IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development

RESEARCH JOURNAL OF PURE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (RJPST )

E-ISSN 2579-0536
P-ISSN 2695-2696
VOL. 6 NO. 3 2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56201/rjpst.v6.no3.2023.pg33.71

---

Assessment of Natural Radioactivity and Associated Radiological Indicators in Water and Surface Soils Around Beta Glass Plc and Its Environs, Ughelli, Delta State, Nigeria

Onyekachi Godwin Aniekwe, Ezekiel O. Agbalaga, Gregory O. Avwiri

---

Abstract

A radiometric assessment was conducted around Beta Glass plc using sodium iodide detector (3×3-inch NaI (TI)). The study collected 14 soil and 13 water samples from June to July 2022, analyzing radioactivity concentrations of 40K, 238U, and 232Th. The mean specific activity concentrations of 40K, 238U, and 232Th were 184.00±29.73 Bqkg-1, 14.55±2.50 Bqkg-1, and 8.60±1.04 Bqkg-1, respectively, in soil samples, but these elements' concentrations in water were 27.429±5.633 BqL-1, 6.661±1.421 BqL-1, and 2.518±0.361 BqL-1, respectively. The average activity concentrations of 40K, 238U, and 232Th were lower than the safe limit, and the corresponding radiation hazard indices for soil samples were all below the UNSCEAR-recommended acceptable limits. The mean activity concentrations of radionuclides in water samples were higher than the UNSCEAR's recommended international limits for 40K, 238U, and 232Th. Nonetheless, elevated radiological health hazards imply that cumulative dosages may cause cancer, even though these values might not pose an immediate health concern to the local community's people or the workforce.

---

References:

Addo, M. A., Lomotey, J. S., Osei, B., & Kwame, A. (2020). Measurement of natural radioactivity
in soil dust samples along roadways in high commercial areas of the Ketu South district of
the Volta Region, Ghana. Radiation Protection and Environment.
Ademola, A. K. (2021). Radiological Risks from Natural Radionuclides in Surface Soil of Agbara
Industrial Area, Ogun State, Nigeria. J. Appl. Sci. Environ. Manage., 25(5), 733-739.
doi:https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jasem.v25i5.7

DOWNLOAD PDF

---

Back