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Evaluation of Radiological Risks Due to Natural Radioactivity in Soils from Swampy Agricultural Farmlands in Kokona, Nigeria |
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PP: 179-183 |
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Author(s) |
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Mahmud A. Abdulmalik,
Idris M. Mustapha,
Usman M. Ma’aj,
Abdullahi S. Halimatu,
Iwa S. James,
Mohammed A. Aisha,
Abubakar M. Auwal,
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Abstract |
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| In this study, the radioactivity concentration levels of 238U, 232Th, and 40K in soils from swampy agricultural
farmlands in Kokona, Nigeria were investigated. The systematic random sampling technique was used to collect ten soil
samples. The samples were prepared and analyzed for activity concentration levels using a NaI(Tl) detector. The result
shows that the activity concentration levels of 238U, 232Th, and 40K ranged from 4.57±0.54 Bq/kg to 45.09±4.99 Bq/kg with
mean value of 23.62±73 Bq/kg, 5.27±0.31 Bq/kg to 13.23±0.79 Bq/kg with mean value 8.80±0.52 Bq/kg, 386.618.80
±20.17 Bq/kg to 1908.11±96.16 Bq/kg with mean value 875.51±45.04 Bq/kg respectively. The calculated value of gamma
dose rate, estimated external hazard index, excess life cancer risk, and annual gonadal dose equivalent ranged from 31.413
nGy/h to 86.538 nGy/h with a mean value of 49.464 nGy/h, 0.166 to 0.441 with a mean value of 0.261, 0.039 mSv/y to
0.077 mSv/y with mean value of 0.061 mSv/y, 0.135 to 0.371 with a mean value of 0.212, and 231.605 µSv/y to 449.766
µSv/y with a mean value of 362.797 µSv/y, respectively. Radionuclide activity concentrations in the soil samples varied
within the study area due to the differences in the geological structure or formation of the area. The activity concentrations
of 238U, 232Th, and 40K estimated in this study are lower than the world average. The calculated AEDE is lower than the
threshold dose limit of 1 mSv/y for the member of the public. Therefore, farming activities in the study area pose no
significant radiological hazard to the populace |
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