Determination of the Distribution of Gamma Emitting Radionuclides in Abeokuta using an In-Situ Gamma Spectrometric System
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70882/josrar.2025.v2i1.26Keywords:
Radionuclides, In-situ, Gamma spectrometry, Environmental radioactivityAbstract
In all ground formations, naturally occurring radionuclides, such as 40K, 226Ra and 232Th and their decay products exist as trace levels. In this study, in-situ gamma spectrometry, which consists of a NaI(Tl) detector, a portable shield 4 cm thick and 17.5 cm deep which was filled with lead shots and a mobile stand has been used to measure different components of environmental radioactivity around Abeokuta, capital of Ogun State, Southwestern Nigeria. Results from the study shows that 40K, 226Ra and 232Th has a mean of 469.28 ± 4.09, 65.11± 0.27 and 558.93 ± 6.61 Bq/kg correspondingly. Calculated values for absorbed dose rate are as follows: 451.27 nGy/h for the mean, 86.76 nGy/h for the lowest, and 1635.92 nGy/h for the highest. The mean value of the yearly effective dosage is 0.99 mSv/y, with low value of 0.22 mSv/y and high value of 4.22 mSv/y. The minimum value exceeds the maximum value. Based on the findings of this investigation, one may draw the conclusion that the comparatively high activity concentration level of the city can be attributed to the unexpectedly high concentrations that were found at some sites.
References
Al-Masri, M.S. and Doubal, A.W. 2013.Validation of in-situ and laboratory gamma spectrometry measurements for determination of 226Ra, 40K and 137Cs in soil. Applied Radiation and Isotopes, 75: 50-57.
Baxter, M.S., Cook, G.J. and McDonald, P. 1989. An Assessment of Artificial Radionuclide Transfer from Sellafield to S. W. Scotland.DOE/Rw/89/127.
Benke, R.R. and Kearfott, K.J. 1997. Comparison of In-Situ and Laboratory Gamma Spectroscopy of Natural Radionuclides In Desert Soil. Health Physics Society, 73(2): 350-361.
Farai, I. P. and Vincent, U. E. 2006. Out-door Radiation Level measurement in Abeokuta, Nigeria, By Thermoluminescent Dosimetry. Nigerian Journal of Physics. 18(1): 121- 126
Hashim, N. O., Rathore, I. V. S., Kinyua, A. M., Mustapha, A. O.2004. Natural and Artificial Radioactivity Levels in Sediments Along the Kenyan Coast. Radiation Physics and Chemistry. 71:805 – 806.
Mayeen, U. K., Panakal, J. J. and Hasan. A. K. 2012. Determination of Primordial Radionuclides in Natural Samples Using HpGe Gamma-Ray Spectrometry. APCBEE Procedia. 1: 187 -192.
Miller, K. M. and Shebell, P. 1993. In-situ gamma ray spectrometry. A tutorial for Environmental Radiation Scientists. USDOE – Publication. EML – 557.
Moroof, O. O. and Gabriel, O.A. 2014. Geophysical and Hydrochemical Evaluation of Groundwater Potential and Character of Abeokuta Area, Southwestern Nigeria. Journal of Geography and Geology, 6(3):162-177.
Okeyode, I.C., Towolawi, G.B., Akinboro, F.G., Makinde, V. and Mustapha, A.O. 2013. Determination of Absorbed Dose Rates above Soils and Rock Outcrops in Selected Areas of Abeokuta, Nigeria. International Journal Of Research In Medical And Health Sciences, 2(2):10-16.
Okeyode, I. C. and Jibiri, N. N. 2013. Excess Lifetime Cancer Risks Associated with the Use of Sediments from Ogun River, Nigeria as Building Material. Research Journal of Physics. 7(1):1- 8.
Otwoma, D., Patel, J. P., Bartilol, S. and Mustapha, A.O.2012. Radioactivity and Dose Assessment of Rock and Soil Samples from Homa Mountain, Homa Bay County, Kenya.XI Radiation Physics and Protection Conference, Nasr City-Cairo, Egypt.
UNSCEAR, 2000. United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation, Exposures from Natural Radiation Sources, United Nations, New York.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 P. E. Biere, E. G. Ogobiri, A. B. Ogunremi, V. Makinde (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
- Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
- NonCommercial — You may not use the material for commercial purposes.
- No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
