Assessment of Natural Radioactivity and Radiation Hazard in Soil and Rock Samples from Mining Sites within North-Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

There have been potential public health risks associated with the use of soil and rock from mining locations in North-Eastern Nigeria. This research evaluates the natural hazard parameters of soil and rock specimens obtained from mining locations in North-Eastern Nigeria, using grammar-ray spectroscopy. A total of twenty-eight samples were systematically gathered from Nahuta and Kashere locations. Through gamma spectrometry employing a NaI (TI) detector, the natural radioactivity levels of 238U, 232Th and 40K were determined for each sample. The findings indicated that the mean activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in Nahuta are 46.13±4.78 Bq/Kg, 34.10±3.02 Bq/Kg and 473.94±5.41 Bq/Kg for the soil samples respectively, and 32.91±0.49 Bq/Kg, 40.70±0.41 Bq/Kg, and 578.18±4.28 Bq/Kg for the rock samples respectively. The corresponding mean activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in Kashere are 17.99±4.18 Bq/Kg, 23.73±1.78Bq/Kg, and 191.65±3.15 Bq/Kg, for the soil samples, and 20.24±3.72 Bq/Kg, 29.09±1.78 Bq/Kg, and 148.36±3.15 Bq/Kg, for the rock samples respectively. An analysis of radiation risk parameters (D, AEDE, Raeq, Hex, Hin, AGDE, and ELCR) has been explored. While the samples from the Kashere region fall within the international recommended levels, elevated readings of certain radiation health parameters are observed in the Nahuta region, posing serious public health risks due to the utilization of the soil and rock from this area in construction activities.

Keywords

• gamma spectrometry
• radioactivity
• radiological hazard
• mining sites