INVESTIGATING THE CONCENTRATION OF RADIONUCLIDES IN WELLS USED AS DRINKING IN NORTHERN NIGERIA; A CASE STUDY OF JOS METROPOLIS
Date
2023
Authors
Godwin, Ini
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ORCID
Type
Conference Presentation
Degree Level
Abstract
The health impacts of nuclear radiation caused by increased human activities in the environment cannot be overlooked. Based on this, 18 well water samples were collected from various locations throughout Jos Metropolis, Jos North LGA, Plateau State, Nigeria, and the following radionuclide concentration activities were examined: 40K, 210Pb, 224Ra, 232Th, and 238U, using a high-resolution gamma ray spectrometer. In well water samples used as drinking water, the assessed average concentration activities of 40K, 210Pb, 224Ra, 232Th, and 238U were determined. The mean concentration ranges from 1.36±0.51 Bq l_1 to 5.75±1.30 Bq l_1. The mean concentration of 40K in well water samples ranges from 3.80±1.19 Bq l_1 to 2.05±0.30 Bq l_1. The mean concentration of dissolved 224Ra in water samples collected varies from 5.75±1.30 Bq l_1 to 1.95±0.58 Bq l_1. 210Pb has an average concentration of 2.68 ± 0.80 Bq l_1 to 1.97±0.87 Bq l_1. 232Th and 238U had average concentrations of 3.09 ± 0.57 Bq l_1 to 1.89±0.24 Bq l_1 and 5.41 ± 1.37 Bq l_1 to 1.36±0.51 Bq l_1 respectively. 210Pb and 224Ra were slightly above the recommended limits of 0.10 Bq l_1 and 1.00 Bq l_1, respectively; this can be linked to the sampled area's geological formation. 232Th and 238U were within the accepted standard limits of 1.00 Bq l_1 and 10.00 Bq l_1 recommended by the WHO (World Health Organization) and ICRP (International Commission on Radiological Protection). Well water samples from Jos North LGA, showed activity concentrations of detected radionuclides in the following order: 210Pb>224Ra>238U>40K>232Th.
Description
Keywords
NORMs, Radionuclides