DETERMINATION OF CONCENTRATION OF NATURALLY OCCURRING RADIONUCLIDES AND OTHER ELEMENTS IN NASARAWA MUNICIPALITY/MINING AREAS
DETERMINATION OF CONCENTRATION OF NATURALLY OCCURRING RADIONUCLIDES AND OTHER ELEMENTS IN NASARAWA MUNICIPALITY/MINING AREAS
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Date
2000-09
Authors
DANSUMA, Said Audu
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Abstract
Soil and water samples were collected from two principal areas within
Nasarawa municipality at two different locations; Ung. Habibu and Tama.
All the sample materials were counted in the laboratory by Nal (TI) (7.5cm
by 7.5cm) detector for a period of two hours at 1000V. The efficiency of the
detector was determined by using standard point resources. Later on, this
efficiency was used in the calculation of the activity of each of the
radionuclide present in the sample. Total mean specific activity of the
radionuclide in the soil ranges from 9.1Bq/kg to 34.2Bq/kg and the specific
activity of radionuclide present in water samples ranges from 0.0045 to 0.235
Bq/cm3. K, U and Th concentration in soil ranges from 0.11 - 0.82%,0.043 -
4.32ppm and 0.33 - 6.66pprn respectively. Potassium concentration in water
(well-water) falls between 0.23% to 1.24% and that of stream within the town
is 0.231%). Total means dose rate of the soil samples calculated is 68.34 xlO"
4mSv/y which is below the dose limit for occupational and non-occupational
workers in radiation fields. The 1CRP does limit is 5mSv/y and 50mSv/y for
non-occupational and occupational workers respectively. Energy Dispersive
X-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF) was used to determine concentration either in
% or ppm of major, minor and trace elements in the soil. Ten elements were
identified and their range of concentration are Ti (0.234 - 0.748%), Mn
(O.0239 - 0.093%), Fe (0.392 -6.55%), Zn (0.34ppm - 0.759ppm), Rb
v/
(<0.107ppm - 0.0297%), Sr (0.103ppm - 0.92ppm), Th (<0.122ppm -
0.325ppm), Y (<0.220ppm - 0.396ppm), Zr (0.0163ppm to 0.21 lppm) and
Nb (<6.3ppm - 9.99ppm). From the results obtained that is the activity of the
soil and water one can say that Nasarawa Municipality is not an area with high
natural radioactivity. In addition to that, environmental impact of mining
activities has not introduced high concentration of toxic elements into the
environment.
Description
A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE POSTGRADUATE
SCHOOL IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF
SCIENCE IN RADIATION BIOPHYSICS
DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY
ZARIA, NIGERIA.
SEPTEMBER, 2000
Keywords
DETERMINATION OF CONCENTRATION,, NATURALLY OCCURRING RADIONUCLIDES,, OTHER ELEMENTS,, NASARAWA MUNICIPALITY,, MINING AREAS