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Activity Concentrations and Distribution of 40K, 232Th, and 238U with Respect to Depth and Associated Radiation Risks in Three Kaolin Mining Sites in Umuahia, Nigeria. |
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PP: 249- 255 |
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doi:10.18576/jrna/060310
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Author(s) |
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E. O. Echeweozo,
I. S. Okeke,
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Abstract |
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| Activity concentrations and distribution of 40K, 232Th, and 238U with respect to depth and associated radiation hazards in three major kaolin mining sites in Umuahia, Nigeria was evaluated. Kaolin samples mined at different depth (5 Ft, 20 Ft, 40 Ft) from each of the three mining sites were analyzed. The average activity concentrations of 40K, 232Th, and 238U at the mining sites are 164.96 Bq/Kg, 47.15 Bq/kg and 76.29 Bq/kg respectively. Estimated radiological hazard indices showed that the mean values of Radium Equivalent, External and Internal Hazards, Absorbed dose rate, Annual Effective Dose, Excess lifetime cancer risk and Gamma active index are 156.42 Bq/kg, 0.42, 0.63, 70.6 nGyh-1, 0.433 mSvy-1, 1.51 x 10-3 and 1.092 respectively. Comparing the activity concentration of the mean value and their radiation exposure levels with the recommended standards, the measured radiological hazards indices were within the recommended safety limit. Furthermore, the study shows that activity concentrations of Uranium and Thorium were marginally elevated at lower regions of Kaolin mining site in Umuahia. |
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