DETERMINATION OF RADIONUCLIDE LEVELS OF GINGER GROWN IN SAMBAM GIDA, JABA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA.
DETERMINATION OF RADIONUCLIDE LEVELS OF GINGER GROWN IN SAMBAM GIDA, JABA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA.
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Date
2019-04
Authors
OKEKE, JULIET
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Abstract
Plants used for medicinal and consumption purposes absorbs certain level of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORMS) which could affect mankind. This physical absorption process (uptake) has raised concerns. This work was undertaken to assess the uptake of radionuclides by ginger grown in SambamGida, Jaba Local Government Area, Kaduna State, Nigeria. The research was carried out using handheld (RADOS – 120) survey meter for the measurement of the radiation dose level of the area and Sodium Iodide Thallium doped (NaI(TI)) detector for determining the activity concentration of 40K, 226Ra, and 232Th present in the fertilizer used in cultivation, the soil and ginger grown. The radiation dose level measured varied from different sampling points with 0.43μSv/hr as the highest, 0.05μSv/hr lowest, and 0.11 μSv/hr in the control sampling points. The values of activity concentration due to 40K, 226Ra and 232Th in the fertilizer used in planting were 2024.19 Bq/kg, 19.26Bq/kg, and 62.05Bq/kg respectively. Also, the mean (range) activity concentrations of 40K, 226Ra and 232Th in the soil samples were 301.59 (203.50 to 405.15) Bq/kg, 32.24 (19.54 to 46.59) Bq/kg and 74.21 (38.54 to 121.26) Bq/kg, while that of ginger samples were357.27 (105.12 to 1962.94) Bq/kg, 30.10 (10.51 to 55.35) Bq/kg and 52.10 (10.38 to 119.85) Bq/kg respectively.The results of the transfer factor computed for 40K, 226Ra and 232Th are 1.20, 1.06 and 0.83 respectively, which shows that the ginger crop obtained from these farmlands take up more 40K and 226Ra than it does for 232Th, with the transfer rate of 40K from the soil to ginger being the highest. The mean values of Radium Equivalent activity, Annual Effective Dose Rate, external and internal hazard indices for the soil samples which were found to be 162.42Bq/kq, 0.09 mSvy-1, 0.44 and 0.53 respectively, while Radium Equivalent activity and Annual Effective Dose Rate of ginger samples were 132.11Bq/kg and 0.08mSvy-1respectively. Generally, the results computed for the radiological health hazards were all within the international standards which are 370 Bq/kg for radium equivalent activity, 1mSvy-1 for Annual Effective Dose Rate and unity each for external and internal hazard indices.Based on the results obtained, ginger grown in the study area is considered safe for consumption.
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A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES,
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF MASTEROF SCIENCE DEGREE IN RADIATION BIOPHYSICS DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS FACULTY OF PHYSICAL SCIENCES AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA
NIGERIA
Keywords
DETERMINATION OF RADIONUCLIDE LEVELS,, GINGER GROWN,, SAMBAM GIDA,, JABA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA,, KADUNA STATE,, NIGERIA,