Assessment of terrestrial radionuclide exposure and contamination rates within the Mbaitoli area, Nigeria

Abstract

Abstract The Mbaitoli region is particularly vulnerable to various impacts associated with flooding, soil erosion, landslides, and water erosion. In light of these challenges, this study seeks to investigate the contamination and exposure rates of the radionuclides uranium (238U), thorium (232Th), and potassium (40K) in the terrestrial environment of Mbaitoli, Imo State, as well as the associated radiological risks. Forty soil samples were collected from the Mbaitoli region and analysed via a sodium iodide (NaI(Tl)) detector spectrometry system. The results obtained suggest that the Mbaitoli environment and its inhabitants are currently safe from contamination and pollution because of the presence of radionuclides in the soil.

Keywords

• Soil contamination
• Activity
• Gamma-ray spectrometry
• Mbaitoli
• Radiological hazard