the minerals samples at the mining sites were 10.58 – 623.36 Bq/kg, 1.97 – 540.33 Bq/kg and 2.13 – 25.28 Bq/kg for 40K, 238U, and 232Th respectively. The radium equivalent activity (Raeq), external hazard index, Hex, internal hazard index (Hin), representative index (Ig) and excess lifetime cancer risk calculated for soil and minerals samples compared favourably with the precautionary limits set by UNSCEAR. The excess lifetime cancer risk estimated for soil which was fairly insignificant compared with 0.05 prescribed by ICRP for low level radiation. The multivariate statistical (Pearson’s correlation and cluster) analysis showed some positive significant among 40K, 238U and 232Th, and with other radiological parameters in some mine fields. The study indicated that the minerals and soil samples from the mining sites will pose no major health risk to the public if used for industrial activities except for the salt minerals consumption.
References (6)
- 1 Sources, Effects and Risks of Ionizing Radiation [DOI]
- 2 Specific activity and hazards of granite samples collected from the Eastern Desert of Egypt [DOI]
- 3 Population dose distribution due to soil radioactivity concentration levels in 18 cities across Nigeria [DOI]
- 4 Determination of natural radioactivity in rock salt and radiation doses due to its ingestion [DOI]
- 5 Practical gamma spectrometry
- 6 Radionuclide contents in raw minerals and soil samples and the associated radiological risk from some mining sites in Benue State North-Central Nigeria
Cited by 3
Bildad Atsegha, Y. Chad-Umoren · Asian Journal of Emerging Research · 2022
Showing 1 of 3 known citations — external sources report more than can currently be individually listed.
Related research
- Estimation of Radiation Risk Due to Exposure to Terrestrial Radiation — shares topic coverage
- Baseline Studies of Terrestrial Outdoor Gamma Dose Rates of Ten Selected Markets in Port Harcourt Metropolis — shares topic coverage
- Assessment of Background Gamma Radiation Level in Selected Dump Site of Niger Delta, Nigeria — shares topic coverage
- Measurement of Outdoor Ambient Radiation and Evaluation of Radiological Risks of Coastal Communities in Ndokwa East, Delta State, Nigeria — shares topic coverage
- Risk Assessment of Outdoor Gamma Radiation in Some Coastal Communities of Delta State, Nigeria — shares topic coverage
Article metrics
Real usage data collected on this platform.
59
Page views
0
PDF downloads
18
Outbound clicks
3
Citations
Views over time
Views by country
Approximate, from request IP at view time — not citizenship or institution. Countries with fewer than 5 views are grouped as "Other".
Traffic sources
Referring site, by host.
Views and downloads exclude known bots/crawlers. Citations combines this platform's own DOI-resolved index with each external source's own reported total — see Cited by above for individually listed citing works. Last refreshed 0 seconds ago.