29 research outputs found
Evaluation of Background Ionization Radiation Level in Some Selected Dumpsites in Delta State, Nigeria
This paper reports on the evaluation of background Ionization radiation level (BIR) in some selected Dumpsites in Uvwie, Udu and Ughelli North Local government area of Delta State, Nigeria. Background ionization radiation measurements were carried out in five Dumpsites. An in- situ measurement was done using a well calibrated nuclear radiation meters Radalert-100 and a geographical positioning system (GPS). Readings were taken once in a week for one month in ten different locations within each of the Dumpsites. The mean background Ionization radiation values in all the five Dumpsites ranges from 0.017±0.006mR/hr to 0.018±0.007mR/h. All the background ionization radiation level obtained values exceeded the normal world average BIR level of 0.013mR/h. The mean Absorbed Dose Rate values range from 1.430mSv/y to 1.541mSv/y. The results showed that all the dumpsites yearly absorbed dose rate exceeded the 1.0mSv/y maximum permissible limit recommend for the public and non-nuclear industrial environment by International Council on Radiological Protection (ICRP, 1999). This research work indicated that the Dumpsites environment may have been impacted radiologically. This will pose some long-term health side effects on the workers and residents. Keywords: Evaluation, Ionization, Radiation, Dose, dumpsites
Quantification of Activity Concentrations and Radiation Hazard Indices in the Solid Minerals Exploration Fields of Benue State, Nigeria with Multivariate Statistical Approach
The quantification of activity concentrations of radionuclides and the radiation hazard indices in the exploration fields of Benue State have been carried out. Samples of the environmental matrix (soil and minerals) were collected from five mining sites of barite, limestone, lead, coal and salt in Lessle, Gboko, Anyin, Owukpa and Akuana communities. The concentrations of radioactivity was analyzed using NaI (Tl) γ-ray spectroscopy. Results showed that the concentrations of activity of the primordial radionuclides 40K, 238U, and 232Th for soil samples obtained ranged from 11.42 (Salt) – 1491.47 (Lead) Bq/kg, 12.87 (Barite) – 452.32 (Coal) Bq/kg and 6.78 (Coal)–108.41 (Barite) Bq/kg respectively. The mean value activity concentration of the radionuclides in the minerals samples at the mining sites were 10.58 – 623.36 Bq/kg, 1.97 – 540.33 Bq/kg and 2.13 – 25.28 Bq/kg for 40K, 238U, and 232Th respectively. The radium equivalent activity (Raeq), external hazard index, Hex, internal hazard index (Hin), representative index (Ig) and excess lifetime cancer risk calculated for soil and minerals samples compared favourably with the precautionary limits set by UNSCEAR. The excess lifetime cancer risk estimated for soil which was fairly insignificant compared with 0.05 prescribed by ICRP for low level radiation. The multivariate statistical (Pearson’s correlation and cluster) analysis showed some positive significant among 40K, 238U and 232Th, and with other radiological parameters in some mine fields. The study indicated that the minerals and soil samples from the mining sites will pose no major health risk to the public if used for industrial activities except for the salt minerals consumption
Survey of Background Ionization Radiation Level in Some Selected Automobile Mechanic Workshops in Uvwie LGA Delta State, Nigeria
Environmental radiation measurement was carried out in automobile mechanic workshops in Effurun, Uvwie Local government area of Delta State, Nigeria. An in-situ measurement was done using a well calibrated nuclear radiation meter (Radalert-100) and a geographical positioning system (GPS). The mean background Ionization radiation value in all the automobile mechanic workshops is 0.0167±0.002mR/hr while the mean Equivalent Dose Rate value is 1.428±0.002mSv/y. Both the background ionization radiation and equivalent dose rate levels obtained values exceeded the normal world average background ionization radiation (BIR) level of 0.013mR/h and 1.0mSv/y respectively (ICRP, 1999). This study revealed that the automobile mechanic workshops environment may have been impacted, but there is no immediate health implication. However, it will pose some long-term health side effects on the workers, residents and the environment. Keywords: Survey, Ionization, Radiation, Dose, Automobile, Mechanic, Workshop
Natural Radioactivity Levels in Surface Soil of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Oil and Gas Fields
The activity concentrations and the gamma-absorbed dose rates of the terrestrial naturally occurring radio nuclides viz. 226Ra, 232Th and 40K were determined in soil samples collected from twelve oil fields and their host communities, using gamma ray spectrometry. The soil activity ranges from 10.10 to 41.23 Bq/kg for 226Ra, 7.42 to 30.31 Bq/kg for 232Th and 92.42 to 482.79 Bq/kg for 40K with mean values of 19.16, 21.26 and 224.29 Bq/kg, respectively for host community soil. In the field soil sample, the activity concentration ranges from 16.27 to 52.19 Bq/kg for 226Ra, 9.72 to 34.13 Bq/kg for 232Th and 134.50 to 395.15 Bq/kg for 40K with mean values of 29.61, 17.41 and 262.63 Bq/kg, respectively. The concentrations of these radionuclides are compared with the values of the control samples and the UNSCEAR, 2000 standards of 35.0, 30.0 and 400 Bq/kg for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K respectively. The measured activity concentration of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in soil is lower than the world average except in two oil fields that 226Ra and 40K exceeded the world average. Radium equivalent activities are calculated from the results to assess the radiation hazards arising due to the use of these soil samples in the construction of dwellings. All the soil samples have radium equivalent activities lower than the limit set in the UNSCEAR report (370 Bq/kg). The overall mean outdoor Absorbed Dose rate are 32.17 and 35.45nGy•h−1 respectively for host community soil and field soil samples. The corresponding effective dose calculated has mean values less than 1.0 mSvy-1, the limit set by WHO (2008). The hazard indices calculated were all less than unity (1) showing that all the soil/sediment samples sampled are still safe for building purpose since their radiological impact is minimal. The percentage contribution of each of these radionuclide are; 64.77% for radium-226, 3.13% for thorium-232 and 32.10% for potassium-40. The entire radiation hazard indices are within the acceptable limit therefore, no immediate health risk as a result of these radionuclide but continuous exposure may result to a significant health impact
Monitoring of specific activities of long-lived radioactive elements along the Mini- Okoro/Oginigba Creek, Port Harcourt
Presence and concentrations of radionuclides could be as a result of natural and human activities. This study examined the associations and differences among soil, sediment and water specific activities of long-lived radioactive element (LLRE). Gamma spectroscopy was used to measure the concentration of the LLRE along the Mini Okoro/Oginigba Creek, Port Harcourt. Specific activities of three selected LLRE were derived. Correlation analysis was carried out to examine associations among the specific activities across different substrates. A strong and a significant negative correlation exists between the specific activities of Water 40K and Soil 232Th (r =-0.721, p<0.05); Water 238U and Soil 238U (r = -0.717, p<0.05) and Water 40K and Sediment 238U (r=-0.69, p<0.05). Comparison using Mann-Whitney U test shows that, soil and sediment are similar in their specific activities with Z values of -0.408, -1.209 and -1.021 (p > 0.05) for 40K, 232Th and 238U respectively. The concentration of solid samples (soil and sediment) is different from the liquid (water) samples. These associations can be attributed to some specific underlying factors. And in other to understand them there is need for more studies. © JASEMKeywords: Radionuclide; environmental monitoring; Niger Delta; Gamma spectroscopy; Environmental managemen
Determination of Radionuclide Levels in Soil and Water around Cement Companies in Port Harcourt
The study of the radionuclide concentration levels in soil and water
samples in Eagle, Atlas and rock cement companies in Port Harcourt was
carried out. Soil and water samples collected from the respective
premises were analyzed using the gamma -ray spectrometry. The average
absorbed dose rates of the soil samples were 49.27nGy/h, 45.21nGy/h and
42.33nGy/h for Eagle, Atlas and Rock cements respectively while the
water values were 22.16nGy/h, 20.75nGy/h and 19.37nGy/h for the
respective companies. Mean dose rate equivalents of 0.18mSv/y and
0.39mS/y were obtained for the water and soil samples. These results
are lower than the International Commission on Radiological Protection
(ICRP) maximum permitted limit and therefore, have no significance
radiological health burden on the environment and the populace. @JASE
Assessment of Gamma-Radiation Levels in Selected Oil Spilled Areas in Rivers State, Nigeria
A prelude radiological impact assessment of oil spillage on the oil spilled environment, those saddled with the responsibility of cleaning the spilled crude and the host/nearest communities residents in Rivers State Nigeria has been examined in-situ, using radiation meters (Digilert 100 nuclear radiation meter) and a geographical positioning system (GPS). Readings were taken twice in a month for three months in the five different oil spilled site and one measurement taken at a control site where there is no oil spillage but within oil bearing community. The average radiation values in all the oil spilled site is 0.019±0.006mRh-1, this is far above the 0.011±0.003mRh-1obtained for the control and ICRP 0.013±0.005mRh-1 world background levels. The average equivalent dose rate obtained in all the five studied site is 1.6mSvy-1 while the dose rate in the control is 0.93mSvy-1. The results showed that all the oil spilled sites yearly equivalent dose rate exceeded the 1mSvy-1 maximum permissible limit recommend for the public and non-nuclear industrial environment by International Council on Radiological Protection (ICRP,1999). All the oil spilled environment radiation levels exceeded the normal world average BIR level of 0.013mRh-1and other reported values in similar environment. This shows that the oil spilled environment have been impacted radiologically. This will pose some long-term health side effects on the clean-up workers and residents of the host communities. Interim proactive measures are recommended while further and a detail study is ongoing
Radiometric Survey of Aluu Landfill, In Rivers State, Nigeria
A key component of the Millennium Development Goals is a call to halve by the year 2015 the proportion of persons without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation in developing nations. This paper reports a study of the terrestrial radioactivity around Aluu landfill in Obiakpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria. Measurements were carried out in the North, South, East and West directions of the Aluu landfill. An in- situ measurement was done using two well calibrated nuclear radiation meters (Radalert-100 and Digilert-50) and a geographical positioning system (GPS). Ten readings were taken in each direction of the landfill at intervals of ten (10) meters away from the landfill making a total of forty (40) sampling points. The mean site radiation levels all the four cardinal points ranges from 0.0123  0.0026 mR/hr (1.034mSv/y) to 0.0151± 0.0012mR/h (1.270mSv/y). The equivalent dose has an average value range of 1.001mSv/y to 1.270mSv/y which is slightly above the recommended dose limit of 1.0mSv/y for the general public. Comparison of the measured radiation level of site locations with the normal background levels show 21 locations representing 53% of the sampled area exceed the normal background level of 0.013mR/h. This study indicates that there is no immediate radiological health hazard for the general public, however there may be long-term health challenges. Keywords: Assessment, Dose equivalent, Landfill, Millennium, Radalert, Digilert
Gross \u3b1 and \u3b2 Activity Concentration and Estimation of Adults and Infants Dose intake in Surface and Ground Water of Ten Oil Fields Environment in Western Niger Delta of Nigeria
The oil and gas rich Niger Delta region of Nigeria is characterized by
environmental degradation leading to environmental pollution from oil
and gas activities. This study examined the gross \u3b1 and \u3b2
activity in thirty (river/stream, well and tap) water samples collected
from ten oil fields in the Western Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The
counting system employed in this analysis is the Gas-flow proportional
counter {Eurisys Measure IN20 low- background multiple (eight) channel
counter}. Gross alpha activity concentration range from 0.01\ub10.002
to 0.7\ub10.01 (0.15\ub10.003) Bql-1, 0.01\ub10.003 to
0.5\ub10.01 (0.1\ub10.003)Bql-1 and 0.02\ub10.001 to
35.1\ub11.1 (4.1\ub10.1) Bql-1 while beta activity concentration
ranged from 1.1\ub10.04 to 13.2\ub10.1 (6.0\ub10.1) Bql-1,
0.7\ub10.1 to 54.7\ub11.3 (8.9\ub10.2)Bql-1 and 0.7\ub10.03 to
151.2\ub11.8 (40.1\ub10.9)Bql-1 for well, tap and river waters
respectively. Correlation value between \u3b1 and \u3b2 activities in
well, tap and river water is 0.025, 0.047 and 0.512 respectively. The
results show that except for the alpha activity in the tap water
samples, the average natural activity concentrations of \u3b1- and
\u3b2-emitting radionuclides in the samples are slightly above the WHO
recommended limit. For all samples the gross \u3b2 activities are
higher than the corresponding gross \u3b1 activities. The mean
effective equivalent dose intake per year due to alpha activity in the
water samples for adults and infants are: 76.4\ub11.8 and
20.9\ub155\u3bcSvy-1, 54.6\ub11.3 and 14.9\ub10.4\u3bcSvy-1,
and 2118\ub170 and 584\ub119.2\u3bcSvy-1 in well, tap, and river
water samples respectively. The results obtained for dose intake are
below the WHO recommended reference level of 0.1mSvy-1, except for the
water sample from Uzere river. This study indicates that the water
sources evaluated, especially the rivers, are contaminated
radiologically. @JASE
Radiological impact of oil and Gas Activities in selected oil fields in Production Land Area of Delta State, Nigeria
A study of the radiological impact of oil and gas exploration
activities in the production land area of Delta State has been carried
out in-situ using two synchronized and calibrated radiation meters
(Digilert 50 and 100) and a geographical positioning system (GPS). Ten
oil field facilities were studied. At each facility, nine sampling
locations and their host communities were evaluated making a total of
100 study points. Measured exposure rate in the oil field facilities
ranged from 0.011\ub10.003mRh-1 in Evwreni camp site to
0.031\ub10.01mRh-1 at the Otorogu gas plant. Mean field exposure
rates/equivalent dose rates ranged from
0.016\ub10.006mRh-1(0.839\ub10.34mSvy-1) to
0.0213\ub10.008mRh-1(1.134\ub10.44mSvy-1). In the host communities
the values ranged from 0.0115\ub10.003mRh-1 (0.612\ub10.16mSvy-1)
in Evwreni community to 0.021\ub10.007mRh-1 (1.117\ub10.37mSvy-1)
in Otujeremi town, while for the control study area the value obtained
was 0.009\ub10.002mRh-1(0.479\ub10.11mSvy-1). The results show that
the radiation levels for the Ughelli East, Kokori, Eriemu, Evwreni,
Eriemu, Oweh, Olomoro-Oleh oil and gas fields are within the 1mSvy-1
maximum permissible limit recommended for the public and non-nuclear
industrial environment, while the levels for the fields at Otorogu,
Ughelli West, Afiesere and Uzere West and East and the host communities
of Olomoro, Uzere and Emeragha exceeded the maximum recommended value,
an indication that the oil fields and host communities environment have
been impacted radiologically. However, these results obtained may not
have immediate health hazard, but will pose some long-term health side
effects on the staff working in the facilities and residents of the
host communities. Interim proactive measures are recommended @JASE